Museum Tavern

Came here for Winterlicious 2016 — had the Tuna Avocado Ceviche, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Burger and Ice Cream Cookie to finish.
If you intend on coming here for Winterlicious, avoid getting the ceviche to start, while it is delicious, you get 3 pieces of tortilla chips with avocado and tuna spread on them on a plate with some parsley garnish as decoration. It was quite the joke at our table. Other people at my table tried the ribs and they’re the way to go!
Service was great nothing to complain about there — attentive and polite.

As a vegetarian I loved their variety and the location was superb. I wasn’t a fan of the service to be honest and the description of the desserts didn’t match. However, food and drinks were excellent.

I came here for a late dinner after I landed in Toronto and checked into the Intercontinental Yorkville. This place was down the street. It wasn’t too busy on a Monday night, and I opted to sit at the bar. At the recommendation of the cute bartender, i went for the beef short rib french dip sandwich.
They offered a lot of drink options, and I tried 3 of their cocktails because so many were so interesting and the female bartender was on point with her drinks. I 1^st started off with the Orange is the New Black. It was delicious. It reminded me of an Old Fashioned, but with a twist. For my 2^nd drink I had the Bull Shot because I was curious to try it since it had beef juice in it. For my 3^rd drink, i ended the night with Sugar and Spice and Everything nice. It was delicious, and they cooled the glass with liquid nitrogen so they put on a bit of a show with the smoke.
Overall the food was delicious but the drinks were downright bombtastic. If you get the chance, come here for their drinks.

Went here for summerlicious this year after missing it last year due to a delayed flight in Buffalo. LOL yes I was going to drive straight from Buffalo Airport to Museum Tavern :/
We had the fried chicken sandwich for lunch and it was perfectly crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. The fries that came with it was pretty addicting. I had the tartare for appetizer while my friend got the riblets, both were pretty good sizes and delicious. I don’t remember the dessert much unfortunately.
We didn’t get any drinks because it was 11:30am. The patio was really nice to hang out on and enjoy people watching and the sunshine.
Would come back to try some of their standard fare if I was in the area or for Winterlicious!

Atmosphere is pretty live here. Hubby and I walked in with no reservation and were lucky enough that someone was a no show so we got a table. The crowd seemed to be a much older crowed (ie all seniors) but didn’t bother us. We ordered the buttermilk chicken sandwich and the beef sandwich both with fries. Food was great but their fries were over salted… Table next to us also commented the same… over all I would go back again.

This a very solid location to go to when in the dt core. Such a nice and intimate atmosphere, with a very classic old fashioned bar look to it with old wood paneling and various booths for seating. Pricing is pretty standard for various drinks. Although they have a very good selection of alcohols and mixed drinks.

I didn’t want to come here because the word Tavern scares me when you have children. I didn’t want to have that feel of going to a bar with your kids. However, once we were inside, we saw other families there with their own kids and high chairs, it calmed my nerves.
We were seated in a booth and they had a booster seat for my daughter. It was a nice way to make me feel included since most restaurants that have the name Tavern, isn’t exactly kid friendly.
To start, we got the beef short ribs poutine and where else can you get good poutine besides Canada? Come on, so of course we had to get it. It was one of the best poutines I’ve had and I’ve been to Canada many times. My husband got a cocktail to wash it down with.
For out entrees, my girls shared the bacon truffle perogies, perfection of clouds with delicious bacon. I couldn’t stop eating their plate, it was that good. I got the shrimp po’ boy and oh my! It was one of the best shrimp po’ boy I’ve ever had. Perfect combination of tangy, sour from the pickles, savory and zesty all in one bite. The shrimps they put in the sandwich was also very generous. My husband got the peameal bacon burger which if you know that in Canada, you need to try peameal bacon. It’s like a slice of ham.
For dessert, they have chocolate mousse and lemon cheesecake. We wanted to have dessert and was going to order one but my daughter said «mommy, I’m tired, let’s just go home» so that’s what we did. She must be very tired to skip dessert so I took that seriously.
The tab came to about 78 CAD before a 15% tip. I wasn’t used to tipping so little, but in Toronto, 15% is the standard. Though I will say that the service wasn’t all that great, but it’s understandable since it was a busy place.

