OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News April 23-29, 2026
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
🕘 13 min read
Uncovering the city’s latest additions reveals a unique picture every week. Sometimes, it’s all coffee shops and noodle destinations. Other times, chains and big box brands take the wheel. This week is unique in that it offers little repetition and variety galore - just what you needed - via 20 arrivals, 7 closures, and news you need to know.
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
Canadian-born, trend-driven fashion destination Aritizia’s newly expanded boutique at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St., Unit B012) debuts Monday, accompanied by signature A-OK Cafe. Bonus: Select locations including this one will feature the stellar pastries from local bakery Le Beau Lab On the menu: Made in-house cookies, tea cakes, and croissants, for starters, with gluten-free and vegan options available. p.s. Want to know more? Read my interview with owner/chef Olga Spivak in the acclaimed chef series, At The Pass.
Mississauga’s Lebanese eatery Zaatargy (5023 Spectrum Way) softly opens neighbouring Bonduc Coffee (5023 Spectrum Way, Unit B3) today. In addition to specialty coffee, discover a lineup of refreshers, matcha obviously, and other essential sippers.
TR Hot Tip: A European-inspired flower bar and cafe has arrived in Yorkville. Find Cafe Rosarium at Yonge and Scollard (878 Yonge St.) with lush Ecuadorian roses and array of enticing options beginning with lattes (Honey Rose, Coconut Paradise Matcha) and Italian-style croissants (Apricot, Pistachio).
Cocospoon just dropped at the corner of Bloor and Islington (Bloor Islington Place 3300 Bloor St. W., Unit 126) with Japanese delacacies including donburi, teriyaki, katsu, udon and lunch sets.
The Cooperage Marketplace at The Distillery Historic District (Two entrances: 6 Trinity St., 52 Gristmill Lane) offers a unique shopping experience showcasing indie Canadian businesses. Spread across 4,305-square-feet in a building from the 1860s, new and existing tenants pitch their wares including clothing, (Lilith’s Garden, Millicent Vee Knits, Orso Activewear) accessories (KINDSUNDAY, Love, Calista), and stationery (Toronto Pen Shoppe). For provisions, look to Kovacic Truffles specializing in Serbian and Croatian white and black truffles, caviar, and other fine food products.
The Dirty Laundry* and counterpart Cafe Gigi by industry vets Robin Goodfellow (Vela, Pretty Ugly, Bar Raval), Aldo Pescatore-Tardioli (La Carnita, Sweet Jesus, So Fly Fishing Podcast) and GM/Partner Brittany Brennan touches down in Cold Tea’s old digs at Queen and Dovercourt (1186 Queen St. W.) with dual concept under one roof - Cafe vibes by daylight, Tex Mex and cocktails come nighttime. In other words, your new favourite rendezvous. Note: Expect it to be packed out. See you there. “Not to be confused with the laundromat/art gallery on Dundas West (808 Dundas St. W.) of the same name.
Thump, thump, thump. Untz, untz, untz. Wanna dance? North York’s Vietnamese nightlife spot EmpireX Nightclub embarks at Keele and Steeles (4749 Keele St.) with DJs, “high-energy” music, bottle service, and “upscale party atmosphere.” Grand opening is Saturday.
Firehouse Subs might be an American chain, but it’s quickly made the True North home. Over the last few months, that’s included sub shops on the Danny and mall in Vaughan. The quick pace continues with the latest dropping today near the water’s edge at York and Harbour (14 York St.).
Elevated Nigerian street food arrived in High Park last summer courtesy of Greelz on Bloor (2100 Bloor St. W.). Now Kensington has been added to the portfolio. Greelz in Kensington (198 Augusta Ave.) kicks off Saturday. TR Flashback: The addy has welcomed numerous ventures over the years including Gold Bingol, Knockout Wings, Shawarma Bus, The Paint Garden, and back in the day, La Tortilleria.
Heal Wellness continues its massive run of acai bowl and smoothie shops across the 6ix in a hot nabe. Find the wellness cafe at the corner of Queen and Dovercourt (1092 Queen St. W.), steps from The Dirty Laundry/Cafe Gigi.
Marché Marie (13495 Bathurst St., Unit 5-6) has been providing authentic fine French fare in Richmond Hill since 2008. It’s the real deal. From dreamy opera cakes and millefeuille to elegant tourtiere and coq au vin, discover prepared foods, pantry essentials and fab gifts for the foodies in your life. Newsflash: MM just launched downtown at the St. Lawrence Market (92 Front St. E.). C'est merveilleux.
Matcha madness continues to keep the city in a chokehold. To get your fix, Matcha Haus expands their tea shop specializing in first-harvest matcha, sourced directly from a collective of small generational farms in Nagasaki, Japan to the Financial District (First Canadian Place 100 King St .W.)], marking the third location for the local brand.
The transition from pizzeria (with burgers on the side) Big Trouble Pizza to burger-centric Mista Boiga, didn’t take long. For your convenience, find it at the same fixed address on Geary (191 Geary Ave.). Doors open tomorrow.
Mom’s Recipes at Ave and Dav (136 Avenue Rd.) offers European classics throughout the day from brekkie through to lunch. On the agenda: Crepes, Shakshuka, Syrniki, Soup of the Day, Brioche Lobster Roll, and Eel Salad, to name a few. TR Trivia: Good bones. It’s sandwiched between two Michelin-Starred restos, Osteria Giulia and Adrak.
According to Mississauga’s Nouska Indian Bistro (4061 Confederation Pkwy), “It’s fire-flaming good.” Expect tandoor-tinged victuals. Think Signature Tandoori Chicken and classics such as Lamb Roganjosh and Chicken Biryani.
I’ve been tracking the slow movement of Hawaiian-inspired eatery Poke Eats since their debut in 2017 (As featured in the OPEN/CLOSED nine years ago). Another joined the main drag in the The Beaches five years later, and now Chinatown East (339 Broadview Ave.), where Shisha King stood until recently. Choose to build-your-own bowl or a signature such as It's Lit (Black sushi rice, salmon, spicy mayo, avocado, spicy cucumber, sweet corn, cherry tomato), Spicy Bird Bowl (White sushi rice and lettuce, chicken, spicy unagi sauce, pineapple, spicy seaweed salad, cucumber, wasabi peas), and Kale Machine Bowl (Chopped kale, tofu, Japanese caesar, avocado, cherry tomato, edamame, sweet corn).
The Roasted Nut set up shop steps from Trinity Bellwoods in 2019 (768 Queen St. W.) and has been a success ever since. Their second cafe and nuttery at Church and Bloor (85 Bloor St. E.) is chockablock with coffee and nuts yes, but much more: Baked goods (y’all, Black Bean Brownies), granola, chocolate, gelato, nut butters, and one of my favourite go-tos - creamy rich nut shakes - a fraction of what’s on offer.
As I previously reported, today’s Day One for Shake Shack in the Fashion District (556 King St. W), the fourth location in the city for the burger, fries, and shake empire.
Michelin Recommended Som Tum Jinda softly opens today on College near Kensington (356 College St.) in what was another Asian outfit. Details below. The award-winning Thai restaurant has been steadily adding establishments over the years.
In FiDI and want to slay your health goals? I’ve got just the thing: Village Juicery at First Canadian Place (100 King St. W). boasting certified organic cold pressed juices, fresh smoothies, and other vitamin-packed items.
CLOSED
Pan-Asian Coconut Grove by local restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani [KYMA Mediterranean Grill, Naari - Modern Thai BBQ, Oro Luxury Dining (now shuttered) Indian Streat Food, are just the beginning] was unveiled at CF Cadillac Fairview (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.) in 2024.
That’s a wrap for Richmond Hill party venue and banquet hall The Persian Palace (10711 Yonge St.).
Sue Fung's Dimsum Canteen (356 College St.) came on the scene in 2022 with authentic handcrafted Cantonese yum cha alongside creations such as Matcha Soup Dumplings and Baked Whole Abalone Tart, served using 100 per cent chemical-free compostable tableware in an expansive setting. To find out who’s moved in, pop up top.
It was just a few weeks ago that I updated you on the new whereabouts of halal burger and fried chicken enterprise, Those Guys. It turns out the location in Little Italy - BKookie’s Cafe (579 College St.) - was not meant to be. Watch this space for the next place they land.
After only eight months, Uncle Pete’s Bread Co.’s time in Kensington Market (161 Baldwin St., Unit 1) has been cut short due to issues with “leases, renewals.” You’ve got until Saturday to stock up on all that focaccia goodness. FInger’s crossed another location happens soon. Stand by.
Youthful Vengeance got underway at Dundas and Ossington (1110 Dundas St. W.) in 2024. The community gallery, art and event venue, and café/bar is currently on the move. Keep your eyes locked here for updates.
Another Michelin resto is forgoing its current path to forge a new one. (See; Vinoteca Pompette.) Former Michelin-starred Yukashi in Mount Pleasant Village (643A Mount Pleasant Rd.) is wrapping up with a farewell dinner on May 2nd before transforming into something new. The fine dining Japanese destination offering Kaiseki-style dining in an intimate setting, lost its Michelin Star in 2024 and was transitioned to the Recommended category, retaining the title throughout 2025.
NEWS
Restaurant/bar/club Mild Afro Lounge (1116 Dundas St. W.), a fixture at Dundas and Ossington since 2022, had its liquor license suspended due to exceeding lawful capacity of premises for 14 days from April 20 to May 2, 2026.
Wildly popular Pizzeria Badiali (181 Dovercourt Ave.) shared their second location at Bloor and Bathurst in Mirvish Village (581 Markham St.) is slated to open Monday May 11, 11:30am-10pm (While supplies last). Ohmygodthelineups. TR Trivia: It’s going in where the Victory Café used to hold court. Go see ‘em a few blocks over at 440 Bloor St. W.
Latest food recalls: Mount Brydges Abattoir Debrecziner Sausages recalled due to undeclared mustard, Supreme Liquid Whole Eggs and Liquid Egg White recalled due to Salmonella, Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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