From the quaint menu to quirky marketing, everything at Le Papillon on Front is done in house, and all staff lend a hand.
General manager Sean Gowland says the homemade rule goes a long way to not only keeping costs down, but also towards creating a positive, welcoming and inclusive environment for every walk of life. “We like to be able to cater to a lot of vibes,” says Sean. “We like to tip on the edge of trendy but there’s no 'I’m not hip enough to go there' or 'I’m too hip to go there.'”
Dishes like hearty French onion soup and tourtière – a traditional Québecois meat pie of seasoned veal, beef and pork with house chutney, potatoes and market vegetables – are comparable to what you’d be served at Grandma’s. The restaurant is stylishly impressive, yet stills feels homey, comfortable and relaxed.
Le Papillon on Front's eclectic team includes a few Francophone servers who help to give the restaurant its French-Canadian authenticity and also come in handy when Toronto classrooms come to learn the language and experience the cuisine. “It’s different being an independent restaurant,” says Sean. “We really do our best to make sure our customers leave happy.”
Oct. 4, 2019 partner and I had dinner before the theatre. Food was very good. Service was even better. New waiter Bishoy was gracious, friendly and watching to be ready to help whenever we needed it. Suplementary servers were also very polite and always helpful. Very nice experience worth repeating whenever we are in town.
The years have been kind to Le Papillon! The best onion soup in the world! Perfect crêpes! The service was so friendly. I had missed this restaurant and didn’t realize they had just moved! What a pleasant surprise to return to the flavours and textures we remeber.
I can not beleive that no one else has written a...
I can not beleive that no one else has written a review for the Le Papillion. It is my top choice for a restaurant if you want a romantic date atmosphere or a nice place to take your parents when the come to town. The serive is always great, the food is consistently great. The prices are quite reasonable. The crepes are always fresh and delicious, the salmon good, great French Onion soup. I also love the tarte au sucre (maple suger pie) for dessert- its the only place in Toronto that I know of that serves tarte au sucre. Great quebecois fare!
Everything was fabulous! Even bought some French Onion soup base to take home! Best soup in the city! Waiter was very attentive - great atmosphere!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Stephanie
December 19, 2021
Always great service and the food is terrific. My friends and I have been coming here for years and we have never been disappointed.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Katherine
December 19, 2021
Great service and great for people with food allergies! Definitely recommend if you are in Toronto to come here
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By A
December 20, 2021
first date resos, and the entire expeirience was serene.. going back for seconds if she's down lol
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Alissa
December 18, 2021
Fantastic food, friendly service!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By David
December 18, 2021
As always, great meal, great service
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Bruce
December 18, 2021
We waited two years to get back to this restaurant because of Covid but went last night for our 51 st wedding anniversary. It was worth the wait! Delicious food and and we appreciated all the precautions for Covid that were taken.
Ambiance:4/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By John
December 17, 2021
As always a perfect evening out.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By James
December 17, 2021
Best Martini's!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Cyndy
December 16, 2021
Great to visit Le Papillon after many years. Fantastic service from hostess to wait staff. Great food. Can’t wait to return.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Michael
December 16, 2021
Cozy atmosphere, interesting menu, great food, wonderful service and reasonable prices - a great option in downtown Toronto for an enjoyable evening out.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Christine
December 16, 2021
Server was almost too attentive but it wasn't a busy evening, he was very attentive and pleasant.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:4/5
Service:4/5
By Lisa
December 15, 2021
My husband and nephew both chose the steak frites and the dish was unseasoned and bland. The wrong cut of beef was used as well. They both couldn't eat it. We asked for salt and pepper, but that did nothing much to help an awful dish. Even the fries were semi-cold and didn't look made in-house.
It was my sister's birthday and we usually go to the Keg where they give a complimentary dessert. Nothing complimentary at Papillon (save a candle I request) so we likely won't be returning here for any special occasion.
Not the most attentive service and some bad dishes for some of our party - for some of us the dishes were fine though. Generally a disappointing experience.
Ambiance:2/5
Cuisine:2/5
Service:2/5
By Zan
December 12, 2021
We had a fantastic dinner. Everything was amazing, our server was very knowledgable and attentive. We will definitely be back!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Lori
December 11, 2021
Great service. Salmon was mediocre and the crepes were ok. Steak frite was excellent.
Ambiance:4/5
Cuisine:3/5
Service:5/5
By Laureen
December 11, 2021
I have visited this Restaurant several times over the years but I recently celebrated my birthday with my family and was not disappointed. The service and atmosphere was great.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:4/5
Service:5/5
By Jennifer
December 6, 2021
We have always enjoyed Le Papillon. Food, service and location are great and it’s very reasonably priced. The salade Le Papillon is amazing. I love the old building and room between tables is ample to feel safe.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Nicole
December 6, 2021
Great service ! Great food !
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Bonnie
December 6, 2021
We've been going to La Papillon for years, and for my aunt's first non-pandemic birthday, we went to celebrate. Service was fantastic, but the food wasn't as good as it was in the past. The French onion soup wasn't as rich and hot. The escargot wasn't as great either. Mains were good, as were desserts.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:4/5
Service:5/5
By Heather
December 5, 2021
Warm welcome.Excellent service, food and ambience. Could not ask for more.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Michael
December 5, 2021
Wonderful food. Attentive but non intusive service.
Would recommend anytime! Put me in my food happy place!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Julie
December 5, 2021
Great venue! Quiet and tables spaced well apart. All covid precautions taken and excellent service and food. Didn’t feel rushed and were treated well by our server
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Sean
December 4, 2021
Steaks should look grilled when they are grilled. These steaks were gray in colour. The flavor was, as always, great, but the appearance and texture hinted at being microwaved.
That is most definitely not good.
Ambiance:4/5
Cuisine:3/5
Service:5/5
By Gerald
December 2, 2021
Francesco was an excellent waiter.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Carolyn
December 1, 2021
Excellent as always!
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Glynda
November 28, 2021
Excellent service from hostess to server! Menu choices and food was wonderful.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Ron
November 28, 2021
We love everything about Le Papillon.
One of our favorite place to eat in Toronto.
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Paul
November 29, 2021
Great atmosphere, delicious food, very good value.
The only thing I would change is that they would not close the 2nd set of doors inside the restaurant, so every time the doors opened, cold air came rushing in. I guess if you are sitting further in that wouldn't matter. we were near the front.
Ambiance:4/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Dane
November 28, 2021
Only problem was we ate too much maybe senior servings could be arranged
Seeing it was a fixed menu,Everyone went home happy,
Our thanks The MacCarthys
Ambiance:5/5
Cuisine:5/5
Service:5/5
By Kimberley
November 28, 2021
The meal and service was superb, and the desserts were heavenly.
