Extremely pricy, horrible food, the sushi felt like leftovers. Horrible experience overall!

Great atmosphere, inside and out. Everything felt comfortable and was accompanied by lovely service. The food was fresh and interesting, possibly too busy but otherwise delicious!

I had the calamari to start, the flavours were definitely unexpected but quite enjoyable and tangy. I had a strip loin for the main course. It was perfectly cooked and accompanied by a arugula, apple and blue cheese... more

Stunning Experiance

The food was so unique and the service was stunning! I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for a great time.

The food is amazing, and the servers make you feel at home

I've been to the North a total of 4 times now. 3 times with my girlfriend, and once with a friend. If I had to describe the food in three words it would be: flavorful, unique, and mouth watering. The presentation of the dishes are so good, and the taste reflects that. The servers there are great too. Every time... more

Bad time all around

My boyfriend took me to the North for Valentines and we had a very bad exp. First the girl that sat us put us right by the front door and it was minus 15 outside. Every time the door opened we froze. I asked for a table that was empty on the other side and she said no it is... more

Usually Great Marco

Took my GF to The North the other day and was overall not happy. When I made the reservation I requested a private quiet table. When we arrived they sat us in the bar not private and not quiet so they moved us upstairs next to a table of very very loud people. To be honest this ruined the night... more

Last night we ate at the North. We would highly recommend this restaurant if you want a intimate setting, comfortable atmosphere and eloquent food.

Unlike many fine dining restaurants, the North gives large portions of food.

We started prosciutto wrapped goat cheese; filling yet balanced well with the greens on the plate. My hubby had the rib eye and myself the stuffed chicken, both... more

Amazing Evening

Took my girlfriend to The North on a recommendation and was not disappointed. The Chef Marco prepared an unforgettable meal and the staff recommended some great wine. If your looking for casual fine dinning that is a step up from the norm The North is a must visit in Barrie.

Close but just a bit short

We went to the North for supper it has been a while! They actually moved locations. Our first impressions were great. The tables were not crowded and the chairs were comfortable. Our waitress was great! She was informative, friendly and professional! We ordered appetizers and they came with awesome presentation. The Caesar salad looked very attractive my wife enjoyed it!... more

Barrie's hidden gem

I just visited Barrie for the first time, The North was recommended to me, I was solo and ate at the bar, I had a great view of the kitchen and loved every minute of my experience. The atmosphere was nice, the service excellence and the food was over the top. I had the rib eye with risotto and vegetables-OUTSTANDING.... more

No other restaurant like it in Barrie and better than most in Toronto. Delicious dishes artfully prepared. Special requests? No problem. Marco and his amazing kitchen staff can work around any food issues or just customize to one's palate. Not Barrie's least expensive choice but clearly worth every penny.

A devotee

Excellent choice

I bought a gift card on line for 1/2 price for this place just to try out. It is a little pricey but you get what you pay for. The food was excellent, the atmosphere excellent and the service excellent.What more could you ask for? I will return and will be happy to pay full price for the privilege.

Always above and beyond

We always enjoy going to The North Restaurant. Not only is their food spectacular with many amazing options to choose from (The oysters are GREAT), but anytime we have been their, the service goes above and beyond many other establishments.
On numerous occasions the chef has come out to see how our meal was, which I always think shows how... more

Spectacular

Went for dinner on a Saturday night as a group of 8 for my wifes birthday. Everything from start to finish was abosloutely fantastic. Probably the best mushroom soup in existence, foie gras cooked perfectly, scallops were beautiful. Not one person at the table left a morsel on their plate. Were given a TOWERING dessert platter on the house as... more

Outstanding food and service

I eat here often and The chefs in the kitchen are clearly focused and into the art of cooking. Tasting menu is always spectacular. Owner can usually be seen cooking or out in the restaurant. Can't say enough! You won't be disappointed.

Good for the area

Enroute to cottage country I decided to explore some of Northern Ontario's culinary offerings. The restaurant is located on a residential street in what appears to be a converted home (a large one at that). The restaurant has modern decor; grey walls with butter yellow chairs. The staff is well dressed and helpful. For an Italian restaurant there were only... more

The North - a wow in the north

I am agained wowed by my experience in The North restaurant in Barrie Ontario
It's modest exterior and location belies what you experience inside. Both the food and the service are simply outstanding and imaginative.
I just finished the best truffle mushroom soup there can ever be. Soft jazz is playing and the scene is mellow. The chipolte shrimp appetizer... more

Gastronomic

The North Restaurant embodies what a gastronomy experience should be. We were a party of four and it was our friend Lyanne’s birthday. When we arrived, we were smartly greeted by staff who offered to take our coats. From the moment we were seated till the end when we paid for our dinner, the common topic among our little group... more

A Bad Night

It started off badly during the Barrie Winterlicious promotion when the restaurant failed to update their website. I had my choices selected, but was disappointed upon arrival, that the menu published was for the previous summer's Summerlicious. Three dinners were offered for $25 that included a choice of starters, a main, and a dessert. Wine pairings were also offered at... more

Interesting Menu

Very good food, good service and interesting flavour combinations. New location way better than the small, drafty old one. Barrielicious menu was very good. Regular menu pricey.

