Seriously, best restaurant i have been to! Donatello on Elm in Toronto - the service was sooo good - made very special by our knowlwedgable server! The food - sublime! I highly recommend it! What a night!!! The lamb was perfect, and the seafood pasta in a pernod cream sauce to die for. Such wondeful hosts! OMG!They even wrote Happy Birthday Michelle in chocolate around my tiramisu. Such a special night!
If there was an option for negative stars regarding service, food and experience. I would offer a negative 10 star review. The service staff are extremely rude. Food is not made in house and the pasta is clearly frozen. But waiting over an hour for just mains while watching other tables who arrived after our small table of 5 receive their food before us is just dispicable. Avoid at all costs.
We enjoyed everything about our visit here. Beautiful street, the best service we have ever had and we are out All the time, and our food was very good. We have no complaints....will definitely return again!!! Our server was very attentive, knowledgeable and interesting...unfortunately...we did not remember his name, but he is from Bangladesh...that may help?? Haha...
I once visited Donatello years ago for a work Christmas party. The meal was a la carte. I dismissed the underwhelming cuisine as just being the nature of the beast when you have a large party during a busy time of year and day....sadly this wasn't an isolated incident.
Some friends from out of town came in and saw positive reviews for Donatello, so we decided to give it a shot. The restaurant wasn't very busy, but the waitress still got out order wrong. I had butternut squash ravioli, which was undercooked and over-salted. It was practically inedible.
The service was equally awful. At every stage in the evening, one of the wait staff was rushing us, seemingly hurrying us to get out of our table and get out of the restaurant. Honestly, I felt like I was getting the bum's rush.
After paying our bill we raised our concerns with the Maitre'D who seemed almost indifferent and assured us there was no rushing.
This place hardly deserves a place on Elm St. and is the farthest thing from fine Italian dining I can imagine. Toronto has plenty of other great options...check them out and stay away from this place.
My favourite restaurant downtown and won't break the bank. Food is delicious and the service is friendly and attentive. Personable owners that make you feel like guests not customers. Always an enjoyable visit and always a must when I visit downtown Toronto. The homemade ravioli is phenomenal.
Poor attention to detail all around.
Service was amiable but very inattentive: Water came long after wine was served.
Balsamic Vinegar & Oil, served it attractive containers with bread, were insipid quality.
Food was uninspired and not very authentic Italian.
Carpccio was attractively plated but near tasteless.
Veal was over-floured and somewhat over-cooked.
Flavors were lacking.
The glass of house wine was diluted with water.
The Minestrone soup was decent. A bit too salty.
The lamb chops were fresh but were overdone. Asked for medium rare, came medium.
The service was poor considering the price of the entire meal ($55). The waitress was polite but unhelpful. A party of 3 came after me but were seated first. Neither of us had a reservation.
While the food and service are always fabulous, I always feel like we are sitting so close to other patrons.
Ambiance:3/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:4/5
By Mohamed
March 8, 2020
Some of the dishes were excessively salty - bad for high blood pressure
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:3/5
Service:4/5
By Karen
March 9, 2020
It's my favourite in Toronto, and was happy to take my daughter-in-law there to enjoy a great meal - as always.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Neekah
March 9, 2020
Everyone in the establishment stared at my friends and I. We were a group of minorities and we certainly felt like ones as every time we looked up from the table someone was staring us down. Would not feel comfortable to go back.
Ambiance:1/5
Cuisine:3/5
Service:3/5
By Jeff
March 6, 2020
Excellent service and food!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Tyler
March 6, 2020
We both had an amazing time! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was really cool, and the service was outstanding! Would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Shreya
March 7, 2020
Great atmosphere, ambiance, and friendly waiters. Would definitely come back here a second time!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:4/5
Service:5/5
By Danielle
March 5, 2020
Have enjoyed this restaurant on more than one occasion. Two thumbs up.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Farzan
March 2, 2020
The food quality and service are great at Donatello.
We have dined at this restaurant a few times and our experience has always been great.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Elizabeth
February 29, 2020
We had a lovely meal and the service was excellent. My one comment. It was very crowded when we got there at 6:30 and quite noisy. Turns out many of the patrons were going to the theatre so many left by about 7:45. It was then much quieter. Next time I think we’d try to go a bit later for a quieter experience. But l overall it was a very good experience.
Ambiance:4/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Scott
February 29, 2020
Food and service were both excellent, we cleaned our plates! The only criticism was that the restaurant was quite loud, making conversation difficult.
Ambiance:4/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Noel
February 25, 2020
Great food & Good ambiance
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By David
February 24, 2020
The Atmosphere on the main floor is a 4 or 5, but upstairs doesn't have the same ambience. The service was very good, but was let down a bit by the food. The wine selection was also a little limiting, especially the offerings by the glass.
Ambiance:3/5
Cuisine:3/5
Service:4/5
By Gianna
February 24, 2020
Fantastic!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Cabrina
February 25, 2020
Our party of 5 visited Donatello's for the first time on the busy Saturday of Valentine's Day weekend. Despite the crowd, we never felt rushed and the service was delightful! Each of our dishes was tasty (I especially loved my spaghetti with spicy tomato sauce and seafood!). Thank you for a wonderful evening!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Liza
February 24, 2020
I love eating at Donatello’s whenever I am in Toronto. The food is amazing and William is a great server. I will be back!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By George
February 23, 2020
We had an excellent dinner there, with 5 in our party. The service in particular was terrific, but the food was also great. Highly recommended by us.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Bill
February 20, 2020
Donatello remains my favorite restaurant in Toronto: my family and I have been going for years, and we return again and again. The quality of the Italian food is outstanding, the service is excellent, and the atmosphere is charming. Thank you for another wonderful dining experience!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Carolyn
February 19, 2020
Great food..great atmosphere... great prices... and the best staff... worth a visit....
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Alejandra
February 18, 2020
The food was beyond excellent! Amazing service. Our server was very kind and attentive. Would definitely return!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Marc
February 18, 2020
Great Food and great service, loved the meal, the waiter was amazing! We will be back, ask for the Rack Of Lamb!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Orson
February 15, 2020
We felt like we fell into a holiday trap and only allowed for a fixed menu. They food quality was not on par as regular times. Service was poor with the waiter always telling us to wait prior to ordering after we have been seated for 20 minutes. Would not go again.
Ambiance:2/5
Cuisine:2/5
Service:2/5
By Dan
February 15, 2020
Meet the wonderful couple that are owners of Donatello’s.Great mussels in amazing sauce.Great homemade spaghetti ! If you want great traditional Italian food this is the place to go ! Will definitely go back !
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Jane
February 14, 2020
A little more variety of pasta dishes
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Williams
February 10, 2020
Thank you!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Antonios
February 5, 2020
I recommend it... more than 5 stars..
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Sherrill
February 3, 2020
Food and service always so good. Love coming to donotellos when we come to Toronto.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Lori
February 2, 2020
Awesome food and great service 👍 will definitely come back
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Jim
January 23, 2020
From the moment we walked in, my friend and I felt welcomed and attended to by all staff encountered, from maitre de to the staff providing water and bread to the table. The noise level in the restaurant is reasonable; at no time did I strain to hear my dinner companion. The ambiance is very comfortable and pleasant. The service was efficient, timely, and offered respectfully. And the food: both diners were very pleased through free-dinner drinks and all three courses.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Rosanne
December 24, 2019
Layla was great... even after spilling my drink...she looked after everything and very pleasant.... Service food was enjoyed by all...
