⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We had dinner at Aera tonight and had such an incredible experience from start to finish. The food was excellent, everything we ordered was beautifully presented and delicious, and the service was just as impressive.

One thing that really stood out was how seamless the service was throughout the evening. The runners were incredibly attentive and quick to clear and reset the table between each course, so everything felt effortless and well coordinated without ever feeling rushed.

And the view… absolutely priceless. 😍 It really takes the whole dining experience to another level, especially as the city lights come on.

Between the food, exceptional service, atmosphere, and that unbelievable Toronto skyline, Aera is definitely a special-occasion restaurant worth visiting. We had a fantastic evening and would absolutely come back!

I was skeptical after reading mixed reviews and I can see why. The views and vibe of the place makes the restaurant. The food is secondary. And because of the reviews, I ordered accordingly which helped because our food was good. Wagyu ribeye was a hit, sashimi and sushi were fresh. A little on the pricier side for what they are serving. What was disappointing was the service. For such a restaurant, I expected better quality service. After our appetizers came out, took a while for the mains to be served. I had an ask a couple of times before the manager came to speak with us.

It was a total disaster. Second visit to celebrate a birthday were left stunned by the appalling inattentive service and attitude given.

Food: It’s average at best. Nothing bad to complain about but that this price point you expect a little more ‘wow’ factor.

** had to send back all 3 steaks for the table as all came well-done despite ordering medium rare/medium***

Service: 0/5. Here’s a list of why :-
1)had been ‘reprimanded’ by maitre d warning me not to ever walk across an unmarked area she mentioned it was ‘service area’. Felt intimidated and bewildered.
2) perpetual spill of water when refilling
3) chop stick holder was never provided
4) have to wait 5 min after dessert was served to request for cutlery (a member of party never got her spoon)
5) server was unapologetic for any of the issues mentioned.
6) mentioned it was a birthday celebration but never received any attention. Every table around us got a sparkle with cake except us. Made it awkward for our party.

Atmosphere: 4/5 CN tower view is great. -1 cause bartender kept dropping/ banging stuffs causing loud noises constantly throughout dinner service.

Aside from the prices being a bit extravagant, we had a wonderful experience dining here.

To begin, the entrance is through an office-looking lobby which may be confusing to first-timers. Once you arrive at the top, the hallway takes you to the grandiose windows with a stunning view of the CN tower, which elevates the entire dining space. The service was great and extremely attentive! There was only one open reservation slot which we had booked, but most of the tables around us were empty for the duration of our meal, so I'm not sure why we weren't able to book a different time.

Onto the food, we ordered many main dishes and some of them are worth coming back for. The ones that particularly stood out were the japanese milk bread, the dry-aged beef burger, and the tuna tartare.

The Japanese milk bread is extremely soft and fresh out of the oven, with flaky salt and butter to pair. The sweetness is perfect and I can see this being a must-get appetizer if I ever come again!

The dry-aged beef burger was a classic recommended to us by one of our party members; the fries are delicious and a great portion, and I had no complaints about the burger. They even cut it in half so we could share it easily, which was nice.

Finally, the tuna tartare was exceptional in terms of freshness, flavour, and boldness with the grapefruit pulp spread throughout. However, the price is very expensive for the amount of food you get; a single ladle-full costs $40, which is pretty insane. If it weren't for the quality and taste, I would have been appalled.

An honourable mention is the rigatoncini which was also delicious and simple. However, it had mixed reviews at our table since it didn't have much flavour or spice, and was rather mild.

Side note about the stuffed chicken: it's a TON of meat, since it's stuffed to the brim with a meat medley. Great for protein gains, but you may want to order a carb on the side with it.

Lastly, we were a bit let down by the quality of the free dessert given to one of our party members for their birthday. The 2 measly chunks of chocolate cake/brownie made us cackle since it was almost like a joke. Even The Keg provides a massive slice of ice cream cake -- at this price point, I would've expected something nicer!

All in all, I would absolutely recommend this restaurant for a date night or a night out with friends. It was not busy on a Saturday evening, so the atmosphere was calm and amazing for pictures!

