OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News February 20-26, 2025
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest restaurant openings – virtual, brick-and-mortar, pop-ups, allll the things - and food/drink news in the city. No one does it bigger or better. Watch for the drop every Thursday. #iykyk
🕘 9 min read
The industry continues to transform at breakneck speed. This week closures rival openings (last week featured almost 3x the arrivals), and due to the ever-evolving landscape, businesses continue to change things up.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? Keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start), listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less on the new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates, and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Kensington Market’s seen its share of comings and goings lately. Meet the newest addition, The Harmony Cafe (75 Nassau St.) with more than just java. Also on offer: Pizza. Did you know? It takes over a previous coffee shop’s digs. See closures below for details.
Hey Mississauga, India Paradise has landed at Dixie and Eglinton (5200 Dixie Rd., Unit 8) with an array of rich curries, fragrant biryiani, Indo-Chinese fare and more.
TR Hot Tip: Parkdale’s long-running Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar (1690 Queen St. W.) just added a second concept to the fam. Get in on exclusive soft opening events happening this month and next at Islas Cafe & Bar in Downsview (890 Wilson Ave.).
Jabal Coffee House is all about delivering an “authentic Yemeni coffee experience.” Soft opening kicks off Monday in Mississauga (3515 Odyssey Dr., Unit 63).
Folks in the Queen and Palmerston ‘hood didn’t have to wait long for something to move into Urban Thai’s old stomping grounds, with Thai grub at that. Say hello to Loei Thai Kitchen & Bar (640 Queen St. W.).
Shelby's steady rise across the province continues. Grand opening for the shawarma chain’s branch in Richmond Hill (11000 Yonge St.) gets underway Sunday at noon.
Simple Burger came on the scene December 10, 2021 at Bloor and Christie (735 Bloor St. W.). For those in the Bathurst and Dundas area, SB’s patties are now within reach courtesy of a second outpost (374 Bathurst St.). TR Trivia: Do you remember when the space was Cafe Blu Blu and Campechano Cafe?
Twilight Cafe, the local eatery and board game chain, joined Midtown’s roster (2429 Yonge St.) on Saturday. Bonus: Find mahjong tables, karaoke rooms and sports TV amongst the brand’s new lineup at this and downtown locations.
Uncle Studios (46 Ossington Ave.), THE place for “mid luxury ethically made, eco-conscious basics” that are anything but basic, has a new brick-and-mortar home on the Ossington strip, complete with on-site coffee shop. A jolt of java and dope clothes? See you there. I’ll be the one in the back trying on the The Drop Shoulder Top, The Date Night Mini, the Lovely hat, and The Diner Crewneck obvs.
Peking duck fans, North York has a spot made with you in mind. See: Xihe Peking Duck (7 Bang Ave.).
CLOSED
Davenport Village’s 33 Powerhouse St. was once home to Love Chix and until recently, Century Park Tavern. Psst. Incoming: The second location for Queen and Spadina’s Cheffrey’s Bistro (390 Richmond St. W.).
Lokum arrived in Kensington Market (75 Nassau St.) in 2023.
After 14 years, Max’s Restaurant in Vaughan (1520 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 121) is on the move.
End of an era. Rina and Livio Camarra debuted Mastro's Ristorante Italiano in Downview (890 Wilson Ave.) in 1964. It ran until last year.
Papa John’s Pizza touched down east of Pape (798 Danforth Ave.) in 2018. TR Intel: Moving in, Levande Bakery & BBQ. TR Flashback:. Remember when it was Magic Oven?
Party et Cie got the party started in Leslieville (1112 Queen St. E.) in 2022.
Across the street from Papa John’s, Raftaar Indian Kitchen + Bar (681 Danforth Ave.) came and went.
Last week, Sari Not Sari (1566 Queen St. W.), posted doors were closing. Luckily there’s still time to get in your goodbyes - and dances. Sunday’s the final day.
Selva in The Fifth Group’s enduring patch in The Entertainment District (221 Richmond St. W.) featured South American dishes reimagined with Thai ingredients and flavours by chef Nuit Regular (Chaiyo by PAI, Pai, Sukhothai, and Michelin Recommended Kiin). Stay tuned.
CHANGES
Head’s up: Eastbound Brewery (700 Queen St. E.) has swapped out its offerings. Currently, it’s all about cantina eats and drinks, with signature suds still on deck. In addition, Ish Coffee that set up shop here last summer is no longer part of the lineup.
Kissa (619 King St. W.) launched in July 2023 as a dining destination with listening lounge and karaoke in effect. Now it identifies as a “Dance & Night Club” as per its IG profile. On Google, the website still goes by “Kissa: Restaurant, Cocktail Bar & Lounge in Toronto,” however the restaurant and karaoke room are no longer in operation. For those looking for dining options, King and Portland is overflowing with ‘em. Or you can head to sibling Soluna up on Queen (314 Queen St. W.). This modification to service swiftly follows the conclusion of dining and karaoke across the street at Dasha (620 King St. W.).
Mess Hall continues to shift things around: It’s become one with The Magpie Cakery (1125 Gerrard St. E.).
NEWS
Restaurant transactions were “7.6% higher during GST and HST holiday,” according to a Canadian resto organization.
The latest food recalls: Palm Bites Date Squares recalled due to Salmonella, Swiss Chalet Chicken breast nuggets recalled due to pieces of bone. [UPDATE 21.02.25: Soo Beef Jerky recalled due to undeclared mustard. 22.02.25: Jean Perrin Morbier de Scey and Raclette de Scey (cheeses) recalled due to possible contamination with pathogenic E. coli.]
ICYMI
THIS JUST IN: Earlier this week, I gave you the inside scoop on a burgeoning area for fine dining (See THE TIP OFF - Edition 10). Did you know? A Michelin-awarded restaurant just debuted in a cozy neighbourhood that’s home to a few with similar accolades. Upscale restaurants and steakhouses continue to arrive with gusto - in this instance, right across the street from one another. And the activity on King West continues - with one destination that’s been in the works for years, and another that’s adding to the mix - 11 years later. Listen to the latest edition of THE TIP OFF - Edition 11, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less. p.s. While some items may appear in the OPEN/CLOSED, others will be reported here exclusively for the first time.
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