Public Gardens Toronto — Restaurant in Toronto

I had my birthday dinner with a few girlfriends at Public Gardens and safe to say we had a fantastic time. We made a reservation a few weeks in advance on Resy and from the moment we arrived to the end of our meal the staff was incredibly kind and accommodating.

Our reservation was at 6pm on a Monday night and while it was fairly busy when we got there, the atmosphere definitely got more lively as the night went on. It was fairly loud by the time we wrapped up our meal but not so much that we had to yell or felt like we couldn’t hear the person sitting across from us.

Our server Jodie was such a delight to chat with and made sure to regularly check in and make sure we had everything we needed.

We tried 4 of their half dozen espresso martinis and the tiramisu one was a showstopper. Their classic dirty martini was so briny and delicious it was almost too easy to drink and the rosemary limon spritz had us wishing their rooftop patio was open on a warm summer day because YUM.

Now the food! We had several items from the happy hour menu and 2 items from the regular menu. They don’t skimp on the Parmesan here!!! The Caesar salad was maybe the best restaurant Caesar I’ve ever had, generously doused in Parmesan and dressing and the lettuce was fresh and crisp. The garlic bread and zucchini fritte were both perfectly crispy and the pepperoncini sauce was fantastic. We also had the vodka gnocchi which was mildly spicy but extremely flavourful. But the star of the show was the chicken parm. I cannot even put into words how yummy this chicken parm was. We had ours without spaghetti and it fed 4 of us alongside the gnocchi. The breading was thin and crispy, the chicken was tender and the cheese was cheesy. 10/10 delightful.

For dessert we had the strawberry panna cotta and the tiramisu. The tiramisu has an unexpected chocolate bottom layer. Now, I usually don’t like a non-traditional tiramisu but this added just a perfect crunch and richness to the very light tiramisu that my entire group loved.

I aspire to become a regular here thank you Jodie and the rest of the team at...

We attended a friend’s birthday party at this restaurant, and it was a very pleasant experience. The server provided complimentary shots for the entire party moments after greeting us. She was prompt but not intrusive, which we appreciated. I wish I had remembered her name, as she was the server serving the 8 top for Shane.

The drinks were delightful and aesthetically pleasing. They arrived in 10 minutes, which was a contrast to the longer wait times I’ve had at other locations on the street. I tried the Aperol Strawberry Sour, which was smaller than I expected, but every sip was worth it! I also had the FERRERO ROCHER espresso martini, which was amazing.

They are known for their espresso martinis, so you have to try them.

The atmosphere was very aesthetic and pleasant to look around. It would be a great place for birthdays, dates, or just a day with friends. However, keep in mind that the seating was tight-fitting for our group of 8, so I didn’t check out their patio. You might have a better chance with that.

A quick tip for bookings from the server: if you’re a large group, you’ll want to call way ahead of time, like 2 weeks, as it’s a popular location. But if you’re a smaller group, like 2 (or maybe 4), the bookings online may be full, but walk-ins are typically like 10-minute waits.

My hot take on bookings: If you plan to walk in, be prepared for longer waits during the week and weekends. Definitely check out their happy hour for 10$ espresso martinis, which they have every day!

The food was also delicious. Every item our group ordered was to die for. This restaurant doesn’t lack in any level of service or quality. We had servers, bartenders, and hostesses who promptly cleared our plates and emptied drinks, ensuring that everything was always clear. They were also very polite and had a luxurious vibe.

Our server made our friend’s birthday a memorable moment. They even gave him a happy birthday tiramisu in a cup with a candle and sparkler at the end. They really care about their customers.

Edit: 20% gratuity on...

Extremely Disappointing Experience – Overhyped and Poorly Managed

I had high expectations for Public Garden given all the hype around their food and service, but unfortunately, my experience was the complete opposite.

I arrived at 6:45 PM and asked for a table, only to be told there was a 2-hour wait—which, while frustrating, I could understand. However, what shocked me was that the host refused to take my name down for the waitlist, even though the restaurant is open until 2 AM. As someone with 5 years of experience working as a host and server, I know this is not standard practice. There was no valid reason to stop seating customers 7 hours before closing.

I asked if I could return in 30 minutes to try again, and the host curtly responded that she couldn't guarantee anything. When I returned just 25 minutes later, she suddenly had a spot available at the bar for two. I politely asked if we could wait for a regular table, and she flat-out refused, saying they "have priorities"—which felt incredibly dismissive and unprofessional.

We settled for the bar, but things only got worse. No one approached us for nearly 20 minutes—no menus, no water, no acknowledgement. When the server finally came, he was shockingly rude, barely listening to my order and engaging in conversation with other guests while I was speaking. The behavior felt blatantly discriminatory, and it left me deeply uncomfortable.

To make matters worse, the food was bland and below average—not at all worth the hype or the long journey we took (2.5 hours by transit) to get there. Not a single staff member checked in with us during the meal or asked how everything was.

I left feeling disrespected, disappointed, and hurt—especially by what felt like racially biased behavior.

This place may be popular on social media, but based on my experience, it’s all style with no substance, and their hospitality is sorely lacking.

Beware of the hype—it does not reflect...