A Must-Visit Aera Rooftop Gem !!!!
From the moment we stepped onto the rooftop, the view took our breath away—twinkling city lights, a gentle breeze, and a skyline that looks stunning from every angle.
The ambience is electric yet refined: chic seating, warm lighting, and a DJ spinning all night that kept the energy perfectly calibrated without ever feeling overwhelming.
The staff were friendly, attentive, and seemed to know exactly when to pop by for a quick sip refills or a chef’s recommendation.
Food That Delivers as Strongly as the Drinks
The menu strikes a rare balance between elevated bar bites and satisfying comfort dishes, all designed for sharing.
We tried the signature small plates, and each bite showcased thoughtful flavor pairings and high-quality ingredients.
The presentation was Instagram-worthy without feeling fussy, making it a treat for both the palate and the eyes.
Drinks That Shine, Night After Night
The cocktail program is inventive yet approachable, with clever twists on classics and some standout house creations.
We order Prosecco , perfect for sipping slowly as the DJ transitions through the night!
Overall Experience: Five Stars!! We will be back!
Rita

I had a very disappointing experience at the Canada Day rooftop event because of the inconsistent and unprofessional behavior of the security staff.

My partner and I arrived at 5:00 PM, but I had accidentally forgotten my physical ID. I asked whether a photo of my ID would be accepted, and the security guard firmly refused, stating that no one could enter without a physical ID under any circumstances. I accepted that it was my mistake. We then travelled two hours round trip to retrieve my ID and returned around 7:00 PM.

While waiting to re-enter, we met another couple who told us they had also forgotten their physical IDs. I warned them that security had made it clear there were absolutely no exceptions. To our surprise, we then watched the same guard tell them to wait for a couple of minutes before allowing them into the event without physical IDs.

When I politely questioned why the rule applied to us but not to them, the guard first denied letting them in. When we pointed out that we had just watched it happen, he changed his story and claimed the woman was 60 years old. This was simply not true. We had spoken with the couple moments earlier, and they had clearly told both us and security that they did not have physical IDs. Instead of explaining the inconsistency, the guard mocked us and became rude.

My issue is not that I was initially denied entry. If the venue requires physical ID, then that rule should be enforced consistently for everyone. My concern is that the guard appeared to decide, based solely on his own judgment of a person’s appearance, who had to follow the rule and who did not. If security is making exceptions without any consistent standard or explanation, it undermines the entire purpose of requiring physical identification. It also raises the concern that someone who is underage but appears older could potentially be admitted without ever presenting physical ID.

We almost didn't try this restaurant because of some of the negative reviews, but we're so glad we decided to give it a chance. From the moment we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised. We were seated at a fantastic table with an incredible view, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
The food exceeded our expectations. I ordered the ribeye with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, and everything was cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also started with the broiled octopus, which was absolutely delicious. Every dish we tried was well-prepared and enjoyable.
The service was good overall. Our server was attentive, kept our drinks filled, and made sure our water glasses never stayed empty. While we would have appreciated a slightly warmer and friendlier interaction, the service was efficient and everything we needed was taken care of promptly.
Overall, we had a wonderful dining experience and would definitely return. If you've been hesitant because of some of the reviews, it may be worth seeing for yourself—we're certainly glad we did.

We celebrated my mom’s milestone birthday at Aera in early June. I wanted to give a big thank you to Nicole for coordinating the event and menu and making my mother’s 80th Birthday a beautiful celebration! We had the best views of the city!!!

The food was amazing and the service was stellar! Big shout out to Paris who made sure we were well taken care of till the very end!! He also helped bring the leftover cake to the front desk. The kitchen also dressed up the cake we brought in which was a nice surprise!!

Recently visited Aera and had an amazing experience from start to finish. The rooftop views are absolutely stunning and easily one of the best parts of the restaurant. The ambience feels elegant yet comfortable, making it perfect for a special dinner or a night out.

The food was beautifully presented and tasted incredible, and the service was just as impressive — attentive, professional, and welcoming throughout the evening.

Overall, Aera delivers great food with exceptional service, and breathtaking views. Definitely a place worth visiting again!

Recently visited Aera and had an amazing experience from start to finish. The rooftop views are absolutely stunning and easily one of the best parts of the restaurant. The ambience feels elegant yet comfortable, making it perfect for a special dinner or a night out.

The food was beautifully presented and tasted incredible, and the service was just as impressive — attentive, professional, and welcoming throughout the evening.

Overall, Aera delivers great food with exceptional service, and breathtaking views. Definitely a place worth visiting again!

Me and my best friend had the best time at Aera yesterday ( May 09, 2026 )

The food and drinks were amazing!
And it all came together with the most spectacular view!
We witnessed the most magical sunset ever!!

I must add how every single staff member of Aera were so hospitable and friendly.
They took great care of us and made sure we were had the best time.

