Toronto's most beautiful bar — sinuous Gaudi-inspired woodwork, serious cocktails, and pintxos. The covered patio is legendary. The Raval vermut with anchovy and olive is a Toronto drinking institution.
Neighbourhood: Little Italy · Address: 505 College St, Toronto, ON M6G 1A5 · Hours: Mon–Thu 11AM–12AM | Fri–Sat 11AM–2AM | Sun 11AM–12AM · Price Range: $$ · Phone: (647) 349-8747 · Website: https://barraval.com · Editorial status: Not yet verified
You're here for the true tapas bar experience and the most architecturally stunning room in Toronto. The pintxos are the city's highest quality, and the cocktails actually live up to the hype.
No bar in Toronto matches Raval's swooping, intricate woodwork—it's art you lean against. It's standing-room European drinking culture, in a city obsessed with tables and reservations. The menu shifts often and the patio holds strong all year (bring a jacket in winter).
Bar Raval is a Spanish-inspired bar specializing in classic cocktails and tapas-style pintxos, run by chef Grant van Gameren and partners. The room is dominated by jaw-dropping curved mahogany woodwork inspired by Gaudí, with standing counters that encourage mingling. This isn’t a place for private tables—the layout and energy are designed for conversation. The menu leans hard into Basque-style bar snacks, conservas, and an ever-evolving list of creative drinks.
You can't reserve—it's all walk-in. Arrive early to avoid the line.
Definitely the Raval vermut, served with anchovy and olive—it's Toronto's ultimate bar snack.
It's best for pairs or small groups of 3–4; larger groups will struggle to find space (and it's all standing room anyway).
Most pintxos are $4–10, cocktails hover around $15–18 each.
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