Bar Raval
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Grant Van Gameren |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Spanish-style tapas, cocktails, Spanish wines, sherry, vermouth |
| Owner | Grant Van Gameren |
Bar Raval is a Spanish-style tapas eatery and cocktail lounge situated in Toronto's Little Italy district. The establishment is owned by Grant Van Gameren, a prominent Toronto restaurateur who also operates the Michelin-starred Quetzal. Bar Raval has become a notable fixture within the West End's culinary landscape.
Design
The interior design, crafted by Toronto's architectural collective Partisans, embodies Van Gameren's ambition to make the space "as much an art piece as a restaurant." Embracing Spanish Art Nouveau influences, the venue is characterized by its curved wooden details and a dominant presence of South African mahogany enveloping the bar area.
With seating limited to around 40 guests, Bar Raval promotes standing or leaning at the bar, fostering an energetic and social environment. The venue often reaches standing-room-only capacity during evening hours, reinforcing its reputation as a lively destination for tapas and cocktails.
Food and drink
Inspired by traditional Barcelona tapas bars, Bar Raval presents a streamlined menu featuring Spanish bar delicacies such as conservas (preserved seafood) and pintxos (bite-sized snacks served on toothpicks). The drink selection includes Spanish wines complemented by an extensive array of sherry and vermouth. Their hallmark cocktail, the Tinto Fino, blends dry sherry with fresh lime juice.
Recognition
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At the Toronto Michelin Guide event in 2022, Bar Raval received a Bib Gourmand distinction, which it retained in both 2023 and 2024. This accolade honors establishments delivering "exceptionally good food at moderate prices," with standout items including Boquerones en vinagre and shrimp a la planxa.
Bar Raval claimed the top position on the inaugural Canada's 50 Best Bars list in 2018 and maintained this ranking through to 2020. It has remained a consistent presence on the list, placing #25 in the latest 2024 edition. On an international scale, it was positioned at #99 in the World's Best Bars rankings for 2020.