
Joso's
An upscale seafood institution with a vibrant, art-filled interior and a menu celebrating Mediterranean and Croatian flavors.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Joso's

Highlights
Must-see attractions
An upscale seafood institution with a vibrant, art-filled interior and a menu celebrating Mediterranean and Croatian flavors.
"Dine like the stars in this iconic Toronto restaurant, famously featured on Drake's 'Take Care' album cover."
Book Ahead
Due to limited seating, reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot.
Customize Your Platter
Ask about customizing your seafood platters with a variety of fresh catches.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Seafood, Mediterranean, Croatian
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Unique Dalmatian Coast Ambiance
Immerse yourself in a vibrant, nautical-themed interior adorned with hundreds of artworks, evoking the beauty of the Dalmatian coast.

Signature Seafood Platters
Experience a dazzling array of fresh fish and seafood from around the globe, expertly prepared with traditional Mediterranean and Croatian flavors.

Celebrity-Favorite Dining Spot
Dine like the stars in this iconic Toronto restaurant, famously featured on Drake's 'Take Care' album cover.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Due to limited seating, reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot.
Customize Your Platter
Ask about customizing your seafood platters with a variety of fresh catches.
Ask for Hot Sauce
Enhance your meal with house-made hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Embrace the Atmosphere
Enjoy the unique, art-filled decor and the knowledgeable staff's descriptions of the day's catch.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Due to limited seating, reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot.
Customize Your Platter
Ask about customizing your seafood platters with a variety of fresh catches.
Ask for Hot Sauce
Enhance your meal with house-made hot sauce for a spicy kick.
Embrace the Atmosphere
Enjoy the unique, art-filled decor and the knowledgeable staff's descriptions of the day's catch.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Joso's is celebrated for its exceptionally fresh seafood and unique, art-filled ambiance that transports diners to the Dalmatian coast. Patrons rave about the quality of the fish, customizable platters, and the knowledgeable service. However, some diners note that the restaurant can be quite pricey and the noise level can sometimes make conversation difficult.
"If you love seafood, this is a very good restaurant to try. I have been passing by it for many years as i work in the area & now finally tried it.
The seafood was all very fresh & excellent. The service & desert were also great!"
Joe J
"Absolutely delicious. So much variety and we were able to customize our platters. We opted for the sardines, prawns, calamari and a small branzino. Everything was delicious! That branzino was perfect. Definitely recommend. It’s a small place so do make reservations ahead of time. Luckily they let us sneak in a last minute table at 5pm."
Qi Zhang
"Me and the wife were in Toronto and went here for our 1st wedding anniversary. The atmosphere was simply delightful from the host, waitress, and servers. They gave us a glass of champagne on the house since they knew it was our anniversary. The food was simply fresh and excellent. They bring the catches of the day so you can pick out your option while they prepare it. It’s also like being in a museum with all the colorful decor and artwork that truly symbolizes what this establishment caters too which is seafood.
I forgot also this is the same restaurant of the Take Care album cover which I forgot to inquire about. Definitely hoping to be back when Wes re in Toronto."
Mamadou Sakho
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Joso's is renowned for its exceptionally fresh seafood, Mediterranean and Croatian-inspired cuisine, and its unique, art-filled interior reminiscent of the Dalmatian coast.
Yes, reservations are highly recommended as Joso's is a small establishment with limited seating capacity.
Absolutely! Joso's is a popular choice for celebrations, offering a delightful atmosphere and exceptional service.
Yes, many guests enjoy customizing their seafood platters by selecting from the day's fresh catches.
While Joso's specializes in seafood, they do offer some dishes like risotto and salads that can accommodate vegetarian diners.
'Arròs negre' is a traditional black rice dish, often prepared with squid ink, offering a unique flavor and striking appearance.
Some reviews mention that the restaurant can get noisy, especially during peak hours, which might make conversation difficult.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
5 best seafood restaurants in Toronto selected by OpenTable diners
Founded by Joso Spralja in the 1960s, Joso’s restaurant is a unique dining experience which transports guests to the warmth and beauty of the stunning Dalmatian coast. From the kitchen and to your table arrives a dazzling array of fish species from across the globe, each carefully and knowledgeably described by your server. Prepared with the utmost care and simple, traditional flavours, your meal is presented in all of its natural beauty.
