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.   

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