On a mobile device? Try our mobile site, optimized for faster browsing.

Nirvana

3.5 star rating
37 reviews Rating Details

Categories: Asian Fusion, Breakfast & Brunch, Bars  [Edit]

434 College St
Toronto, ON M4W 1A7
Neighbourhood: Kensington Market
(416) 927-8885
Hours:

Mon-Sun 11 am - 2 am

Good for Kids:
No
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Good for Groups:
Yes
Price Range:
$$
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take Away:
Yes
Waiter Service:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
Yes
Good For:
Dinner
Music:
Juke Box
Best Nights:
Wed, Thu, Fri
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Coat Check:
No

37 reviews for Nirvana

Review Highlights   

"My Pad Thai was awesome and the 'Disco' cocktails were sublime." (in 6 reviews)
"The delicious chicken and avocado sandwich I often eat is $6." (in 3 reviews)
"50) comes in red or white wine base and is served complete with fun-to-eat..." (in 3 reviews)
  Loading...
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites' | Facebook Friends'

All Reviews

Nirvana

 

3

54

Alison B.

New York, NY

USA

4 star rating
7/28/2010

Nirvana is a great little spot. I've been here for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Every meal was good, well priced and I left happy.

A few things that make Nirvana good:

- They have cheap pitchers of sangia
- They have a patio (small) that is on the corner of bathurst and college
- They have well priced sandies (seriously, i'm a sandy lover and can't deal with forking over 10 bucks for one)

One negative:

- the service is not so fast. don't go here if you're in a hurry

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

19

36

Eric L.

Etobicoke, ON

2 star rating
7/25/2010 1 Check-in Here

OK Drinks, Slow Service.

We arrived with a group of 4 and grabbed a table. We waited 6-7 minutes before one of the 2 servers came to our table.  We ordered 2 coffees, 1 mojito, and a pitcher of water.  It took them 10 minutes to bring us our drinks.   The mojito was nothing special, I've made better at home

It took a while for our server to return to see if we needed another drink or refills. The place was hardly busy.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Isabel R.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
7/12/2010

Totally forgot about this place, but made my way back there this past Sunday after a failed trip to The Fish Store (which apparently is closed on Sundays...oops!)

And...I forgot how much I love it!  Awesome on a student budget, or a recent-graduate budget.  I am always particularly fond of the brie and avocado sandwich, or the BLAT.  Sandwiches with a side come out to 5 or 6 bucks...a very reasonable price for the quality.  They also have reasonably priced drinks!

The patio was a great place to watch all the world cup festivities along College st...but it's also a good patio any warm summer day.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

0

42

Dave M.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
9/2/2010

A charming, funky spot with outstanding food for the exceedingly low price.

Let us begin the the price point. You will spend more for a six inch sub combo at Subway than for the massive, intensely flavourful sandwiches you get here. Drinks are inexpensive and normally large, beer selection is actually quite impressive and true to the asian-fusion form, and even the wine is decent for the limited range and cheap price tag. Entrees are also quite good, from the pad thai to the lemongrass chicken and so forth, and it has to be maintained that nothing here will break the bank.

Which is a perfect as most of the clientele seem to be students, Kensington hipsters, and young business professionals who dress and act above their tax bracket, and with all that money spent on (respectively) textbooks, vintage clothes, and designer suits, how wonderful it must be to get a great meal on the cheap. The atmosphere is charming, eclectic, and welcoming as all hell.

An aside: get the curried eggplant dip as your app. It is DELICIOUS.

Night times are invariably, what is it the cool kids say now, bangin? It must take something special to deal with the outrageous heat this summer, though; three giant fans don't do much to ease up such a huge dark room when it's 35 degrees and over 90% humidity.

Servers are always friendly, always smiling, and with the exception of one skinny asian girl whose accent I can't place, always...relaxed in service. One of the other reviewers mentioned that the size of the room might make it difficult to keep tabs on everyone, and while that's a decent point, it only explains a slow first greet. That said, I'm never in a hurry and have never said to one of the servers, "I'm in a bit of a rush" so I've yet to see how'd they respond if I looked like I was, and the slow pace suits me just fine, especially since the drinks come out nice and quick and without even a raised eyebrow when I order a Cowboy (shot of bourbon and a short glass of milk - yes it tastes awful, yes it cures what ails you) at 11 am.