5 best Mediterranean restaurants in Toronto selected by OpenTable diners | Food And Drink
The 30 Essential Restaurants in Toronto
While it might not be known to the casual diners, this cozy Croatian dining destination is a marvel in Toronto. First opened in 1967 as a cafe by Joso Spralja himself––a Croatian-born Euroean folk singer and artist––and his wife Angiolina, the place is now run by Joso’s son Leo and his wife Shirley. Riddled with the late Joso’s art across many mediums, the place is as beautiful to look at as the food is delicious.
6 Best Mediterranean Restaurants In Toronto (Our Favourite Spots)
Joso’s is a renowned seafood restaurant in Toronto that specializes in Mediterranean and Croatian-inspired cuisine. The restaurant is markedly famous for its seafood dishes, including a variety of fresh fish and seafood preparations. The charming, nautical-themed interior and Mediterranean atmosphere make it a beloved destination for seafood lovers, no matter how well-developed the palette.
Here Are The Most Bucket List-Worthy Restaurants In Toronto, According To 6 Top Food Pros
Die-hard Drake stans might recognize a certain booth at Joso's, which was featured on his Grammy Award-winning album, Take Care, and pictures him brooding at a dinner table with a golden chalice in hand. But Drake isn't the only one who loves Joso's — the head judge on Top Chef Canada, Mark McEwan, frequents it, too. "Bucket list standard for sure," McEwan told Narcity.
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Known for its curvaceous statuary, Joso's is Toronto’s most famous Dalmatian restaurant. It started as a Yorkville coffeehouse in the 60s where acts like Harry Belafonte, Nana Mouskouri, Gordon Lightfoot and even Liberace would play, before it moved a couple of blocks north into its current Victorian digs.
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Located in Yorkville at the intersection of Avenue Rd and Davenport, Joso's restaurant features hundreds of artwork pieces. Drake used this restaurant as a backdrop for the cover photo of his 2011 Album Take Care. I have a feeling that if this restaurant was good for Drizzy, you might like it too.
Dine like the stars: 15 Toronto restaurants that celebrities love
A post shared by Joso’s Restaurant ~ since 1967 (@jososrestaurant). This upscale seafood restaurant on Davenport is a popular one among stars (especially famous musicians) including Drake and Mariah Carey. The restaurant has a rich history and an elaborate timeline is posted on its website.
Restaurants in Toronto
Entering its fifth decade, Joso’s is one of the oldest still-serving restaurants in Yorkville—and the grand dame of Toronto seafood is looking good for her age. If this upscale spot for Dalmatian-style grilled fish seems familiar, that’s because it graced the cover Drake’s Take Care…
Highest-rated Seafood Restaurants in Toronto, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (271 reviews) - Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5) - Type of cuisine: Seafood, Mediterranean - Price: $$$$ - Address: 202 Davenport Rd Just east of Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario M5R 1J2 Canada - Read more on Tripadvisor
Fancy Restaurants in Toronto | Blog
Joso’s restaurant aims to take guests on an exhilarating journey to the Dalmatian coast. It started as a coffeehouse in 1967 and now offers one of Toronto's most unique dining experiences. The dining room is filled with sculptures of the female body, trinkets, and ocean motifs.
11 Best Restaurants In Toronto You Have To Try
So, Joso’s is a pretty established spot and one of the best restaurants in Toronto for good seafood. Opened about 40 years ago, Joso’s is still going strong. Top tip: Make sure to try their delicious Octopus Salad and their grilled fish ( Dalmatia Style).
Top Seafood Restaurants in Toronto
Joso’s is a family-run establishment with a reputation for serving some of the city’s best seafood dishes. It is regarded as a high-end seafood restaurant with a large selection of the customers’ favourite fresh grilled fish or seafood risottos.
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Despite being where Drake shot his Take Care album cover, and being star-frequented, Joso’s is definitely a Toronto landmark. Reservations available on OpenTable. A post shared by Toronto Hangry Man 🙋♂️& Woman💁♀️ (@the.hangry.diary)
10 most romantic Toronto restaurants—good for everything from popping the question to illicit affairs
Joso’s This Yorkville mainstay is one of the city’s best seafood restaurants. It’s also festooned with enough buxom nude sculptures to make any would-be Lothario blush—before making a few moves of his own. Good for: getting some
The 12 Best Seafood Restaurants in Toronto [2024]
With 43 years in business, Joso’s brings the warmth and beauty of the Dalmatian coast to Toronto. This landmark offers the best Italian seafood like grilled octopus and lamb chops and ensures every dish is perfection itself.
24 Places to Get The Best Tiramisu in Toronto
Served on a powdered sugar dusted plate, this tiramisu at Joso’s looks almost too good to eat… but you’ll most definitely end up licking the plate clean.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit