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

In case you missed it, a LOT happened over the holidays. And as predicted, in addition to new ventures, the closures are ramping up - nearly as many as arrivals this week.

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

ISO a new dim sum destination? Markville Mall’s Auric King (5000 Hwy 7) takes over the space that was forever The Pickle Barrel before doors closed in 2023.

North York’s seafood-centric Crab Boil (2590 Weston Rd.) is already a big hit with diners.

Dystopia (1704 Queen St. W.), Parkdale’s newest bar and live music venue, moves in where Tonight Bar stood until recently.

Sinaloa Factory, aka your Mexican sushi headquarters, just launched El Mitote at College and Dufferin (1136 College, St.), with what they’re calling the “best Mexican pizzas in Toronto.” Selections including Birria, Carnitas, Rock Shrimp, and Nachos with Chicken will no doubt draw a crowd. TR Pro Tip: If you listened to THE TIP OFF, you’d already be in the know.

All-day haunt Fabcafe lands in The Junction (2865 Dundas St. W.) with modern, pretty-in-pink interior and a swing for those days where you need an extra pick-me-up: aka January.

Fish With You debuted in Markham (3229 Highway 7, Unit 10) on Saturday. The “most popular sauerkraut fish restaurant in North America” has grand opening specials on until the end of the month. TR Trivia: Boasting 2.5+K locations around the world, the first Canadian location opened in B.C. in 2023. This marks the first in Ontario.

I gave you the skinny on Ibushi on my new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST last month. For those just catching up: Omakase restaurants are as ubiquitous as steak houses, Sambas and soft wavy perms right now. Hot Tip: Ibushi is touching down at a plaza in Markham soon. Expect a seasonal sushi omakase experience "rooted in tradition, redefined by diversity" by chef Hiroki Takai. To nab a spot at the 16-seat counter, you’ll have to act fast: Soft opening  at Commerce Gate (505 Hwy 7, Unit 76) begins January 7. Bonus: Enjoy $50 off your experience from January 7 through to February 15.

Speaking of Japanese fare, I gave you the inside track on Kokoro Japanese Sushi House coming to Harbord Village (73 Harbord St.) in October. UPDATE: Doors are now open.

Pears Restaurant in Markham (170 Enterprise Blvd., Unit J105) celebrated soft opening on Sunday. The eponymous Asian eatery by chef Keith Pears kicked off Glass Kitchen around this time last year in Thornhill.

Discover Haydari, Albanian Liver, Turkish Trotter Soup, Shrimp Shish, Butcher’s Meatball, Iskender Kebab and other delicacies at Sophia Turkish Restaurant (302 Eglinton Ave. W.).

CLOSED

I broke the story this weekend: Fine dining Indian restaurant Barkat (712 Queen St. W.) has shuttered. It made a splash when doors opened on Queen West in Summer 2023 with a tasting menu boasting elements of molecular gastronomy and other modern touches, served in a sleek, stylish setting.

What a way to start the new year. On January 1st, Scarborough’s Barans Turkish Cuisine & BBQ (2043 Eglinton Ave. E.) announced permanent closure after seven years. 

Last day to celebrate eight years of The Junction’s Famous Last Words (392 Pacific Ave.) is Saturday.

Isabella’s Donuts, home of “the world’s best mochi donuts” and “Canada’s original mochi donut” shared their pop-up at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) came to a close Sunday. Numerous locations remain throughout the city.

Word came today that’s a wrap for INK Entertainment and Scale Hospitality’s sea-to-fork venture on King West, Pink Sky (480 King St. W.). Stay tuned for INK’s “progressive cocktail bar” slated to open in its place Spring 2025, led by new Beverage Director Robin Goodfellow, co-owner of VELA, with food by chef Stuart Cameron who has worked with INK on and off for years including Byblos, Patria, and former ventures such as Mira and NAO Steakhouse. Did you know? Cameron opened Azhar Kitchen + Bar on Ossington with restaurateur Janet Zuccarini during the pandemic, and months later, his own joint - Spanish-inspired Bocado in PEC in 2021.

Shiba Poke, the “first Shiba Inu theme restaurant in Canada” with Korean- inspired boba tea and Hawaiian poke bowls in the shape of the Japanese hunting dogs, appears to have come to an end: The location at College and Dovercourt (954 College St.) is now well-received Vietnamese eatery +84 Cafe (aka Dialing 84) that opened last April, and the first location that touched down in Bloor West Village (245A Kennedy Ave.) in 2021 has been marked ‘Permanently Closed’ on Google.

I’ve been reporting on the city’s comings and goings for eons - it’s rare to see a business with a similar name move in. See what I mean in what was previously Sophie's Dine-in and Takeout was at Eglinton and Avenue Rd. (302 Eglinton Ave. W.).

NEWS

ATTN Industry: New year, new regulations. Get up to speed on what’s required now.

ICYMI

THIS JUST IN: A new omakase destination just arrived - and it’s NOT downtown. Burlesque in Greektown? And there’s cake? Speaking of dessert, get in on the latest spot for tiramisu and other Italian must-haves. Hot tip: This Mexican item is about to take over your fyp. (Hint: It’s NOT tacos.) And when are these big steakhouses set to launch? Listen to the THE TIP OFF - Edition 4, 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. 

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.   

Subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and wherever you watch/listen to podcasts.

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Support independent food publishing.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch. 

Need help promoting your business? Get started now. 

We should work together.

Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below.