My only out and out let down with the place is that there is no seating at the bar. A, I'm a proper lush and nothing fits quite like slouching on the bar, and B, it looks stunning and would be a great place for said slouching.

In all, a great stop and one that will make you want to come back.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

0

11

Jacqui G.

Bronxville, NY

USA

5 star rating
8/28/2010

One of my favorite TO. hangouts. Mixed drinks aren't so good though, but great location, fantastic ambiance, great cheap wine and good grub.

Best place to hangout and grab a beer after work.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

10

79

Erin B.

Toronto, ON

3 star rating
6/21/2010

This is a good place to go in the afternoon to drink far to much coffee and fill up on cheap food while working on essays. It's also a good place to go in the evening with a friend to spend a long time sipping sangria and chatting. It's even good for late night snacks. If you've got time and you're not expecting too much.

The beer selection is pretty good for mainstream, but not super fantastic. Last time I was there they had blanche de chambly and tankhouse on tap, among other things. Bottled wine is pretty inexpensive, but you're getting what you pay for. Sangria is absolutely not traditional, but still a pretty yummy juice and wine concoction. They have a list of interesting cocktails that I haven't sampled, but always consider.

The space is large, which is nice cause it's almost always possible to find a table, whether you're with one other person or five other people. And, except at the busiest times, a person can feel comfortable sitting alone with a book and a bevvie, confident that they're not taking up a needed table.

Unfortunately, the large space makes it difficult for the servers to see what's going on with everyone and makes it easy for them to forget about you because they don't pass by each time they go to the bar. I have had good service here once or twice, but most of the time something is mixed up or forgotten and I can count on sitting for a good long time waiting for orders to be taken or bills to arrive.

I don't seem to mind the lacklustre service here for two reasons, I think. One, I know what I'm getting into and the servers don't give me the impression that they think they're any better than they are. And two, it's super cheap. The delicious chicken and avocado sandwich I often eat is $6. The huge plates of noodles are under 10$. Can't argue with prices like that.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

45

101

Renata R.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
Updated - 6/18/2010

I decided to go back there and - surprise - it was Martini Night!

I absolutely love Martinis, and they offer 5.75 GIANT martinis. Couldn't find a bad one. The Ferrero Rocher is AWESOME, try it, and again the staff has been so nice to me I have absolutely nothing to complain!

I asked for a simple salad with chicken, it was HUGE and very good. Chicken is usually overcooked everywhere to my taste because I like chicken a bit undercooked, but I should have said this before, not their fault. It's a ginourmous order and can be shared if you're not too hungry, and, see, I'm talking about a salad. Husband asked for a tuna sandwich that was served open due to its ginourmousity. Also very good.  

Our side order was the traditional sweet potatoes, I'm starting to become addicted to this. Love them.

Yet their bathroom sucks and they don't have wi-fi. But the ATM is still there and the bill was very acceptable for the amount of alcohol and food we had.

Was this review …?

 

1 Previous Review: Show all »

  • 3 star rating
    5/19/2010

    I must say I didn't ask for any food there, because I had lunch before. It was just a tea for two :)… Read more »

Nirvana

 

6

12

Kelly K.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
7/22/2010 1 photo

I love this place! Yummy food, cheap beer (on Wednesday nights) and a small but vibrant front patio thats perfect for watching the circus over at Sneaky Dees. I wish Id taken a photo of my dinner last night (Nirvana sandwich with sweet potato fries) or of my friend's (grilled chicken sandwich with avocado and side salad) as no sandwich has any business being so pretty.

Listed in: Torontoness

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

0

16

Jeff S.

North York, ON

4 star rating
6/17/2010

It seems like I can't go here at night without getting really drunk. Its pretty cheap, laid back, and the service is usually at least acceptable

The food is alright for the price, though some days are definitely better than others. I seldom go anymore if I don't plan on drinking though.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

24

45

Lindsay D.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
3/2/2010 1 Check-in Here

I've been going to Nirvana for a few years now, but was never a fan of their food really.  Kept going back, for dinner, for brunch, whatever, it just didn't measure up.  And the music was always too loud to talk comfortably.  That being said, I may have been addicted to their cheap Caesars night.  May have...

