Zakkushi on Carlton

What is Zakkushi on Carlton? Set along the heritage stretch of Carlton Street just east of Jarvis, this moody, smoke-kissed izakaya channels pure Japanese charcoal grill culture into downtown Toronto. Inside, dark cedar accents, glowing paper lanterns, and sunken timber booths set an intimate Tokyo drinking hall mood, flanked by a kitchen counter for solo diners and a seasonal garden patio running May through October.

Zakkushi on Carlton Menu & What to Order Skewers over white-hot charcoal rule the room: order the signature Zakkushi Set to taste staples like succulent chicken momo and crisp, fat-rendered P-Toro pork cheek. Round out the table with dashi-steeped assorted oden, crisp chicken karaage, and sweet-soy age mochi, best paired with an ice-cold draft Asahi or dry shochu cocktail.

Know Before You Go Evening dinner rush hits hard, so book a table online well in advance—groups of five or more will need to phone ahead directly. The 506 Carlton streetcar stops steps from the door, making transit effortless compared to scarce downtown street parking. Keep in mind doors open at 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, while weekend and holiday service runs uninterrupted from noon to midnight.