Barberian's Steak House

Stunning settings in the lower cellar.
Fantastic staff that refilled wine and water with ruthless efficiency.
The steak, prime Rib and dry aged wagyu were all phenomenal and the large slice of carrot cake to take it all down was decadent.
Definitely recommend this Toronto landmark for special occasions or just to treat yourself.

Food was decent (even though it took an hour to arrive), but we were racially profiled.
Came for a special evening with my boyfriend. Upon walking in and looking for the host, a man sitting at the bar looked us up and down, and in a very condescending tone asked, "Do you need something? " This may be important to note, but my partner and I are both eastern Asian in our early 20s, so we did not fit the general clientele. I said we had a reservation. He restated, "You know this is Barbarians Steak House, right? " And gestured to the general crowd as if to remind us we are different. After being seated, I watched him greet a lovely white couple looking to be in their 30s in a completely different tone. At this point, the night was already ruined for me.

Server was wonderful, food came late, and I properly tipped 20%.

Will never come back. Do not want to be profiled.

Born and raised and raised a family of my own in TO and finally made it to Barberian’s!
At first, I was taken aback by how old school authentic it is, low ceilings, lots of tchotchkes, a small bar and a large hand written reservation book. With that though you get authentic old school service. Warm greeting, engaged service and a solid experience.
Cold, crisp pickled vegetables at the table. Attentive wait staff (all male, once again old school), that quickly greet you and want to create a warm, welcoming experience.
My husband and I shared a crisp, blue cheese wedge salad, the sharing part with rightfully recommended. I had a tender filet mignon and he had the rib steak. Both were about as good as it gets for TO steak and the fries are delicious. We also shared mushrooms and Brussels sprouts as sides, mushrooms were good and sprouts were fantastic. After the wonderful meal I hesitate to say pass on the carrot cake, but it did disappoint and was expensive at $22.50 for a slice. They gave us a tour of the private, wine cellar dining rooms, which are gorgeous! Overall, left loving it and we will bring our grown sons here soon.

I give the atmosphere 5 stars but frankly many wont appreciate it. It’s very old school. Not glitzy. Not a date spot if you’re looking to impress some skanky broad. I attach a picture of the pork ribs which are underappreciated. A massive order and probably best value on the menu. I typically get the prime rib, which is the best I’ve had (comes with a big beef rib too). Everything here is great. Parking almost impossible in this area. So take an Uber and drown yourself in the best wine list in the city.

The best steak house I’ve been too so far, excellent service excellent food, excellent atmosphere.

Nice steakhouse, the appetizers were really good, especially the steak tartare, definitely the best tartare I’ve had. The porterhouse steak was the best, tried the others that our party got and they were not good at all though (they did order medium-well done so maybe?). Can’t say I enjoyed the dessert. I would still come back for the tartare and porterhouse.

6 of us for dinner and all agreed it was great! Maybe the best steak house in Toronto. Can't wait to go back.

I don't really like steak
However, the Bavarian's steak was very good and I ate it well. Toronto Food!

As always Barberians is a great experience not just for the food but also the great service!

We got the private Library Room for a birthday party and it has its own deck and bathroom and would definitely recommend it.

The main guy serving went above and beyond to make our night a great success.

Walked up Yonge street. Suddenly got hungry. Barbarians was there after visiting last almost 15 years ago. They setup a table last minute for me my waiter was great and so was the Busboy who helped me setup the wifi! I was offered their pickles, a delicious treat with a nice scotch on the rocks! Ordered the wedge salad. Outstanding. Then the fillet minion. Outstanding! This place is a nice gem for steak lovers. See you soon and thanks for a great accommodation!

