Quick Answer
The best izakaya in North York is Nomé Izakaya at 4848 Yonge St for group vibes and their legendary $1 oyster nights (Tuesdays & Wednesdays). For the most authentic yakitori experience, Izakaya Ju at J-Town (3160 Steeles Ave E) is worth the short drive. For late-night eats past midnight, Hashi Izakaya at 5582 Yonge St stays open until 2:30 AM.
How We Ranked These
Every izakaya on this list was evaluated on four criteria:
- Flavour & Quality — Does the food deliver?
- Value — Price relative to portion size and quality
- Reputation — Google reviews, social media buzz, local word-of-mouth
- Accessibility — Location, transit access, parking, hours
We paid for every meal ourselves. No sponsored placements.
The 6 Best Izakaya Spots in North York
Ranked by a combination of food quality, atmosphere, value, and social media buzz. All prices and details verified February 2026. Looking for ramen instead? See our Best Ramen in North York guide. For a broader view, check the Best Restaurants in North York.
Best Overall
1
Nomé Izakaya
📍 4848 Yonge St, North York (also at Shops at Don Mills)
Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 AM–11 PM, Fri–Sat 11:30 AM–12 AM, Sun 12–10 PM
$1 – $4 per oyster • $12 – $22 per plate
What to Order
The $1 Oysters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the main event — arrive early because it's walk-in only and lines build fast. Beyond oysters, the Japa Burger Sliders and Bulgogi Tacos showcase their Japanese-Korean fusion style. For more Japanese dining, see our sushi guide.
TikTok: @torontofoodie "oyster tower" video (85K views). Reddit r/FoodToronto: "Best oysters in North York" (200+ upvotes). The busiest Tuesday/Wednesday spot in the neighbourhood.
Worth Knowing
$1 oyster nights are walk-in only and lines build fast after 6 PM. Arrive by 5:30 PM on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to avoid the longest waits. They also have a second location at Shops at Don Mills.
Practical Details
Hours: Mon–Thu 11:30 AM–11 PM, Fri–Sat 11:30 AM–12 AM, Sun 12–10 PM
Parking: Street parking on Yonge St
Transit: Sheppard-Yonge Station (TTC Line 1) — 5 min walk
Most Authentic
2
Izakaya Ju
📍 J-Town, 3160 Steeles Ave E, Markham (North York border)
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30 AM–9:30 PM, closed Mondays
$4 – $10 per skewer • $35 – $55 for Omakase Sets
What to Order
The Charcoal-Grilled Yakitori is the real deal — smoky flavour from real charcoal that gas grills can't replicate. The Grilled Mackerel (Saba) and Teba Gyoza (Stuffed Wings) are the dishes regulars never skip. It feels like a genuine Tokyo neighbourhood bar.
Reddit r/toronto: top comment in "Truly authentic Japanese food" thread (2025). Instagram: featured by @markhameats for "charcoal grill aroma." The gold standard for yakitori in the GTA.
Worth Knowing
Located inside J-Town, a Japanese cultural mall with groceries, bakeries, and specialty shops. Make an afternoon of it. Closed Mondays.
Practical Details
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30 AM–9:30 PM, closed Mondays
Parking: Free lot at J-Town plaza
Transit: Not directly TTC accessible — best by car or rideshare from Finch Station
Best Vibes
3
ZUI Beer Bar
📍 5649 Yonge St, North York
Hours: Daily 5 PM–2 AM
$3 – $9 per skewer • $15 – $28 per main
What to Order
Order a bucket of Chinese-style BBQ Skewers — lamb, beef, and the must-try Chicken Skin. The Stir-fried Clams and Fried Chicken Knees are the adventurous picks. Pair everything with a pitcher of Japanese beer under their neon lights.
XiaoHongShu (Red): multiple posts tagged "北约克宵夜" (North York Late Night) highlighting neon decor and skewers (1,200+ likes). The most Instagrammable spot on the Yonge strip.
Worth Knowing
The vibe picks up after 10 PM when the neon lights and music create a late-night street food energy. Great for groups. The Chinese-style BBQ skewers are the specialty here, not traditional Japanese yakitori.
Practical Details
Hours: Daily 5 PM–2 AM
Parking: Street parking on Yonge St
Transit: Finch Station (TTC Line 1) — 5 min walk south
Best Late Night
4
Hashi Izakaya
📍 5582 Yonge St, North York
Hours: Daily 5 PM–2:30 AM
$12 – $24 per dish
What to Order
The Creamy Pork Belly is their signature — tender, rich, and the reason regulars keep coming back after midnight. The Salmon Hako Sushi (Torched) is a sleeper hit, and the Taro Chips are the perfect drinking snack.
Google Maps: 4.1 stars (900+ reviews). Recent reviews highlight "best late-night vibes until 2 AM." Open until 2:30 AM — the latest-closing izakaya on the Yonge corridor. A staple for students and night owls.
Worth Knowing
The latest-closing izakaya on the Yonge corridor. A staple for students and night owls. Can get crowded after midnight on weekends, but the wait is usually under 15 minutes.
Practical Details
Hours: Daily 5 PM–2:30 AM
Parking: Street parking on Yonge St
Transit: Finch Station (TTC Line 1) — 8 min walk south
Most Creative
5
Aka-Oni Ramen & Izakaya
📍 633 Silver Star Blvd, Scarborough
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30 AM–10 PM, closed Mondays
$18 – $35 per dish
What to Order
The Meiji Lava Dessert is their viral star — a molten showpiece that's been featured in multiple "most creative" food videos. The Uni & Caviar Pasta pushes izakaya boundaries into fine-dining territory. Their ramen is also strong — see our ramen guide for how it compares. The Aburi Sushi Platter rounds out a full experience.
