The Berczy Tavern: What's the vibe?
Toronto’s Old Town is having a moment, and The Berczy Tavern is right at the heart of the neighbourhood’s glow-up. Tucked around the corner from the St. Lawrence Market and its newly revamped North Market, the restaurant has quietly become one of downtown’s most charming spots.
A collaboration between chef Michael Angeloni and restaurateurs Adam Teolis and Yannick Bigourdan (Lucie, Carbon Bar), The Berczy Tavern is housed in a heritage building across from Berczy Park — yes, the one with the dog fountain.
Inside, beneath soaring ceilings and exposed brick, Angeloni is turning out some of the city’s most thoughtful plates — but it’s not just the food that draws a crowd. The space channels piano bar energy, with live music, top-tier cocktails, a tight wine program, and warm, attentive service that leaves you happily tipping on the higher end.
The bar area at the front of the restaurant offers a casual spot to sip martinis and enjoy live music, with or without the delights of The Berczy Tavern's menu. You can catch several talented pianists tinkling the ivories five nights per week and for weekend brunch. Terence Vince, a.k.a. the Pianoman, takes evening shifts at The Berczy Tavern, with a blend of classic hits, pop favourites and jazz standards, while Claudia Lopez brings the vibes to mimosa hour for piano brunch.
The Berczy Tavern: What's on the menu?
Angeloni hasn't veered away from his Italian roots entirely, but The Berczy Tavern allows the chef to flex his culinary muscles in a few new directions. The Mediterranean inspires the menu, but the restaurant has the heart and laid-back affability of an American bistro.
Italy, France and Spanish flavours are instantly recognizable in vibrant dishes like charred octopus, duck confit and ravioli. However, the commitment to sourcing local proteins and butchering them in-house, coupled with seasonal Ontario squash, and thoughtful shareables served with housemade brioche, has Canada written all over it.
Most intriguingly, Angeloni doffs his cap to bygone restaurants. The tuna tostada is a dish that's inspired by his time as executive director at the now-closed Grand Electric. The crispy taco, filled with yellowfin tuna, avocado mayo and jalapeño, is a bright bite that brings back warm and fuzzy memories of the beloved Mexican joint in Parkdale.
And that's not the only walk down memory plate. If the chicken liver mousse looks a little familiar, that's because it is. The silky smooth entrée, featuring grilled maitake mushrooms, pickled pearl onions and a sherry vinegar sauce, is Angeloni's homage to The Black Hoof, where he worked under the tutelage of Grant van Gameren.
On the dessert side of things, there's a stacked menu from chef Carl Tacuyan, which spans from a decadent, salted caramel banana foster cheesecake to the raspberry and strawberry pavlova with crunchy meringue and basil oil.
The Berczy Tavern: What's on the drink menu?
Cocktails are split between classics and Berczy originals. Sip tiki sours, spirit-forward sazeracs or spicy margs that bring the heat with Korean gochujang.
The wine program is where The Berczy Tavern shines, with sommeliers who are excited to take you on a wine journey with each delicious bite. As it turns out, that hit of acidity from a French wine or the nutty sweetness of the Madeira you might have skimmed past is every bit as pitch-perfect with your final spoonfuls of dessert as the rest of the evening.
Dinner and drinks for two: around $150 plus tax and tip