So I took a break for 1/2 a year, and went back last night for a staff party for the bar I work at.  I think I finally get Nirvana.  I ordered the Pad Thai with tofu.  It came with a small salad which came out before the entree, which was quite nice in form, but not very tasty.  The Pad Thai on the other hand was the best thing I've tasted there, and I've tried nearly everything else on the menu.  So unless the kitchen has been vastly improved while I was away, I think this is the thing to order there.  I also recommend the "David Bowie" drink - rum, coconut Malibu, strawberry-banana, and soda.  I usually don't like sweet cocktails, but this one was so good, I plan on ripping off the recipe.

This place is great for groups.  We were able to get a long table, with glowing candles, just perfect for passing around several bottles of Côtes du Rhône.  We had a fabulous night, with fabulous servers who made sure the bottoms of our glasses never went dry.  Even with it being "Cheap Bar-rail Mondays", our bill came to well over $500 for a party of 8 (dinner, drinks, bottles of wine), but this was a group of bartenders, and just speaking for myself, we can drink quite a bit more than ordinary "civilians".  

Well done Nirvana!  Loving the improvements in service and food!

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

78

100

Jon M.

Toronto, ON

3 star rating
1/17/2010

If you have to go to one of the places owned by the same folks who own the Green and Red Rooms, go here.  Some friends and I made the ill advised decision of trying to hang out in the Annex on a Saturday night (file under "I'm too old for this shit") and everything was full.  Somebody suggested we should try heading down to Nirvana, because as they said "it's the only place shitty enough for us to be able to get a table".  Turns out they were right.

We were seated in the middle of the bar at what was clearly a cheap side table that was NOT meant to be seated at (it was about half a foot lower than any normal table).  Our waitress showed up after about 10 minutes or so and she was reasonably friendly, given the hellish nature of her job.  We ordered a couple of pitchers ($13) and a couple of orders of Potato Wedges ($2.95).  Although I wanted to hate this place, I actually kind of enjoyed it.  The food was decent and very cheap, and I can't really argue with a $13 pitcher of Sapporro.  I also didn't see a single mouse/rat while we were there, which (to whatever degree was neccessary at the time) seemed to put my mind at ease.  

If Sneak's is full, give this place a chance.  They haven't let it deteriorate to the level of the Green and Red rooms - but who knows how long that will last.

Listed in: CHEAP

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

0

9

GILLIAN J.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
12/29/2009

This place is a great staple. Here is why:

MENU
* It is very very very affordable
* large selection. something to please everyone
* food quality is basic but there is nothing to complain about

DECOR
eclectic but casual but romantic but cozy  

STAFF
* friendly cute etc
* they tend to "let you be" so if you are in a rush...you might have to be aggressive to get your bill - the plus side is if you want to sit for a while there is never any pressure to leave :)

WEEKEND BRUNCH
* cheap. big portions. big menu
* no hipster lineups
* lots of seating
* low lighting so you don't have to doll-up
* and a new menu addition no more home fries its sweet potato fries
ya good I know!

PEOPLE All types of people to go Nirvana:
* university/college students
* young professionals being casual
* hipsters being casual. more plaid less neon.
* not obnoxious families [usually for early dinner]

GREAT SPOT FOR
* date
* brunch
* large groups [there are long tables]
* working alone session [free wifi]
* intimate drinks like where you want to sit and talk forever
* awkward meet-up - the atmosphere is really comfortable not awkward and food service is fast if you want to get out!
* patio drinks
etc etc etc

FREE WIFI

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

83

155

Sarah S.

London NW5

UK

4 star rating
9/4/2009

Hello Martini Thursday!

I plunked down at Pearson and within days was sipped martinis with the girls in the mood lit wonderment of Nirvana. No, not the band but instead the blissful surroundings of a bar with a discounted menu.

Equation for success = white wine+French martini+French martini+great friends+reminiscing+good service+intimate but comfy seating

I love Toronto and am so happy that my new break onto the bar scene was graced with Nirvana's presence.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

667

1006

Leon C.

London NW5

UK

4 star rating
9/6/2009

I was impressed with the offering and ambience of Nirvana. The restaurant exudes a nightclub lounge vibe whilst combining an intimacy that affords conversation.

