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Bar Prima

Visa Dining Collection

CAN$51 and over

Italian

1136 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J3

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Bar Prima

4.6

CAN$51 and over

Italian

Queen West

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2 people

4 Nov 2026

22:00

Booked 35 times today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Fancy
Romantic

Located on Queen West, Bar Prima offers a lively yet refined dining experience, blending classic Italian flavours with bold, nostalgic energy. Amenu designed for sharing, featuring Scallops Rockefeller, Lobster Fra Diavola, and house-made Tomato Tramezzini, complemented by a curated cocktail program and Italian-forward wine list.
Perfect for after-work drinks, date nights, and group celebrations, Bar Prima is easily accessible by streetcar and known for its energetic bar atmosphere beneath a striking gold ceiling that sets the tone for an unforgettable night out.
For private events and larger gatherings, Bar Prima offers flexible event options, including semi-private dining in the Club Room, and full buyout opportunities, ideal for birthday celebrations, milestone moments, and social gatherings of all sizes.
Whether you’re looking to savour pasta, sip on a martini, or have an intimate celebration, Bar Prima delivers a confident, nostalgic take on Italian dining on Queen West.

OpenTable Icon

202620252024

From the OpenTable editors: With its arched gold leaf ceiling, royal blue accents and marble inlay floor, Bar Prima is a stunner from the moment you step inside. The restaurant menu, built on refined Italian-American dishes like spaghetti all’amatriciana and veal chop marsala, delivers equal wow factor. For drinks, the wine list steals the show, spanning from Italian classics to offbeat natural bottles.

Executive chef: Julian D'Ippolito

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$51 and over
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, European
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(647) 347-9697
Website
https://barprima.ca/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual

Location
1136 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J3
Award-winning
1. OpenTable Icons 2026
2. OpenTable Icons 2025
3. OpenTable Icons 2024
Area
Queen West
Cross Street
Five minute walk east of Queen and Dufferin St.
Parking Details
Street Parking
Public transport
From Dufferin station take the 29 or 929 Dufferin bus south to Queen. You can transfer onto the 501 Streetcar and get off at Abell St streetcar stop. Bar Prima is located across the street from the streetcar stop.
Additional
Gluten-free Options

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

castelfranco & sunchoke insalataCA$21.00
italian ranch, poached pear, watercress
stracchino montataCA$25.00
beets, candied pecan, brown butter
branzino crudoCA$27.00
orange, capers, ‘nduja-cured egg yolk
scallops rockefellerCA$34.00
bechamel, prosciutto, gremolata
beef tartareCA$26.00
house tabasco, egg yolk jam, potato chips
foie gras torchonCA$32.00
brioche, mulled wine veil, arugula

PASTA

mushroom gnudiCA$33.00
king oyster, mushroom jus, hazelnut
agnolotti alla zuccaCA$37.00
taleggio espuma, black truffle, sage, vin cotto
lobster fra diavolaCA$54.00
white wine, chili mascarpone
pappardelle al raguCA$39.00
lamb shoulder, caramelized onion, pecorino
spaghetti all’amatricianaCA$29.00
guanciale, chili, pecorino

PIATTI

polpo alla porriCA$39.00
octopus, charred leek, salsa verde
swordfish franceseCA$48.00
beurre blanc, roe, fines herbs
lamb chops alla braceCA$45.00
smoked cauliflower, salmorglio, pangrattato
iberian pork chopCA$47.00
raisin agrodolce, dandelion
wagyu coulotteCA$54.00
brown butter hollandaise, black garlic, parsnip
bistecca dianaCA$95.00
striploin, green peppercorn jus, cognac

CONTORNI

potato pavéCA$14.00
rapini genoveseCA$14.00

DOLCE

torta al limoneCA$16.00
gianduja tartufoCA$15.00
millefoglie frutaa di pietraCA$17.00
tiramisu di altamuraCA$15.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Bar Prima.

4.6

(746)

4.4Food
4.7Service
4.8Ambience
4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bar Prima in Toronto offers a "beautiful atmosphere" and "incredible service" with a menu that impresses many with its "fantastic" cocktails and standout dishes like the Wagyu and scallops. While some diners note "inconsistent service" and occasional food missteps, the "lovely decor" and "friendly staff" often make it a memorable dining experience.

