Belle Isle
1455 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M4L 1Z9, Canada
Website: https://www.instagram.com/belleisle__/?hl=en
Belle Isle in Toronto is a 4.9-star Bar restaurant with 128 Google reviews, known for HK curry crudo and Cheung fun.
Why we love it
- Cantonese with French and American influences
- Inventive menu, cozy atmosphere, excellent cocktails
- Attentive service with genuine care
- Cantonese with French and American influences
- Located nearby
- Inventive menu, cozy atmosphere, excellent cocktails
- Attentive service with genuine care
What to Order
HK curry crudo
This dish features fresh hamachi with a unique Hong Kong curry sauce, offering layered flavors without relying on typical acid or soy. It's a surprising and successful combination.
"Curry and hamachi sounded like a tricky combination, but the HK curry crudo ($20) somehow pulled it off. Fresh, layered, and flavourful without leaning on acid or soy, it was one of the more surprising successes of the night."
Gastro W.
Cheung fun
Silky rice noodle sheets conceal tender beef shank and tendon, enhanced by confit onion for a French onion meets Taiwanese beef profile. The noodles have a satisfyingly chewy texture.
"You couldn’t see all the tendon and beef shank hiding under the silky rice noodle sheet, but trust me the cheung fun ($22) delivered. he confit onion gave it a French onion meets Taiwanese beef vibe, and the rice noodles had a chewy, almost al dente texture. One of my favourite bites of the evening."
Gastro W.
Shrimp toast
A modern take on a classic, this shrimp toast is served with a spicy shrimp mayo that delivers an undeniable umami punch. It's noted for being non-greasy.
"And the shrimp toast was absolutely divine."
Yas W
Heirloom tomato dish
This standout dish combines bright, tangy heirloom tomatoes with bonito mayo, sundried tomato sauce, and crispy shallots tossed in BBQ spices, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
"This was an absolute standout: bright, tangy, a little smoky, a little sweet, and packed with texture. It was “lick-the-plate” good—truly memorable."
Jordana R
Mango pudding jell-o shot duh
A nostalgic dessert with a boozy twist, this mango pudding is more pudding than jello, inspired by homemade recipes and featuring a strong Malibu rum kick, mellowed by accompanying cream.
"The mango pudding jell-o shot duh ($14) remains on the menu, but Chef Siu gives it a nostalgic twist: more pudding than jello, inspired by something his mom might’ve made (minus the Malibu rum, of course). The boozy kick was strong, but once I added cream from the accompanying steamed cake, it mellowed out nicely."
Gastro W.
Cocktails
The cocktail menu is inventive and constantly updated, featuring unique creations with unexpected flavor profiles and playful names, often stealing the show from the wine selection.
"After sampling two cocktails and two wines, the cocktails clearly stole the show. The names alone, tramp stamp + sandal tan = a life well-lived ($20), had me hooked. Cheerful and pink, with an unexpected leathery undertone that genuinely evoked sandals."
Gastro W.
Inside Scoop
- The menu is described as "not dinner" and focuses on small, shareable plates.
- While they used to be walk-in only, they now allow reservations.
- The space is small and can get quite loud when packed.
- Many seats are available at the bar, which is a great option for dining.
- The service is consistently praised for being warm, attentive, and genuinely caring.