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Banu Restaurant Reviews List
Banu Restaurant
A throwback to the jumping cosmopolitan Tehran of the 1970's, this Iranian kabob and vodka bar pairs organic meats with some of the best vodkas from around the world.
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40 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Rating Breakdown 40 reviews
5 stars
(17)
4 stars
(17)
3 stars
(4)
2 stars
(2)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Outstanding)
4.3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- fit for foodies(28)
- neighborhood gem(19)
- romantic(17)
- special occasion(15)
- good for groups(11)
- hot spot(11)
Banu Restaurant Reviews List
Review 1 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Great food, dodgy atmosphere
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Poor)
1
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I've been to Banu a few times before, and always enjoyed it: the food is really good (the largest grilled prawns that I have ever seen, and delicious), the vodka and fresh juice drinks are unusual and delicious, and the atmosphere has always seemed wonderfully quirky and exotic. This is an Iranian vodka bar, after all, so you expect something a bit quirky. This past visit, the atmosphere seemed to have degraded somewhat. The open window at the front with smokers on the patio meant that we could clearly smell the smoke during our dinner. The only other table inside was huddled in the back, with people coming and going, and seemed more like a club or hangout than a restaurant for everyone to enjoy."
Dined on 5/09/2013
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Review 2 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Delicious Food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"The potatoe salad and burger were great. Also try their beet dish."
Dined on 4/28/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 3 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Banu is a must do!
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Everything was excellent. Cocktails, food and service. On a recent 5 day trip to Toronto we ate here 3 out of the 5 days. I can't talk highly enough about Banu! Banu is a must do!!"
Dined on 20/04/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 4 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
An amazing hidden spot
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"We were quite surprised by the quality of food. The chicken grill and the sour beef kebob were just amazing. The vodka was excellent too. We loved the environment and the music."
Dined on 14/02/2013
2012
Special Features: late-night find, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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Review 5 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Went for winterlicious. Food
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Went for winterlicious. Food was great and unlike anything I've ever had before. In Toronto there's Thai, Italian, Indian, etc. Iranian/Persian was such an absolute treat. Vegetarian options were delicious."
Dined on 06/02/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic
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Review 6 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Fantastic and interesting
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Fantastic and interesting food."
Dined on 06/02/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion, hot spot
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Review 7 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great place
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"We went to Banu to try Winterlicious menu. Smoked eggplant was fantastic, beets had too much of vinegar and no watercress (sub for mint wasn't that great). Chicken and sirloin skewers were juicy and tasty. The portion size was impressive too. We liked the arrangement of plates and dishes as well. Bakhlava was moist and flavorful. Rose water/saffron/pistachio is a great combination for an ice-cream, which I enjoyed a lot. Service was fantastic as well. Overall, fantastic place and we will be back again to try your regular menu."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2012
Special Features: late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Too small portions
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Original flavours ! Excellent food ! BUT, portions are far too small for the price paid. The same dish given to different clients did not have the same amount of food on the plate."
Dined on 03/02/2013
2013
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Review 9 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Food was yummy and service
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Food was yummy and service was attentive, but we felt rushed at the end even though there was at least one empty table while we were chatting after dessert. They didn't even ask us if we wanted a drink or a coffee after dessert - they just brought us the bill."
Dined on 01/02/2013
2009
Special Features: fit for foodies
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Review 10 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
good koobideh....the rest, so-so
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"I had the three course winterlicious lunch. the smoked eggplant was pretty terrible! I did not enjoy the smoked flavour. Maybe it is an acquired taste? On the plus side, it came with tasty flatbreads. The entree was very good - I had the koobideh (ground meat kebab). It was good enough that I would recommend it. it came with half a grilled tomato and some garlic dip and yummy herbs and spices. I feel like only 1/2 a tomato per person is a bit too stingy! The dessert was not the greatest, but it was ok. I had the saffron ice cream. It was a bit on the cloyingly sweet side. Although the flavour itself was interesting and I love the idea of saffron ice cream, I think it could be improved by putting a bit less flavour into the mix"
Dined on 31/01/2013
2011
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Review 11 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Yum!
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Great food - we went for winterlicious and the value is very good. The place is small to medium sized, nice decor and ambiance - friendly staff, they move at a calm pace :)
No crazy Persian dance parties broke out but I would guess that may happen from time to time especially if they still host events in their upstairs spot."
No crazy Persian dance parties broke out but I would guess that may happen from time to time especially if they still host events in their upstairs spot."
Dined on 31/01/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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Review 12 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Delicious meal, and great
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Delicious meal, and great portion size!"
Dined on 28/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
I and my foodie companion
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I and my foodie companion took advantage of BANU's Winterlicious $25.00 dinner offerings tonight. I chose Koobideh (skewers of seasoned grilled ground sirloin) and Kashk o Bademjan (roasted eggplant and whey).They were perfect taste compliments and are the gold standard by which other Persian eateries ought be judged. This is simple and flavourful comfort food. There's no pretension to reinvention of a traditional cuisine here. My friend ordered Mirza Ghasemi (roasted eggplant and tomato) and Murgh (seasoned, grilled chicken breast). I couldn't resist sampling and again no regret. Two (or was it three?) of the bar's signature "Blood Shots" completed our modestly priced feast. We will return to Banu to savour their regular menu."
Dined on 31/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, special occasion
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Review 14 for Banu Restaurant
Overall rating
(Fair)
2
/
5
Never again during winterlicious!!
Food
(Fair)
2
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I have been to this restaurant before and it was very good but i was very disappointed with the decline of food quality during winterlicious! I hope they will get back to their usual standard after winterlicious is over."
Dined on 25/01/2013
2010
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Banu Restaurant
Based on the average of (26) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Food
(Outstanding)
4.5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
4.2
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate