Joso's

What is Joso's? Occupying an unassuming Victorian semi-detached at 202 Davenport Road where Yorkville meets the Annex, Joso's has been an eccentric fixture of Toronto dining since 1967. Originally founded by artist-musician Joso Spralja and his wife Angiolina, the multi-level dining room is now steered by their son Leo and wife Shirley. Inside, white linen tables are surrounded by evocative seaside ceramics, bronze sculptures, and folk art that feel completely distinct from modern minimalist dining rooms.

Joso's Menu & What to Order The kitchen specializes in pristine Dalmatian coastal cooking that lets ocean catches speak for themselves over an open flame. The non-negotiable order is the tender grilled octopus tentacle, closely followed by the jet-black Nero Risotto—a cuttlefish-rich family specialty packed with savoury depth. Select a whole fresh sea bass or sea bream to be flame-grilled with olive oil, garlic, and parsley, paired with a mineral Croatian white wine. Non-seafood eaters can opt for grilled lamb chops, though strict plant-based diners will find their choices largely confined to sides like traditional blitva (swiss chard) and seasonal salads.

Know Before You Go Reservations are essential given the compact footprint and a fiercely loyal clientele of longtime regulars and visiting artists; the restaurant takes dinner seatings Tuesday through Saturday between 5:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. There is no dedicated lot, so arrange for street parking on Davenport or use the paid lot at Avenue Road and Pears Avenue, or walk from Dupont or Bay subway stations. The room runs dressy-casual to polished, and doors remain closed on Sundays and Mondays.