Paintbox Bistro

Reviews

• Derek R.

  star star star star_border star_border 8 June 2026

  While I really do like this place, it's never open. Weekends it's closed and in the evening it closes at 6pm.
  
  If you're lucky to find this place open, opt for the broccoli Mac and Cheese. Creamy and delicious. The beet burger is also a good option.

• Warren R.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 2 June 2026

  I had originally written a five star review, but I'm now revising it to 1 star and suggesting that people don't visit Paintbox Bistro in the future.
  
  I ordered a breakfast sandwich -- something that ought to take just a few minutes to serve, given that they're pre-made.  The staff -- who were not busy -- completely forgot about it, and after 20 minutes I had to go up to the counter and prompt them.  Another 10 minutes goes by, they serve the sandwich, and it's cold.  I sent it back, and -another- 10 minutes later they still hadn't gotten me what I ordered.  
  
  40 minutes of my life, wasted waiting for a pre-made item that never came.
  
  Okay, whatever, they messed up.  But the reason I'm motivated to come on Yelp and discourage others from giving Paintbox your business, is that the people behind the counter genuinely didn't seem to give a shit.  They behaved like it was an inconvenience.  No warmth or care level whatsoever.
  
  In a city full of places where the servers and wait staff are falling over themselves to be friendly and engaging with their customers, this just doesn't fly.

• Jenn W.

  star star star star star_border 2 June 2026

  As soon as I stepped into Paintbox's airy space, I felt healthier. The restaurant is a mixture of large tables and couches so you can go and read a book or gather a group for a scrum. Set as a quick service restaurant, guests order at the café area and then are provided with a sign so you can sit and wait for the food.
  
  Small eats like pastries are available and then there are a few options that are in between a snack and full on meal. The clumps of meaty brown butter white beans makes the Ontario harvest flatbread ($11) surprisingly hearty and along with the crunchy pumpkin seeds, melted brie, carrot puree, and fresh arugula creates a well toasted flatbread that's filled with flavours and textures. This works great as a shared starter or a main if you're in the mood for a smaller bite.
  
  The mac, cheese & greens ($14) is also rich and creamy, the four cheese sauce balanced by broccoli florets. The kale that's mixed into the pasta gives it an interesting taste - one friend felt it almost tasted like bacon. While I didn't find it overly smoky, the kale was a nice addition to the pasta adding
  an extra flavour and textural element.
  
  What a great idea to wrap the enchilada filling in collard greens instead of a tortilla! Paintbox's enchilada ($14) is stuffed with spicy rice and a protein mixture that gives the filling a ground meat texture. In the end, the creation tastes like a delicious cross between a cabbage roll and enchilada. The roasted pepper coulis and scallion lime aioli were great additions that provided the traditional enchilada flavour but with an extra flair.

• Shailla M.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  I have heard wonderful and spectacular things about paintbox. I thought it was average, delicous, and a little annoying.
  
  The couches although nice, were kind of dirty. There were plenty of stains on them. Big turn off.
  
  The service was so-so.
  
  My boss brought me here and bought me a matcha coconut smoothie , prepared with a paper straw to cut down on plastic I'm guessing. Not 10 minutes after buying the drink did the straw go soggy and was falling
  apart and unraveling. It was kind of gross and really irritating. The smoothie wasn't that great at all taste wise. My boss wasn't at all impressed by the smoothie either.
  
  The dessert we ordered was great and the only good thing about the place. I really enjoyed the dessert. We also ordered fries which were alright. Nothing spectacular but still good.
  
  Probably won't go back here. I didn't think it was worth the money.

• Tony S.

  star star star_border star_border star_border 23 May 2026

  Message to the owners: I want you to succeed, and currently I don't think you're on the right path.
  
  I think the location and philosophy of your restaurant is great, and it's commendable that you took a chance in this up and coming neighbourhood.  However the food experience needs to move up to meet the standards of the rest of the place.
  
  I ordered the fish curry, cashier had no idea what's in it, which is a red flag. Ordered anyway and was very disappointed.  The saffron rice had some roasted black rice on it, very hard to chew and not pleasant or palatable. The curry was passable but I finished it in 2 minutes and didn't have any chick peas as the cashier guessed it would. There is no love in the sauce, very one dimensional and I'll guess it's not scratch.
  
  My partner ordered the burger, another sad looking dish. The meat was well well well done and topped with American "cheese," which I don't know how it fits with your overall food philosophy.  The donut bun was atrocious, greasy and hard.  Kale salad was tasty but store bought croutons.
  
  I want you to step up the game, I'll come back in a few months and hope the food is better.