IST Snack Bar

Great Indian style snack bar in the heart of the city. Fun dishes, with very creative twists. The chili paneer is a must have, otherwise the staff can help you navigate the menu. Go as a big group and order everything!

I went to IST after reading all the buzz on Instagram & BlogTO and it was amazing! I would highly recommend the Aloo Tikki Sammie & Chili Paneer. The service, ambience, drinks and food were a 10/10. Can’t wait to go back!

Three of us spent our Friday night here. The whole experience was amazing. The staff is exceptional and the food is wonderful. We tried basically everything on the menu but the loaded fries, the butter chicken voule vent, and the Rogan Josh curry stood out. The dark chocolate covered Belgian pistachio kulfi is a must try. The cocktails are inventive and delicious. Special shout out to the owner and the bartender whose names I did not get, but they really made us feel welcome and at home. Will definitley be returning.

This place truly lived up to it's hype! Our table ordered the lamb kebob sliders, chilli paneer, calamari pakoras and the butter chicken vol au vent. Everything was delicious and the service was exceptional! We all also enjoyed the unique drinks menu, my personal favorite being the "bartender's number". We will definitely being visiting IST again soon!

Fantastic food and service! My friend and I shared the aloo tikki sammies, masala fries and the chilli paneer. All three were absolutely delicious. The fries were nice and crispy, the sandwiches had a tonne of delicately balanced flavours and the chilli paneer had a great kick to it. I had the gin cocktail and it was also very tasty! Our server was very attentive and went above and beyond for us! I highly recommend coming here.

Stopped by to check this place out last week. Cozy bar with great old school hip hop music, a great bar and a delicious and creative menu. The food was fantastic: masala fries, sweet & spicy short ribs and Butter chicken Vol-au-Vent so good by the way to name a few. The lamb kabob sliders were fantastic, by far my favourite. Definitely check this plate out, look for the elephant logo on Queen West!

Wow. Went last night with the girls and had an amazing night. When we got there they was no seats available but the owner or manager was so helpful and moved some things around and texted us 10 mins later to let us know. The food was Amazing - we actually had to order a second chill paneer because WOW, good drinks, good service and Great music. A really good night out vibe. And then the extra surprise treat was the surprise murals downstairs for a photo op.

I've lived across the street from this place since before it was even Doomie's. I'm not opposed to vegan food, it's just not usually my go to choice, so I actually hadn't tried it. Last Friday, I had a meeting with someone who can't have egg or dairy for allergy reasons. She arrived to my neighborhood and decided to check out the menu at IST knowing they'd likely have vegan options that could accommodate her. As she walked in she was handed a free Steamwhistle sample so she stayed and I joined her. The service was incredible. There was a blond woman serving who didn't actually work there and was helping out her friend who owned the place. She took care of us in coordination with a male bartender. I wish I had grabbed both of their names. The hospitality provided by these two was absolutely incredible. They were so welcoming, sweet and accommodating. While there were vegan options that my friend was able to eat, she wasn't too into having to go with tofu as her protein. The chef told us none of the chicken was safe to substitute because it was marinaded in yogurt. He came out to talk to her about her allergies, then offered to prep some fresh chicken without the dairy and add it to the vegan dishes. With so many restaurants no longer even accepting modifications or substitutions for many reasons, I think that this was really going above and beyond. We ordered the vegan rice dish and the vegan fries dish. Both were great. The spice on the fries is addictive and I've been craving it since. As we ate, we were offered samples of many of the dishes that were being brought around to guests as well. Overall I'm really impressed with both the food and the service and will definitely be bringing friends around to try the food.

You must check out this place! The food is absolutely delicious! I had the Butter Chicken Vol-au-Vent, and all I can say is just WOW. The flaky pastry, butter chicken and melted cheese complement each-other beautifully. Also, the Chili Paneer is must try! The texture of the crunchy yet creamy paneer is a dream!While you’re there, talk to the bartender about your favorite drink of choice. They have an amazing cocktail menu! Make sure to sip on some “Kamaniwanalaya” or “Brit Made Me Do It”.

Late review. I did attend a work event here in the fall/winter. The best Indian food by far! Love the atmosphere, the drinks are amazing and the owner is super kind.