I think whatever you will order will be impressive

A surprisingly exquisite gem. I was so impressed with the food, all in our group were. Even when you thought you could not eat another bite you kept going as you would not want to waste anything on your plate. Then you still go for dessert. My dining partners say the creme brûlée is the best they have ever tried.... more

Staff function

This is a new location, very close to where it used to be on Dunlop St.
I had a staff function at this establishment.
We had 14 people attend the party. The staff were great and the service was fantastic.
Unfortunatley, the food was sub-par. I appetizers were much better than the main. The dishes are very busy, I would... more

You get what you pay for

We'll be back. Very great service and vibe from the staff immediately. While ordering, our waiter picked up on our conversation as we discussed what to eat. Much to our surprise my wife's meal had the little tower of goat cheese and something else that was part of another item on the menu just because she had metioned that it... more

Enthusiasm

The best way to describe this restaurant, as everyone connected to your experience displays this. Marco loves to create, taste and image are what he searches for, and he delivers. Thanks to Chefs like him Barrie is blessed, people come to him now from Toronto

Have always been a huge fan of The North. They have now moved to their new location on Mary Street.
We went to the New location when it first opened and it is beautiful and very comfortable. We could have stayed in those chairs ALL night. When they first opened, I think that they were experiencing growing pains. We waited over an hour for our entrees and that's just not okay.
I have said and... more

great night out

we went out looking for a slow, relaxed dinner, and received just that.
first time at the new location and loved it. Great food, great service just what you would expect from a classy establishment such as this.

Barrielicious summer 2012

Went to barrielicious and this is the first time that I have been disappointed. First of all, we were seated right next to the kitchen entrance with one of us facing directly into it. The entrance only has a drape on the door which was left half open, a sure way to dampen anyone's appetite. We requested to be moved... more

One of the Barrie's best

The food is well prepared, plentiful and tasty. The service matches the quality of the food and the restaurant ambiance both inside and out is just as good.

Best Restaurant in Town

Chef Marco has a way with flavours, with each course bursting in your mouth with exquisite balance. I am not a huge fan of the new location. While beautiful, I miss the brick walls and the cozier atmosphere, although I am looking forward to dinner on the outdoor deck! Don't get me wrong - the decor is beautiful, but it... more

Great Food

This was my frist time at The North for dinner. My Hubs brother would not stop raving about this restaurant. So we decided to try it out for dinner one evening. It was a lovely night to sit on the patio, which was a great space, a little crowded at some spots but looked very nice. The food was awesome,... more

Good With The Bad

My girlfriend and i went to the north for their barrielicious event. having been to several higher class establishments in barrie, we were eager to try The North. The food was fantastic having their limited menu for the even and the wine list was very good as well. The only aspect that disappointed me was after our first course we... more

Better Resturants in Barrie

I ate hear after hearing how well the food was from many people. I have dinned at many places in the area and this did not live up to the reviews I heard and read about it. The appitizers were average, nothing special or anything. For dinner I ordered a steak as that was the only option on the menu... more

Best Restaurant in Barrie

I absolutely love the food at the North. It is innovative and they use quality ingredients. I really like their new premises, 100% improvement over the old which were so crowded. The chairs inside the restaurant are so comfortable but the decor could do with some additional touches for warmth. I had the jumbo shrimps and scallops with risotto in... more

New location

My husband and I have always looked forward to our dinner at the North during our annual visit to Barrie. This was the first time at their new location. It was still very nice although we enjoyed the 'funkiness' of their original location. The food was still very good although the lamb dish we always order was a bit different... more

Best Fine Dining "North" of Toronto

I have been a fan of this restaurant since the first week it opened. The chef, Marco Ormonde, though only in his mid-thirties, is a veteran of several top Toronto restaurants. He has recently moved to larger and beautifully decorated premises just up the street from his former tiny establishment. The food is amazing and comes served like a piece... more

Very nice food but lacks ambiance

We have eaten at the North several times. It has a new location and we were very excited to see what they had done with it but were very disappointed to find that it was even more crowded feeling than the previous location and totally lacked in ambiance. Tables are crowded in and you can easily hear every word of... more

inconsistency in quality

The first time I ate at this restaurant, the food was amazing!
Recommending it to friends, I went a second time (with friends) ordering the same entree.
Unfortunately the same entree this time was disappointing.
It would be nice if the quality of food was consistent.

