Stem Bar attracts attention for a beautiful ambiance, stylish decor, and a lively yet refined vibe, with a solid cocktail and wine program and consistently friendly service. The food is described as delicious and well executed, with favorites like burrata pancakes and Brussels sprouts, but several reviews warn that dishes can be very salty and portions may feel small when shared for the per person price. The place can be crowded and noisy, and Stem Bar does not take reservations, which means some guests settle for bar seating or shorter visits during peak times. Despite these points, many diners regard Stem Bar as a standout or hidden gem, noting high quality across the menu and a memorable overall experience ideal for a night out with friends or a date. Overall, Stem Bar is seen as a top option in the area for good drinks and well balanced dishes, with the best experiences highlighting the combination of creative eats, great cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Nous avons mangé ici pour le Nouvel An. Le service était excellent & l'ambiance conviviale. La nourriture était délicieuse, parcontre, nous étions très déçus de voir que malgré le fait d'avoir payé 85.00$ par personne, (avant taxes & pourboires, bien sûr) plusieurs des plats étaient à partager. Étant donné la taille des portions (un petit morceau de patates pavés & 3 languettes de saumon, un arancino chaque ou une soucoupe de polenta) c'était surprenant de devoir les partager en 2. Nous avions même partagés une assiette de salade! Il me semble que lors de la prise des réservations, l'employé aurait pu (dû) mentionner qu'on allait partager les plats. Pour l'an prochain, j'espère que les portions seront plus grandes ou que le prix par personne soit ajusté afin de refléter la quantité de plats à partager.
Exceptional from start to finish. STEM does not take reservations, but when we arrived on Friday at 7pm, we went straight up to the bar, where there was plenty of seating. We were greeted warmly by the staff who were very helpful in recommending what to eat & drink.
Although STEM appears to be a bar first & a restaurant second, everything we ate was truly exceptional-well presented dishes which were original & the perfect sharing portion.
The cocktails are straightforward & no-frills, but prepared well. The wine selections by the glass were the perfect pairing to the meal, a light crisp red perfect for summer nights.
We sampled the smoked trout fritters, which were topped with caviar-crisp on the outside & creamy in the middle. Next we had a pile of crisp brussels sprouts which had a great balance of flavour & texture. This went well with the unique salted pancakes with burrata. Underneath the burrata was a pile of delicious truffle shavings which elevated the dish, it was truly delicious. Finally, we had the spinach rotolo which sat on a pool of delicious & creamy tomato sauce. The meal was filling & the perfect portion for sharing.
There are many more dishes on the menu that we would like to try & we will most definitely return again!
Overall, the atmosphere, cocktails, wine & high-quality dishes make STEM bar an excellent value & a great date night locale in a neighborhood known for excellent eateries!
Jul 7, 2025
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We arrived at 6:20 because last time we went at 8:00 was a 1 hour wait, so make sure to arrive early since they don't take reservations.
The burrata truffle pancakes were our favourite dish.
We also had the tuna tartare (a tiny bit bland), trout croquettes (crunchy & flavourful), cavatelli (comforting & filling), & brussel sprouts (a lot of sauce, though they could have been more crispy). Overall everything was good! However the cocktails were disappointing (amaretto sour, espresso martini, dirty martini). The atmosphere is great & the staff is really friendly, & we appreciated that they weren't rushing us out after eating.
Very awesome bar in little burgundy, a great addition to the neighbourhood. No reservations so be ready to wait, but worth the wait. The food & drinks were good, however some staff could be less arrogant.
Love this place for its hip vibes & wine selection. The servers are very good at recommending options based on your likes. The food never disappoints. They don't take reservations & small tables for tapas is pretty inconvenient
A colleague told me about Stem Bar & said it was good, that is a total understatement. I truly loved everything about this place. Our server was outstanding & the food, whoa! The Crudo de petoncles was heavenly. The only reason for the 4 stars on food is the burrata dish, which was my least favourite, although still good. If you have not been yet, GO! No reservations required!
Really great experience. Food was really good & the small portions allowed us to taster multiple things. No reservations so I recommend arriving a bit earlier!
Jan 18, 2024
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Not sure if I want to give this place a 4 or a 5 star since the food didn't amaze me, but the wine, service & atmosphere were great. The Brussels sprouts are probably the star of the show, being my favorite dish. The sauce & texture were excellent. The other dishes we ordered were good as well but not "wowing" enough for the price. They lacked a bit of flavour & texture. In the end I would recommend ordering the Brussels sprouts, anchovy toast, pot de creme & a bottle of wine for a pricier night out. They also don't take reservations so try to go later in the evening to grab a table right away!