I like the location and the setting of Museum Tavern. The food was okay, the price is reasonable. However, the staff was not friendly and he might have a bad day. It makes us thinking twice to leave some tips. Although we come to have some meals or drinks, we also expect to be welcomed.

This place used to be a cheap burrito hangout for UofT students many years ago, and burritos were gross. So glad to see that site has turned into a nice restaurant with a great selection of food and drinks in a cozy atmosphere. They also have a patio.
I had Hearts of Romaine with Duck salad. I’m not a big eater so the portion was somewhat huge for me. Food came out a little too slow. Other than that, no complaints and I’d return to try different dishes if I’m in the area.

All right my darlings, has it really been that long since I was here last? Apparently so and really, I ve been missing out! We came here for a light dinner and drinks on one of those vile, humid, feels-​like-​the-​back– of-a-truck’s-exhaust-pipe summer evenings. I d made a reservation, we showed up, were given a lovely cozy corner booth, the décor is lovely it feels like a Parisian or Belgian Bistro, the lighting is perfect the service is seasoned and smooth. The menu, though not cheap, offers some interesting options (game sausage, short-​rib poutine etc. I had the Conservatory Smash Cocktail (Aimee so very kindly offered to serve it in a tiki glass, knowing that this may have been the deciding factor). I also had the oysters (perfect presentation) and the fish tacos. The big difference with this place (compared to many others in this city) is that the execution of flavours along with the food presentation topped off by exquisite service (Aimee was our patient, helpful and ever the consummate professional server, and yet — other restaurants take note: when the other server was refilling waters at his tables, he d always come and do ours as well. I ve only ever seen this in very high end restaurants in this city, but should be basic courtesy at pretty much all of them) makes this a solid, delectable experience from beginning to end. The kitchen knows what it s doing and every delectable bite is a satisfying experience of flavours dancing on ones palate, constantly surprising. This, dear friends, is precisely how food should taste. When the food, service and environment come together in perfect balance, they become Museum Tavern. Dining out for me is more than about the food. It s an experience. When one such as this occurs, it becomes memorable and stays with me. Thank-​you, Museum Tavern for treating your diners with respect and dazzling us with the experience!

Came here for Summerlicious. Overall has pretty good pub food. I got the rib ends and my bf for the poutine to start. The rib ends lacked flavour and was very fatty. The poutine on the other hand had real curds and was tasty. For mains, I got the game sausage. It was VERY gamey. If you’re not into that kind of flavour, I won’t recommend it. It was just one sausage with fries and coleslaw so I was slightly disappointed. He got the fried chicken burger and it was good. It’s a large piece of chicken breast, seasoned well, with a bit of a kick. For dessert, we got the vanilla cake and the frozen custard. The custard was liek ice cream, I wasn’t expecting that, but it was tasty. The vanilla cake was very tiny…

The interior is fantastic. Very 1930s — pressed tin ceiling, great bar, pendant lighting. It’s a few doors down from the Intercontinental Yorkville and directly across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum.
We arrived at 20h00 on a Tuesday. We had no trouble getting a table for two although we didn’t have a reservation. The resto was almost full. It’s a bit loud; you wouldn’t want to take small children or elderly folks.
My guest and I both ordered the fish and chips. They were average, not better. The fries were cold. I doubt that this is the norm, and would try something else if I returned. They came out very quickly.
Prices are as would be expected in this neighbourhood. Salads are 19-​$ 22. Fish and chips are $ 20. Burgers are $ 19-​$ 26.

They have the BEST, I mean the BEST Nachos EVER!
I love nachos especially the cheesy ones! Here, the Nachos you order has only 8 pieces, BUT covered with melted cheese, guacamole and I think red bean paste! AMAZING!
The salad we ordered was the third on the menu which is also GREAT (don’t need extra dressing)

Needed to find a rooftop patio that was covered when weather forecasted humidity and thunderstorms. No waiting when we got there for early afternoon.
I ordered the PEI mussels and fries which were accompanied with a side of spinach salad. I was a bit stuffed from late breakfast so opted for Negronis over a beer. The server indicated the ingredients for cocktails were kept in house and aged quite nicely. The Negroni captured the flavour beautifully. The mussels had a kind of spice which gave it a perfect kick (steamed in a ceramic bowl). Fries were seasoned well and reminded me of Swiss Chalet fries. Spinach salad was bland.
They have different deserts everyday that aren’t found on the menu, but the server remembered them explicitly. My friend had a cookie dough ice cream with a cookie which was fairly inexpensive and I had a flourless chocolate cake which was quite bland and I couldn’t finish it. Wouldn’t recommend the cake to anyone.
Only the inner tables were safe from the prevailing rain that was coming down but luckily they were available for us to switch seats. Highly recommendable for a rainy weekend if you can get seats!

