Avelo

What is Avelo? Set inside Hazel Cottage, an intimate 19th-century Victorian townhouse at 51 St Nicholas Street just off Yonge and Wellesley, Avelo is restaurateur Roger Yang and chef Fernando Anrango's showcase for avant-garde plant-based gastronomy. The ground floor holds a serene 22-seat dining room framed by warm lighting and floral accents, while the upper level houses Bar Avelo, a moody cocktail retreat beneath an ornate barrel-vaulted ceiling.

Avelo Menu & What to Order Downstairs centres strictly on daily-shifting 5- and 8-course blind tasting menus where vegetables are elevated through wild fermentation, house vinegars, and intricate textures. Standout courses regularly highlight grilled maitake mushroom in achiote adobo, house-aged cashew Roquefort, and velvety tonka bean crème brûlée. If you prefer a casual drop-in, Bar Avelo serves an à la carte spread of lion's mane skewers, sourdough flatbreads, and signature sips like the Goji Negroni alongside curated natural wine pairings.

Know Before You Go Reservations for the main-floor tasting menus are mandatory and book out weeks ahead via their website with a cancellation policy, though upstairs at Bar Avelo welcomes walk-ins for drinks and small plates. Because the restaurant occupies a historic heritage building, the space is multi-level with washrooms on the second floor and is not wheelchair accessible. The townhouse is located a short walk from Wellesley and Bloor-Yonge subway stations, making public transit far easier than finding street parking.