OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News June 27-July 3, 2024

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

Every so often a theme emerges in my weekly findings. At times, movement in a certain geographical area is the determining factor. Periodically, it’s due to particular cuisines or concepts. This edition? Undeniably driven by coffee, cookies, cafes, and baked goods. See: 13 places to get your fix. Pretty sweet, right? It gets better. Introducing 20+ other destinations for everything from jerk chicken to ramen, with spots for ice cream added in for good measure.

Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Montreal boulangerie and cafe Au Pain Doré arrived in the 6ix less than two years ago and has already racked up nine locations in the GTA - largely landing in the Financial District, markets and malls. For the newly opened APD teeming with croissants, sandwiches, salads and more, head to Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr., Level 2, Entrance 7).

While Bad Egg (294 Richmond St. E., Unit 102) dubs itself “Canada’s leading Korean egg drop specialist,” and punny egg sandos abound (Meat My Lover, Get Laid), menu selections goes beyond brekkie with burgers, bao, kimchi bowls, tacos, Shrimply Irresistible Rice, and the like. Bonus: Vaughan’s Juice To Go is on-site. TR Trivia: The addy was home to Fusaro’s East until recently.

Nabbing a coveted spot in the city’s historic St. Lawrence Market (South Market, 92-95 Front St. E., Unit UL44), Blackbird Baking Co. launched Tuesday. Did you know? The space was just vacated by Sausage King, the offshoot of recently shuttered butcher chain Bespoke Butchers.

Speaking of bread and pastries, Leaside’s Bomou Artisanal Bakery expands to Rosedale for their second boulangerie and patisserie (1075 Yonge St.).

Burgers and drinks in an upscale setting are what’s on the agenda at Oakville’s Bo.Vine Burgers & Bar (2051 Winston Park Dr.).

Psst. In search of late night sandys and bar snacks? Coire kicks off tomorrow at Parkdale haunt Danu Social House (1237 Queen St. W.).

Cold Beans at Harbourfront Centre (225 Queens Quay W.) is the coffee and ice cream pop-up your summer needs.

Local cookie empire Craig’s Cookies makes its Scarborough debut Saturday at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr. Upper Level).

On the subject of cookies, American operation Crumbl entered the Ontario market last year in Mississauga’s Heartland Town Centre (5985 Rodeo Drive, Unit 1A) and it appears ‘Sauga just can’t get enough: Store two touched down at Dixie and Dundas (1482 Dundas St. E., Unit 6).

Canadian chain Earls opens tomorrow at King and Portland (601 King St. W.) in celebrity chef Susur Lee’s former stomping grounds, down the street from its King and University outpost (150 King St. W., Unit 100) - but you knew that already.

Cycling enthusiasts and coffee lovers convene under one roof at Oakville’s new Flyspin indoor cycling studio and cafe (302 Lakeshore Rd. E.).

In the east end, Flying Squirrel Motorcycle Club Cafe Leslieville (1347 Queen St. E.) at Flying Squirrel Motorcycle Co. supplies bikers and java junkies a summer trifecta of coffee, croissants, soft serve.

ISO ice cream in the west end? Ice Cream’s Ice Cream in The Junction Triangle (1607 Dupont St.) does regular and non-dairy options seven days a week. Pro tip: Start with the Black Sesame Oreo and Dockside Cappuccino. And check them out in TR’s Ultimate Guide to Ice Cream + Frozen Treats.

I’ve been tracking Midnight Cookie’s every move since it kicked off on Eglinton in 2021 and moved a few blocks away not long after. The journey continues with the first downtown location landing in Koreatown (363 1/2 Clinton St.) in Grandmama's Waffles previous digs.

Neo Coffee Bar at First Canadian Place in the PATH (The Exchange Tower, 130 King St. W., Unit CS12A) takes you from coffee and pastries to cocktails and tapas in one fell swoop.

Nutmento Caribbean Grill (936 Gerrard St. E.) settles down near Gerrard Square with everything from Jerk Chicken, Cajun Fish, Curry Goat, and Oxtail available in a variety of ways including Bikkle Bowls and Dhal Roti. p.s Don’t forget the cheese fries or poutine.

Osmow’s shawarma and Mediterranean fare is on offer at over 175 locations. Liberty Village (167 E Liberty St.) joins the roster.

