OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News February 27-March 5, 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
🕘 12 min read
As the month draws to a close, one thing remains abundantly clear: Staggering changes are underway, with more on the horizon. Thankfully, international eats - mostly of the casual, fun and comforting nature, including those below - are in abundance.
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
Dessert and carb-centric haunts are cementing themselves all over town, including Bready Cafe - the all-day bakery, cafe and patisserie out of Concord. A branch debuted in the Financial District yesterday at First Canadian Place (130 King St. W.), complete with salads alongside sandos, cakes, cookies and other bready goodies.
Smash burgers have arrived at Queen and Shaw, courtesy of The Burger Shop (960 Queen St. W.).
Cheongju Izakaya (598 College St.) join Little Italy’s lineup. The Japanese resto with Korean influences takes over the space recently vacated by Nile River Restaurant.
TR Hot Tip: Aunty Lucy’s has entered the chat again with a new delivery-only venture. Introducing Chieff’s by Aunty Lucy’s with smash burgers, fried chicken and sides via Scarborough (2480 Gerrard St. E.) and Etobicoke (4894 Dundas St. W.) - with four more locations to come. Did you know? It’s named after founder Chieff Bosompra.
The Coffee, a global brand of Brazilian to-go coffee shops fashioned after those in Japan, boasts destinations across the globe including but not limited to Australia, Guatemala, Italy, Armenia, Puerto Rico, Dubai, and Austria. And now the 6ix at King and Strachan (901 King St. W.), with another (387 Front St. W.) launching soon.
Crumbl Cookies has been making its way across the GTA over the last few years. Update: Their signature confections just dropped in Woodbridge (7600 Weston Rd., Unit 23). Grand opening festivities take place tomorrow.
The Fox & Falcon Pub and Wing House (831 Dundas St. W.) set up shop in a former dive bar’s square footage with burgers, wings, ribs and the like.
Gyodong Banjeom (694 Bloor St. W.) offer a myriad of Asian fare including Tteokbokki, Japchae, Maneul Tangsuyouk, and Mul Mandu in K-Town.
I don’t know how many more ways I could have said it: After extensive, expensive renovations, Harbour 60 (60 Harbour St.) reopens Saturday.
ISO Kosher destinations? Look no further than St. Clair West’s new dynamic duo Kosh & Chai, beautifully modern and serene side by side concepts Kosh Restaurant (1034 St. Clair Ave. W.) and Cafe Chai (1036 St. Clair Ave. W.). Both establishments - meat (former), dairy (latter) - are under the rabbinical supervision of Chabad of Midtown.
I’ve been tracking The MoMo House’s journey since the get-go. Newsflash: The Parkdale resto (1422 Queen St. W.) has found a new home, a few doors over (1416 Queen St. W.).
Tatsuro's (1378 Queen St. E.) kicked off in Leslieville earlier this week with “Japanese-inspired brunch.” Think mochi waffles, karaage, and wafu pasta. Do you remember? It was Bespoke Butchers’ addy until last year.
Psst. Tulum Mexican Restaurant (291 King St. W.) just moved in where Mexican eatery Casa Mezcal stood in the Entertainment District - I broke the story on its closure earlier this month. What to expect? According to their OpenTable profile: “a multi-level dining and nightlife experience, bringing the vibrant spirit of Tulum to downtown Toronto. With an authentic Mexican restaurant and bar on the main floor, an elevated supper club on the second floor, and a hidden speakeasy on the third floor, we create an unforgettable journey through Mexican flavors, music, and culture.” Stay tuned.
CLOSED
Before the holidays, The Aviary Brewpub and Longslice Brewery (484A Front St. E.) went public with their search for a buyer. On Saturday, the announcement was made: After seven years in the Canary District, final service for both would be the following day. This marks the latest in a string of breweries that have closed down across the province recently.
Tomorrow is Banu’s last day at 777 Queen St. W., but it’s not the end end. Watch this space.
More than a cafe, Bebop Joes Coffee House (960 Queen St. W.) was a record shop, live music venue, and home for a community of artists, musicians and other creatives and folks. A post last April included, “This isn’t a goodbye, just a see you later.” Finger’s crossed, as the space is home to something completely different now. Details above.
On Sunday The Bullger shared their spot in Greektown (424 Danforth Ave.) has wrapped up after six years. Two locations remain to get in on their patties and extreme concoctions: One not far at Queen and Parliament (348 Queen St. E.), another in Scarborough (116 Ellesmere Rd.).
A slew of businesses closed at the end of last year/beginning of this year without making announcements. My breaking news stories on Casa Mezcal (above), St. Thomas Restaurant & Wine Bar (below), Dasha, and Boehmer as just recent examples. Add beloved watering hole Dundas Video (831 Dundas St. W.) to the list, now home to a completely different concept. Pop up top for details.
After a recent change in ownership, Frankie's Italian (892 Queen St. E.), which started out as Lil’ Baci back in the day, has been marked ‘Permanently Closed’ on Google.
On Monday I told you La Bartola (588 College St. ) was closing. Luckily, there’s still time to visit and get in your goodbyes.
O-neul (694 Bloor St. W.) arrived to Koreatown in 2023. While the space it occupied has been filled - details above - perhaps it’s not for good as their Insta bio states “Temporarily closed.”
Speaking of temporary closures, Indian restaurant and Danforth stalwart Sher-E-Punjab (351 Danforth Ave.) is out of service until April. TR Intel: In addition to permanent closures, I’m keeping tabs on all the places that are closed for right now.
If you’re following TR on Instagram, you got my breaking news first: St. Thomas Restaurant & Wine Bar in Yorkville (23 St Thomas St., Unit 2) closed. Full details here. And if you’re not already following, get on it because you don’t want to miss out on what’s next.
Reminder: Tomorrow’s the last day for Etobicoke’s The Tale Indian Cuisine and Bar.
Venezolano Midtown (2523 Yonge St.) may be a thing of the past, however their Venezuelan fare lives on at the OG on the Danforth (818 Danforth Ave.) and new digs at Union Station (65 Front St. W.).
NEWS
Andrew Sutton, 29, a bartender at The Keg Mansion, died after reported missing for over a week.
Head’s up: More changes are coming to beer pricing, affecting industry and consumers.
Speaking of suds, closures of The Beer Store have ramped up recently, with more to follow by Friday.
Good beer news: Following the recent conclusion of Amadeu’s Restaurant, Burdock Brewery shared on Monday their new Kensington Market location is expanding next door - slated, finger’s crossed, to launch before patio season.
American chain Hooters is reportedly in talks for potential bankruptcy. No word yet on what, if any, effect that will have on Canadian locations, including one downtown in the Entertainment District.
Latest food recalls: Certain Ulker products recalled due to undeclared egg, milk and wheat, Sultan Food Products Fried Falafel with Tahini Sauce recalled due to undeclared peanut. [UPDATE 03.01.25: Hansang frozen fish cakes recalled due to undeclared egg.]
ICYMI
THIS JUST IN: Next-door neighbours and occupants in the same building rule this edition of THE TIP OFF. Inside Edition 12: Yorkville restaurant is changing up more than the decor, a fine dining restaurant expands nearby, the closure of a buzzy destination, the arrival of an exciting new venture from industry pros, and a downtown addition with roots in a city known for its waterfalls. Listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips, and 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.
p.p.s. You’d better get caught up: In just over two months, I’ve reported nearly 60 breaking and exclusive news items in THE TIP OFF alone. That’s in addition to an average of 15-30 establishments I uncover in my weekly OPEN/CLOSED.
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