Woods Restaurant & Bar

Found this restaurant through Instagram and was a little sceptical at first. Their food was truly delicious and amazing. The service was very helpful and professional. The seared tuna and scallops were a 10/10 for me. The boar was a 9/10 was very well done. The drinks they have are very delicious. For a restaurant on the fancier side the prices weren’t too bad. When busy it is on the louder side but you are still able to talk. Make a reservation as you will not have to wait.

David was just the best. Great food, good ambiance, nice vibe. The duck was tender. The carpaccio was supreme. It’s a little hardy but well planned. We loved it.

Woods is one of those rare Toronto spots that feels like a little escape from the city. The décor is lush and romantic—dim lighting, twinkling string lights, natural elements like trees and greenery—it really lives up to its name. It’s an ideal spot for a date night or any special occasion. To begin, we were offered a complimentary slice of bread each, along with a small pad of butter to share. A nice gesture, though it felt a little sparse for a table of two. We started our evening with a couple of cocktails—the Canadian Manhattan and the Niagara Peach. While both were enjoyable, they lacked a bit of punch and felt somewhat diluted. For appetizers, we chose the heirloom beet salad and the elk tartare. Both were plated beautifully and had well-balanced flavours. The beet salad was bright and creamy thanks to the goat cheese mousse, while the elk tartare had a rich, earthy taste with a nice crunch from the crisp topping. Our mains were the halibut and the braised bison short rib. The halibut was tender and paired well with its accompaniments, and the bison was hearty and comforting. That said, the portion sizes felt on the small side, especially considering the price point. Service was kind and courteous. We ended up skipping dessert because we had tickets to a show and ran out of time—unfortunate, as we were looking forward to trying something sweet. All in all, Woods offers a beautiful setting and thoughtfully crafted Canadian dishes. If you're planning to go, make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to relax and enjoy the evening—this is more of a slow, indulgent dinner experience than a quick night out.

Our experience at Woods was amazing! Not only was the restaurant absolutely gorgeous, but the food was delicious, and the service was spectacular! I have to say, it was one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had. The servers were incredibly attentive, friendly, and had great knowledge of the menu. Everything was quick, seamless, and flawless. As for the food, it was tough to decide because everything looked so good. We ended up ordering the scallops, the elk tartare, the seared elk, and the elk ragu. Every bite was perfection - each flavour combination was like heaven. The cocktails were fantastic, too; we tried a few and weren’t disappointed! All in all, we’ll definitely be back and highly recommend a visit!

My dinner was absolutely amazing! Enda makes amazing cocktails and our server David was fantastic. My seared Elk was perfectly cooked and the meat was juicy and tender. I would definitely recommend this place to my friends and family and I do plan to come back!

Must to visit for meat-lovers! The restaurant’s interior showcases an exceptional level of thoughtful and intelligent design, exuding a sophisticated yet inviting atmosphere. The service, too, is remarkable—not just flawless, but elevated to the level of a performance. A striking example of this was the change of tableware, which was conducted by two waiters with such synchronization that it felt almost choreographed. It was a seamless experience that added a unique touch to the meal. Cold Smoked Ontario Elk Tartare The hand-chopped elk, lightly smoked, offered a complex combination of spicy and salty notes. While the dish was already flavorful, I felt that a dash of finely chopped sweet onion and chives could enrich the flavor profile even further, adding another layer of depth. However, the addition of a quail egg yolk and other carefully selected small details truly made this dish sing. The balance of flavors was a testament to the chef's skill—an unforgettable experience that perfectly combined simplicity and sophistication. Seared Foie Gras While the dish was listed as foie gras, what arrived was actually seared goose liver. That said, the texture was surprisingly smooth and tender. The pairing of peach, strawberry, and blueberry compote was well-thought-out, complementing the richness of the liver. That being said, the soft sourdough French toast didn't provide the contrast I was hoping for; something with a bit more crispness—perhaps a crunchy element—could have elevated the dish to a new level of gastronomic intrigue. Seared Ontario Elk The seared elk was, in a word, exceptional. The meat was tender, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, and paired harmoniously with seared kale, roasted sunchoke tortellini, crispy oyster mushrooms, and a delightful wildberry jam. Though elk isn’t as tender as deer, it was remarkably tender compared to beef tenderloin and provided a refreshing change of pace. For meat lovers, this dish is an absolute must-try. Rack of Wild Boar If I had to pick a standout, this would be it—hands down, the wild boar was a revelation. It was absolutely WOW! The flavor and tenderness of the meat were extraordinary, likely a result of its apple cider marinade. The accompanying greens and apple salad complemented the rich boar beautifully. While the seared elk was excellent, the wild boar stole the show, and it was an absolute highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the dessert didn’t quite live up to the exceptional standards set by the savory courses. While the strawberry shortcake with berry gelato was pleasant, it lacked the flair and innovation of the other dishes. The dessert menu felt somewhat modest, and I was hoping for something more complex or daring to conclude such a remarkable meal. Conclusion: This restaurant is an essential destination in downtown Toronto for carnivorous foodies. The high-caliber dishes, the exceptional service, and the thoughtfully crafted dining experience make it stand out. That said, the overall experience is one that I would highly recommend. Whether you’re a meat lover or simply someone looking for a memorable dining experience, this place is a must-visit.

The elk tartare, scallops, chicken cordon bleu, seared elk and s’mores were all delicious!