Twilight Cafe & Bar (North York) — Restaurant in Toronto

I visited this spot for the first time as a party of four, on a Saturday around noon. There is paid street parking nearby, which is consistent with the rest of this busy area in North York.

We were seated and inquired if we planned to just dine in or also had plans to play board games - they have a large selection, and the rate is $6 per person for the first two hours, then $3 per hour thereafter. However, we had just planned to come for the food.

We were immediately offered water and menus, though they also have a QR code on the table that you can scan to view their menu online. Once ready, there's a call bell under the table where you can ring for service. I'll mention here that if you do not ring, you otherwise do not get any service. They brought the food when ready, but never offered refills on water unless asked and no one ever checked up on how our meal was going. I often do not expect a lot of service, but I feel there's a bare minimum when you're paying a certain price point, and the price point of this cafe did not match the service received. The employee was also clumsy and spilled some of my pasta sauce when setting my plate on the table. I understand accidents happen, but it honestly felt like a no-care kind of situation with a simple "whoops" as a response. Another small but telling thing was that though our order was confirmed, making it feel like there was care in service, we still got things incorrect, such as ice in our orange juice when we opted out when asked.

The highlight of this visit was the flavor profiles. Everything tasted really good but lacked in plating choices which may seem like a small detail but can make or break an experience. We ordered the following: My choice was their Truffled Mushroom Spaghetti which was said to be a popular item, given the symbols on their menu. There was a strong presence of truffle flavor which was delicious, the spaghetti was cooked al dente, and the overall sauce was creamy. This was a well-constructed dish but my only wish was that it was served hotter, as it had cooled down quite a bit by the time it was served to enjoy. Their Spicy Creamy Udon had the perfect level of spice and flavor, one I really enjoyed. The pot they chose for plating was not ideal though as the portion looked smaller than it already was. And overall, it just wasn't pleasing in terms of presentation. Their Honey Chicken Croffle is another well flavored dish with a good chicken-to-croffle ratio; however, the lightweight plate was a poor choice as my friend struggled with every attempt to cut since it would just rotate endlessly. It was exhausting just to watch. Loaded Nachos - the biggest portion out of all the dishes ordered, with a good ratio of toppings to chips. Not the most special thing you can get here and hence, I would recommend trying the other dishes above but this one is guaranteed to leave you full. Oat Milk Caramel Float - a pricey beverage, sitting at $8.50 plus tax but boy, it was delicious. The coffee notes were bold without being bitter, and the drink was not too sweet. All in all, well-constructed and the Lotus Biscoff cookie on top was a nice touch.

The cafe was clean at a glance, but I did notice that employees were very slow to clear tables. The gentlemen that was initially sitting beside us had left for over half an hour, but by the time we finished and left, that table was still yet to be cleared and cleaned.

All in all, this place earns its stars from me for their flavors which I believe is the most important, but lacks in other areas, primarily service at the high price point. I have definitely been to other cafes with a similar vibe and price point, and overall had a better experience in terms of service received and portions. Such a shame as there is a lot of potential here, but I hope to see some improvements in these areas over time and maybe that will win me to...

Bear with me because this one is a long one!

I visited a few weekends ago - the staff were really friendly and greeted me as soon as I entered. They were knowledgeable about the menu and the gaming options and made me feel really welcome.

Vibes~ The interior design is really high quality - it really doesn't look like other board game cafes. I would be comfortable to go to eat there without playing games which also brings me to the menu!

Menu~ The food there is delicious and has large portions. I'm a bit of a coffee snob and their staff recommended some delicious new drinks that I will get again for sure - their Pineapple Americano is a must try. Our group shared the Cheese Loaded Fries and they were filling! We also tried the Smoked Salmon Croissant and the New Orleans Chicken Wings. The food is definitely on par with restaurants such as Petite Potato.

Twilight really feels more like a high end bistro first and a boardgame cafe second.

Games~ However their game selection is comprehensive too. There were old classic favourites that I remember playing when boardgames came back strong and some newer games that I had never seen before. It was really fun to play classics like Ticket to Ride and Sequence but also try newer games to me such as One Night Ultimate Werewolf.

Staff~ The staff listened to the types of games I typically play and were able to recommend me some new ones! They take care of their games too - each of them have protective coverings so that if you are playing and eating at the same time you don't have to worry too much about getting things messy.

Kid-Friendly~ The cafe comfortable booths and chairs - when I went to look at games I noticed that there was a mother with a stroller and kids hanging out. It was a nice relaxed moment for the family.

Parking~ There is GreenP parking on the street directly in front of the cafe with parking garages across the street. For anyone living in the North York are it is also a pretty nice walk and is really close to the subway.

Overall~ Overall I can say that Twilight North York is a gem whether you are looking to have a nice brunch with family or bring someone on a casual date to play some games. The staff mentioned that they will also be getting their liquor license soon (I think by now they should have it) so I will definitely be returning to try out their expanded drink menu.

I'm honestly not the type to write reviews but I felt like I really needed to for this place : ) I'm pretty introverted and honestly I felt really at home and welcomed...

Food: 3 Stars Service: 5 Stars Ambience: 4 Stars Value: 3 Stars Sanitary: 4 Stars Overall: 3.8 Stars

Twilight Café & Bar in North York offers a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it a great spot to spend an evening, especially on a cold night. My visit here was a mixed experience, but overall, I found enough positives to consider returning.

One of the key highlights of this café is its ambiance. The warm lighting, comfortable seating, and relaxed vibe make it an excellent place to unwind, whether you’re catching up with friends or simply looking for a chill spot to hang out. The service was also a strong point—staff were welcoming and attentive without being overbearing.

That being said, I initially visited with the intention of indulging in some desserts. However, the menu seems to focus more on savoury options. While they did offer some sweet selections, they weren’t the highlight of their offerings. I decided to try the matcha Basque cheesecake, but unfortunately, it fell flat. It lacked the richness and depth of flavour I was hoping for, and the texture was a bit underwhelming.

Another thing to keep in mind is the pricing. Overall, I found it to be on the expensive side, especially considering the portion sizes and offerings. While the quality of food and drinks was decent, I would have expected slightly more generous servings or more refined flavours to justify the price point.

One unique aspect of Twilight Café & Bar is the variety of board games available. This is a fantastic feature for those looking to have a fun, interactive experience with friends. However, it's important to note that they charge by the hour, so that can add up if you plan to stay for a while.

Despite a few misses, I’m definitely open to revisiting, particularly to try their brunch menu. Given the warm atmosphere and friendly service, I believe there’s still potential for a better experience with a different selection of food.

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