Was here tonight with a group of friends, our party totalled 7. Overall, I liked the place. Nice ambience, our server was very attentive, cocktails were good, and food (mostly) was good. I Would love to give this place a higher rating, but I can’t based on one, in my opinion, unforgivable reason: they served my friend raw chicken.
Here’s the scoop. Three of us ordered fried chicken. As I watched one friend tuck into a drum stick i noticed a lot of red. I asked him if his chicken was ok. He said he thought so — only a little under cooked. I balked at the news. My chicken was fine, but I also thought a trick of the light may have made it look more red than it actually was. They use a lot of tungsten lighting so everything is bathed in a warm glow.
My other friend ordered the fried chicken sandwich. She cut it in half and immediately dropped her knife. It was about 75% raw. Basically breaded and fried and served raw. I almost spat out my chicken. Luckily she’s in the habit of cutting her sandwiches and burgers in half — otherwise a mouthful of raw chicken breast.
I alerted the Manager and he promptly took the plate away. Our server came and apologized profusely (not his fault). They brought her an alternate shrimp Po Boy on her request very quickly which was good.
Still, I’ve worked as an undergrad for years in restaurants and this is a nightmare for the kitchen and overall reputation of a place. Raw chicken is so dangerous. The Manager should have come and spoken with us and at the least comped my friend’s meal. He did nothing beyond remove the plate and made the server deal with it. Lame!
If my other friend ends up sick (the guy who ate the red looking drumstick) then we know what the deal is.
While I think Museum Tavern has great potential I can’t get the image of raw chicken out of my head. And the way the manager dealt with the issues implies that it’s not a big deal since we caught the mistake before being poisoned. Toronto’s food scene is rich, eclectic and competitive. I’ll not be coming back here again. For those who dine — check your food before eating.

I came here for Summerlicious with my boyfriend and a friend. I really liked the décor which had a nice gastropub feel.
The service was friendly and attentive. And the food was excellent. There were a number of items on the menu on the regular menu that I want to try and will definitely come back to taste ‘em!

We went to the Museum Tavern for supper this evening. It was fairly busy. We sat on the dining room side.
Dylan, our server, recommended the cheeseburger so that’s what we both ordered. I got mine without cole slaw, cheese, lettuce and onions. Gord got his as the menu stated with American cheese. We both really enjoyed the burger … it was delicious! The bun was soft, which I like, and the bun-​to-​burger ratio was right on. When I asked what the sauce was, Dylan said it was their version of a Big Mac sauce. The fries were tasty. Gord said the cole slaw was disappointing. We’d both go back for the burger and fries.
Dylan took good care of us!

I have had the good luck of being to Museum Tavern many (10+) times; most recently it was with group of 13 friends for a holiday dinner.
This place is super consistent & always on point. Everything I’ve tried on the menu is delicious, but my favourite thing to order is their Hearts of Romaine (Caesar salad with about a pound of Parmesan on top) with a side of frites (served with homemade mayo). Steak & fries are also delicious, and my husband just loves the Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. I’ll be back on Tuesday & may order the Maple Ribs (one of the only items I have not tried). Bar & cocktails are definitely creative — wine list is also very good.
Atmosphere can’t be beat, sort of old-​timey, full of character and warmth — it has a bit of an authentic brasserie ambiance, and it’s effect is just lovely.
Staff, and what I can only assume is the super efficient manager/​owner, are always pleasant but not cloyingly so. Summertime patio overlooks Bloor st, Philosophers Walk & the ROM.
A sure bet, for casual ($ 15) lunch, or a dinner to impress.
I recommend reservations for dinner.
Enjoy!

