OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News February 6-12, 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
🕘 11 min read
My coverage has always included establishments beyond the downtown core (but you know I’ve got that covered too) because good food extends to all corners of the GTA. Case in point: This edition, for one. With a third of this week’s arrivals in Scarborough, and destinations across the map including Mississauga, Richmond Hill, Bloor West Village, North York, and other spots in and out of the city centre, you’ve got plenty of drool-inducing options (aka excuses) to visit new eateries and try dishes and experiences outside your go-tos.
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
Dosas are just part of the extensive lineup at ever-expanding South Indian vegetarian restaurant chain, Annalakshmi. See for yourself at their new digs in Scarborough (250 Alton Towers, Cir C8).
The Ballroom Bowl just debuted a second outpost downtown at Yonge and Bloor, and the good times continue to roll: Introducing BB’s third bowling destination down the street at the corner of Yonge and Dundas (The Tenor, 10 Dundas St. E.).
For Vietnamese-inspired sandwiches and bubble tea in Bloor West Village, visit Banh Mi Khong (12 Jane St.).
There’s a new grocer in the west end and it’s unlike any other. Bearys Supermarket (2273 Dundas St. W., Unit 8) brings Mangalorean ingredients and prepared foods to Mississauga by way of groceries and pantry essentials, fresh Halal meat, baked goods, and more. Grand opening festivities take place Tuesday.
Social enterprise cafes and eateries are on the rise. Introducing the latest: Blob Café in Richmond Hill (21 Granton Dr., Unit 11), “a celebration of neurodiversity, inclusion, and community,” brought to you by Autism In Mind (AIM) next door. Purchasing their coffee, cookies, and greeting cards empowers “neurodivergent individuals to gain valuable job skills and independence.”
Cafe Tea Talks (69 Lebovic Ave., Unit D113) just landed in Scarborough. What to expect at the Malabar restaurant? Authentic Kerala fare “where every bite tells a story.”
Choice Indian Restaurant began its journey in Ahmedabad in 1979. Since then, it’s grown to 12 locations across India and a handful across the GTA. Scarborough, it’s your turn (200 Bellamy Rd. N. Unit 1-2). Dig into Desi style pizza, Indian burgers, sandwiches, falooda, and more. TR Trivia: A Mississauga branch (5150 Dixie Rd.) launched last summer with more to come including Barrie, Brampton and London.
Authentic Hyderabadi flavours are the focus of Deccan House in Scarborough (19 Lapsley Rd.) On the menu: Halal kebabs, biryani, etc.
Chinatown has a new multi-storied event space, complete with underground gallery and rooftop patio. See: Evnt202 (202 Spadina Ave.) boasting a lineup of DJs, comedy shows and other fun activities.
Hanoi Bites is all about Northern Vietnamese fare. Think signature bánh mì and desserts. Find them in their new setup at Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.), a venue that despite being months old, continues to welcome new vendors on the regular.
Masrawy Egyptian Kitchen in Mississauga (2275 Britannia Rd. W., Unit 1-2) expands its offerings with nearby The Local by Masrawy Kitchen (2275 Britannia Road West,Unit 20) - a cafe, butcher, and market under one roof.
I was the first to report it back when. For those just catching up: Piano Piano is in serious expansion mode. East enders are getting one to call their own - where Gare de l’Est resided at Dundas and Carlaw (1190 Dundas St. E.) - and the local pizzeria/restaurant chain recently moved west side, taking over the kitchen at Café Paradise next to Paradise Theatre. p.s. And soon, a few doors over at 4 Westmoreland Ave., which is the same addy for Osteria Rialto and Bar Rialto, the former swish Italian joints on the other side of the theatre. Psst. Doors open Saturday.
ISO a fine dining Turkish experience? Rumeli Restaurant (4700 Dufferin St., Unit 6) is a striking new addition in North York. Grand opening kicks off Saturday at 2pm.
Hot on the heels of a debut at Union Station, Shake Shack moves into Yorkdale (3401 Dufferin St.) on Wednesday filled with smash burgers, crinkle cut fries, milkshakes and other signature fast food. Did you know? This marks the third store in the GTA in a matter of months for the American burger chain.
The motto of Simply South? “Five states, one table.” Head to Scarborough (2901 Markham Rd., Unit 17 & 18) to discover authentic fare from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana.
CLOSED
On Tuesday, Celeste, Elizabeth and Rui Gonçalves shared news on Tuesday that Amadeu's Restaurant (184 Augusta Ave.) has come to an end. The Portuguese restaurant was a staple in Kensington Market for 36 years.
On Saturday, the owners of The Junction’s Chuckleberry Emporium and Chuckleberry Trading Co. (3054 Dundas St. W.), Stuart O’Hara and Charles Veysey, announced doors have closed. The duo launched Chuckleberry Trading Co. in 2020, followed by the storefront Chuckleberry Emporium in 2023, offering an array of condiments, pantry items and prepared foods. Stay tuned, as the message reads in part: “We will be taking some time to figure out what's next and are excited for what could be around the corner.”
Ghazale Restaurant (504 Bloor St. W.) held strong in the Annex for 30 years before doors closed. (Their juice bar next door closed during the pandemic.) Luckily, three restaurants remain open: Two close by - Walmer and College St - and one further west on Lake Shore.
Korean restaurant chain Kai Chi’s site in Bloor West Village (2322 Bloor St. W. has wrapped up.
Nosh Cafenio’s stay in Greektown (563 Danforth Ave.) was brief.
TR Watch: It’s not just restaurants that are shuttering left and right. Breweries across the province are having to close up shop: In recent weeks, Ottawa’s Conspiracy Theory Brewing, and Hamilton’s oldest public house and brewery, The George Hamilton Restaurant & Brewery.
NEWS
On Sunday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the LCBO would remove American products from shelves. In addition, “As the only wholesaler of alcohol in the province, LCBO will also remove American products from its catalogue so other Ontario-based restaurants and retailers can’t order or restock U.S. products.” A day later, as the tariffs were postponed, the U.S. items remained on the shelves. Effective Tuesday February 4, these products from the U.S. are subject to 25 per cent tariffs.
After a lengthy closure for extensive renovations, reservations for swanky steakhouse Harbour 60 (60 Harbour S), are now open for March, with grand reopening taking place March 1st.
Latest food recalls: Cucina & Amore Pesto Alla Genovese Basil recalled due to undeclared Brazil nuts, milk, and pine nuts; David Roberts Gourmet Nut & Honey Mix recalled due to undeclared wheat and sesame.
ICYMI
THIS JUST IN: Fusion is the name of the game at this new spot downtown, Mississauga’s about to get a resto that’s anything but casual, comfort food and cocktails by a local hospitality group is touching down somewhere familiar, psst - a popular destination is expanding its footprint just outside the city, and there’s still time to visit a long-running eatery before doors close. Listen to the latest edition of 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. 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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