As regular Harry’s customers we wanted to try Barberian's for the first time. I had called to make a reservation a month prior for my fiancé’s 30th birthday for the special occasion on Boxing day. When making the reservation I specifically mentioned we were excited to try Barberian's since we love the sister restaurant so much and in addition we are getting married next year and thinking of having the family dinner/rehearsal in their wine seller.
Fast forward 3 days prior to the reservation and I see a random post on social media (blogTO or could have been TorontoLife) that the restaurant is closing for an unconfirmed amount of time prior to Christmas. After seeing this I assumed that the restaurant would be calling their reservations to at the very least let them know. I myself called for the next 2 days to confirm if this was true and never received any response or confirmation directly from the restaurant.

It is unacceptable that a high end establishment which prides itself in its fine dining experience and service has absolutely zero decency to even reach out with a phone call to notify their customers that they had a change of plans and would be closed/cancel our reservation that was booked well in advance. As we live about 1 hour drive from Barberian's this would have been absolutely horrible to show up to closed doors with no warning, especially considering winter driving conditions. Because of their selfish inconsiderate lack of decency to call their reservations and provide information we didn’t have an opportunity to book a new reservation elsewhere for this very special occasion being last minute over the holidays. Despicable.

I have since tried reaching out on 4 separate days following and left a voicemail requesting a call back regarding my concerns (at the reopened establishment) and it has been over a week now without any prevail. Do better Barberian's. You charge an arm and a leg to your patrons and we have spent thousands of dollars as we frequent your other restaurant Harry’s often spending not only our money but choosing your establishment to share all our anniversaries / special occasions and memories there. We have never ever had an issue with Harry’s before which makes this situation all the more upsetting.

I do understand these are very tough times for restaurants and we are going into a new lockdown but show some class and respect to your customers who support you and want to give you their ongoing business. A simple phone call would have sufficed.

Food was ok. But more importantly the washrooms were disgusting. There was literally feces and vomit on the floor (male washroom). This place isn’t fine dining - the service is meh and the fact that they don’t clean their bathrooms and the servers are mediocre and borderline rude.

Was quite excited to go for our annual Christmas dinner with friends, honestly quite disappointed. Service was good but the 16 man room didn’t look like the one that was showed online. The most disappointing part unfortunately was the food. The garlic bread to start was honestly incredible and the highlight of the meal but it was all downhill from there. The soup of the day was a lobster biche and was maybe one of the worst soups I’ve had. The steak was mediocre at best and I honestly would have preferred a steak from the Keg and it would have been half the price. My cheesecake dessert for some reason had no crust? With or without the crust though, it was still very lacklustre (I tried a friends with crust). All in all I won’t be going back and it was quite a disappointment.

Very cool place, especially the wine cellar are for doing meetings. Was able to do a wine tasting and than enjoy a fantastic meal. Great experience and loved the wine. The Sommelier was the most down to earth person. I can't remember her name, but she was as good as they come for making you comfortable with limited wine knowledge.

Had heard lots of recommendations about this restaurant. It was overall an decent experience. My qualms are that the service was just okay and steak wasn't cooked as requested, but still good. For example, when the steaks came with the fries, I waited a couple of minutes to ask for ketchup however there was nobody to ask. The fries were good on their own though. More critically, I ordered a top sirloin cooked to medium, however, it was cooked as rare/medium rare. It wasn't really even close to medium and I definitely expected this steakhouse to be perfect on this front. With that said, the medium rare sirloin was still very good.

Highly recommend the wine cellar for a larger group. Excellent atmosphere and you are completely away from the buzz of the main restaurant. Food and service were amazing. If you enjoy dessert, the cheesecake is fantastic.

From beginning to end.the servers to chefs to the delicious food.our experience was 5+star. We will be back

Food was great. Delicious and cooked perfectly.
However I felt the service was a tad 'rough'. Didn't feel very welcomed.

It goes without saying that the food at Barberian’s is some of the best you’ll ever have, and rightfully is called the "Number 1 steakhouse in Toronto. " But, after hosting our wedding there, we now realize how much more Arron Barberian has to offer.

