OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News January 16-22, 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
🕘 10 min read
Mid-January can feel like a slog. A good balm? Global grub that don’t break the bank. Good news: That’s what this week is all about. And there’s also a heap of closures and news you need to know.
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
Bloor and Dovercourt’s Arada Bar and Restaurant (965 Bloor St. W.) specializes in Ethiopian and Eritrean eats. p.s. As did the place before it - see closures below.
Patois’ former boîte upstairs, Bar Mignonette, is now home to Ayla (794 Dundas St. W.). Helmed by Patois owners chef Craig Wong and wife Ivy Lam with executive chefs Danvee Kwok and husband Kevin Shawcross, expect Asian fare such as Prawn Toast Okonomiyaki, Char Siu with Bajan green seasoning and cassareep glaze, and Mentaiko Tarama with nori and wild ikura, alongside wine and cocktails. Doors open today.
K-rice porridge chain and “No.1 franchise brand in South Korea” Bonjuk debuts its first Canadian location in North York at Yonge Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St., Unit 119), where Basil Box once stood. On the menu: Juk made to order, including varieties made for babies and toddlers, and an array of Bibimbap. Note: It’s cashless and largely takeout.
Cafe 85 just landed downtown but keeps the momentum going with an outpost opening today in Richmond Hill (280 West Beaver Creek Rd.).
Caribbean Slice’s pizza shop at Queen and McCaul (230 Queen St. W.) has been in the works for a while now. Newsflash: The “first Caribbean themed pizzeria” is now open.
Of course Richmond Hill’s Chill & Co. (9580 Yonge St.) opened a sister concept called Chillax Eatery & Mart (4679 Yonge St.). The new Asian fusion spot is North York offers everything from Eggs Benny to Laksa Hot Pot for Two.
Chinatown’s movement continues with Chinese restaurant Chopfire setting up shop at the corner of Baldwin and Spadina (339 Spadina Ave.). While mild meat, fish and vegetable options are on offer, menu standouts include spicy dishes (Mapo Tofu), and offal selections (Screaming Chicken Gizzards, Spicy Pepper Pork Intestines, Mountain Pepper Beef Tripe) and ones you may or may not be familiar with (Pig-Killing Dishes, Young Ginger Frog).
Korean-style hotdogs have arrived at Yonge and Gerrard (372 Yonge St.) courtesy of Chungchun Rice Dog.
Elements Restaurant (21 Grenville St.) offers a “diverse menu inspired by global flavours and local Toronto favourites.” Think Mozzarella Spring Rolls, Korean Chicken Wings, Steak & Broccoli, and Cheesecake with Blueberry.
Gochu Libre Kantina (815 Bloor Street W.) softly opens tomorrow. The casual Mexican-Korean cocktail bar is courtesy of the folks behind Project Gigglewater and former iteration, Overpressure Club.
Korean eatery Han Kki joins West Queen West (1170 Queen St. W.) in The Goods’ former stomping grounds.
Wednesday marks Day 1 for Jersey Mike's Subs first downtown digs at Union Station (65 Front St. W., Unit 426B). The American chain touched down north of the border in Markham last summer, swiftly followed by a shop in North York.
Indo-Chinese resto Momo Loco Dumplings & Wok has been in expansion mode lately: King West in ‘22 and Sugar Beach just a few months ago. Add Mississauga (5101 Dixie Rd., Unit A6) and Bloor West (810 Bloor St. W.) to the list.
A new destination for cabbage rolls, khinkali, crepes, chebureks, stuffed peppers, pies and other comforting fare available both hot and frozen, has landed in the west end. Multicook, a unique Ukrainian company with over 1.5K locations across the globe that makes handmade items in an open kitchen where preparations are on full display. Discover two new locations: Etobicoke (2340 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) formerly Universal Bakery Ltd. and Roncesvalles (147 Roncesvalles Ave.) in Roncesvalles Fruit Village’s stead.
Introducing Markham’s latest HK cafe: Little Ring Café (7828 Kennedy Rd., Unit 105).
Mexican restaurants are on the rise. Find Rosario's Mexican Cuisine & Fiesta in The Junction (3030 Dundas St. W.) where 3030 Dundas held strong until December 14.
CLOSED
On Monday bar and microbrewery Bar Hop shared the watering hole at Queen and Peter (137 Peter St.) will be closing after a decade. Last day is Saturday, however you can still get in on suds and grub at their haunt nearby at King and Spadina (391 King St. W.).
The Annex’s Casa Lugo Mexican Cuisine (394 Bloor St. W., Unit 101) was a recent addition. Did you know? Another Mexican resto just moved in a few doors over.
Tomorrow’s the last day to visit Liberty Village’s The Craft Brasserie & Grille (107 Atlantic Ave.).
Her Father's Cider Bar + Kitchen (119 Harbord St.) shuts down on Sunday.
Eritrean and Ethiopian destination Maida Restaurant and Lounge (965 Bloor St. W.) may be gone, but the cuisine remains. Details above. TR Trivia: Following the closure of Disgraceland, the addy was also home to The Mask Restaurant And Lounge that launched during the pandemic.
Oh Bombay’s first Toronto site on Grenville (21 Grenville Ave.) launched in 2023. Locations remain throughout the GTA.
Papa Spicy (339 Spadina Ave.) held it down at the corner of Baldwin and Spadina for years. For who’s moved in, see openings above.
Earlier today Saving Grace (907 Dundas St. W.) announced doors are closing February 15. The brunch eatery was a mainstay in Trinity- Bellwoods for 25 years.
NEWS
Pavlos Katsetos died. His businesses included Tasty Restaurant from 1973 to 1992 and Sneaky Dee’s from 1990 to 2025. He was 94 and worked until his 90th birthday.
Graham Braun, co-founder on Ontario’s Monigram Coffee Roasters, died.
AGCO moves to suspend liquor licence of Toronto’s “event and nightlife space” Mister Wolf on Queen West.
Latest food recalls: Milka Bubbly Alpine Milk "Chocolat" recalled due to undeclared hazelnut. [UPDATE 18-01-25: Sweet Cream Mini Patisserie recalled due to Salmonella. 20-01-25: Certain brands of shell eggs recalled due to Salmonella.]
ICYMI
THIS JUST IN: BREAKING NEWS about another big restaurant downtown, intel on the city’s newest hotel, changes at dim sum destinations around town, and exclusive details about an exciting new venture by top Toronto chefs. 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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