YouTube: Keith & Leslie Eats "Most Creative Izakaya in GTA" (40K views). Google Maps: 4.4 stars (1,200+ reviews). Worth the drive to Scarborough for the culinary creativity alone.
Worth Knowing
Worth the drive to Scarborough for the creative menu alone. Closed Mondays. The Meiji Lava Dessert is a must for the table even if you are full.
Practical Details
Hours: Tue–Sun 11:30 AM–10 PM, closed Mondays
Parking: Free plaza lot at 633 Silver Star Blvd
Transit: Not directly TTC accessible — best by car from Scarborough Town Centre
Best Fusion
6
Han Ba Tang
📍 4862 Yonge St, North York
Hours: Mon–Thu 5–11 PM, Fri–Sat 5 PM–12 AM, Sun 4–10 PM
$14 – $26 per dish
What to Order
The Kimchi Fries are the gateway — crispy, spicy, and shareable. The Spicy Pork Tacos and Honeycomb Makgeolli (Korean rice wine served with an actual chunk of honeycomb) are the pairing that made this spot a date-night favourite. If you love the Korean flavours here, see our Korean BBQ guide for more. Cozy, vintage-styled interior seals the deal.
Google Maps: 4.7 stars (2,100+ reviews). Reddit r/askTO: "Best date night North York" recommendation (Jan 2026). TikTok: trending for the Honeycomb Makgeolli presentation.
Worth Knowing
This is Korean-Japanese fusion, not traditional izakaya. The cozy, vintage-styled interior makes it one of the best date-night spots on Yonge. Reservations recommended on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Practical Details
Hours: Mon–Thu 5–11 PM, Fri–Sat 5 PM–12 AM, Sun 4–10 PM
Parking: Street parking on Yonge St
Transit: Sheppard-Yonge Station (TTC Line 1) — 7 min walk north
What's Trending Right Now
New openings, viral dishes, and the spots dominating social media in North York's izakaya scene. Verified February 2026.
Viral Dish
MeNami Udon & Izakaya — The Cheese Udon
North York
Currently the most-photographed dish in the North York area on XiaoHongShu, with 12,000+ saves on similar "Top 5 Winter Warm-up Udon" lists. The creamy cheese udon is the reason people are lining up — a comfort-food bowl that's become peak social media bait.
New Opening
Kuroki Izakaya — Markham Border Newcomer
Near North York/Markham border
The freshest izakaya addition to the area, gaining traction on Reddit r/Markham with a 4.4-star rating (120+ reviews on UberEats/Google). Already being called "pretty good" for high-quality sashimi and skewers — a rising contender for the next edition of this list.
Hidden Gem
Koyoi — Where Industry Insiders Eat
North York
Gaining buzz on TikTok and Instagram as an "authentic Japanese hangout where most Japanese people in the industry eat." With 50,000+ views on "Hidden Gem" reels, this is the spot for readers seeking a true Tokyo local-bar experience over clubby vibes.
Status Check
Kinka Izakaya — Still Open at Yonge & Sheppard
Yonge & Sheppard, North York
Addressing the rumours: the Yonge/Sheppard Kinka Izakaya location remains active as of January 2026. Confusion arose from their "Sushi Bar" rebranding, but the main izakaya continues operating with 400+ upvotes in Reddit's "Best North York Eats" threads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best izakaya in North York?
Nomé Izakaya at 4848 Yonge St is the best overall izakaya in North York. Their $1 oyster nights (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) are legendary, and the Japa Burger Sliders and Bulgogi Tacos round out a lively Japanese-fusion menu. They also have a second location at Shops at Don Mills.
Which izakaya in North York is open late?
Hashi Izakaya at 5582 Yonge St stays open until 2:30 AM, making it the latest-closing izakaya on the Yonge corridor. Their Creamy Pork Belly is the go-to post-midnight order. ZUI Beer Bar at 5649 Yonge St also keeps late hours for skewers and drinks.
What is the cheapest izakaya food in North York?
Nomé Izakaya offers $1 oysters on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — the best deal in the neighbourhood. ZUI Beer Bar has skewers starting at $3–$9, and a bucket of mixed skewers with a pitcher of beer is a favourite group order.
Where can I get authentic yakitori near North York?
Izakaya Ju at J-Town (3160 Steeles Ave E, Markham) is the gold standard. Their charcoal-grilled yakitori at $4–$10 per skewer uses real charcoal for that authentic smoky flavour. The Grilled Mackerel and Teba Gyoza (stuffed wings) are regulars' favourites.
What izakaya spots are near Yonge and Sheppard?
Nomé Izakaya at 4848 Yonge St is steps from Sheppard-Yonge station. Han Ba Tang at 4862 Yonge St is just north, trending for Honeycomb Makgeolli. Farther up toward Finch, ZUI Beer Bar (5649 Yonge St) and Hashi Izakaya (5582 Yonge St) anchor the late-night scene.
What new izakaya opened in North York in 2026?
Kuroki Izakaya near the North York/Markham border is the newest addition, with a 4.4-star rating. MeNami Udon & Izakaya is trending for their viral Cheese Udon. Koyoi is gaining TikTok buzz as a hidden gem where "most Japanese industry people eat."
Is Nomé Izakaya good for a date night?
Nomé is better for lively group outings (it can be loud). For a more intimate date, Han Ba Tang at 4862 Yonge St has cozy, vintage-styled lighting and a 4.7-star Google rating (2,100+ reviews). Hashi Izakaya at 5582 Yonge St is another solid date option with late hours until 2:30 AM.