The Best Fine Food Restaurants in Barrie? I think so

The restaurant has moved to new premises recently at 49 Mary Street. The Chef, Marco, is highly skilled and is very creative. He has combined elements of fine European cuisine with Asian and Canadian methods, flavours and foods to create unique and delicious food. It is not for everyone. If you don't like Kobe beef you may be better off... more

Poor at best

Poor service, two tables seated after us had their appetizers and drinks before we even got served. And dessert, was disgusting ... tasted like they forgot to put the sweetening in. The waitress was so slow that she had to apologize, and comp'd our drinks ... good thing the AGCO were not around. Overall, not a restaurant we'll be returning... more

My fave restaurant in town

I triple LOVE this place. Amazingly creative and delicious food. Service is exquisite. Amazing desserts and martinis. It's just the best!! Awesome for lunch as well. I'd recommend a reservation just in case. They are moving to a bigger location (right next door) this spring.

Why go to Toronto - or New York for that matter

Chef Marco Ormonde - Portuguese born and French trained - has worked with the top chefs in Toronto. He abandoned the "big city hassles" to bring his amazing talent to our little city. How lucky we are! Soon to be moving to larger quarters (behind the existing restaurant) things can only get better. Everything is fresh. Everything is beautifully served.... more

Absolute Favorite

The North tops our restaurant list. Always amazing and always a different twist. Marco Ormonde is an amazing chef and we can't wait to see the new place.

Poor service

Unfriendly and slow service. Charge for every cup of coffee - a surprise on the bill.

Distinctive Dining

The North is a Barrie favourite. Chef Marco is innovative and attending to detail. If by some chance anything is amiss with your selection, preparation or presentation it is immediately corrected. Not into denying or arguing with the Customer here. Those events have been very rare in our experience. The Tempura Sushi is memorable, the Lamb well prepared. We always... more

Excellent Food and atmosphere

My spouse and I had the pleasure of eating at The North. The restaurant is set up so that you can watch the chef cook, while you are sitting at the table. The service, and the food was excellent. Best food we have had in Barrie!

Horrible service, average food

Went with my family. There was no one in the restaurant and we were seated at a table right in the middle. We requested the booth and were told it was reserved. We were there for 1.5 hours and hardly any one came in. The food was mediocre. The waitress had no idea what the items on the menu actually... more

The best barrie has to offer

have had the opportunity to travel all across Canada and the North is one of my top 5 restaurants to dine at, Marco has a Salmon luncheon entree to die for.

Phenominal food!!! Chef/Owner's talent on scale with Toronto's top rated chefs

We ended up in Barrie by accident due to a tire blow out and had a phenominal meal! We had a Saturday lunch and the chef/owner was there cooking away. For lunch, I had the mixed green and lychee salad- WOWer!! Handmade phyllo pastry cup with mixed greens, lychee and the most amazing balsamic dressing. The quality of the ingredients... more

The Best in Barrie ~~~ by far

I have visited this restaurant about 6 times and each time I think it can't get any better but then it does. It is small but I really enjoy that... it's cozy. The food is so good that this place could definitely have its own cooking show. Such original and exciting cuisine. I recently went here for Barrielicious with a... more

Excellent meal, small menu and world class dining at a casual price

Its quite clear that the chef/owner takes a lot of pride in his establishment and the food. Meals were excellent, portions were about right and very high quality. Well worth the experience, great food and an almost campy atmosphere that is almost at odds to the high end food that is served.

waitress didn't know wine list, undercooked bass

Went on a "date night" with my husband and chose The North on a friend's recommendation. Frankly, it was just mediocre to poor. The waitress was a snot and had an unpressed white shirt on that was filthy, and she didn't know what wines could pair with the cuisine presented. I enjoyed my curry chicken dish, but my husband's sea... more

Food Amazing but.... Service lacking

We have been regular customers after discovering The North about 4 years ago. Chef and owner Marco does an amazingly creative job with each piece of food he touches. His recipes are unique and fresh and there is extreme attention to detail in everything he creates. This is hands down the tastiest food in barrie. The atmosphere is upscale casual.... more

Any chef that pays this much attention to detail deserves a tip

and that is exactly what I did. I smiled ear to ear with my appetizer of grilled calamari and main course of scallops and pork belly. The sauces are just fabulous. I've also tried the tasting menu, expensive, but worth every penny. The chef is an artist and you can watch him cook with such concentration.

This is the best restaurant in barrie

We have been going to the North Restaurant for over 2 years now, and believe me when I say you won't find a better restaurant in Barrie!! You'd be hard pressed to find a better one in Toronto. The owner Marko and chef make food to die for at reasonable prices. Even if you’re on a special diet, you can... more

My friends and I dined at the North on a Thursday night, service was quick and delicious!I started with the French Martini, nice and light, good portion, very tasty, My "small plate" was the prociutto wrapped goat's cheese, very good, but a little salty. For my "large plate" I enjoyed the pan seared strip loin, served with perfectly steamed asparagus and a mashed potato with corn and goats... more

Two words sum it up

........food orgasm. And the best Cosmos in town. The service was fantastic. A really wonderfull night out.

Chef Marco Ormonde and his staff create a warm, comfortable setting in which to eat elaborate and delicious fine food. Chef's Table available for $60 which I was unable to finish because there was too much food (all of it scrumptious).