Guu Izakaya

Guu Izakaya is one of the oddest experiences I've had while dining out in Toronto. And I don't mean that in a bad way! This Japanese Tapas fusion restaurant is just the weirdest. Instead of walking into an eatery, you tumble into a culture. The staff yell at you in Japanese as you open the door and, with the mood set, the tone never relents. The staff have chants and songs that all the servers join in on, the chef is constantly shouting to the waitstaff, and so on. Basically, it's wonderful mayhem, so go when you're ready. If you're not in the mood for an action-y dining hall experience, don't try Guu.

But I didn't just like Guu for the bizarre feel, the food is also great. The restaurant hosts a variety of ever changing specials and many standard items, all of which are tasty. Because it's tapas, you're encouraged to try a little of everything. Marinated octopus with wasabi stem, deep friend pumpkin croquette with an egg inside, seared BC tuna sashimi with ponzu and garlic chips... it's all completely off the wall - and delicious. But beware, the prices are minimal for each item, but add up quickly. However, I also think the price tag is pretty inexpensive considering the experience.

So in conclusion, the servers are great, the experience is completely different from anything else in Toronto, and it's a neat way to try some new foods, so why not head out?

Opening hours: Monday-Friday 5-11:30 Saturday-Sunday 1-11:30
Reservations: Not required
Meals Served: Dinner, Late Night Dining, Lunch
Cusine Type: Asian Fusion, Japanese, Tapas
Dress Code: Casual
Good For: Communal Dining, Dates, Late Night Dining, Locals, People Watching, Quick Bites, Teens, Twentysomethings