The food options cuts through impressive vegetarian options, Thai food and tasty salads. My Pad Thai was awesome and the 'Disco' cocktails were sublime. Yes I was drinking huge slugs of vodka, Malibu and Mango juice, but at $6.75 I was in my element. Service was quick and attentive and I would definitely recommend this fabulous eatery and bar.

Listed in: Brit in Toronto

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

25

53

vivian v.

Toronto, ON

5 star rating
11/9/2009

A little gem of a place, I adore the crap out of Nirvana. The food has always been spectacular, (except the one time the spring rolls were dry) but besides that. Great, great, great. They are one of few places that will actually give you a bottle of water for your table even if there are only two of you, and boy are these little jugs cute.

The food is extra cheap which makes it the perfect place to hit up the day before pay day and still have a great time.

Plus, some of the cutest waiters I've ever seen in a long time and boy do I love to oogle.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

37

153

Suzan K.

Toronto, ON

3 star rating
12/30/2009

The third bar opened by the owners of the Green Room and Red Room, Nirvana is a nice addition to the Bathurst/College neighbourhood and a good alternative for those who don't feel like heading to the divey Sneaky Dee's across the road. Service is friendly and prompt.

With bohemian and Asian decor accents, dim lighting and intimate booth seating, Nirvana is a great spot for locals and students on a budget who want something a bit nicer without a hefty bar tab. Great for a group or a date, the food menu is relatively extensive and incredibly affordable. The drinks go beyond the standard house wine and beer list, with interesting options like wine spritzers mixed with juices like strawberry and novelty martinis.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

39

128

Helen L.

Toronto, ON

3 star rating
9/13/2009

Great music, great drinks at amazing prices, what more do you want?

I walked by this place so many times and I have to say, the impression you get from the outside is totally different than the inside.  I am definitely glad we went in.  I haven't tried any of their food items as we went for drinks but a quick glance at their menu tells me this is a place where omnivores and herbivores can dine together happily.  I'm looking forward to going back for some food next time.

I love the vibe of this place.  It's comfy, relaxed, the servers are friendly and they play great music.  Its not so crazy that you can't have a conversation and it's not so quiet that people will give you dirty looks for being a rowdy group.

See you soon, Nirvana.

Listed in: eating with vegetarians

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

143

276

Marie F.

Etobicoke, ON

5 star rating
6/23/2009

I am a sucker for chandeliers... it may sounds silly but they have a way of making any space classy or in this case slighlt mysterious. I went to Nirvana for the first time with a group of friends for a bithday and I have to say that I theroughly enjoed my meal.

I at the smoked salmon salad a Pesto Pizza and and 2 Art Deco cocktails, my husband had 3 beers and a giant heap of nachos and the bill came to less than $60 which is cheap in my opinion! Everything was super yummy and as I mentioned earlier the atmosphere was nice.

This would be a great place for a first date or in my case hanging out with good friends. Many people in our group were vegetarians and it was nice to see that the menu had enough variety of both carnivore and veggies alike :-)

Listed in: Chandeliers & Indoor Christmas…

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

26

12

Peter M.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
3/25/2010 2 Check-ins Here

Coffee is hazelnut....bad form.  but the pad Thai is the best!  I dont even look at the menu when I come here.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

16

35

Suzie G.

East York, ON

5 star rating
8/2/2009

Oh, Nirvana, how I love you so. In the past year I've visited Nirvana more times than I count on one hand, and I've always been extremely pleased with my experience.

Both the food and the drinks are cheap and delicious. The menu is very varied: many delicious sandwiches, some asian fusion dishes, a selection of pizzas and pastas, all mixed in with some standard pub grub. As for drinks, your best bet is the sangria. I can't recall the exact price of a pitcher (and it seems that previous reviewers have stated differing amounts), but it's very reasonably priced. Plus, you can get oh-so-super-delicious white sangria AND you can then also pick your special fruit flavour, either strawberry, peach, or pear. I highly recommend the strawberry white.

Also of note, they have free wifi! Definitely a good place to check out for midday work sessions when you want something a little bit different from the standard cafe spot.

