OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News August 14-20, 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
🕘 9.5 min read
This week’s arrivals lean towards the super casual. Translation: No need to swap outfits (read: slides/stretchy pants can stay put) or dole out serious cash for food and drinks (b/c budgets). And as per usual these days, the food recalls continue to pile up.
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
Ossington has its share of hidden bars. (Iykyk.) Think you know ‘em all? Think again. Shhh. One just landed behind one of the city’s top restaurants. See you at 130 Foxley Pl. (aka Bar Raton Laveur). Psst. If you listed to Edition 18 of THE TIP OFF on TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, you’d already be in the know.
I’ve been diligently tracking alll the temporary closures for eons now (A small sampling: This, this and this) and Yorkville stalwart Bar Reyna (158 Cumberland St.) was amongst a bunch of shutdowns last winter. Psst. Doors have reopened with a refreshed look and menu.
Pink pizzeria chain Blondies expands to Avenue and Dupont (16 Dupont St.), in what was once a stunning French Moroccan restaurant.
Don’t let the Jimmy James Grocer sign fool you. Former convenience store Shop n Bag is now Bosque in a quiet nabe just south of Pottery Road (940 Broadview Ave.). After a slight hiccup, the cozy bar brimming with drinks and snacks is now in effect, brought to you by industry pros with ties to legendary east end destinations including Lake Inez and The Wren.
Chinatown’s new Cafe La On (453 Dundas St. W.) boasts coffee, Basque cheesecake, éclairs and other sweet stuff.
Cafe Tinta, the new morning add-on to last year’s arrival east of Dufferin, Toloache Mexican Cuisine (1128 Queen St. W.), has got your java fix sorted, with “Latino breakfasts” in the works.
I let you in on the Etobicoke site of Freebird Market back in 2023. For those in the downtown core, the grocery and prepared food store just landed in FiDi (Bay Adelaide Centre, 333 Bay St., Concourse Level).
Armenian restaurant Taline (1276 Yonge St.) is showcasing a spin-off at The Well’s subterranean food court (Wellington Market 486 Front St. W., Lower Level). The Michelin Recommended eatery’s fast food concept, Giragi, is doling out “Armenian and Lebanese-style” kebabs and bowls.
Jacked Up Coffee set up shop in FiDi (120 Adelaide St. W., PATH Level), a ‘hood that despite reports it’s a ghost town, has seen a slew of new businesses lately - Peep examples above and below in this edition, as well as in previous weeks and watch this space for many more to come. TR Pro Tip: Make sure to follow, links above and below. You don’t want to miss out, do you?
Also new to the Financial District (Told you): Ji - Modern South Asian Grill (130 King St. W.) arrives with colourful bowls, rolls, samosas and desserts.
You’ll find Nashville hot chicken joint Juicy Birds all across the GTA. And now, Uptown at Yonge and Lawrence (3238 Yonge St.). Grand opening was Sunday.
Love octopus? Head to Master Tako, “Toronto’s first Japanese takoyaki shop” in Markham’s Unionville (New Kennedy Square, 8360 Kennedy Rd., Unit 52). TR Note: Chef Kaori Hisada’s Takoyaki6ix launched in Kensington Market (160 Baldwin St., Unit 5) back in ‘21.
Outdoor food court Queen’s Bloc (615 Queen St. W.) has supplanted a similar venture. Details below.
The Queen Seafood Cuisine brings “a new era of luxury dining” to Don Mills and Eglinton (900 Don Mills Rd. Unit 2). Think dim sum and elevated Chinese seafood dishes.
The city’s been in desperate need of more Indonesian fare for years. Make your way to Greektown to discover Indonesian bistro Sambal (463 Danforth Ave.), where Cameleon was, complete with Indonesian-inspired cocktails and modern riffs on classic dishes including beef rendang and array of rice and noodle dishes.
Soul Tea, a “modern tea with an oriental soul” store at Yonge and Finch (5425 Yonge St.), specializes in fresh milk and fruit teas. TR Fun Fact: ST debuted at Markham’s Pacific Mall in 2023 (4300 Steeles Ave. E., 2nd Fl., Food Court - Unit F26B).
Newflash: Tanghulu Tanghulu brings its sweet candied fruit skewers to Yorkville (126 Cumberland St.). This marks the latest stop for the sweet shop in the 6ix. Will there be more? Stay tuned.
CLOSED
The Food Alley touched down at Queen and Bathurst (615 Queen St. W.) briefly. (And just weeks ago saw more comings and goings.) According to its successor, the new biz is already underway.
Scarborough’s Vietnamese and Thai resto Spring ‘n Fresh Rolls (789 Warden Ave.) is relaunching under a new moniker next month. Get ready for Mr. Spring & Mrs. Fresh.
Veggie Planet - home of vegetarian Indian pizza, burger and street food - is shuttering the Vaughan site (3175 Rutherford Rd., Unit 52) after service on Sunday. Another location is in the works. In the meantime, operations in Mississauga and Ajax continue.
CHANGES
Burger and BBQ sando shop Smoked & Smashed (201 Spinnaker Way) upped sticks, however remains in Vaughan. Find the new digs on Keele north of Langstaff (8635 Keele St., Unit 10).
NEWS
Little Jamaica is just one of many neighbourhoods in the city that’s been deeply affected by construction.
Latest food recalls: Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Habibi Pistachio Kernel recalled due to Salmonella, Mon Père Camembert recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Various brands of Pistachio & Knafeh Milk Chocolate recalled due to Salmonella.
ICYMI
THIS JUST IN: Leslieville’s rapid movement continues with new additions on an already bustling block, what’s on the approach in a cozy restaurant-lined nabe, doors haven’t opened but this joint’s already creating serious buzz, crafted cocktails are front and centre at a downtown watering hole, and think you know what’s happening on Ossington? Think again. Listen to the latest edition of THE TIP OFF - Edition 18, 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. Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and other platforms. TR Pro Tip: Follow and subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST because you’re not going to believe what’s coming next.
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