OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News April 30-May 6, 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
🕘 15.5 min read
Woah. April did not play. Despite tumultuous weather and world events, restaurant movement continues with ferocity: By April 23 (last week’s edition), I uncovered 96 arrivals and clocked 34 closures. With this week’s 22 arrivals and 10 closures, that brings it to 118 openings and over a third in closures (44) for the month. Let that sink in for a moment. It would take you going to a new establishment every day for nearly four months to cover April’s bounty. How are you supposed to fit them all in, never mind all that came before and everything on the way? At least you’ve got options. And, after 87 weeks of a brutal winter, patios are back in effect this weekend. See you out there.
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
The recent uptick in DIY hot pot joints across the GTA continues to swell. Leading the way: A chain with outposts in Canada and the U.S. For “Your pot, your way,” head to Big Way Hot Pot’s new Markham digs (5284 Hwy 7, Unit 3).
Halal Pakistani grub lands in Mississauga at Dixie and Eglinton. See: Cafe Pyaala (5200 Dixie Rd., Unit 54) for Shinwari Karahi, Nihari, Desi breakfast, and more good eats. TR Trivia: CP is also on location in Richmond, Texas of all places.
Celeb Thai Kitchen & Bar arrives in The Annex (394 Bloor St. W., Unit 101) with authentic Thai fare from Shrimp Chips and Papaya Salad to Panang Curry and Drunken Egg Noodles.
There’s fried chicken and then there’s K-fried chicken. Made-to-order double-fried chicken just hits different. See for yourself at Chico Chicken, a Canadian west coast chain that found a home in Markham (9390 Woodbine Ave., Unit 1FC7).
The Coffee has been making its way across the 6ix this last while: King West, Yonge-Eg, Front St. W., Yorkville. And now their signature Brazilian coffee “combined with the purity and perfectionism of Japan” is available for grab and go in The Junction (2732 Dundas St. W., Unit 1).
As if they’re not slammed enough already. There’s viral and then there’s viral. Etobicoke’s Crudo Pizza & Panuozzo (1451 Royal York Rd.) isn’t just poppin’ off in person and on socials. One of the planet’s most popular podcasters, Joe Rogan, caught wind of the behemoth handhelds and remarked about them on air. Clearly another was in order. After nearly a year of renos, Crudo Vaughan (40 Innovation Dr.) kicks off Tuesday. And yes, expect lineups.
Speaking of viral: American food concepts come to T.O. (Chick-fil-A, Shake Shack) and go (By Chloe), and sometimes resurface (Heyyy Panera Bread) all the time. One of the biggest in the States, Eggslut, debuted in Los Angeles eons ago (2011, to be exact), but its popularity doesn’t appear to have waned any, if any at all. The first Toronto location (545 King St. W.) launches today in what was longstanding occupant Porchetta & Co. Fun Fact: This and forthcoming second site slated to launch at Yonge and Dundas this summer, are “entirely Canadian-run, with a focus on sourcing directly from local Ontario-based suppliers,” as per release. The roster is obvs egg-based. Heavy hitters include The Fairfax (Cage-free soft scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, sriracha mayo, warm brioche bun) and The Slut (Coddled egg served over smooth potato purée, topped with grey salt and chives, accompanied by slices of baguette.). No doubt it will all be a sensation here too, so expect crowds/lineups/etc.
I know you cannot get enough secret spots. Psst. Promise not to tell? Dig into Portuguese fare by chef Luis Lima and Carolina Lima in the east end out back of a hairdresser’s in a shipping container. Introducing Elvira’s (639 Queen St. E.) “Doors” opened Tuesday. TR Trivia: It’s been home base for seafood joint Shuckit & Sea and Vietnamese eatery Com Nuoc.
FeelFree Tea and Snack House is a simple enough name, but this new spot in Oakville (530 Speers Rd., Unit 21) is jam-packed with so much, it’s going to take multiple visits to cover it all. It’s a bit everything-everywhere-all-at-once, but nice problem to have. I’m talking piping hot egg bubble waffles, Crispy Wonton Fries (w/ pork, beef or shrimp), breakfast items (Veggie Omelette Plate, Bacon & Eggs Toast Set, Hong Kong Egg Waffle), and Chicken Maw Soup. And I haven’t even got to the desserts yet: Cakes, churros, and donuts, for starters. Drinks are equally as abundant: Viet phin coffee, smoothies, and bubble tea are a fraction of the offerings. Bonus: Sipping these is extra sweet thanks to edible rice straws.
Markham’s Kippon Sushi (7170 Warden Ave., Unit 26-27) promises “premium Japanese sushi crafted with fresh ingredients and precision.” It is indeed elevated. In addition to signature rolls, discover aburi, nigiri, donburi, and countless other selections. Bonus: Enjoy Grand opening BOGO promos until May 3: 11am-3pm Buy 1 California Don get 1 free; 4pm-9pm Buy 1 Kippon Roll get 1 free (Choose from Ichiban Roll, Black Dragon Roll, or Fire Red Dragon Roll). Note: One redemption per order.
Two things: 1. Greektown gets a Hellenic addition for once. 2. It replaces a venture that was just getting going. Introducing Koutouki GiaMas (424 Danforth Ave.) bringing Greek back to Greektown. Ala Antioch Express in The Bullger
Mediterranean-inspired cocktail bar La Vitrine Bar and Grill just touched down in The Beaches (2014 Queen St. E). in what was briefly Amo's.
Not long ago, I gave you the inside track on the Toronto arrival of Georgetown’s Lyla’s House. The Oakville version (326 Kerr St.) is replete with coffee, sandwiches, salads, and not just average selections either. For example, start the day with a Banana Latte and Spanish Tort Bagel. Road trip?
