A beautiful, modern Greek taverna on the Danforth with an excellent meze selection and one of the better Greek wine lists in the city. The lamb dishes are particularly well-executed in a room that feels genuinely Athenian.
Neighbourhood: Danforth (Greektown) · Address: 502 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON · Hours: Mon–Thu 12PM–10PM | Fri–Sat 12PM–11PM | Sun 12PM–9PM · Price Range: $$ · Phone: (416) 461-3086 · Website: https://avli.ca · Editorial status: Not yet verified
You come for perfectly grilled lamb, saganaki brought flaming to your table, and a selection of Greek wines you actually want to drink. There are plenty of Greek options nearby but few execute the basics at this level.
Avli manages the rare trick of feeling both homey and up-to-date, skipping the cheesy ‘Greek restaurant’ tropes in favour of honest cooking and genuine hospitality. Their long-running ownership keeps the food consistent, and their wine list shows real care (not just house retsina). The meze selection is also broader than most, great for group sharing.
Avli has been holding it down on the Danforth since the 1980s, run by the Koutsaris family and loved for their rigorous take on Greek traditions. The room strikes a balance between modern polish and Greek taverna warmth, filled with sunwashed blue and white accents and that olive oil tang you smell in the air before you even order. The menu covers a tight spread of classic meze, mains and grilled meats, all with a real focus on fresh ingredients and housemade touches. Their Greek wine list gets serious, with bottles you won’t find in most places—ask if you’re not sure what to pair.
Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner, especially weekends—walk-ins are possible but often mean a wait.
The lamb souvlaki is their signature: charred, tender, and always spot on.
Yes—tables of 4–8 work well, and the meze format makes sharing easy, but call ahead for larger parties.
Most meze run $10–18, mains like lamb or seafood $20–34—good value for the quality.
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