OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News September 5-11, 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

🕘 10.5 min read

Still reeling from last week’s madness? Hang on tight: This edition is colassal. Introducing 33 destinations with nearly double last week’s arrivals and more closures, thankfully not all permanent.

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

Avenue Cafe + Bistro (198 Jarvis St.) touched down at the corner of Dundas and Jarvis a while back, but opened doors just recently. On offer: An array of coffee, sandwiches, soups, salads, and more.

Bar Serene (656 College St.), the new iteration from previous local Come See Me, brings Asian-inspired tapas, cocktails, and “a late night vibe” including ‘R&B Nights’ with ‘90s AND 2000s R&B’ to Little Italy. TR Pro tip: Still want in on Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken? Head to the rear door for pick up.

Asian-French pastries are at the heart of Mississauga’s new cafe and bakery Barburu (1000 Burnhamthorpe Rd. W.). In addition to croissants and baguettes, discover handheld meals including Butterfly Pea Purple Rice Matcha Cream Cheese Buns, and Drumstick Buns stuffed with bone-in chicken, cheese, corn, and dab of mayo. Grand opening is Saturday.

Bayview Shawarma (1549 Bayview Ave.) is the latest Turkish spot in Leaside, taking over Maurya East Indian Roti’s former space on the Bayview strip with everything from shawarma, döner and tantuni, to baklava and other confections.

TR Newsletter subscribers already know: Andrew McCready's Bickford Brewing Co. in Harbord Village (292A Harbord St.) opens today at 4pm in what was laundromat Harbord Coinwash.

Union Station has been steadily adding to its lineup the last few years. Newsflash: Cannoli Crunch joins Union Market (65 Front St. W.), marking the second outpost for the Sicilian sweets co. on King (850 King St. W.).

Grand opening for The Celtic Irish Pub at Yonge and Davisville (1954 Yonge St., Unit 1) continues- Celebrate 50 per cent off all items today. TR History: This isn’t the first pub in the historic Midtown building. Before it welcomed Nevizade Kitchen + Bar in 2022, it was home to The Wallace Gastropub and Bow & Arrow Pub.

I told you Cereal Box Cafe was on the move. The cereal-infused ice cream shop is now nestled inside Lucky’s Exotic Bodega at Dundas and Ossington (213 Ossington Ave.).

Restaurateur Jen Agg adds General Public (201 Geary Ave.) to the roster, on one of the most popular stretches for food and drink - just in time for one of the biggest events of the year, Geary Art Crawl.

I’ve been tracking acai bowl and smoothie chain Heal Wellness since the beginning. This just in: The third shop just dropped at St. Clair and Bathurst (577 St. Clair Ave. W.).

Psst. Want in on the latest hidden resto? To get in on Island Grill Takeout & Catering’s halal Caribbean cuisine, head to Mississauga’s Dill Pickle Wraps (6435 Dixie Rd., Unit 10) that specializes in sandos with pickles subbed in for buns/bread.

Kajun Chicken and Seafood of Scarborough and Thornhill expands to Riverside east of Broadview (755 Queen St. E.) with its namesake dishes. Did you know? Addy Backstory: After previous occupant Lan Vietnamese abruptly shut down, the space remained empty for quite some time. It was slated to be Mangia & Bevi's “secret” 2.0 outfit M&B, but it wasn’t in the cards.

Lano, the new cafe and wine bar at The Ritz-Carlton Toronto (181 Wellington St. W.), kicked off today just in time for TIFF.

Montreal’s buzzy brunch destination L’Avenue debuted in the 6ix yesterday at The Well (433 Wellington St. W.). With how obsessed this city is with the mimosa-fuelled mid-morning to late afternoon meal and new hotspots, snagging a table may be tricky.

ISO baked goods including crookies - aka the viral croissant/cookie mashup? Head to Lazy Dough at Avenue and Lawrence (1775 Avenue Rd.). Grand opening special: Enjoy 10 per cent off all items until September 8.

