Restaurant in Toronto, Canada
Annex neighbourhood staple; dependable, not destination.
The Owl on Bloor holds a useful position on one of the Annex's busiest intersections: it's accessible, late-night-friendly, and an easy choice when Toronto's more demanding dining rooms aren't an option. Not a destination in itself, but a reliable neighbourhood fallback that earns its place in a longer evening out.
700 Bloor St W sits at one of the Annex's most-trafficked intersections, and The Owl on Bloor has held that address long enough to become a neighbourhood reference point. Specific venue data is limited in our records, but what the address and tenure signal is consistent: this is a late-night-friendly spot in a corridor that rewards return visits.
If you've been once, the question is whether it earns a second trip on its own terms or whether it's useful primarily as a fallback when the ticketed dining rooms further downtown are full. For the Bloor and Bathurst pocket, late-night options with any kitchen credibility are thin. That gives The Owl on Bloor a practical edge after 10 PM that purely dinner-service venues cannot match.
The Annex location also means you're close to a cluster of bars and independent venues that suit a longer evening. If the plan involves more than one stop, The Owl on Bloor works well as either an opening or a closing move, depending on what else is on the itinerary. For a broader view of what the city offers at similar hours, our full Toronto bars guide covers the late-night field more completely.
On the restaurant side, Toronto's higher-commitment options require planning weeks in advance. Alo and Sushi Masaki Saito are both destination-level with booking windows to match. Aburi Hana and Don Alfonso 1890 sit in the same tier. The Owl on Bloor is not competing with those rooms, and that's not a criticism. Its value is access and timing: you can get in, and you can get in late.
For solo diners, the neighbourhood bar format typical of this stretch tends to suit counter or small-table seating well. Groups should confirm capacity before arriving. Dress is almost certainly casual given the address and the late-night positioning. Call ahead if you're arriving with more than four people or need to confirm kitchen hours.
If you're building a Toronto dining itinerary from scratch, start with our full Toronto restaurants guide and use The Owl on Bloor to fill the gaps in your evening rather than anchor it.
Quick ref: 700 Bloor St W, Toronto — late-night Annex option, easy access, call ahead for groups.
| Venue | Awards | Price | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Owl on Bloor | — | ||
| Alo | Michelin 1 Star, World's 50 Best | $$$$ | — |
| Sushi Masaki Saito | Michelin 2 Star | $$$$ | — |
| Aburi Hana | Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ | — |
| Don Alfonso 1890 | Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ | — |
| Edulis | Michelin 1 Star | $$$$ | — |
Key differences to consider before you reserve.
It depends on the occasion. The Owl on Bloor at 700 Bloor St W has the kind of settled, neighbourhood familiarity that works well for low-key celebrations with people you actually want to talk to. If you need a formal dinner with tasting menus and tableside service, look at Alo or Don Alfonso 1890 instead. For a birthday drinks gathering or a casual anniversary dinner where the room isn't the point, The Owl fits.
No detailed menu data is on file for The Owl on Bloor, so call ahead or check directly before visiting if you have serious dietary requirements. As a neighbourhood bar and dining room in Toronto's Annex, the kitchen is likely to have standard vegetarian options, but assumptions about allergen protocols or vegan menus aren't supported by available information.
This is a Bloor Street West institution that draws a mix of Annex locals, University of Toronto crowd, and anyone who has lived in the neighbourhood long enough to have a regular spot. At 700 Bloor St W, it sits at one of the area's busiest intersections, so walk-in access is generally realistic. Expect a casual room with a pub-oriented format rather than a polished dining experience.
Come as you are. The Owl on Bloor is a neighbourhood-anchored spot on Bloor Street West, not a dress-code venue. Jeans and a jacket are more than sufficient. There is no evidence in the available data of any dress expectation beyond standard casual.
If you want to stay casual in the Annex area, the neighbourhood has no shortage of comparable bar-focused spots along Bloor and College. If you are willing to step up in format and price, Edulis in Niagara Street offers a more considered dining experience at a similar neighbourhood scale. For full-service fine dining, Alo is the city reference point. The Owl is best compared to other long-running Toronto neighbourhood bars rather than destination restaurants.
No booking policy data is available, but a bar and dining room format at a high-traffic corner like 700 Bloor St W typically manages groups of four to eight without a private room. For larger parties, check the venue's official channels to confirm capacity and reservation options before assuming walk-in space will be available.
Yes. A pub-style neighbourhood room on a busy street like Bloor West is one of the more natural formats for solo dining in Toronto. Bar seating is standard in venues of this type, and the transient foot traffic from the Annex means you won't feel out of place eating or drinking alone.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