We rented out the cellar at Barberian’s for our wedding. Worried about safety of our guests during the pandemic we decided to have a small event (~30 people) in the wine cellar. During the planning, Victoria and the entire Barberian’s team were incredibly helpful and responsive. Victoria had inspired yet practical ideas on how to make the space work for our dream wedding and was willing to spend extra time working with our coordinators/vendors to make sure the night went without a hitch.

On the day of the event, the entire staff were consummate professionals, tending to all our guests needs throughout the night. We truly felt like we were in great hands and had nothing to worry about. Aaron Barberian personally went above and beyond to make sure it was a magical night for all. The space was also wired for us to be able to play music and give speeches throughout the night.

As mentioned, we made this decision keeping in mind restrictions with the pandemic. However, given how perfect the night came together, this should have been our plan all along. While we found a way to give the space our own wedding “flare”, if we could go back and do it again, we probably would have “done less” and allowed the beauty and magic of the room do the work. For whatever event you have, if you’re lucky enough to be able to rent this space, do it! You will not be disappointed.

Visited here with my partner for a dinner. We loved the atmosphere and ambience of Barberian's. The decor and lighting was perfect and all of the paintings and pictures suited the rest perfectly. Our server was very attentive and kind, we thoroughly enjoyed his service. Additionally, other servers would stop by to make sure our water was filled and we were doing okay. Great service! We ordered burrata to share and I had the dry aged ribeye while my partner had the 12oz NY strip. It was likely the best steak I've had in my life! She enjoyed her steak as well! The baked potato was great too. Oh, and the pickled vegetables at the start of the meal were fantastic! We ended with a cappucino which also exceeded our expectations! Overall, a very well run steakhouse and while it was pricey, I'd say it's worth it!

Wow! Barberian's is a classic steakhouse and fine dining experience. It isn't super modern or over done - they've really nailed the old school fine dining experience. The service is second to none - the perfect blend of friendly but not familiar. The wine list as massive, as expected. The menu is simple but not small - there is an impressive number of options while still focusing on what they do best. And lastly, the food - everything you expect and more from a first class steakhouse. Barberian's is a must-visit establishment in Toronto, especially if you're looking for a fine dining steakhouse with a classic feel.

The service is absolutely wonderful.my waiter, I think his name was Dave, just made our night.loved the healthy pours too. I'm sure I'll be back

Excellent dining experience! One couldn't have asked for more! Great food! Great service! Our server Mr. Ivon was the best!

Classic old school steakhouse. Service was excellent, food was great. Steak was cooked just as requested, sides were delicious (we ordered a Cesar salad, Brussels sprouts and 2 top sirloins with baked potatoes). Staff were attentive and professional. Extensive wine list. A must visit!

Perfect dining experiene! Great food! Great service! Love the old school atmosphere. Top steakhouse in Toronto and it’s not even close

Still a great place, despite COVID-19 restrictions and not being able to dine in. Service is still phenominal, the same as it has always been, I got some take out and ate the steak at home! Delicious!

Very expensive, yes, but you will get the full fine dining experience. Best steaks, great mature service, full alcohol selection.there is nothing better!

We enjoy to go out. Yesterday we went to this delicious restaurant which friends told us about. We passed a lovely experience there with fine cooking and a courteous team and a distinguished cuisine. We put this fine restaurant in our list and we shall certainly return soon. We deeply recommend.

Last week was the first time we visited this place. But It is definitely not the last. We passed a splendid evening with the generous service, with the finest cuisine and wine and with the friendly cost. We will no doubt come back soon.

Would absolutely recommend eating here. Great mood, yummy dishes, good customer service. Fantastic work.

Have been ordering from The Butchery since the summer. There is no substitute for quality. Had one of the best steaks of my life last night. I won't mention the cut, because I don't want them to sell out ;-) Do yourself a favour, eat less steak if you're on a budget, but invest what you can in a Barbarian steak. I have become a quality over quantity kinda guy.

I prefer this restaurant very much.theres a nice spirit. The cuisine is very tasty.the service is dynamic and the stuff is professional. The price is modest.deeply recommend.

Great Steakhouse! Finest in the city!
Now! Why is the governrnent picking on restaurants, gyms while they allow the TTC to go on with full capacity? I hear nothing about the TTC but everyone else needs to shutdown.
I might not be a Doctor, but I know being in a capsule, such as a bus, street car, subway, train, or a Airplane. But yes, you are required to self isolate for two weeks, but again the TTC No Problem!

Am I the only one that is confused with this picture.
Everyone loses their business or way of life, but The TTC and along others in Ontario are in full operation?
This is pure BULL S##T!
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

I visit this place a lot since I work in the area. I like how the customer service is always great and they keep the spot neat constantly. Pricing is convenient and they serve generous portions.

Made me feel like a Lion after a hunt, feasting on the flesh of my foe! The succulent meat brought out my inner beast that made me tamed my lioness later!

I love this spot! They provide high quality dishes, their menu is decent, The cook in that restaurant is very trained, I like very much eating all their food. The dishes are consistently fresh, the service towards the clients is efficient. I often go to this place and I not even once was unhappy. I recommend it to all my friends.

Would absolutely recommend trying this place. Exceptional character, flavorful dishes, excellent customer service. Kudos.

Food might be good but called in and who ever answered was very disrespectful.

Hung up and decided not to book a reservation with them went with BlueBlood instead.

There's a reason why Barberian's Steakhouse has been a Toronto institution for nearly 5 decades. I remember going there in the 80s as it was one of the best places for steaks and continues to be to this day. The vintage decor offers a warm and traditional feel to the place, and the food is exceptional. I was there 20-Dec-2018 and ordered my staple steakhouse order - the bone-in ribeye. Done to a perfect mid-rare, it can't be beat. Everything else from the apps to sides to the wine was top notch.

Delicious steak! They know how to age a steak here and no one even comes close. Although it is very expensive. Old fashioned steakhouses.

This is the best dining experience I have ever had. The experience starts as soon as you walk through the 2 front doors when you're greeted by very friendly staff. Once you're seated, your waiter makes you feel like you're the only patron in the entire establishment. To top it all off, the food is of exceptional quality with the recommended rib steak that was cooked on the bone to perfection. This is a place that should be on everyone's list for important occasions! You CANNOT be disappointed.

A great tasting steak that stacks up well against other high end steakhouses.
3 Stars was given for the lackluster service which forced me to gesture for attention too often.

Very nice setting, staff was very professional. I was very pleased with the service. The food was very delicious, and the steak unbelievably tasty. My first time experience was beyond my expectations. We dined in their wine cellar. They have over 24,000 bottles of wine. We had 3 that night, that our sommelier picked out for us. This place is a must try.

Atmosphere - old and dated but I guess it's about the history. We also isn't stay in the cellar or any of the private rooms.
Service - coat check and super attentive staff
Food - good steak, nothing to remember or bring me back.
Wine - massive selection
Price - fair price for location and a popular steak house

Other notes - booking experience was a pain. Signing waivers, paying for guests if there were any no shows or sharing of food.

The meal was good but the service felt very rushed. I don’t think our waiter looked us in the eye once. Worth trying but I wouldn’t go back.

If you're looking to do dinner, in style, this is the place to go. The food is amazing and the ambience is wonderful. Definitely pricey, but worth every penny.

Excellent quality food and amazing service. Quite pricey at about $275-$300 for two but that included 2 apps, 2 Ribeyes and some drinks. Worth the splurge on special occasions

Excellent steak house! All aspects of Barberian's are just done right - from the great service (thanks Mike!) to the perfectly cooked steak, the mind blowing wine list and the fantastic cocktails. Really nothing but compliments for this amazing restaurant. Thanks for a wonderful night!

The name speaks for itself, if a restaurant is in business this long, there's a reason. Oh, the reason tastes unbelievably good.

Tried to book a corporate dinner. Was told there would be a charge of $1000 in addition to the cost of dinner. At $4000 for dinner plus $1000 dollars to rent the room they store wine in and use while you are there, that is ridiculous. Owner showed up at my work place after this review posted and tried to get a manger to make me remove this review.

Have been coming here for years, loved it, but the last two times I’ve been here, it seems that there has been an overhaul on staff (for the worse) as well as I could tell my steak sat under a heat lamp for quite a while, and my soup came out a bit warmer than lukewarm.was not impressed with the quality of the food to price ratio.not this time at least. Not that my review will make any difference, but I wanted to let them know I was seriously disappointed, and will be trying other steakhouses in Toronto, when previously I never needed to because Barberians WAS the best.

Came here on a Saturday night with my girlfriend for her Birthday. We made reservations in advance as we were advised of how busy it gets on weekends. Our server was great. Super friendly and attentive the whole evening. The starters, which consisted of pickled vegetables and garlic bread were fantastic. I ordered the NY Striploin Steak and my girlfriend ordered the Prime Rib. Both cooked to perfection. Finally, knowing that it was girlfriends birthday, the staff brought out a complimentary cake. It was overall a great experience. Would definitely come back and recommend to anyone looking for a great steakhouse.

Food is good. Okay for sharing portions, but there is extra charge for sharing. Slightly more pricey than other steakhouses. Many cool wine cellars available but the minimum rates for booking is very high. Large quantities of tables. Servers are very polite and professional.

The food was great, the portion is massive, I had to take home for another meal. The steak wasnt what I ordered (med rare instead of rare), but overall the place is great.

This was the best meal I've had.ever. Our group was fortunate enough to have a great friend rent out the wine cellar for us and it was an amazing experience! Great food, great friends, and beautiful atmosphere. Very pricey, as expected, but a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Traditionally regarded as the best steakhouse in Toronto, with the patronage (and paintings) of a number of prime ministers of Canada, Liberal and Conservative alike. Fantastic 24 oz porterhouse this evening; I asked for it to be prepared according to what the chef thought best, and it was done quite rare. Served with the baked potato, pickled vegetables, and Barberian's own horseradish. My compliments to the chef for an exemplary preparation, and to Virginia for her friendly and efficient service. Looking forward to visiting Barberian's again, next time I'm in Toronto.

Have to agree with a previous reviewer's comments that the steak didn't have the flavour I was expecting. I had the rib eye, and had expected more flavour so dropped one star.
The service was excellent, I think the team of waiters have worked together for some time as they were looking after each others tables to make sure everyone was getting good service - really nice to see. The setting is pretty dimly lit, it took a while for our eyes to adjust!
Second star dropped as my wife asked for her steak well done and it came medium. Never quite sure whether chefs refuse to cook steaks well done out of principle but it's the way my wife likes her steak. Suspect this was just a mistake in cooking it. The waiter was apologetic and slightly embarrassed and kindly topped up our wine glasses, which was a nice gesture. However, at a final bill of $250 for two (no appetiser, desert and only one glass on wine) we had been expecting more.

I was a longtime loyal supporter of barberians over the other Toronto steakhouses, even recommending it for my brother-in-laws bachelor party dinner. This makes an extremely unpleasant experience this weekend all the more unfortunate. Eating with a large group led to a billing issue that had me overpaying for my meal by ~$50. As we were a group, I was happy to absorb the cost but suggested that I receive a credit (to bring back future business) or some other resolution. After a long and unnecessary argument with the manager, in which he went back on his word to credit me in the span of about ten minutes, I ultimately paid the full cost. More grevious than the bill mixup was the manager’s inability to compromise, sneaky tactics, and apparent lack of care for us as customers.

I won’t be returning unless this issue is resolved. Barberians will be just fine, though I know my lifelong business (and that of my friends and colleagues) is worth much more than $50.