746 Reviews

M
Mantej Gold
Toronto / Ontario2 reviews
4.0
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was great! The restaurant has an amazing vibe and looks super classy. The service was top tier and our table was handled well. We had the chef tasting menu. It was catered very well and let us try a good amount of their favourites in one sitting.
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P
Peter
Toronto / Ontario3 reviews
5.0
Dined on 28 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful restaurant. Great food. Service needs improvement - friendly, but very slow.
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A
Angela Gold
Toronto / Ontario8 reviews
4.0
Dined on 27 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We really enjoyed Bar Prima. However, we were seated at the front of the restaurant and every time the door opened we could smell marijuana. This was quite unpleasant. Also, we ordered the signature dish, spaghetti amatriciana, with it was very dry and lacking sauce. The apps and desserts were great.
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W
Wendy
Toronto / Ontario1 review
2.0
Dined on 25 October 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Beautiful ambiance, but unfortunately, the overall dining experience was disappointing. The service was inconsistent and inattentive. No one proactively offered to check our coats, and different staff members handled our drink and food orders. After ordering drinks, we waited a long time without anyone asking if we wanted to order food, so we eventually had to ask ourselves. The food was underwhelming. Most dishes were overly salty, the seafood tasted noticeably fishy, and the octopus was severely overcooked with a distinctly burnt taste. When we raised the issue, a staff member who appeared to be a manager explained that it was due to the charcoal. However, the taste was clearly burnt rather than simply charred. To their credit, the restaurant did refund the octopus, which we appreciated. The portions across the menu were also quite small. The birthday experience was another letdown. I understand that birthday treats are complimentary gestures, not obligations, but it is unclear why the restaurant asks about the occasion during booking if there is no acknowledgment of it. Other restaurants often offer a small dessert with a candle. Here, nothing was provided until we asked, and we were told we could order a dessert ourselves and they would add a candle. It felt impersonal for a birthday dinner. Interestingly, the staff only proactively approached us to remind us not to use flash photography after we turned on our flash to take pictures. The interior is beautiful, and we appreciated the refund, but the food quality, small portions, and inconsistent service did not live up to expectations. Overall, a disappointing experience.
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A
Anna
Toronto / Ontario2 reviews
2.0
Dined on 24 October 2026
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Obnoxious loud table beside us and server is barely around. Food was just boring and nothing amazing. Not impressed at all
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s
sophia
Toronto / Ontario2 reviews
4.0
Dined on 24 October 2026
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I went here for my birthday and had a great time. All the staff is extraordinary, even when my friends and I were taking a million pictures lol. The service was great and the ambiance is stunning. I would recommend the Scallops to start forsure!
Bar PrimaResponded on 26 October 2026
Thank you for your review. Please let us know how we can improve for future experiences. We look forward to hosting you again soon!
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D
Daniela
Atlantic Canada1 review
5.0
Dined on 20 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Such an exquisite lovely dining experience 💕 our bar tender James was top level, helpful with recommendations and knowledge on the menu. A beautiful gem in Toronto 🤍
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A
Amitava
Toronto / Ontario1 review
5.0
Dined on 17 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent food and friendly servers. We went for a date with our new born baby. They gave us a nice cozy place. The place might feel bit clumsy but overall food and ambience was great. I would love to visit this place again.
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K
Kim Gold
Toronto / Ontario4 reviews
5.0
Dined on 9 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent dining experience. The food was incredible and the service was fantastic. Will absolutely be back.
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J
Justine
Toronto / Ontario2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 7 October 2026
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Had a great time with my sister. Noise level wasn't loud (we might've been the loudest), food was fantastic, drinks were really good. She said she normally doesn't like espresso martinis but that one was excellent. We'll be back probably. :)
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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
CAN$51 and over
Cuisines
Italian, Contemporary Italian, European
Hours of Operation
Daily 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(647) 347-9697
Website
https://barprima.ca/
Payment Options
AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
Dress Code
Business Casual

Location
1136 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1J3
Award-winning
1. OpenTable Icons 2026
2. OpenTable Icons 2025
3. OpenTable Icons 2024
Area
Queen West
Cross Street
Five minute walk east of Queen and Dufferin St.
Parking Details
Street Parking
Public transport
From Dufferin station take the 29 or 929 Dufferin bus south to Queen. You can transfer onto the 501 Streetcar and get off at Abell St streetcar stop. Bar Prima is located across the street from the streetcar stop.
Additional
Gluten-free Options

Featured in

FAQs

Yes, the kitchen can accommodate special diets: one guest reports the chef created vegan dishes so they could enjoy the tasting menu alongside their party.

For a calmer visit, go early, around opening (5:00 pm) on a weekday or early evening; later nights (reviews note music getting loud by about 8:30) and Friday nights trend livelier.

Portions are suited for sharing, reviewers note the Scallops Rockefeller come three and are "a good amount to share, " and one reviewer described the restaurant as having "good portions."

Business casual is the guide, aim for neat, polished attire rather than formalwear; many guests also mention the business-casual vibe here leans a bit more relaxed in practice.

Yes, Bar Prima offers flexible event options, including semi‑private dining in the Club Room and full buyouts for larger gatherings, and guests report occasional special events and tasting/menu experiences.

Yes, Bar Prima is a popular date-night spot: the owner description calls it "perfect for... date nights, " and guests frequently celebrate anniversaries there, praising the intimate, beautifully designed space.

How FAQ content is generated

Make a booking

Bar Prima

4.6

CAN$51 and over

Italian

Queen West

Make a booking

2 people

4 Nov 2026

22:00

Booked 35 times today

Bar Prima

Make a booking

Bar Prima

Make a booking

About this restaurant

OpenTable Icon

Dining areas

Additional information

STUZZI

tomato tramezziniCA$10.00

chicken liver & caviar cannoliCA$22.00

zeppole cacio e pepeCA$14.00

ANTIPASTI

castelfranco & sunchoke insalataCA$21.00

stracchino montataCA$25.00

branzino crudoCA$27.00

scallops rockefellerCA$34.00

beef tartareCA$26.00

foie gras torchonCA$32.00

PASTA

mushroom gnudiCA$33.00

agnolotti alla zuccaCA$37.00

lobster fra diavolaCA$54.00

pappardelle al raguCA$39.00

spaghetti all’amatricianaCA$29.00

PIATTI

polpo alla porriCA$39.00

swordfish franceseCA$48.00

lamb chops alla braceCA$45.00

iberian pork chopCA$47.00

wagyu coulotteCA$54.00

bistecca dianaCA$95.00

CONTORNI

potato pavéCA$14.00

rapini genoveseCA$14.00

DOLCE

torta al limoneCA$16.00

gianduja tartufoCA$15.00

millefoglie frutaa di pietraCA$17.00

tiramisu di altamuraCA$15.00

Review summary

Dining areas

Additional information

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FAQs

Does this restaurant have vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free or other dietary options?

When is the best time to go to Bar Prima?

What are the portion sizes like at this restaurant?

What is the dress code for Bar Prima?

Does this restaurant have any specials deals or experiences?

Is this a good pick for date night?

Make a booking

Bar Prima

Make a booking