Elevated, reimagined ramen is the name of the game at Ramen x Remix (424 Queen St. W.), taking over what was Parka Food Co. just west of Spadina.

Toro Toro Sushi + Poke has spent the last few years in expansion mode. Update: Discover the fourth branch in Scarborough at Midland and McNicoll (2190 McNicoll Ave. Unit 109). Doors open tomorrow at 6pm with 1,000 free poke bowls - One per person.

Uncle Testu, the chain that started the wave of Japanese-style cheesecake in the city back in 2015, extends its dessert lineup to Yonge and Sheppard (4909 Yonge St).

The frenzied influx of food halls continues. Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.) debuts Wednesday with a slew of familiar faces and new entries: Aburi Sushi, The Arepa Republic, Dave’s Genuine Deli & BBQ, Harry’s Charbroiled, Island Oysters, Karak, Musoshin Ramen, Otto’s Berlin Döner, Pizzeria Popolo,** Scooped by Demetres, Sobr Market, Soi Thaifoon, Taco Lupita, Vit Beo, Waterworks Bar by Boxcar Social, and Waterworks Events. Coming soon: Civil Works by Civil Liberties and Liu Loqum Atelier, with Grape Witches set to open Fall ‘24. Bonus: Two patios await. And stay tuned for a closer look. **Owned by Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, the real estate development company behind the project and restoration of the historic building. Fun fact: Next door to the food emporium - Celebrity chef Susur Lee’s eponymous eatery, Lee Restaurant (499 Richmond St. W.) that moved on from King West in Spring ‘23 and plopped down at Richmond and Augusta last summer.

Fans of XO BIsous didn’t have to wait long to get their hands on chef Genna Steckel’s baked goods. Doors opened yesterday (572 St. Clair Ave. W.) in what was longstanding Da Maria Pizzeria & Dining Lounge.

CLOSED

After serving generations for decades, But N’ Ben Scottish Bakery in Scarborough (1601 Ellesmere Rd.) and Whitby (3500 Brock St. N.) have come to an end.

Cafe Con Leche Espresso Bar in the Junction Triangle (1571 Dupont St.) wraps up service on Sunday.

Café Plenty’s Greektown location (389 Danforth Ave.) may be gone, however three locations remain.

Coco Chocolates (365 Jane St.) has moved on from Baby Point after 12 years but it’s not the end of their crafted organic chocolates.

Bad new: Sunday marks the last day of Millie Patisserie & Creamery’s current location (12 Oxley Street, Unit 101). Good news: Christinn Hua’s dessert creations can still be yours.

Knife Toronto (803 Dundas St. W.) is on the move, back to Queen West.* In the meantime, keep an eye on Knife Truck’s summer schedule. TR Flashback: Climbing the steep staircase above Romni Wool at Queen and Palmerston (658 Queen St. W., 2nd Fl.) to check out Eugene Ong’s knife collection in a tiny room in 2010.

Phamilyeats arrived at Laird and Eglinton (858 Eglinton Ave. E.) July ‘21. The last day to get in on Peter Pham’s patties and pot pies at the shop is July 28. It turns out neighbour Ekkayees closed up last month with its Kerala eats set to launch in Scarborough. Five vendors of East York Eats collective remain: Bear’s Bubble Tea, Conspiracy Pizza, Immah Coffee, Loz Shawarma, Macarons & Mint. TR Trivia: After the space was longtime occupant The Taste of Sushi, Conspiracy Pizza took over in 2021 with other concepts added: Churnt Up a week later (doors shuttered last year) and Midnight Cookie (since relocated to Leaside and downtown - details above). In 2022 other ventures followed including Bao is Life and Southern Crown Caribbean Smokehouse.

CHANGES

Relative newcomer Astoria in The Great Hall (1087 Queen St. W.) now goes by Gloria.

NEWS

Award-winning luxe Chinese restaurant Mott32 is set to launch at Shangri-La Toronto July 25.

It’s official: Top Chef is coming to Hollywood North for Season 22 with esteemed judges Tom Colicchio, Kristen Kish, and Canuck Gail Simmons.

According to the Toronto outpost, Hooters here will not be affected by the recent closures in the U.S.

AmEx, which already has restaurant reservation platform Resy under its belt, is scooping up another - Tock for a cool $400M.

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

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

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

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

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