Cafe Renée
Toronto
At a glance
Café Renée, situated at 100 Portland Street in Toronto, presents a unique blend of charm and sophistication ideal for social dining. Described accurately as a lively social brasserie, this venue offers an inviting atmosphere for guests looking to enjoy classic bistro-style cuisine. Its carefully curated selection of old-world wines and well-crafted cocktails complement an array of dishes that stick to bistro staples.
The café's international flavor is further enhanced by an attractive outdoor seating area in the back garden, providing an inviting space to dine al fresco. Whether for a weekend brunch or a vibrant martini happy hour, Café Renée attracts a diverse crowd looking to indulge in an upscale yet relaxed dining experience.
Reservations are recommended given the venue's popularity, especially during peak dining times like Friday and Saturday nights. Limited walk-in space may be available for the spontaneous, but planning ahead ensures a more seamless experience. Whether a casual outing or a special occasion, Café Renée offers a versatile setting suitable for intimate gatherings and larger group bookings.
Reviews
Went to Cafe Renee for a birthday dinner and had a great experience overall. The vibe was really nice and the space is super cute, especially the patio. It is a bit tight inside, so seating can feel a little cramped. The food was good. There were some mixed opinions around our table depending on what people ordered, but overall everyone enjoyed their meals. Prices are pretty standard for restaurants in the area, not cheap but not unreasonable either. One thing to note is that it gets very loud. It wasn’t the music, just the number of people talking, which made conversation a bit difficult at times. Overall, a lovely spot with a great atmosphere and worth checking out.
the atmosphere and marble is chic! Good for pictures and girls brunch, the patio in the back allows natural light into the restaurant. server was friendly and made lots of small talk!🫶🏼 wish there were more interesting brunch menu options- because everyone ordered the same thing, and the potato pancakes and salad were over-fried and oily for a “nicer” brunch spot. the blueberry pancakes were as expected and good for sharing. also no cinnamon for coffees haven’t tried the dinner menu yet but heard good things about the espresso martini and pasta
Cafe Renée is my new favourite martini bar. A friend told me to check it out, and I’m so glad I did. The atmosphere is warm and lively without being loud. Happy Hour is amazing value: $12 martinis (normally ~$20) and a delicious Martini + double‑fried frites combo for $15. We added caviar for $10 and were genuinely surprised by how good it was. But the real highlight is the homemade pasta. Every table had one, and after trying it, I get why. Rich, fresh, and perfectly cooked. Don’t miss it. A great spot for date night, girls’ night, or just a treat-yourself evening.
I had a truly enjoyable and well-rounded dinner experience at Cafe Renée. Every dish we tried from the menu was excellent in its own way, and overall it was a very balanced evening. The Ravioles du Dauphiné were incredibly light and delicate, prepared like a true French classic. The Caesar salad was fresh and well balanced simple, but very well executed. The steak tartare was one of the standout dishes; the quality of the meat and the balance of seasoning were perfect. On the seafood side, the crab spaghetti was very impressive light yet full of flavour. The mussels & frites were exactly as they should be: fresh mussels, a delicious sauce, and perfectly paired with the fries. The Blueberry Bramble cocktail I had was also excellent refreshing, well balanced, and a great complement to the meal. The atmosphere is stylish yet comfortable, and the service was very professional. From start to finish, it was a high-quality and enjoyable experience. I’ll definitely be coming back.
The vibes in this restaurant are absolutely impeccable. My friend and I were visiting from Calgary and we both agreed this was our favourite restaurant we ate at during our stay in Toronto. We had the steak tartare (my personal fav), the raclette, and the dauphine ravioli. Everything was excellent. The chef even came back out with a new raclette for us because the first one wasn’t up to his standards. The attention to detail was great. Service was also five stars. Our server (I forget her name but I remember she’s from Edmonton!) was fabulous and very generous. She even brought us a couple of digestif shots at the end. Will absolutely be back next time we’re in town! Thanks, Cafe Renee!
