OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News April 10-16, 2025
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 min read
Expansions, additions and one-off Japanese ventures rule this week’s arrivals, with more closures to add to your list.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? Keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start), listen to THE TIP OFF, a supplement to my OPEN/CLOSED featuring breaking exclusives, sneak peeks, hot tips + the week’s top stories and events like you’ve never seen - or heard - before in 3 minutes or less on the new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates, and subscribe to the TR Newsletter.
Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
It’s not long ago that Patria reopened, so the latest iteration came as a surprise to many. Beso by Patria (478 King St. W.) debuted today. I got a sneak peek before doors opened. Follow on IG to check it out.
Gusto 54’s Café Zuzu in Regent Park (555 Dundas St. E.) is adding to its repertoire with a new location and pizza. Introducing Cafe Zuzu Pizzeria at Kitchen Hub Castlefield in York (1121 Castlefield Ave.). Grand opening was Tuesday.
The Coffee made its entry to Toronto mere weeks ago. Psst. A second shop just dropped at Front and Spadina (387 Front St. W.) with more on the way. Watch this space.
Local breakfast/brunch chain Eggstatic launched in Leaside in 2018 and has been expanding across the GTA ever since. For those in Scarborough, good news: Grand opening for an outpost south of Sheppard (235 Consumers Rd.) is happening Saturday.
I’ve been tracking Hale Coffee’s every move since the get-go. And the momentum continues with an HC at Yonge & Adelaide (1 Adelaide St. E.), in effect as of Tuesday.
I introduced you to JABS (Just Another Burger Spot) pop-up and owner/chef Janrikk Millan in my acclaimed chef series, At The Pass in 2021. The first permanent location landed at St. Clair and Wychwood (630 St. Clair Ave. W.) the following year. PSA: For those north of the city, a Vaughan destination opens today in Woodbridge (4585 Hwy 7 W).
Ju-Raku has been on my watchlist for years. The Japanese restaurant softly opened Sunday in a sweeping space (roughly 4,500 sq. ft.) at the front of Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave., Unit 101), where Oliver & Bonacini Café Grill held court for two decades. What to expect? “Upscale teppanyaki and sushi experiences under one roof.”
Molkagtez touched down in Parkdale (1263 Queen St. W.) not long ago. Find their latest addition in Port Credit (89 Lakeshore Rd. E.) where Fired Up BBQ stood. Grand opening is this Saturday and Sunday.
East Chinatown has a new destination for Indian takeout: See Mustard Garden (635 Gerrard St. E.), replacing a short-lived ramen venture.
Kensington Market’s steady movement continues with the arrival of Nina's Brunch Restaurant (238 Augusta Ave.) in Big Fat Burrito’s former digs, accompanied by everything from pancakes and waffles to Nashville hot chicken sando and avocado toast.
I’ve covered every restaurant of Chef Nuit and Jeff Regular’s since their first venture Sukhothai on Parliament in 2008. Their latest concept, Tha Phae Tavern (221 Richmond St. W.), is in partnership with Oliver Geddes (The Fifth Social Club, RendezViews), Ben Geddes and Janet Zuccarini (Gusto 54 Restaurant Group, Kiin). A twist on their signature theme - Thai food natch, with modern riffs in snack/small plates form - is happening in a subterranean space in the Entertainment District (up the street from Pai on Duncan), outfitted with private karaoke rooms, claw machines and photo booth. p.s. I got a peek before doors opened. Follow on IG to check it out.
Silhouette Tailoring has always been an east end presence and now, it’s back in its former space on Broadview (253 Broadview Ave.) Coming soon: On-site Silhouette Cafe with coffee and select baked items, slated to open in March. TR Pro Tip: Grab a coffee and pastry here for while you wait in line at Lady Marmalade a few doors over (265 Broadview Ave.). Listen to Edition 9 of THE TIP OFF on my new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, available on on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and other platforms where you get your podcasts.
Super Eater just touched down at Yonge and Gerrard (376 Yonge St.) with a wild array of goodies and goods from egg bubble waffles to a vending machine doling out press-on nails.
TR Hot Tip: Up the street, Sushi Kiwami (599 Yonge St.) is in soft opening. For a quick backgrounder, listen to Edition 16 of THE TIP OFF on TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST.
Taco Fuego (571 Vaughan Rd.) has softly opened in Soul Provisions’ former stomping grounds. The new Mexican eatery is brought to you by chef/restaurateur Dave Sidhu (Playa Cabana) and real estate pro Evan Graves. p.s. Stay tuned. Sidhu’s next project, Taberna Brava (40 Wellington St. E.), is dropping soon.
ISO AYCE Japanese barbecue in the downtown core? Yakiniku Legend just dropped at Queen and McCaul (35 McCaul St., Unit 100).
CLOSED
By Aanch came on the scene in 2023. A “theatrical interpretation of modern day Indian fare”, and “sassy little sister” to chef Kumar’s Michelin Recommended Aanch Restaurant has closed. The original on Wellington (259 Wellington St. W.) remains open. You’d already be in the know if you listened to Edition 16 of THE TIP OFF.
After 32 years, Golden Wheat Bakery’s Little Italy outpost (652 College St.) closed on March 9. The one at Keele & Rogers (579 Rogers Rd.) remains open.
On Tuesday, Lynda Paul announced after 19 years in Leslieville, the last day of It’s the Icing on the Cake (1238 Queen St. E.) is April 19.
The Distillery District’s healthy joint Jardin Kitchen & Juice Bar (28 Gristmill Ln.) was a recent addition. Doors have permanently closed.
Patria (478 King St. W.) as you knew it is gone. But what’s replaced it is verrry familiar. Details up top.
Tondou Ramen’s ghost kitchen spent the briefest time in East Chinatown (635 Gerrard St. E.).
Sticky Bakery (621 St Clair Ave. W.) opened in 2022, but will be wrapping things up on May 18.
Across the street from Mustard Garden (and not long ago, Tondou Ramen), the time of one-two combo of Thai One Eats and WingCircle in East Chinatown (688 Gerrard St. E.) was brief. A ‘Notice to Terminate’ for failure to pay rent arrears dated March 13, 2025 is posted on the door.
Listen to Edition 16 of THE TIP OFF on TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST to find out the latest on Wildfire Steakhouse & Wine Bar (8 Colborne St.).
CHANGES
The York-Eglinton BIA is now officially Little Jamaica BIA.
NEWS
Trump backs off most tariffs for 90 days.
Toronto’s alcohol in parks program “a continued success.”
The latest food recall: JHAÖQIA Taiwanese Style Rice Crackers (Egg Yolk Flavor) recalled due to undeclared peanut.
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