Reserve now:
Joy Bistro BarReservations
Restaurant Reviews List >
Toronto / Ontario Restaurant Reviews >
Toronto Restaurant Reviews >
Midtown / Uptown Restaurant Reviews >
Comfort Food Restaurant Reviews
Joy Bistro Bar Reviews List
Joy Bistro Bar
Joy Bistro is the cornerstone of the newly hot Queen Street East strip. With its cozy feel and candlelit warmth, Joy delivers a diverse menu with generous portions, modest prices and big, big flavors. Service is friendly, knowledgeable and unpretentious. Believe it or not, this gem morphs seamlessly from breakfast/brunch to lunch and into dinner. Wine lovers rejoice! Joy boasts a simple, but solid wine list with many bottles, unbelievably, under $30.
See more Joy Bistro Bar details
37 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 37 reviews
5 stars
(14)
4 stars
(17)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(24)
- fit for foodies(16)
- great for brunch(14)
- special occasion(11)
- good for groups(9)
- great for lunch(9)
Joy Bistro Bar Reviews List
Review 1 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent all around
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Easily the best brunch in town. Their homemade ketchup should win a food academy award. Kids brunch is abt 5$ and spectacular value for money. We go often and with great anticipation each time."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 2 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Mother's Day Extraordinaire
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The staff and service at Joy was exceptional.
I made reservations with Open Table and everything went flawless.
I ordered flowers to be delivered to Joy as a surprise for my Wife.
The staff at Joy arranged the flowers in a vase and placed it as a centerpiece on our table fur our arrival.
The service was impeccable and the table was perfect.
Good service was quick and they accommoded special requests.
Overall - very great experience.
Highly recommended."
I made reservations with Open Table and everything went flawless.
I ordered flowers to be delivered to Joy as a surprise for my Wife.
The staff at Joy arranged the flowers in a vase and placed it as a centerpiece on our table fur our arrival.
The service was impeccable and the table was perfect.
Good service was quick and they accommoded special requests.
Overall - very great experience.
Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, hot spot, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 3 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Had a great Mother's Day brunch at Joy Bistro. Big, comfortable table. Love being able to make a reservation. Excellent kid's breakfast menu. Delicious food. Five dollar Caesars. Highly recommended."
Dined on 5/11/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, special occasion, kid-friendly
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 4 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great neighbourhood restaurant. Food tasted very good, waitress was attentive but not intrusive and the surroundings were fine.
I will most certainly return."
I will most certainly return."
Dined on 4/30/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 5 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Girls night out
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Wonderful ambience - quiet so you could chat comfortably - service restrained, not rushed - overall just lovely - and the food was delicious!"
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 6 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Definitely a go for LARGE groups
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I definitely got lucky coming across Joy Bistro. After contacting more then a handful of popular brunch spots in Toronto, only to hear that none of them would take reservations and if I wanted to be guaranteed a spot they could get in me for 10am.
I was looking to host a surprise bday brunch that would include about 12 people. Joy Bistro definitely stepped up to the plate and did oh so well! The service was delightful, they did not rush our group nor were they peeved by the fact that we ran a bit behind in arriving due to traffic.
Food arrived at the same time, and HOT! Coffee, tea was refilled and they even topped it all off by doing separate checks!"
Dined on 21/04/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, special occasion, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 7 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Everything about Joy is great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Everything about Joy is great except their service. The staff is friendly and lovely, but they are super slow!!! They have tons of staff, but it takes forever for everything.. drinks, taking orders, picking up the cheque... everything! Please make sure your staff is more attentive."
Dined on 13/04/2013
2011
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 8 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Disappointed!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Poor)
1
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Booked this neighborhood bistro to catch up with a couple of friends last weekend. No greeting upon arrival.Seated in the almost empty room (except for a large table by the windows) and basically ignored for what seemed like forever. Let's just say - 8pm arrival on time for our reservation - we did not get a beverage until 8:40pm. No apology or awareness that a 40 minute wait was perhaps unusual. Most of the time the room was absent of staff and clearly no management. The server was polite but not very knowledgable. Food was (and has always been) very good - delicious mussels, good steak frites as a bistro should be! Limited wine selection. Unfortunately, the food won't be enough to bring us back. Queen East has lots of other options!"
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 9 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
OpenTable Diner
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I went to joy for a birthday dinner with 20 people. It is a beautiful restaurant with a lovely 2nd floor great for large groups. However the service was a slow (waitress was really nice but was her first dinner service). Food was ok. Nothing special but not terrible. They also ran out of dessert which was unfortunate given that it was a birthday dinner!"
Special Features: good for groups, romantic, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 10 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Excellent food. You always
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Excellent food. You always get good quality and a nice neighborly ambiance"
Dined on 08/03/2013
2010
Special Features: great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 11 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
A pleasant neighborhood eatery.
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"A pleasant neighborhood eatery."
Dined on 01/03/2013
2006
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 12 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Really good food for quite
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Really good food for quite reasonable prices. Especially impressed by the mussels and fries - only 15 dollars. Also, food tends to be nicely spicey."
Dined on 23/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 13 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Quiet early evening dinner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Quiet early evening dinner with my wife and teenage daughter. Fast friendly service. Good food. First time but would definitely go back."
Dined on 15/02/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 14 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I discovered Joy Bistro on-line
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I discovered Joy Bistro on-line several weeks ago. During this time I have visited the restaurant 3 times and each experience has been memorable and delicious! The staff we have encountered have all been accommodating to our dietary needs and the occasion (birthday and anniversary), pleasant and friendly. The relaxed, casual atmosphere really strikes the right tone for an enjoyable experience. The menu is varied, fresh and reasonably priced. Joy Bistro's Winterlicious lunch menu complemented by the wine pairings was an absolute bargain!"
Dined on 16/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 15 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
The Brunch was fantastic!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The Brunch was fantastic! Not over crowded and not over priced with amazing takes on waffles and eggs benny. Go now before it gets discovered."
Dined on 16/02/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 16 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Lovely place for brunch. Friendly
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Lovely place for brunch. Friendly staff, although service was rather slow. Good food. Would go back."
Dined on 10/02/2013
2010
Special Features: great for brunch, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 17 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service was slow even though
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service was slow even though restaurant was not really busy. Was not very bistro -like. Would not go back for a group dinner. However they has a good wine selection"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 18 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
need to ensure the curtains
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"need to ensure the curtains stay closed on cold days!"
Dined on 03/02/2013
2008
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Review 19 for Joy Bistro Bar
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Great service and inventive
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Great service and inventive menu with reasonable pricing made this an all around great experience! Will definitely be back and so will my daughter and her friends, as they live just down the street."
Dined on 31/01/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Thank you! You have successfully submitted a comment for this review.
Ratings-Only Reviews for Joy Bistro Bar
Based on the average of (18) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
4 out of 4 recommend this product
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.9
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate