Laylak Lebanese Cuisine Toronto

My family tried Laylak for the first time yesterday, enticed by a new authentically Lebanese restaurant in Toronto. The meal had some highlights, with standout dishes such as the kibbeh, hummus, and an incredible halawa el jibn. However, the overall impression was marred by an offering that was generally overpriced and an experience that left room for improvement.

As Lebanese-Armenians ourselves, we have explored many Middle Eastern establishments throughout the years in Toronto, Montreal, and Lebanon. At Laylak, there were certain areas which were inconsistent with traditional Lebanese dining practices — a crucial aspect of the overall experience.

Firstly, a Lebanese restaurant should pride itself on offering a selection of high-quality Arak. It was unfortunate that the staff fumbled when asked to describe the available varieties, highlighting a need for better training in this regard. Arak is an integral accompaniment to Lebanese mezze spread, so understanding and presenting these options effectively is extremely important to the experience.

Secondly, the mezze style traditionally includes accompaniments such as bread, pickles, and olives. Surprisingly, at Laylak, these essentials come with an additional charge, whereas these should be presented on the table from the start. At the very least, bread should never come with an additional charge.

Thirdly, attention to detail is crucial, especially regarding portion sizes. Our group of five ordered appetizers, including cheese rolls, grape leaves, and kibbeh. However, inconsistencies arose as the cheese rolls and grape leaves arrived in quantities of five each, while the kibbeh plate contained only four pieces. A simple inquiry from the staff about adjusting portions based on the number of diners would have been appreciated.

Lastly, while Laylak adds a mandatory gratuity to the bill, this policy was not communicated to us at the beginning of the meal. A clear indication on the menu or verbal acknowledgment should have been made, to avoid paying double the gratuity. This ultimately falls on us as the diners to read the bill more carefully, but the staff should state this from the beginning.

Laylak has the potential to be a top Lebanese restaurant in the city, having an inviting interior and a great location in the financial district. However, these shortcomings would be noticed by any Lebanese or anyone familiar with the cuisine for that matter.

The restaurant is so attractive from outside. Yet, I would like to give my authentic review about the quality/ price. It is way overpriced especially the bread side. Over charging clients for each bread a 1 cad is kind of a catch. All these food is only eaten with bread. Client service needs immediate improvement as they do no accept any direct client feedback. Restaurant reviews are key for success nowadays. We had always flies on our table - cleanliness? I am sharing my honest review for awareness of clients prior to their experience as mine and my guests were very disappointing. Elie Saab

We had our Team’s Holiday Dinner here and it was such a fantastic experience. The decor/restaurant aesthetic was beautiful. The service was impeccable and the food was flavourful. I would definitely come back!

The dining time has a time-limit of 1 and a half hours and they remind you that a lot which I didn’t find that welcoming if you wanna have a great night out. The food is delicious but very bad in portion, you expect to get more food on your plate for that price. The environment is very nice and the service is good. All in all, if you don’t care about food portions and the time limit go there, otherwise AVOID.

Enjoyed a delightful experience at Laylak. The food was excellent, and the vibe was just right. A great spot for a satisfying meal in a pleasant atmosphere.

Great looking spot. The food tastes authentic and the service was prompt and very friendly. We felt welcomed from the moment we walked in. Nice brunch spot but also has an extensive dinner menu

We orders the trio in the cold dips - Hummus, mohamarah and the labneh, each had its own unique and rich flavour. The batata harrah was one of the great appetizers. But to top it all was the falafel with the perfect texture and wasn't too dry. Their lavender mocktail/cocktail stole the show. 11/10 for their service as well as their ambience:)

Pretty overpriced Lebanese food, the portions are quite small and the manakeesh I had was some of the plainest manakeesh I’ve had in my life (very little cheese).

Beautiful interior. Food was okay. A bit bland and lacking creativity. Server auto tipped 20% on a $300 bill. Not cool! No reason to go back.

I expected a lot more from the place. It was very bright and noisy but the decor is lovely. Hostess was not overly friendly, just doing her job. Server was good but not exceptional, and the food was fine, nothing beyond regular fare. For the price, not worth it. I get better Lebanese food from a local shop for $16.95. Really underwhelmed. I wanted to love it.

Had a fantastic lunch at Laylak! This place serves some of the best Lebanese cuisine I've had. From the perfectly seasoned hummus to the succulent grilled meats, every dish was a delight. The restaurant itself is beautiful, with a decor that transports you straight to Lebanon. It's the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the overall great experience.

I have been there twice from Buffalo Ny and it has become our fav restaurant in the GTA. Beautiful decor, service is fantastic and waiters are extremely polite and take their time explaining all options. The food is to die for so delicious and authentic! Can’t wait to go back!

An absolute gem! Laylak offers an exquisite culinary journey. The ambiance was cozy, complementing the exceptional service. The authentic flavors and freshness of ingredients truly stood out, making every bite memorable. A must-visit for anyone seeking a genuine taste of Lebanon!

Mid experience for the price, Paramount up the better street is far better value for what you get. Ambiance, location and service was good

Our firm had the pleasure of hosting a private holiday function at Laylak, and it was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish. The combination of impeccable service, delectable cuisine, and a delightful ambiance made this event truly memorable.

If you're looking for a group dining experience that exceeds expectations in every aspect, this is the place!

Date night, food was excellent, ambience was a great vibe setting for our evening. Service by NG was outstanding and made for a most enjoyable dining experience. She really should be floor manager with her energy, knowledge and enthusiasm.

The food, service and atmosphere were great at this restaurant! I would highly recommend the trio dip, fattoush and grilled octopus. Drinks were average at best, and unfortunately the falafel wasn’t very good at all. Their wine and dessert menus did look great though. I’d recommend giving this place a shot if you’re looking for an upscale middle eastern restaurant

The food was very yummy and the ambiance is very high class. Will definitely recommend to others:)