Mai Bistro

What is Mai Bistro? Tucked into a storefront plaza at 4906 Dundas Street West near Burnhamthorpe Road in Islington Village, Mai Bistro is an unassuming neighbourhood fixture helmed by chef Manh Nguyen. Nguyen brings decades of cross-continental experience—blending classical Japanese technique with time spent cooking in Caracas, Venezuela—into a relaxed, welcoming dining room outfitted with simple table seating and a small seasonal patio. The setting is casual and communal, designed expressly around shared small plates and family-style dinners.

Mai Bistro Menu & What to Order The menu navigates seamless Asian and Latin American fusion, offering a large collection of shareable tapas alongside hearty mains. The Japanese karaage chicken paired with smoky chipotle aioli and the zesty shrimp ceviche with house tortilla chips make essential starting points. For entrees, the Argentine-style grilled steak with chimichurri and the deep-fried whole sea bass are signature crowd-pleasers, while vegetarian and gluten-free menus accommodate dietary needs with items like wok-tossed greens and king mushrooms. End the meal with house-made Mexican tres leches cake or light Japanese cheesecake.

Know Before You Go Table reservations are available by phone, which helps secure seating during peak weekend dinner services when the compact room fills up. Drivers will find free dedicated parking in the lot behind the building, and transit commuters are an easy eight-minute walk west from Islington subway station. The kitchen serves dinner exclusively from Wednesday through Sunday, remaining closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.