Random Nirvana experience story: Now, I know I don't eat a lot, nor am I a very expensive drunk. But still, I once shared a platter of nachos with 3 friends and a pitcher of strawberry white sangria with 1 friend and came away both full and very nicely tipsy for only $11.50 including tax and tip. You really can't beat that.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

78

182

Angela L.

Toronto, ON

5 star rating
5/20/2009

I pretty much live at Nirvana. Its the perfect place to grab a not-too-quiet dinner solo, share an intimate catch up drink, or take over a long table with a whole bunch of friends. The menu is cheap and varied and satisfies many of my food moods.

I swear by the Thai style glass noodles ($8.95), which along with many of the other entrees, is served with an appetizing little starter salad. At a little more than a fiver, the avocado brie sandwich is also a quick tasty bet. For more decadent times and tastes, splitting a dozen Oyster Boy oysters with a friend can be an indulgently good time too.

There are a number of good options on the fairly big drink menu, but my friends and I always go for the house wine by the whole ($21) or half ($11) litre. If you like your drinks on the sweeter side, the unconventional sangria ($17.50) comes in red or white wine base and is served complete with fun-to-eat decorative fruit. On slower nights (which are becoming increasingly rare), the bar has even been known to indulge us in throwing together custom pitchers.

So if you're into dark candle-lit spaces with eclectic south-Asian inspired decor that serves good food and drink on the cheap and that are known to blast bands like Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Radiohead, then come on down and take a seat wherever you like.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

1

6

Tovah F.

Toronto, ON

5 star rating
5/28/2009

Nirvana is my home away from home. My roommate and I frequent this place too many times to speak of. We also love to bring new comers to experience how great it is.

I have almost tried every food on the menu. Their hummus is delicious, the chicken curry is crazy good, as well as the fried tofu and the pesto fettucini.

As far as drinks go, cheap Caesar's on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesdays. Everyday fave are their pitchers of Red Wine Sangria (or white if you so desire) for a mere 13.50$

Atmosphere is relaxed, people are great, I couldn't ask for anything more!

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Brian C.

Toronto, ON

3 star rating
3/24/2010 2 Check-ins Here

Excellent Pad Thai, lots of seating and a little patio in the summer.  They have a surprisingly good breakfast for $5.  Eggs, 4 strips of bacon, sweet potato fries, texas cut toast and fruit.  I could do with some normal potatoes instead of the sweet potato fries though.  I'd give it a higher rating but not all the food is as tasty.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

23

43

Sophia K.

Toronto, ON

5 star rating
2/7/2009

I spend far too much time at this place, which may make my review a little biased, I'm not sure, but I can definitely say I LOVE Nirvana, as does everyone I've ever taken there.

I've been for breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks, brunch, dessert, you name it; and I don't really have anything bad to say. The service is great (normally overstaffed by friendly ultra-hip twenty-somethings), the food is super inexpensive and served in generous portions, the drinks are delicious, and the decor is lovely.

Their recent patio addition is really great for people watching in the summer, as is their white wine sangria! As for the food, the sandwiches are all pretty yummy and I really love the pad thai.

All in all, I feel like there's something for anyone and everyone at Nirvana!

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

52

316

Melissa J.

Ottawa, ON

4 star rating
1/14/2009

Lately I've been back and forth about the Green/Red Room & Java properties. Nirvana, however, has escaped my judgment because I have never had a bad experience here.

Cheap and delicious food, cozy environment, nice staff and good beer. This is literally all it takes to make me happy, and Nirvana makes me happy.

It's also noteworthy that they have drink specials every night of the week! I told myself to have a Caesar Sunday one day (the one Caesar I had was delicious), but truth is, I can't drink more than two of the things before the acid in the tomatoes drives my stomach nuts.

Anyway, Nirvana is a great place to grab some cheap food, or to meet friends for drinks. Have the Avocado Brie and you will love life. Add a soup and it'll be even better. And the Pad Thai maybe tastes a little ketchup-y but it's still damn good.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

70

111

Daniel B.

Toronto, ON

2 star rating
12/12/2008

I've instructed my girlfriend to remind me "Dan, you really hate it there" whenever I suggest in the future that we venture to Nirvana.

The bottom line.  It's hard to argue with the convenience of this spot.   Right on the corner of College and Bathurst.  Cheap food.  Cheap drinks.  People with nose rings.  

But there's more than something missing.

