Santa Marta Bar y Tapas — Restaurant in Toronto

TLDR: Taking the food AND the overall experience into account, this is by far one of the best higher-end restaurants I have been to in Toronto. Make sure to go. I went w my Spanish boyfriend and he was blown away, so it has at least one stamp of authenticity :) haha Food Ordered for 2 ppl: Sangria, Mixed Croquettes, Garlic Shrimp, Bread and Garlic Aioli, Chicken and Rabbit Paella Sangria was delicious, great balance of 'juice' to wine haha. The apples were so sweet! The pic attached only contains 2 out of the 4 croquettes we got. One croquette was creamy and rich, one was lighter. Both were delicious. The breading wasn't super thick and crunchy, which we both really liked. All other croquettes we've tried so far have thicker, crispier breading, which kinda distracts from the filling. These were perfect! I spent the entire night obsessing over the garlic shrimp. They were cooked to PERFECTION. I always accidentally overcook shrimp so I was so impressed by the texture AND taste. And I love the dish it was served in. I want to learn how to recreate the shrimp so badly. I'm really glad we got the bread and aioli as well, we kept making bread, aioli, olive oil and shrimp 'open faced sandwiches' 😅 The garlic aioli was seriously perfect, I've had aioli that's overly salty or slightly sour. This had a perfect balance of flavour. Finally, the paella was a wonderful entree. You can see that we attacked it before we remembered to take pictures. One portion was more than enough for us. I enjoyed scraping (and eating) the socarrat. The rabbit was a little 'gamey' for me but that has nothing to do w how it was made, I'm just not used to it. The chicken was great. We had a bit of leftovers of everything (except the sangria 🫡). We could've ordered one less thing but I'm glad we sampled as much as we did. I want to return w a bigger group to try more tapas out. They were out of a few items by the time we got there (8pm), but it wasn't an issue. Service There was only one server working. He was also the one who greeted us AND was bartending. It was so impressive. He was so friendly and informative. We were indecisive about whether one portion of Paella + one tapa would be enough for us, and he gave us the suggestion to get the bread + garlic aioli w the garlic shrimp, because they're a great pair. Boy was he right. I hope we can see him again if we get a chance to return! Atmosphere The restaurant is sooo cute, I can't get over it. The lighting was perfect for a date night WITHOUT being super dim. Rare find in Toronto lol. The decorations...

A Spanish Culinary Journey in the Heart of Toronto

With its warm and inviting atmosphere, Santa Marta has undoubtedly become one of Toronto's hidden gems. Nestled in the bustling heart of the city, this Spanish restaurant offers an unforgettable culinary experience that transports diners directly to the streets of Spain.

From the moment you step inside Santa Marta, you are greeted with a genuine sense of Spanish hospitality. The rustic yet contemporary decor, adorned with vibrant colors and traditional artwork, immediately sets the stage for an authentic Spanish dining adventure.

The menu at Santa Marta is a true celebration of Spanish cuisine, showcasing a wide array of flavorful tapas, paellas, and traditional dishes.

To truly immerse myself in the Spanish culinary culture, I opted for a selection of tapas. The Gambas al Ajillo (garlic prawns) showcased plump and succulent prawns bathed in a fragrant garlic-infused oil. The Patatas Bravas, crispy potatoes with a tangy tomato-based sauce, were a delightful explosion of flavors, bringing me back to the vibrant streets of Spain.

The true highlight of my meal, however, was the Paella Valenciana. The beautiful presentation of golden saffron-infused rice adorned with a medley of perfectly cooked seafood and tender chicken showcased the restaurant's commitment to traditional cooking techniques. Each mouthful was a harmonious blend of flavors, with the rich yet delicate saffron taste lingering on the palate.

The service at Santa Marta was nice, with knowledgeable staff who were eager to share their passion for Spanish gastronomy.

In addition to their culinary prowess, Santa Marta also boasts an impressive selection of Spanish wines and spirits. The knowledgeable staff was more than happy to recommend the perfect wine pairing, enhancing the overall dining experience.

It is clear that Santa Marta is a labor of love for its owners, who have taken great care to recreate an authentic Spanish experience in the heart of Toronto.

Whether you are a Spanish cuisine enthusiast or simply looking for good dining experience, Santa Marta is a must-visit destination in Toronto. Prepare to be swept away on a culinary journey through the flavors and...

Right off the bat, upon entering the establishment, I can tell that the way the place is designed; the choice of decor, music, and overall ambiance of the restaurant, that love and passion were poured into creating this restaurant.

We were greeted by the hostess/server who we found out through conversation was the owner of the restaurant.

My first order at any restaurant is always a drink, and here I thought I would try a Spanish beer I haven’t tried before, Estrella. A very delicous beer and good means of beginning my experience here.

From this point we started ordering an array of different items on the menu: the Croquetas Variadas were an excellent way to start off the night.

We tried a bunch of different items on the menu, ranging from sea food to lamb chops, all of which I could taste that love and passion was poured in.

The whole experience was fantastic and will definitely be coming back and bringing more people here.

If I had one piece of advice to make this place even better, having a live musician would make this place absolutely legendary.

I look forward to coming back.

Oh, and to the people leaving 1 stars complaining about pricing and portioning, there is a McDonald’s not too far from here, they will have cheaper options and larger...