Restaurant
Canoe
A weekday fine-dining restaurant on the 54th floor of the TD Bank Tower, cooking seasonal Canadian ingredients with a tasting menu, à la carte dinner and…
Barberian’s Steak House
A family-run steakhouse on Elm Street since 1959, known for dry-aged steaks butchered in-house, a huge underground wine cellar and a long list of famous guests.
At a glance
- Type
- Steakhouse
- Area
- Downtown Yonge, Toronto, Canada
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- barberians.com
Good to know
- Dry-aged steaks
- Large wine cellar
- Private dining rooms
- Group of Seven paintings
Why we recommend it
Barberian's Steak House opened in 1959 in a cottage on Elm Street, bought by its founder Harry Barberian, the son of Armenian refugees, who had previously been manager-chef at Le Baron steakhouse. His son Arron Barberian's family bought back control of the restaurant in 1993, and Arron has run it ever since.
Steak is the reason to come. The restaurant says its steaks are top-grade, dry-aged and butchered in-house. The wine cellar is the other draw: the restaurant describes it as holding more than 15,000 bottles from leading vineyards, set two storeys underground with racks rising to about 22 feet.
The rooms have a traditional character, with two main dining rooms and two private dining rooms seating about 150 in all, antique chandeliers and a collection of Canadiana that includes original paintings by the Group of Seven. It is the kind of place where the decor is part of the experience.
The guest list over the decades has been long and varied. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor became engaged here in 1964, and diners have included James Beard, Rudolf Nureyev, Mick Jagger and Denzel Washington, as well as every Canadian prime minister since John Diefenbaker. The restaurant itself mentions serving many celebrities, politicians and sporting heroes.
Reservations are made by calling the restaurant, and booking is wise for evenings and before events. The private rooms suit business dinners and family celebrations. Barberian's is a good choice for meat lovers, wine enthusiasts and anyone who enjoys old-school dining with a story behind it. Other well-known guests over the years have included the actor Robert Morley, the ballerina Veronica Tennant and Eminem. Harry Barberian, who lived from 1930 to 2001, paid $6,000 for the cottage at 7 Elm Street, and the cellar was later built by Arron at a reported cost of $1.5 million. An antique dining table is reserved for exclusive parties. The restaurant has also appeared in the Canada's 100 Best ranking, at 94th in 2024 and 93rd in 2025.
The family also runs TLP Sandwich Co., a takeaway shop a few doors along at 15 Elm Street. The restaurant is in downtown Toronto close to Sankofa Square.
Barberian’s Steak House FAQs
When did Barberian's open?
In 1959, founded by Harry Barberian.
Who runs it now?
The Barberian family; Arron Barberian has managed it since 1993.
What should you order?
Steak; the restaurant's steaks are dry-aged and butchered in-house.
How big is the wine cellar?
The restaurant describes more than 15,000 bottles in a cellar two storeys underground.
How do you book?
Call the restaurant on 416-597-0335.
Is there private dining?
Yes. There are two private dining rooms.
Who has eaten there?
Guests have included Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who got engaged there in 1964, and every Canadian prime minister since John Diefenbaker.
Where is it?
At 7 Elm Street, close to Sankofa Square in downtown Toronto.