They seated us at a perfect L booth so we could talk and see each other. The ambience is wonderful, nice lighting, cozy atmosphere.
They had my friend’s (an now my) favourite wine, McManis Cab so we ordered a bottle ($ 55) it was sublime.
The server was friendly but somewhat inattentive. We noticed a lot of tables were being seated and having orders taken and since we arrived before them, we wanted to ensure our order was placed quickly — we were hungry!
The food was good. We ordered Fish Tostadas (($ 12) to start came with two so perfect to share. I ordered the buttermilk chicken burger ($ 17). It seemed unnecessarily hot — like it had been in a deep fryer, or had been sitting under the heat lamp too long. Was delicious and I ate it all! My friend oredered the mussels. She said they were great, but was a bit overwhelmed by the huge amount of fries on the side. I liked her fry dipping sauce, mine didn’t come with one.
A great intimate spot. Saw lots of student-​like people. A bit pricey for the college crowd, but was quite busy nonetheless.
We will return.

C’est super, on avait très bien mangé entre amis puis… on nous a virés car, tenez-​vous bien: «nous avons des réservations pour 17h00, pouvez-​vous libérer les tables?» — Il était 16h50 et nous avions plus ou moins terminé …

Today, my friend and I made a visit to the Museum Tavern for their Summerlicious event. There were quite a bit to choose from on their Summerlicious menu. We went for lunch so it’s $ 15 per person which includes an appetizer, a main course and dessert. I chose the Tuna Tartare as my appetizer, the Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich served with your choice of fries or a salad and lastly, the Peach Sorbet for dessert.
The Tuna Tartare was light and delicious. It was tuna and red cabbage mixed with mayo served on top of a baked torilla. I picked a salad over fries and the salad was a garden green salad drizzled with a light dressing. The Shrimp Po’Bo Sandwich was a half sandwich filled with a slice of pickle, some freshly cut onions, lettuce and lightly breaded shrimp. There wasn’t a distinctive tatse to it. All I have to say is that it tasted like a sandwich and how it looked. The Peach Sorbet is the same. it just tasted like peach sorbet as you’d expect. Lastly, the presentation of these dishes could’ve been better and they should incorporate some more elements into the sandwich to make it outstanding.
My friend ordered the same appetizer as me, Fish and Chips with the Chocolate and Vanilla cake. I had a bite of the fish and it had a light batter which was good, however, it wasn’t served hot. The presentation was poor I must say. I also had a bite of the dessert and it tasted like something you can get at your local bakery. Again, nothing special about the taste of the food.
Overall, the food on their Summerlicious menu was mediocre (at least the ones we’ve tries). If you’re looking for something with more flavour and elements then this is definitely not where you’d want to go for lunch. I’m not sure if the taste is the same for their dinner menu since they do have a dinner menu for Summerlicious.
I looked at their main menu as well and the meals and drinks are quite pricey. However, they have exceptional customer service which makes dining very comfortable. They also have a patio which is great for the summer and the interior décor looks quite antique!

Petite perle cachée au sommet d’un escalier juste en face du ROM, le Museum Tavern vous plonge dans une atmosphère entre brasserie parisienne et pub british authentique.
Asseyez-​vous au bar tout en inox et admirez l’assortiment de bouteilles disposées stratégiquement sur les étagères. Le Barman vous recommandera les derniers cocktails de sa création et vous aurez même droit au spectacle avec l’azote liquide (rassurez vous aucun risqué d’engelure).
Les tables en salle sont très bien présentées, je n’ai pas eu l’occasion de goûter leur plats, à refaire bien évidemment!
/​/​Little gem hidden on top of a staircase just in front of the ROM, the museum tavern is a mix between parisian brasserie and a british pub.
Sit a the bar and just admire all the bottles on the shelves. The bartender will recommand all the last cocktails and you will even have the little show with the liquid azote (don’t worry it’s safe).
Tables are very well placed, did not have the chance to taste the menu but I will definitely come back!

Eine sensationelle Bar in der Nähe der Universität im schicken Ausgeh-​Viertel von Toronto. Der Barkeeper war einer von der «alten Schule» und mixte uns einige Raritäten. Ich kenne nicht viele Lokale mit besserem Barkeeper.
Interessant war, dass selbst am Nachmittag um 17 Uhr halbwegs viele Leute in der Bar waren. Man kommt sofort ins Gespräch und kann sich auf einen schönen Abend vorbereiten.
Nett!