Bar Koukla — Restaurant in Toronto

Terrible customer service especially from the management team!! I was booked in for 8:45pm for my girlfriends and I, we were running late due to Toronto traffic so we tried to call several times before our reservation and there was no answer. We finally get there just after 9pm (btw they have a 15min grace period) they told us our table was given away, which was fair. We told them we tried to call multiple times before our reservation and was wondering if we can get the next table since it wasn’t entirely our fault. We did our best and called MULTIPLE times and there was no answer from the restaurant who is supposed to be an operating business. We were told by the manager “it’s a Friday night in the city.. it’s busy, it’s loud in there we can’t hear the phones so no we don’t answer our phone during dine in hours.” Very absurd for an operating business! Poor customer service and I would not recommend. She then told me “there’s a 15min grace period, that’s our policy and it’s written online” and I said ok I know but we tried to call you, no where under the policy of the restaurant does it say their phone lines are off and will not be answered. She then said “the best thing I can do for you is add you to the wait list”. Which was absolutely doing nothing for me, she was basically treating us like a walk in at this point when we did the best we can by booking online prior to the date and tried calling for consideration. Very unprofessional and inconsiderate from the management team working on Friday...

Wonderful greek fusion place. Went here for a few drinks after dinner, the staff were so accommodating when we asked to move to a different spot because the first table that was free when we arrived was right by the door and rather cold. I had the Kefi cocktail first which was a greek yogurt based drink (in the clay cup with the green leaf), SO DELICIOUS, and you could have told me it was a mocktail. Second I had the TZATZIKI (clear light green drink in the martini glass) which you could have told me it was a spa drink to enjoy after a massage, so refreshing and didn't taste like alcohol at all. After moving to the bar from our first table, we were served by Sonya who treated us so well we felt like VIPs. She brought over some tequila based shots on the house (they were mixed with something but I didn't know what) and went down smoothly, didn't burn like typical tequila shots. I was so pleasantly surprised, especially since I didn't even tell her we were out celebrating my birthday. I ordered an espresso martini last, and she brought over a lovely piece of chocolate olive oil cake for me, and it was such a wonderful way to end the night. The cake was really unique (never had olive oil cake before) and not too sweet, which was perfect. Come for the drinks, stay for the awesome service -...

Koukla (and Mamakas) has been one of my favourite spots in the city since it first opened. At one point I caught myself coming here on a weekly basis.

Reading through some reviews, it seems some people had a similar experience I had — being extremely rushed and dealing with rude staff. Being in and out of a restaurant in 30 minutes, with a bottle of wine on the table during dinner service was beyond concerning. We kept coming back because the food is unmatched but after a a few of these experiences, I felt super put off and ultimately avoided dining here for a while.

I ended up here on a whim the other night, not feeling very optimistic, and I am so thrilled to report it was the original Koukla experience. We sat at the bar and had the most AMAZING service.

Christina never fails to create the best atmosphere and it genuinely makes my night when I see her working. I always order the same lineup of dishes (koulouri, oysters, calamari, lamb ribs, and a bottle of my favourite rosé - the paleo). She suggested the sardine toast knowing we hadn’t tried it before, as well as the most amazing cherry pavlova for dessert - off menu, and I’m still drooling.

This is the Koukla experience I’ve known and loved over the last few years. 11/10. Come for the food & drinks, stay for the parea. You...