Julie’s Cuban Restaurant is a well-hidden gem in Toronto’s west end. Tucked in between rows of houses on Dovercourt, you might miss this fantastic eatery if it wasn’t for the old school Coca Cola signage.

From the outside, Julie’s doesn’t look very impressive – it occupies an old house and could very well be mistaken for an actual snack bar. The inside features kitchy red and white tablecloths, Christmas lights strewn about and South American knick-knacks hidden in dimly lit corners.

And though the ambiance might seem quaint, the food is the real reason this place is so beloved. The tapas-style menu boasts several flavourful items; salsa and guacamole, quesadillas, coconut shrimp, plaintains.

They also offer traditional Cuban mains like ropa veija; a dish of shredded seasoned beef, rice, plantins, and beans. The best dish in the house is the peppery corn fritters served with sour cream that are crispy delicious on the outside and chewy and soft in the middle. Certainly worth a try.

Wash it all down with one of their trademark margaritas or mojitos – the strawberry version of the former is my fav. Or you can get your server to to recommend a wine, which they’ll do happily.

Our waitress knew a lot about the list of mostly Spanish wines and was happy to recommend a bottle for us – a medium flavoured Rioja, which was amazing. Our server also knew the menu like the back of her hand and had some great recommendations. And when we mentioned our table was a little small, she moved us to a larger one without complaint.

One thing I noticed is that the menu doesn’t change too often – so you might want to wait between visits. But if you’re ever craving some tropical comfort food, this little snack bar at 202 Dovercourt Road will do a fine job of satisfying your needs.

Vanessa