I would 💯 go back and recommend it to anyone who wants to have a very special meal with someone special!

Me and my best friend had the best time at Aera yesterday ( May 09, 2026 )

The food and drinks were amazing!
And it all came together with the most spectacular view!
We witnessed the most magical sunset ever!!

I must add how every single staff member of Aera were so hospitable and friendly.
They took great care of us and made sure we were had the best time.

I would 💯 go back and recommend it to anyone who wants to have a very special meal with someone special!

They kept changing waiter and I was a bit confused. We ordered 5 different plates and the waiter had to come back to ask us because he didn’t remember. The food isn’t worth the price but it’s still good.

We celebrate the birthday at the Aera.Its a very beautiful place with the killer views.This place feels as a high end place from the entrance.Very cool vibe,attentive and welcoming staff.Our server was Kazi and he explained how to select the steaks,would would go with it and was not pushy or insisting.Great job there.The food at the Aera is out of this world.Its just melting in your mouth.I would highly recommend creamy spinach.And drinks!If you’re looking for a great spot don’t hesitate and do it.

Second visit, first visit in 2024
The service, the vibe, the music, the view and even more so, the food was delicious. They have it right. Look forward to the rooftop opening.

Came here on a Sunday for a brunch party. The party itself was amazing. Great time. However the food it’s left to be desired. Nothing really stood out. Was displayed nicely definitely Instagram worthy. It’s just sad that nothing made me crave it to come back.

The client service is great though honestly everyone there is accommodating nice and overall helped to make the experience a great time. Most likely will come back for another brunch party.

Came here on a Sunday for a brunch party. The party itself was amazing. Great time. However the food it’s left to be desired. Nothing really stood out. Was displayed nicely definitely Instagram worthy. It’s just sad that nothing made me crave it to come back.

The client service is great though honestly everyone there is accommodating nice and overall helped to make the experience a great time. Most likely will come back for another brunch party.

Situated at the top of the Well, Aera offers a commanding view of Toronto through the endless number of windows. The restaurant itself is well decorated and almost every seat is designed for maximum viewing pleasure. Oddly, we chose to sit in the elevated middle "podium" in the middle of the restaurant away from the windows. That vantage point offered us the pleasure of seeing the restaurant as a whole including the open kitchen.

The service was excellent. The wait staff was friendly, attentive and efficient. Five stars.

The cocktails were delicately and intricately prepared. They were a pleasure to consume.

The food, while very well prepared, was not uniformly spectacular. Most of the dishes were of high quality, but there were some misses. The yard stick I used to judge this restaurant is admittedly elastic. If a mom and pop restaurant served us the same food, I would have enthusiastically endorsed the restaurant with a five-star rating. However, at the price point of this restaurant, the food has to be truly spectacular to earn five stars.

The sashimi was very good. Fresh and well put together. The dumplings were savoury but not memorable. The truffle fries were a guilty pleasure. The tuna steak was excellent and I particularly liked the wrapped cabbage side dish. I found it to be intriguing both in taste and texture.

Unfortunately, the stuffed chicken was dry even though it was well seasoned. The ceviche was a little disappointing for its lack of acidic punch. The ceviche tasted more like a wetter version of sashimi.

The three desserts we ordered were pleasing, with the toffee being the stand out. The staff was super accommodating in preparing our hit beverages that evening.

It was a very enjoyable evening made possible by a superb wait staff. I will bring clients to this restaurant any time.

I recently visited and had such an amazing experience! I hadn’t seen my friend in ages, so we completely lost track of time catching up and our server was unbelievably patient, attentive, and kind the entire evening. We never once felt rushed, which made the night feel extra special.

The food came out so quickly, the atmosphere was absolutely stunning, and every detail of the space felt warm and elevated. I ordered the rigatonici I believe is what it was called, and it was hands down the best pasta I’ve ever had. It perfectly cooked and full of flavour.

Such a beautiful place to dine. I can’t wait to come back! Highly recommend.

I recently visited and had such an amazing experience! I hadn’t seen my friend in ages, so we completely lost track of time catching up and our server was unbelievably patient, attentive, and kind the entire evening. We never once felt rushed, which made the night feel extra special.

The food came out so quickly, the atmosphere was absolutely stunning, and every detail of the space felt warm and elevated. I ordered the rigatonici I believe is what it was called, and it was hands down the best pasta I’ve ever had. It perfectly cooked and full of flavour.

Such a beautiful place to dine. I can’t wait to come back! Highly recommend.