The Avacado and Brie sandwich is delicious.   One of the best things in the city that you can buy for six dollars....   Every other piece of "food" on the menu is horrible.   The Nirvana chicken sandwich is grizzle and beak served on a baguette.   The only thing Asian about the Asian-inspired dishes is the SARS.  It's almost as if the two girls from "two girls in a cup" are the ones preparing the food.  

Drinks are drinks.  They have a great spiced coffee menu.   They have a nice variety of cheap scotch.   They have that apple beer.  

In the summer, there's a nice outside sitting area which is great for College street people watching.   In the winter, you're stuck inside with the cheap aesthetic of candelabras and urban barn furniture as you wolf down your beaks and eagerly await going somewhere else.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

5

11

Julia C.

Toronto, ON

3 star rating
12/5/2009

After a very full dinner at Caplansky's deli, my friend and I attempted to seek some refuge from the cold and stumbled on this place.  As soon as we walked in, we noticed the chandeliers and hipster vibe - it was like walking into an Urban Outfitters.  While we didn't order any food, we did order quite a few rounds of drinks.  Their drink menu was quite impressive both in length and price.  Needless to say, I was a happy camper about the latter as I was able to pump myself full of alcohol before returning to the oh not so cold anymore cold.  I'd definitely make another trek here if I was in the neighbourhood.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

34

140

Sam G.

North York, ON

2 star rating
9/1/2009

Maybe this is 2.5 stars.  Got plate of nachos and pitcher of Creemore for $24 or so before tip.  Lets just say I don't think we got more than we paid for.  Its a college hangout, maybe I'm expecting too much.  I might try other food, maybe not.

Listed in: College Street kinda from…

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

5

49

Betty D.

Toronto, ON

2 star rating
12/30/2009

how does the waitstaff here function without a helmet?

cheap shitty food with lousy service. but it's got a lot of seating so if you have a large group then this might be the place for you.

it is a cute looking place. suitable for drinks only.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

0

4

Taco B.

Etobicoke, ON

3 star rating
4/3/2010

Ordered the avocado and brie sandwich, it was good quality, particularly given the price--it was exactly what you'd expect it to be. Went with a huge crowd and considering the service was fast and attentive. Everyone generally seemed happy with their menu selections. Good place to bring a large group for a casual gathering

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

30

230

Kim B.

ON

4 star rating
1/30/2009 2 photos

Compared to it's scuzzy sister Red Room, this place is a princess, which I was pleasantly surprised to see when I visited one evening.

It's hip without the -ster on the end of it and seems to draw a crowd of cool people who don't have enough money to be total a-holes.

They've got a good menu with actual selection on it, and even though I'm sure the food is sort of hit-and-miss, the stuff I sampled while I was there was great.

They also serve all types of tea-- which for those of us who enjoy a good cup of chamomile will appreciate-- that comes in a fancy large mug.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

8

145

Catherine M.

ON

2 star rating
12/5/2008

Much like its sister restaurants, the Green and Red Rooms, I find that Nirvana lacks a certain something.  Nirvana is a bit like the slightly more sophisticated older sister of a friend of yours...she seems so cool from afar but when you finally get to talk to her you realizes she wears Designer Imposters and mispronounces "Proust".

On the face of things, Nirvana seems like it is what the Green Room wants to be when it grows up.  The menu is more fulsome, the drinks list is much more varied and sophisticated, and the decor is much much improved.  The waitstaff is better looking and the lighting is less squinty-dim and more candlelight intimacy.

A friend in from out of town a few weeks ago and we ended up at Nirvana because some of the preferred haunts nearby were all full.  I was excited for the fried tofu appetizer and some of the cocktails, although I reserved judging anything as the last few times I'd been there I'd not found anything too remarkable.

When my friend got her Tom Collins she laughed out loud - not only was it lime Jello green (they aren't supposed to be), it didn't taste like there was any booze in it, which nearly seems impossible in a gin-based drink.  I ordered the Lychee Spritz and had the same experience - it tasted like melted ice and a hint of lychee - no real booze in this beverage, and none of the promised grapefruit juice either, oddly.  

