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

Good news: For anyone with a sweet tooth, this one’s for you. This might be the most cookie-centric edition ever. Lean more savoury? Loads of options await you too. Bad news: The closures, including temporary ones, are coming at a quick clip, and this week, nearly as many as new additions.

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

I introduced you to Bad Egg last summer. Newsflash: The Korean egg drop sando biz just added a spot in The Beaches (2214 Queen St. E.), with grand opening celebrations taking place November 1-6.

Boutique Bar had to leave 506 Church St. behind in 2022 due to condos moving in. Tonight marks the first day in their supreme new home down the block (553 Church St.) featuring three distinct floors - visit 1 and 2 for cocktails, head up to the top on weekends for ‘Disco Paradise.’

Stellar skate/coffee shop Brockton Haunt (1158 College St.). is so close to the OG and has a bar now. Win-win-win(e). See you there.

The Burrito Bros. brings its namesake dish along with tacos, quesadillas, nachos, supreme cheesy fries, milkshakes, and more to Bloor and Landsdowne (1316 Bloor St. W.).

Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.) just arrived on the scene with a large roster, but there’s much more to come, starting with a Courage Cookies pop-up in full effect.

The menu at Cosmic Pizza & Donair (233 College St.) features globally-inspired ‘za (Greek, Mexican, and Butter Chicken, to name just a few), accompanied by an assortment of donairs, wings, salads, poutine, and sides.

I’ve been covering the expansion of Craig’s Cookies since the get-go and founder Craig Pike hasn’t slowed down one bit - Doors open at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St., Level 1 near Queen Street Entrance) on Saturday at 10am, with Bloor West Village up next. Watch this space.

Speaking of cookies, popular American co. Crumbl entered the Ontario market last year and added a second one, also in Mississauga, less than a year later. Their first dessert destination in the 6ix kicks off tomorrow at The Well (422 Front St. W.).

Global chains are making their way to the Great White North in droves. Introducing the latest: British kebab and bowl biz I Am Doner. Founded by chef Paul Baron in 2016, the eateries have grown to seven branches in the UK and ghost kitchen in Dubai. The first shop in Canada debuts Monday at Queen and Spadina (433 Queen St. W.), with more on the way. Note: Think you’re getting an exact replica of the UK menu? Think again. As per the website regarding the Toronto outpost: “We’ve adapted our recipes to cater to local tastes.”

Ontario vegan fast food chain Odd Burger - formerly known as Globally Local - arrived here in 2021 with plans to slowly expand. That’s all about to change: Scarborough (4549 Kingston Rd.) drops Saturday, with a site at Church and Dundas (229 Church St.) slated for the end of next month. As for Broadview and Danforth? Still loading….

Looking to add a fun activity to dinner/drinks? Head to the city’s newest ping pong bar, Par-Tee Pong in the Entertainment District (26 Duncan St., 2nd Fl.) above sibling Par-Tee Putt.

The influx of lounges and nightclubs downtown continues with Penthouse 17 premiering tonight on the third floor above Chambers Steakhouse & Supper Club that debuted near Yonge and King (17 Toronto St.) earlier this year.

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday I was just telling you about a new Pizza Karachi? Yes it was. Another one - store seven - just touched down at Queen and Spadina. (465 Queen St. W.) Did you know? It takes over one of the three neighbouring spaces I broke the story about last summer.

Daniel Stubbe’s renowned German chocolate shop Stubbe Chocolates left its longtime digs on Dupont for St. Clair and Wychwood (653 St.Clair Ave. W.). Doors are now open, just in time for the holidays.

Terima Coffee + Pantry Bar is serving up coffee and pastries in the heart of downtown at Queens Park (78 Queens Park) and near U of T (233B College St.), next-door to Cosmic Pizza (details above) and The Self Ramen Bar that arrived earlier this year.

TR Newsletter subscribers got The Wych (1150 Davenport Rd.) intel first last summer. Newsflash: The Wychwood bar, bistro and apothecary softly opened yesterday, taking over from previous occupant, Alberta Avenue Provisions. Coming soon: Food and the cafe side of things.

CLOSED

The Burrito Bros. made a brief stopover in the Beaches (2214 Queen St. E.) however has already set up shop in the west end. Details up top.

Casa Mezcal moved into Smith’s former digs (553 Church St.) for a brief period. The Mexican eatery’s original location on King remains. For what’s in Church/Wellesley Village now, see above.

After changing hands in 2020, and again in Fall ‘23, Farmhouse Tavern (1627 Dupont St.) in the Junction Triangle has wrapped up service. Stay tuned: A new concept in the works.

Peruvian resto Mira (420A Wellington St. W.) has been temporarily closed for a while now. Update: The space will be ANIML Steakhouse & Cocktail Den as of Friday November 15.

I was the first to report Noce (875 Queen St. W.) has closed for now. The restaurant across from Trinity Bellwoods Park has been in operation since 1994 and has gone through a few iterations including Noce 2.0, followed by Bar Noce in 2019.

It’s official: Shenanigan’s Pub + Patio (11 St Clair Ave. W.), the O&B joint that launched in 2021, has permanently shuttered after being temporarily closed for eons. Psst, Pro tip: If you followed TR on IG, you’d already know. TR History: Predecessor Scallywags was a fixture there for 23 years before shutting down Summer 2020.

Shuck It and Sea’s iykyk shipping container behind the hair salon in the east end (638 Queen St. E.) that was briefly home sweet home has ended. Pop-ups and other events continue.

Queen and Niagara stalwart since 1988, Squirly's (807 Queen St. W.) is coming to a close. The local haunt known for its fresh, reasonably priced fare, local craft brews and other librations winds things up Saturday November 16.

Vit Beo’s time at Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.) may have come to an end, but their OG spot in Bloorcourt (858 Bloor St. W.) remains open to serve you. TR Pro Tip: Don’t feel like leaving the house? Whip up a batch of their addictive coleslaw.

I can’t remember a time before 151 Convenience, aka My 151 Convenience (151 Barton Ave.), nestled in Seaton Village across from Christie Pits Park.

Michelin Recommended 156 Cumberland (156 Cumberland Ave.) is moving. Last day at the Yorkville addy is Christmas Eve.

Head’s up: The last day to get in on live music/event/pinball venue 3030 Dundas West (3030 Dundas St. W.) that’s been a part of The Junction since 2012, is Saturday December 14.

NEWS

Attention hospitality: As of January 1, 2025, the City of Toronto is implementing changes to licensing and zoning bylaws for restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

As of today, the Province permits all “eligible” grocery and big-box grocery stores to sell alcoholic beverages including beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages, and large pack sizes, to boot.

However you feel about bike lanes, one thing’s for certain with their upcoming removal: Food delivery is going to be impacted.

The name ‘Pearsonlicious’ says it all.

The latest food recall: Country Traditions Frozen Food Outlet Homestyle Waffles recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes. Johnsonville Smoked Beef Sausages and Smoked Beef Cheddar Cheese Sausages recalled due incorrect best before date. [UPDATE 11.01.24: Various brands of bread and buns recalled due to pieces of metal.] Speaking of recalls, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. an Ontario facility processing plant-based milk was not adhering to Health Canada’s policies on listeria prevention.

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

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