OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News December 21, 2023-January 3, 2024
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of 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
🕘 15 min read
The exhaustive list of 60 establishments below - 38 new, 22 closures - actually represents a fraction of the frenzied activity of late, so expect a wild Q1 in 2024.
Note: There will be no OPEN/CLOSED next week, returning January 4, 2024. In the meantime, stay tuned for more articles and posts on social. You don’t want to miss out. Insider tip: Want to be the first to know? Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news and updates.
And reminder for TR Newsletter subscribers: Use your exclusive discount code to stock up on last-minute gifts, stocking stuffers and other great items from Gotamago. And more exciting discounts and offers from other great local spots are coming in the new year. p.s. Want to get in on the fun and promote your business to food-lovers across the GTA? Get started now.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
For drinks, dancing and ‘za, head to Little Italy’s new 4,000 sq. ft. event venue and night club Amore Resto Bar (559 College St.) in BLND TGER Restobar’s stead.
Tired of traipsing around town to a dinner spot then somewhere else for drinks? And/Ore (1040 Queen St. W.) offers a twofer - two spaces, two experiences under one roof: “Picnic-inspired” share plates and snacks on the mezzanine, with seasonal plates and classic cocktails below. (And it’s great to finally have something in the space after all this time. Did you know? The building’s storefront was boarded up for ages - nearly a decade - from 2012 until 2021.)
Atelier Pasta at Queen and Bathurst (167 Bathurst St.) is the latest spot to get in on the current Parmesan wheel pasta trend.
Casa Lugo Mexican Cuisine just launched in The Annex (394 Bloor St. W., Unit 101) and is already receiving rave reviews for its authentic fare. Find it nestled next to new arrival, The Chulo.
Chocolate and Love (96 Dunn St.) arrives in downtown Oakville with organic fair trade Swiss chocolate, just in time for the holidays,
Pizza, beer and cocktails are the focus of Cherry's High Dive (488 Wellington St. W.), taking over Marben’s former stomping grounds.
Indian chai cafe chain Chaiiwala of London continues to expand its footprint across the GTA with a branch in Etobicoke (1780 Albion Rd.). Discover enticing winter warmups including Karak Coffee, Pink Chai, Cinnamon Tea, Garam Chocolate, all day Shakshuka, Desi and English-ish brekkie, and assortment of buns, roll, wraps and bowls.
The focused menu at The Fall Bright Tavern (840 Bloor St. W.) features sophisticated starters (Cauliflower and Tarragon in Pistachio Vinaigrette, Gougères with Mustard Cheese Sauce) and cozy mains (Chicken Stew and Herb Dumplings, Salt Cod and Leek Pie with Frisée) in the space recently home to Little Sito.
Goldstruck Coffee #2 touched down at York and Richmond (133 Richmond St. W., Entrance on York). In addition to the usual suspects, find Vanilla Raf and unique lattes (Halva, Cayenne), with food spanning from savoury (Butter & Leek Croissant, Meat Pies) to sweet (Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf, Marlenka Napoleonky). Fun fact: The brand debuted seven years ago in Yorkville.
Tracking Gong Cha’s movements in the GTA these last few years has kept me hopping, and the international bubble tea chain shows no signs of letting up: Check out their latest boba shops in Oakville (2333 Taunton Rd., Unit 1), North York (320 Wilson Ave.), and Liberty Village (49 East Liberty St., Unit 1).
Psst. Hidden underneath Cherry's High Dive (488 Wellington St. W.) find Goodnight Cocktail Club, previously home to The Cloak Bar.
On the lookout for healthy eats on the go downtown? Green Box at Yonge and Richmond (33 Yonge St.) in Tractor Foods former stead.
Grillies is doling out tacos, burgers, burritos and bowls around the clock at its tenth location: 10626 Bayview Ave. in Richmond Hill.
Hakka Ren (4555 Hurontario St., Unit C2) is so popular in Mississauga, they opened a second. Get in on Yunan Chicken, Kung Pao Beef, Manchurian Tiger Prawns, Szechuan Fried Rice, Hakka Chow Mein, and other offerings at Dundas and Winston Churchill (3145 Dundas St. W., Unit 2).
Introducing Port Credit’s newest eatery, Hello Bangkok (62 Lakeshore Rd. E.), boasting Chef Yod’s Bangkok-style Thai specialties including Labb Tofu, Pad Ga Prao, and if you dare - Southern Suicide.
Perennial bffs Holy Shakes and T.O.’s Kathi Roll Eatery continue their rapid rollout with outposts in Mississauga (Heartland Town Centre 6045 Creditview Rd., Unit F3) and Markham (9830 Markham Rd.).
I gave you head’s up last month Joyous Chinese Cuisine was coming to North York (5505 Leslie St.). Newsflash: Doors are now open.
Swiftly following a recent launch in Vaughan, Kinton Ramen adds to its legion of local noodle shops with a spot at Don Mills and Eglinton (900 Don Mills Rd., Unit 12). Bonus: Enjoy a free gyoza and pop with every ramen purchase at this location until grand opening.
La Ciel, the latest Indian fine dining resto in Etobicoke, does everything from Mirch Baigan Ka Salan to Goat Roganjosh, at Hwy 27 and Finch (6628 Finch Ave. W).
After unveiling its cafe concept in Scarborough last year, Mabu Generation brings their OG Taiwanese fusion resto stacked with deep-fried chicken, Taiwanese style hot pot, and sizzling hot plates to Mississauga’s Golden Square Centre (1177 Central Pky W., Unit 9).
Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine (825 Britannia Rd W.) got underway yesterday. What to expect from the Mississauga destination? “A luxury, multi-sensory culinary experience, inspired by nature.”