Our food came and it was decent - not amazing but not absolutely terrible either.  With an avowed effort we avoided finishing our drinks and waited to see if the waitress would offer to replace them or at least knock a few bucks off the bill.  Except...she didn't come back.  Yes, it was busy, but other tables had busting servers shuttling back and forth on a regular basis.  We?  Sat.  For a long time.  At the hour mark we debated just walking out, fortunately enough for Nirvana our better natures prevailed.  When the waitress did come back she was kind of curt, maybe because we hadn't ordered enough booze or food to warrant a good tip...not that we'd been given the opportunity.

Overall the experience was fine - we chatted and people watched, something that is hard to avoid there, with such a huge open dining space packed full of people.  But I'm still a bit peeved at the drinks and bill situation.  Nirvana is DEFINITELY a step in the right direction, but I think at this rate, the owners need to open like four or five more venues before they're gonna get it right.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

9

165

Alejandro A.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
11/20/2008

Run by the same people who run The Green Room and The Red Room, Nirvana falls into the category of bar/restaurant with cheap prices all around.  Nirvana steps up the quality of establishment when compared to the above mentioned stores.  The environment is much nicer, the food is of a higher quality, heck even the staff is better (you actually receive service at a regular rate.)

From the food that I've had there, I'd have to say that their breakfast is good, and their nacho platter is great.  In regards to alcohol, they have this awesome apple beer (note: it's not a cider) that is always a treat and great alternative to the usual suspects of beer.  They also serve both white and red sangria, both of which are delicious if you're in the mood for that sort of thing.  On the whole, this is definitely a great place to hang out.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

18

20

Lauren T.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
3/1/2010

What's with Toronto and the lack of late night eats? All you can get after 11 pm is pizza in this city. Or maybe I'm just unexplored? Anyway Nirvana was serving until midnight and I'm glad I stumbled upon it. Owned by the same people who run Java Cafe, Green Room and Red Room (maybe more, but I'm not sure) the menu is slightly better then Java Cafe. The only other one of the bunch I've eaten at. The reason I recommend eating here is because it's cheap as hell for the kind of food you get. Most, nearly all, of the menu options are healthy. There's stuff for vegetarians, like me, and at the end of it you don't feel ripped off. If you can deal with intermittent, sometimes crappy service, everything else is fine. I never had the expectation of GREAT service going into a place as casual as this anyway. I can deal with it! Plus, if you're as sick of Sneaky Dee's as I am, go here. It's right across the street.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

Elite '10

233

269

Deanna W.

New York, NY

USA

3 star rating
11/15/2008

Yeah this place is great for cheap and cheerful eats near U of T. I like their sandwiches and the stir fried glass noodles-plenty of vegetables and chicken and shrimp. Also like that most of their entrees come with a salad so you don't have to feel like you're missing out on your veggies. This place is big and expansive-a good student hangout or a good place to bring big groups in general.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

55

362

Erin J.

San Diego, CA

USA

4 star rating
9/4/2008 2 photos

Ahhh, cheap hipster brunch.  So delicious on a Sunday morning.  Nirvana is definitely on my top 10 list, brunch wise.  Sure, the quality is a little touch and go, and I've had some questionable service there, but when the food is "on", it kicks some serious ass.  The best thing about brunch at Nirvana is that in addition to the "core" food items, there are always little side dishes, like fruit salad, regular salad, granola, salad, etc.  I generally order the basic two egg meal, and swap out my meat for an extra slice of bread, which is so soft and chewy that it tastes like cake (particularly when you coat it with a thick layer of Nirvana's blueberry jam).  When the breakfast is "off", the potatoes can be cold and undercooked (not good!) and you should check your plate to make sure all of the items made it out of the kitchen.  That being said, the food is great, and the coffee is even better.

Was this review …?

 

Nirvana

 

1

66

Kolleen J.

Toronto, ON

4 star rating
9/20/2008

I've only been here twice for dinner and both times I had the Brie/Avocado sandwich.  Yum!  At this price, I'll certainly be back for more!  The ambiance is very dark, but I wouldn't really describe it as romantic - more like a cozy, eclectic cafe.  Not too loud.  Wait staff seems to consist mostly of college students.  Nice place for a bite to eat at a reasonable price.

Was this review …?

 

1 to 37 of 37 (2 Filtered)  
Write a Review

People Who Viewed This Also Viewed...

People Viewed This After Searching For...