I broke the news last month of Mikaku Udon Bar (360 Highway 7 E, Unit 10) moving into Dova’s suddenly shuttered digs almost immediately. Of course if you were a TR Newsletter subscriber, you’d already be on it. Note: Grand opening was originally scheduled for September 1 but was delayed until September 10.

Chinese BBQ, noodles, and beer are the focus at Chinatown’s new Mr. Yes Noodle Bar (456 Spadina Ave⁣.).

Vegetarian pizza chain Mr Singhs Pizza boasts seven locations across the GTA. Grand opening festivities for the Scarborough outpost at Markham and Sheppard (1780 Markham Rd.) take place Sunday.

Novu (266 Lakeshore Rd. E.) is replacing Oakville’s longstanding Borgo Antica. What to expect? New concept, new management, same chef. See for yourself when doors open Tuesday.

Panemor Bakery (129 Queen St. E.) at Queen and Jarvis is stocked with fresh bread, pastries, coffee and gelato.

ATTN Nashville Hot and fried chicken lovers: Chef Aleem Syed’s THG’s Hot Chicken in Scarborough (4830 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 8) is pulling up west side. First in a food truck. Find the hot wheels in a strip mall in Mississauga (4099 Erin Mills Pkwy, Unit 9) this weekend and every Friday through Sunday 11:30am - 1 am until the new place opens.  

Japanese and Malaysian fare come together under one roof at Misssauga's new Tokasu Ramen Laksa Bar (755 Queensway E, Unit 1). Soft opening is Wednesday.

Tut’s Egyptian Street Food started on King West back in 2020 and has been in expansion mode ever since. Oakville gets in on the fun (2460 Neyagawa Blvd.) starting today.

From BBQ Beef Rib on Rice to Lemongrass Grilled Pork Vermicelli with Spring Roll, Vina Lunch Box at Keele and Finch (1181 Finch Ave. W.) is your one-stop-shop for classic Vietnamese cuisine.

CLOSED

After nearly a decade, this weekend marks the final service for Oakville’s Borgo Antica (266 Lakeshore Rd. E.). For who’s moving in, see above.

Following a stint on Kingston Road, Haitian fusion restaurant Boukan moved to Greektown (774 Danforth Ave.) in. 2022. Last day at the Pape and Danforth was August 31. Luckily, reopening plans are in motion and catering services are up and running throughout. TR Intel: It’s about to become halal Korean fried chicken restaurant & bar Sarang Kitchen, the “first sensory-friendly restaurant in Canada” that debuted on Bloor West last year with a ‘no tipping’ policy.

Come See Me (656 College St.) has morphed something else. Pop up top for details.

Meal kit co. Crafty Ramen’s first restaurant in the city launched last year on the Ossington strip (217 Ossington Ave.). The ramen bar ceased operations last month. Locations remain in Guelph and Kitchener.

Friends Butter Chicken (657 Queen St. W.) was a recent addition at Queen and Bathurst. Stay tuned: International Food Garden’s moving in.

The last day to get in your goodbyes at The Goods’ Roncesvalles location (279 Roncesvalles Ave.) is Sunday. This swiftly follows the closure of the original location on Queen.

Nevizade Kitchen + Bar (1954 Yonge St., Unit 1) took over from a pub when it debuted in 2022. Details above.

Simmer Huang arrived in Chinatown (456 Spadina Ave⁣.) Fall 2017.

Korean fusion eatery Té (70 Ossington Ave.) is temporarily closed again, this time due to fire.

NEWS

Today marks the first day wine, beer and RTD (ready-to-drink) cocktails are available at select convenience stores throughout the province.

Food recall UPDATE 09.06.24: Nutrabolics Feed Me Vegan Real Food Protein & Oats Chocolate Coconut recalled due to undeclared milk.

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. 

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.  