Pretzels have been a thing lately. Get your hands on Mr. Pretzels’ freshly baked variety with assorted toppings at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr., Lower Level) next to Cinnabon.
Following a debut in Richmond Hill last year, Pho Anh Vu has expanded all over the GTA recently: Markham/Unionville (8360 Kennedy Rd.), Scarborough (3280 Midland Ave.), and as of December 16, North York at Yonge and Finch (5588 Yonge St.) - Enjoy 10 per discount at this location until December 21. Conditions apply.
Raftaar Kitchen + Bar kicks off today in Greektown in Bar Hop’s recent digs (681 Danforth Ave.) with Indian fusion fare (Chicken Tikka Bao, Butter Chicken Burger, Tres Leches Gulab Jamun Milkcake) alongside more traditional dishes (Dal Makhani, Chicken Korma, Railway Mutton Curry).
In the mood for brunch? Banana Bread French Toast, Guacamole Bacon Burger, and much more await at Ramona’s Kitchen new setup in Richmond Hill at Hillcrest Mall (9350 Yonge St., Unit J005 - Entrance 2) This marks the third location for the local chain, following a launch in Leaside last summer.
Sakana Sushi & Oyster Bar (1450 Clark Ave. W., Unit 12A-14) is the dine-in counterpart for take-out venture Sakana Sushi To Go (7509 Yonge St.), both in Thornhill.
SOSO Tacos & Brews softly opened in Etobicoke (680 Rexdale Blvd., Unit 23). A beer in one hand, taco in the other - what’s not to love?
Tahini's Restaurant has been opening all over but clearly has an affinity for the west end See: Last month’s opening in Meadowvale (6040 Glen Erin Dr.) and Port Credit this month (515 Lakeshore Rd. E., Unit 102).
Shawarma, pides, boxes and wraps are happening at King and Dufferin, thanks to Toronto Shawarma (1210 King St. W.).
I told you Oakville’s The Wine Bar (100 Bronte Rd., Unit 9) was reopening. Find them in their new digs on Oakville’s main drag (2362 Lakeshore Rd. W.).
The northwest corner of Queen and Parliament has seen a lot of movement lately: Afghano Restaurant earlier this year, for a brief time Queen Subs (344 Queen St. E., Unit 1), and now 33’s Delights, the latter which is receiving high praise for everything from their Chicken Tikka Masala to the Aloo Tikki Burger.
CLOSED
Bar Catalina (231 Lakeshore Rd. E.) gave word of its impending closure earlier this month.
Fusaro's East (294 Richmond St. E., Unit 102), the companion to Fusaro’s Italian Kitchen (147 Spadina Ave.) has shuttered after 14 years. DId you know? The family-owned and operated biz was founded 25 years ago.
After nearly a decade, The Gaslight (1426 Bloor St. W.) is closing at the end of the month.
On Saturday, Donut Hive announced the sudden closure of all locations: 724 Lakeshore Rd. E. in Mississauga debuted last year and CF Sherway Gardens a few months ago. The first store opened in 2019 at Square One, then in RBC Path, followed by a number of popup shops. The flagship dropped at Yorkdale in March 2020, but thanks to world events, didn’t get a chance to get off the ground until November 2021. Doors closed this past summer.
The Gem Bar & Grill (1159 Davenport Rd.) is temporarily closed after a grease fire on Sunday. No injuries were reported.
A block of boarded up businesses on Yonge north of Lawrence, many which were fixtures for decades, include restaurants Joy Thai Restaurant (3192 Yonge St.), Noon Eatery (3190 Yonge St.), and Parmigiano (3186 Yonge St.); gelateria Your Gelato (3184 Yonge St.), and health food store Ottway Herbs & Vitamins.
Add ‘Visit Toronto’s smallest brewery Laylow (1144 College St.) by December 24’ to your to-do list.
Plant-based Lyfe Cafe, complete with meditation studio above, opened in Leslieville (998 Queen St. E.) during the pandemic. Doors closed for a final time last month.
Mean Bao’s second location on Bathurst south of Queen (167 Bathurst St.) has come to an end and the space is already home to another concept. Details above.
Like many restaurants these days, Parka Food Co. (424 Queen St. W.) has closed up shop, but luckily it’s not the end for the plant-based biz.
Pizzeria Libretto came to the Junction (3011 Dundas St. W.) during the pandemic. Service winds up Saturday, just before the third anniversary. Four locations in the city remain.
Revelstoke (195 Carlton St.) arrived in Cabbagetown late last year. The Peterborough biz is wrapping up things up here in the 6ix on January 1.
You’ve got until the 31st to get in your last goodbyes at The Rosedale Diner (1164 Yonge St.).
Sempre Pizza and Pasta (3038 Bloor St. W.) started serving the Etobicoke Kingsway community back in 1994. The space about to become Indian and Hakka eatery, The King’s Kurry.
The Social Blend’s Korean-style macarons, dacquoises, and cloud cookies are available at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.) until the end of the month.
Uncle Betty’s (2590 Yonge St.) was a mainstay in North Toronto for over a decade. That’s it for last year’s addition Jane & Dick's Bistro as well. Moving in: Mehfill Indian Cuisine.
NEWS
Palestinian Lebanese pizzeria Levant Pizza (899 Bloor St. W.) called out Uber Eats for listing the restaurant in the Israeli food category. [UPDATE 22.12.23: Beginning January 14, 2024, Uber Eats will “introduce a global Palestinian category on their platform.”]
A sixth death and more than 150 cases has been confirmed in the recent cantaloupe Salmonella outbreak in Canada. [UPDATE 22.12.23: The death toll has risen to seven.]
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