Sibel — Restaurant in Toronto

The Turkish focused menu offers an array of dips. We started with the fatteh ($10), one that I’ve never had before. The pressed yogurt reminds me of a thinner labneh. Covered with oil, which the menu describes as infused with garlic and shallots, it tasted liked nothing except for the roasted cashews on top. The dip really needs more spices or seasonings to add interest.

Luckily, the starter arrives with complimentary feta, butter, and hummus. Ultimately, with some feta on the fatteh it helps augment the flavours with a bit of saltiness. Maybe Sibel just likes to shy away from salt, as their hummus was also served neutral so tastes like nothing more than blended chickpeas with a bit of oil.

Even the Turkish babaganoush ($9) was also relatively tasteless. There wasn’t the expected smokiness from using grilled eggplant any any onion, garlic, or parsley was muted. If anything, the sweet and tangy pomegranate glaze stood out the most.

The best thing about the dips is having the pita. Freshly prepared in a wood burning oven, it was sizzling hot and delicious. Sprinkled with an everything bagel seasoning, it thankfully adds a bit of zest to the plain dips.

Sibel’s fried kubbeh ($14) was surprisingly fluffy in the centre, the mixture of beef, bulgur, onion, walnuts, and spices crumble onto the plate upon breaking through the crispy coating. Dipped with pistachio it’s beautiful to behold and tasty, just a rather small portion (two per order) for the price.

The mixed kebab platter ($38) is a great way to try several proteins:

Despite the lamb chop being cut thinly and being overdone, it was still tender and well seasoned. In comparison, the cubes of filet were done a perfect medium rare but wasn’t as flavourful. While not necessarily bad, I’d recommend you having these first, so it doesn’t seem as plain. The full adana kebab was juicy and mixed with enough spices so it’s flavour without being overwhelming. Lastly, the chicken wings were done well, cooked through without becoming dry and having a nice char on the skin.

Overall, for incorporating so many different types of proteins with bones and different cooking times, the platter came together well. Made to feed a sumo wrestler, it’d be a lot of food for one, so is ideal for sharing. Aside from all the proteins, there’s also a bed of deliciously saucy bulgur, fluffy white rice, bread, shredded cabbage, onions, spicy grilled peppers, and half a tomato. It’s not a lot of vegetables, so if you want something to balance out the proteins, pair this with a salad.

On another visit, I stuck with just the adana kebab ($34) and it was equally juicy. It’s just surprising that by itself you don’t get much more of the kebab despite the main being almost equally priced to the mixed kebab platter. In my books, the mixed platter is a much better deal.

At least that had more sides than the shrimp kebab ($35). It was almost comical how noticeably smaller it was than the other two mains, served with only bulgur and a roasted tomato. You'll only want to order this if you're in the mood for a very light meal. At least the shrimp were sizable and cooked well.

Their pide are a great option for any pizza lovers. A thinnish chewy toasted bread forms the base and the chicken fillet pide ($24) was filled with a healthy portion of mozzarella and chicken. It was enjoyable, but a little plain since there were scant amounts of other ingredients listed on the menu (mushrooms, olives, and tomato). I would have liked more of the vegetables to balance...

It is now my second time visiting this fine, gastronomically exceptional establishment, and I was inspired to write a review! My first experience was with a friend, and the second—tonight's dinner—was solo. Both were spectacular! The welcoming, bright, and open atmosphere, the attentive service and care to detail, and the decor of this great Turkish gem on the bustling streets of Avenue Road, where I've lived for the past 18 years, all blew me away—the second time just as much as the first.

With that out of the way, let's get to the food, shall we? A dance of tastes for the tongue, their menu offers variety for any palate and diet. Every dish I have at Sibel makes me want to order one of everything off the menu—it is THAT good!

This time around, I began my evening with Fatteh—this smooth, yogurt-based cold appetizer garnished with cashews, served with in-house-made chips—along with their complimentary appetizer plate featuring their signature airy bread served with hummus, feta cheese, and butter. While waiting for the main star of the night from their Chef's Signature section—the Pasha Kebab—I indulged in every bite. To finish the night, I gave in to my Christmas Day cravings with Kunafe and cherry ice cream. Every single dish was mouthwateringly perfect, seasoned to impress, and practically made me swallow my tongue! A great start, middle, and end.

Sibel offers all that you can imagine and more! They even have live musicians who not only showcase their vocals but also entertain with the piano. I definitely recommend this restaurant and see myself coming back again and again, especially for special occasions worth remembering. They also offer a Turkish breakfast on Sundays, featuring a full traditional spread that transports you to the country's cuisine and culture—something I very much want to try sometime.

Sibel, thank you for a great,...

My last visit on 20 June 2025:

I had dinner at Sibel restaurant on Avenue Road yesterday evening with my guests, and I must say this place continues to impress me every single visit. What I admire most about Sibel is their unwavering commitment to quality and consistency - they have maintained their high standards since day one. The authentic Turkish cuisine here is exceptional. Every dish we ordered was prepared with care and bursting with traditional flavors that transport you straight to Turkey. The ingredients are clearly fresh and high-quality, and you can taste the authenticity in every bite. What truly sets Sibel apart is their outstanding service and genuine Turkish hospitality. The staff goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome and ensure your dining experience is memorable. Their warmth and attentiveness create an atmosphere that makes you want to return again and again. This restaurant has earned a special place in my heart as one of the most reliable and consistently excellent dining establishments I know. Whether you’re new to Turkish cuisine or a longtime fan, Sibel delivers an authentic experience that won’t disappoint. Highly recommended for anyone seeking genuine Turkish food served with traditional hospitality!

We visited Sibel's Restaurant on November 2nd and were truly impressed with the authenticity of the Turkish food—it tasted just like home. Samira provided exceptional service; she was friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable about the menu. The food was excellent, and all four of us enjoyed our meals and service. However, the music was less than ideal, feeling more disruptive than entertaining. I believe a change in musician could make the atmosphere even more enjoyable. Overall, a great experience, and we’ll look forward to...