News, Open/ClosedStephanie Dickisontoronto restaurants downtown, toronto restaurants with a view, best toronto restaurants, coolest restaurants in toronto, toronto restaurants michelin star, best restaurants downtown toronto, best restaurants in downtown toronto, downtown toronto restaurants with a view, toronto restaurant guide, best restaurants in toronto downtown, best restaurants toronto 2024, michelin star restaurants toronto, best restaurants in toronto, restaurants near me, fine dining toronto, restaurants near scarborough toronto, restaurants near etobicoke toronto restaurants near north york toronto, trendy restaurants toronto, new restaurants downtown toronto, best Italian restaurants toronto, hot new restaurants toronto, new restaurants toronto, hot restaurants downtown toronto, restaurants in toronto, restaurants in toronto area, toronto destination, toronto destinations, toronto Michelin restaurants, bib gourmand restaurants in toronto, restaurants and bars downtown toronto, restaurants and bars toronto, toronto restaurants and bars, toronto restaurant consulting, toronto restaurant consultants, restaurant consulting toronto, digital marketing strategist, digital marketing strategist toronto, toronto digital marketing strategist, best restaurants in downtown Toronto right now, best restaurants in downtown Toronto, toronto restaurants fine dining downtown, toronto restaurant news, Toronto Restaurants Hospitality Consulting Services, Toronto Restaurants Hospitality Consulting Services Stephanie Dickison, new toronto restaurant, restaurant news toronto, toronto food event, new restaurant near me, new restaurants near me, toronto restaurants open, discover Toronto restaurants, hidden gem restaurants toronto, food + restaurant news, toronto food + restaurant news, toronto restaurant news today, toronto restaurant industry, Toronto restaurants 2024, toronto restaurants 2024 toronto, Toronto, toronto drinks, Toronto bars, toronto bars, Toronto restaurant, toronto restaurants, Toronto Restaurants Toronto Restaurants by Stephanie Dickison, Toronto Restaurants Stephanie Dickison, Stephanie Dickison, stephanie dickison, Stephanie Dickison Toronto Restaurants, restaurant consultant, restaurant consultants, restaurant consultant toronto, restaurant consultant in toronto, restaurant and hospitality consultant toronto, restaurant hospitality consultant toronto, restaurant hospitality consultant in toronto, Toronto restaurant consultant, Hospitality consultant, toronto restaurants west end, toronto restaurants east end, toronto restaurants to try in 2024, Toronto Restaurant Consultants, Hospitality Consulting Toronto, Restaurant Consulting, Restaurant & Hospitality Consultant Toronto, Restaurant & Hospitality Consultants Toronto, Hospitality Consultant Toronto, Hospitality Consultants Toronto, MICHELIN Star restaurants in Toronto, MICHELIN Star restaurant in Toronto, MICHELIN Star restaurants Toronto, MICHELIN Star restaurant Toronto, Toronto MICHELIN Star restaurants, Toronto MICHELIN Star restaurant, Best restaurants Toronto, toronto restaurants reddit, affordable toronto restaurants, affordable toronto restaurants 2024, 2024 affordable toronto restaurants, Top 10 restaurants in Toronto, toronto restaurants ossington, @torontorestaurants.co, Instagram @torontorestaurants.co, Toronto Restaurants Instagram @torontorestaurants.co, Social Media Consulting, Social Media Consulting for Restaurants, TR Consulting & Services, restaurant consulting gta, gta restaurant consulting, Toronto restaurant consulting, Toronto Restaurants Consulting, Toronto Restaurants Consulting & Services, Toronto Restaurants Menu Consulting, top restaurants, top restaurant news Toronto, top restaurant news, Toronto top restaurants, top restaurant trends in Toronto, top restaurant news in Toronto, top restaurant news GTA, top restaurant news in GTA, new restaurant