Osteria Giulia

We recently visited this Michelin one-star restaurant to celebrate a birthday, expecting a memorable dining experience. Unfortunately, it fell far below our expectations. 1. The red wine we ordered was not properly decanted before being served, which impacted its flavor. 2. The seafood appetizer was not fresh and had an overpowering fishy taste, which was quite unpleasant. 3. Both the pasta and the lamb chop were overly salty—so much so that we had to drink water between every bite to manage the excessive seasoning. 4. The dessert was poorly balanced. The sponge cake was bland, the sorbet overly sour, and the pear excessively sweet, making the dish unenjoyable overall. When we provided our feedback to the general manager, we were disappointed by the response. Instead of professionally addressing our concerns, she gave a dismissive apology, saying, “Our chefs work very hard to ensure food quality, and we’re sorry you didn’t enjoy the meal.” This reaction felt artificial and insincere, more like an excuse than an effort to improve. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, this level of food quality and customer service is unacceptable. Unfortunately, it turned what should have been a special celebration into a letdown.

January 1, 2025 on Google

I recently dined at Osteria Giulia and was pretty underwhelmed given the high expectations of being on the Michelin Guide. We spent around $150 per person, but left feeling unsatisfied and went to another restaurant afterwards. I’ve been to multiple other restaurants at this price point or higher and at least left feeling full. The portions were small, and while the food was good, the flavors didn’t stand out as anything special. The only food item that stood out was their Millefoglie. I’ve had incredible pasta at lower price points, so overall, I was hoping for a bit more from this highly regarded spot.

December 24, 2024 on Google

Osteria Giulia is a solid experience with dishes that are very well balanced. Each dish also seems to have one or two elements that elevates it to the next level. The veal carpaccio with the fried capers is one of those examples, crunchy but still has that familiar briney flavor from your everyday capers. Pasta is also lovely with fresh flavors and great texture. However, of the 4 dishes we tried, there’s one dish that we found to be slightly disappointing - The fish platter. While some elements like the grilled octopus was just done perfectly, tender inside with a crisp exterior, there are two reasons why this dish just didn’t quite work for us. 1. The mackerel and red snapper we find to be a touch under-seasoned, and perhaps a touch overcooked to our usual liking. 2. The char flavor from the grill is a bit too bitter and slightly off-putting. The squid while cooked really nicely, was not too enjoyable due to the bitterness. Be great if this could be evaluated. After informing the waitress, she was very keen to understand more and sent us a dessert on them. I think if you are looking for a solid Italian spot with nice little surprises, Osteria Giulia is definitely a go to.

December 18, 2024 on Google

Overall it was a 4-star out of 5 experience for a fine dinning restaurant. Food was expected good, highlight was the one with Tuna cream sauce(?), definitely worth a trying; everybody loves their pasta or risotto so good job there! And the price isn’t crazy for the quality of food, so you won’t be disappointed! the service wasn’t great: 1. For a reservation at 8 o’clock, we didn’t get to sit until 8:17 and had to stand; 2. Wasn’t too much table service as we had to serve our own water as well; 3. Not much intro to the food as this is what I normally expect from a Michelin star restaurant and from past experiences 4. I hope I am not too harsh on this one, birthday cake is not allowed which is kind of a bummer already and no complimentary cake was given ( I might be spoiled by other restaurants where they do free cake so often as no one probably should expect free food) Overall, food is good, service was just fine.

December 3, 2024 on Google

I had my wedding anniversary here with my wife, and it was such a perfect experience. The staff were amazing, especially our waiter Daniel. He gave us so many recommendations and really made the night feel special for us. Food was cooked to perfection and heavily recommend their pastas and their foccacia starter. They also gave us complimentary white wine as well. Hope everyone has the same experience we did.

November 20, 2024 on Google

Truly one of the best restaurant I have been to in my lifetime. I highly recommend sitting at the chefs table - what an experience. The food was exceptional, the waiter was thoughtful and getting to see the meals made was my favourite spot. If you want a special spot guaranteed to be delicious, look no further. This place meets the hype! 12/10 would recommend.

October 22, 2024 on Google

It was a nice experience. Food is delightful and enjoyable. Highlights are the scallop dish with a refreshing flavor and sea bass which is cooked well with a smokey smell but juicy meat. Flatbread and spaghetti are as good as expected. Service was professional, but they forgot to give us back our leftovers (as we were rushing out for the next table to come in) so I have to take one star off. Clean decoration but nothing special.

October 10, 2024 on Google

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Osteria Giulia in Toronto for my fiancé's birthday, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality that set the tone for the evening. The ambiance is a perfect blend of modern elegance and cozy charm, making it ideal for a special celebration. The menu is a delightful exploration of Italian cuisine, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Each dish we ordered was a masterpiece, bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. The handmade pasta was a standout, perfectly cooked and complemented by rich, aromatic sauces. The staff went above and beyond to make our evening special, with their attention to detail and knowledge of the menu enhancing the experience. Osteria Giulia is a true gem in Toronto, and I can't recommend it enough for anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a remarkable meal. We left with full hearts and happy bellies, already planning our next visit.

September 24, 2024 on Google