“The most whimsical cafe in Toronto” is on the quick approach. Coquettish bakery and “dollhouse cafe” Maison 118 Bakery (709 Queen St. W.) kicks off on Sunday where Nugateau Patisserie used to be. And in case you’re not completely enveloped by the setting and experience, it’s a laptop-free environment.
Quebec salad empire Mandy’s Gourmet Salads entered the Toronto scene in 2022. Since the drop on Ossington, they’ve dominated the salad game locally. Following three additional locations and two cookbooks later, MGS unveils the fifth design-forward one (read: made with IG in mind) tomorrow in the Distillery District (359 Front St .E.).
There’s not a time of day that Mexican street food doesn’t hit. If you share this belief, this is for you. Nana Gola commences its journey in Kensington Market’s famed Latin-heavy food hall (214 Augusta Ave.) with grab n’ go tamales, tacos de canasta (steamed tacos), horchata and agua fresca. Drool.
Newsflash: Thai BBQ and hotpot are happening under one roof at Osha Mookata in Scarborough (390 Silver Star Blvd., Unit 119-122).
Osler Records at Dupont near Dundas (2A Osler St.) is the new it spot. Part bar, part coffeeshop, part record label and venue, it’s an all-in-one solution for audiophiles and javaphiles alike. TR Tracker: It’s along a stretch of Dupont not far from another multi-hyphenate destination offering liquid gold, librations and vinyl. See: 915 Dupont.
Markham’s Pho Street Cafe (9909 Markham Rd., Unit 15) is the latest example of the current Viet craze happening right now. This time though, classic selections of vermicelli, pho, and banh mi are mixed in with HK Cafe essentials such as Double Cheese Baked Pork Chop on Fried Rice/Spaghetti and array of other casseroles and curries. So win-win.
The offerings at Pizza Fan (541 Danforth Ave.) extend beyond the titular item. Expect pasta, homemade homeburgers, souvlaki, and the like. TR Trivia: Former occupants recently have been shawarma joints in quick succession: Royalty Cuisine Shawarma for a fistful of months last year, and for a short time earlier this year, Yalla by Paramount.
Snowies Cafe softly opened on Saturday with trifecta that might just make your Spring. Get in on bingsu, matcha, and coffee at Hurontario and Dundas in Mississauga (169 Dundas St. E.).
Speaking of dessert, Yoajung opens today in Canada. The anything but typical ice cream shop provides a frozen treat your summer needed: Korean fro-yo.
CLOSED
Ala Antioch Express (424 Danforth Ave.) made a brief appearance in Greektown.
Dave’s Genuine Deli transformed from pandemic pick-up post to brick-and-mortar in Bedford Park, no less (1763 Avenue Rd.). Though operations ceased after a five-year-run, it could make a comeback. Watch this space. Psst. The addy’s about to welcome Avo Organic Kitchen.
Over the weekend Brett Healey and Joseph Rutherford shared the sudden closure of their fairly recent venture, The Fall Bright Tavern (840 Bloor St. W.), as they’ve sold the biz. Last day is Sunday. The resto will become a new concept come fall.
Despite its recent arrival, Fanos Lounge (642 Bloor St. W.) appears to give way to something new, though similar. Get ready for incoming Cé La Vi Lounge accompanied by “hookah, music, late nights, good vibes.”
Quang Dieu’s Kensington Natural Bakery and Café (460 Bloor St. W.) held strong in The Annex for three decades (in operation for 40 years in total) and was ahead of its time with vegan, gluten-free items, fresh juices, and other items that years later became top-sellers and market drivers.
Korean Grill House (214 Queen St. W.) debuted its AYCE and à la carte grill-your-own-K-BBQ joint in 2001. Doors closed for good Sunday due to lease termination. Three locations remain: Nearby in Chinatown (431 Spadina Ave.), Scarborough (3280 Midland Ave), and Markham (505 Hwy 7).
The city is about to lose one of its only authentic Laotian restaurants with the imminent closure of Lao Thai (4 Gladstone Ave.) at Queen and Dufferin. The countdown has begun: Expect doors to close in under two weeks.
When I last checked in, Canary District’s Libson Hotel (19 Lawren Harris Sq.) swore it was closed temporarily for a “refresh.” Good thing I’m diligent and don’t leave any stone unturned - It turns out it’s for good.
Tiny Market Co. Pasta Shop (938 Bathurst St.) is temporarily closed. Wholesale however, is up and running.
Former Michelin-starred resto Yukashi (643A Mount Pleasant Rd.) is changing things up. Last din-din for this version is Saturday. Keep your eyes peeled here for details.
NEWS
Restaurateur Nhieu Van Ho, “Mr. Spring”, founder of Mr. Spring Mrs. Fresh died on April 20.
Mandarin Restaurant co-founder James Chiu died after battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 78.
News reports of a 2-alarm fire outside Rebel nightclub last week resulted in no injuries. Neighbouring dance club and pool bar Cabana released a statement that stated in part: “While there is damage to several areas of Cabana,” they have enlisted “designers and skilled trades to begin the restoration and rebuilding process immediately.” All scheduled events will proceed as planned.
Celebrity chef Matty Matheson’s Fort Erie eatery Rizzo’s House of Parm, is coming to Toronto for a limited time via pickup and delivery from May 7 to 31.
Mark your calendars. The Matcha Tokyo makes its Canadian debut on the Ossington strip (139 Ossington Ave.) May 9 at 11am. Find it where Saigon Snacks held it down for a while. Did you know? The brand boasts almost 60 locations across the globe.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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