in Toronto, new restaurants, new restaurants in Toronto, new restaurants in GTA, new Toronto bakeries, new Toronto bakery, new Toronto beer shop, new Toronto brewery, new Toronto tasting room, new Toronto restaurants, new Toronto restaurant, new Toronto bars, new Toronto bar, new Toronto cafe, ue Cafe + Bistro, Bar Serene, Come See Me, Tokyo Hot Fried Chicken, Barburu, Bayview Shawarma Turkish Cuisine, Bayview Shawarma, Maurya East Indian Roti, Maurya East Indian Roti Cuisine, Andrew McCready, Bickford Brewing Co., Cannoli Crunch, Cannoli Crunch Union Station, Cannoli Crunch Union Station Union Market, Union Station, Union Station stores, Union Station food shop, Union Station store, Union Market Union Station, Union Station food shops, Union Market, Union Station Union Market, Union Station Union Market Cannoli Crunch, The Celtic Irish Pub, Nevizade Kitchen + Bar, The Wallace Gastropub, Jen Agg, General Public, Geary Art Crawl, Geary Ave., Geary, Geary Avenue, Geary restaurant, Geary restaurants, Geary restaurants and bars, Geary bar, Geary bars, bar on Geary, bars on Geary, restaurant on Geary, restaurants on Geary, Heal Wellness, Heal Wellness by Happy Belly, Island Grill Takeout & Catering, Island Grill Takeout & Catering Dill Pickle Wraps, Dill Pickle Wraps Island Grill Takeout & Catering, Dill Pickle Wraps, Kajun Chicken and Seafood, Lan Vietnamese, LAN Vietnamese Restaurant, Lan Vietnamese Restaurant, Mangia & Bevi, M&B, Lano, LANO, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto Lano, Lano The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, LANO The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto LANO, TIFF., toronto cafe, Toronto cafe, toronto cafes, Toronto cafes, wine bars, wine bar, wine bar in Toronto, wine bars in Toronto, Toronto wine bars, Toronto wine bar, Cereal Box Cafe, Cereal Box Cafe Spadina closed, Cereal Box Cafe Spadina, Cereal Box Cafe Ossington, Cereal Box Cafe Lucky’s Exotic Bodega, Lucky’s Exotic Bodega Cereal Box Cafe, Lucky’s Exotic Bodega, L’Avenue, L’Avenue brunch, brunch L’Avenue, L’Avenue Toronto, L’Avenue Montreal, L’Avenue Toronto The Well, L’Avenue The Well, The Well L’Avenue, The Well, The Well restaurant, The Well restaurants, restaurant at The Well, restaurants at The Well, Lazy Dough, Mikaku Udon Bar, Dova, Dova Restaurant, Dova closure, Dova closed, Dova Restaurant closed, Mr. Yes Noodle Bar, Mr Singhs Pizza, Novu, Borgo Antica, Borgo Antica closed, Panemor Bakery, Waterworks Food Hall, Soi Thaifoon, SOI Thaifoon, Soi Thaifoon Waterworks Food Hall, Waterworks Food Hall Soi Thaifoon, Waterworks Food Hall SOI Thaifoon, SOI Thaifoon Waterworks Food Hall, Tokasu Ramen Laksa Bar, Tut’s Egyptian Street Food, Vina Lunch Box, Oakville, Oakville restaurant, Oakville Restaurants, Oakville restaurants, restaurant in Oakville, restaurants in Oakville, Boukan, Boukan Restaurant, Sarang Kitchen, Come See Me closed, Crafty Ramen, Crafty Ramen Ossington, Crafty Ramen Ossington closed, Friends Butter Chicken, Friends Butter Chicken Indian Cuisine, Friends Butter Chicken closed, International Food Garden, The Goods, the Goods, The Goods Queen West, The Goods Queen West closed, The Goods Roncesvalles, The Goods Roncesvalles closed, Nevizade Kitchen + Bar closed, Simmer Huang, Simmer Huang closed, Té, Té Ossington, Te Ossington, Te, wine and beer at convenience stores, wine and beer sold at convenience stores, food recall, food recalls, Food recalls, latest food recalls, latest food recall, toronto restaurant advertising, advertising for toronto restaurant, toronto restaurant marketing, marketing for toronto restaurants, marketing for restaurants, THG’s Hot Chicken, chef Aleem Syed, Chef Aleem Syed, Aleem Syed, Chef Aleem, food truck, food trucks, food truck toronto, food trucks in Toronto, food truck in GTA, food trucks in GTA, food truck in Mississauga, food trucks in Mississauga