OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News August 20-26, 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
🕘 16 min read
While this week’s offerings don’t include any banh mi (gasp), it is an unexpected thrill ride. Sure there are still the usual suspects - pizza, coffee, sandwiches, speakeasy - but this time they’re mixed in with action-filled ventures featuring everything from pilates to Chinese rap. p.s. Reminder: Get out to any places on your must-visit lists, old and new. Businesses are shuttering at a rapid rate (see below) and you don’t want to miss the chance to have one last meal or say a final goodbye. #theonethatgotaway
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
“A sandwich is a beautiful thing - one of the great innovations of modern history. It freed us from the tyranny of the plate, the table, the knife and fork. Between two slices of bread exist near-limitless possibilities for deliciousness,” - Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain and Laurie Woolever. Bourdain loved sandos and it appears, so does the rest of the city. Bello Italian Sandwich Co. is going all in on the heavily stacked cold cut/handheld combos with an outpost at the ever-changing roster at The Well (486 Front St. W.). Ask for the Bellissima if Mortadella, Stracciatella, pistachio cream and crushed pistachios would make your day, and the La Diavola, Calabrese, and Milanese, if you’re looking for a halal option. For Sopranos fans, Il Capo features ‘Gabagool’ aka Capicola - New Jersey accent not required. That’s not all: There’s not one, but two slated to set up shop on Yonge (3305 Yonge St. and 2177 Yonge St.) and one waaay outta town at family tourist attraction The Big Apple in Colborne (262 Orchard Rd.). Stay tuned.
Carefully crafted and curated gelato is just what this summer calls for. Especially in the hands of industry vets, chefs Jeff Kang and Tosh Agassiz, both formerly of award-winning Canis (RIP). Grand opening for Cono Gelato (932 College St.) is happening today. 1. See you there. 2. Expect lineups.
Local chain Dark Horse Espresso Bar has upped its game lately, dropping new haunts left and right. I gave you the head’s up about three including this one back in June. Find them at the former Starbucks at the corner of College and Dovercourt (941 College St.). TR Tracker: It’s across the street from the gelato spot above. ICYMI: The one at CF Sherway Gardens in Etobicoke (25 The West Mall) launched last month. Next up: The corner of Bathurst and Wellington (64 Bathurst St.).
Attn all dim sum lovers: Fortune Fine Dining is now in effect in Markham/Richmond Hill (670 Hwy 7, Unit 1). The wide-ranging menu will leave those who have a hard time making decisions completely paralyzed. A small fraction of what’s on offer: Chiu Chow Style Steamed Dumplings, Honey-Glazed BBQ Pork Buns with Crab Roe, Steamed Chicken Feet in Lily Bulb Sauce, Deep-Fried Five-Spice Squid Tentacles, Congee with Fresh Chinese Yam, Pumpkin & Corn, Braised E-Fu Noodles with Lobster, Preserved Egg and Fish Vermicelli in Soup (Broth), Braised Goose with Kudzu Root and Bean Curd Sheets, Sizzling "Jie Jie" Yellow Eel in Claypot. Told ya.
From the folks behind legendary dance destination AMPM in Parkdale (s/o dynamic duo Cameron (Cam) Beck and Benny Young. Also heyyy Richard (Dick) Lambert et al.) comes Hi-Lo (1566 Queen St. W.), your new EMD, K-Pop and Chinese rap HQ on Saturday nights. See you on the dance floor. TR Tracker: Remember Hi-Lo Bar in the east end? Psst. The space is STILL available.
Gerrard India Bazaar has added many new ventures to the lineup lately, the majority not Indian at all. The Inn Cafe (1416 Gerrard St. E.), for example, is a new build taking over the square footage o f neighbourhood stalwart Gautama Indian Restaurant’s former stomping grounds with reasonably priced coffee and lineup of sweets and treats including butter tarts, danish, scones, cookies, croissants, muffins and more.
Kafe 002 got its start on Melrose in West Hollywood (See: Kafe 001) and now drops its modern minimalistic aesthetic and coffee/pizza combo on Hollywood North. Find the dope new space where Cafe Neon (part of the fab Neon fam) held it down on Queen near Ossington (1024 Queen St. W.).
As Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) is wont to do, the food hall’s been switching the lineup lately. Introducing their latest addition: Middle Eastern venture Kateh, putting Persian rice in the spotlight.
New York style Liberty Pizzeria (247 Queen St. W.) has softly opened shop # 2 at Queen and McCaul. The launch of their OG spot in Regent Park took place back in 2023.
I was first to let you in on the next King West arrival Parlé Speakeasy & Cocktail Lounge in June. The King and Portland venture boasts Parlay, a sports bar, and shhh…. password enforced speakeasy Parlé (626 King St. W.).
You know it’s going to be a great week when you can add a new roti destination to your schedule/commute. See: Roti King in Scarborough (5635 Finch Ave. E., Unit 4) TR Pro Tip: Don’t sleep on their Weekly Specials for $7.99: Monday (11am-4pm) Chicken Biryani, Wednesday (11am-4pm) Fried Rice, Thursday (2pm-10pm) Mutton Kothu.
Chef Elia Herrera’s Tecolote Market has been through a few iterations throughout the years. The latest lands at St. Lawrence Market (92-95 Front St. E.) with quesadillas, enchiladas, empanadas, tacos, burritos, bowls, and other grab-n-go items in tow.
Greek grub continues its trajectory, this time in Scarborough’s Golden Mile, and more specifically at Warden and Eglinton with certified halal items. Titans Fire Greek Grill (789 Warden Ave.) does the classics (namesake The Half Titan aka half grilled chicken, Beef Keftedes, Shrimp Skewers, Fire-Grilled Wings) alongside fun fare such as Greek Mac & Cheese, and sub-style sandos they’ve dubbed ‘Stacked.’
Let your creative juices flow at Vū Cafe | Studio (844 Dundas St. W.). Think java, victuals, vino, visuals and community. Doors open Saturday at 10:30am.
The latest west coast venture has landed in the 6ix. Proudly Canadian company Yummy Slice Pizza started out in Vancouver in 2021 and has been expanding throughout B.C., Albert and the province ever since. The newly opened Yonge and St. Clair outpost marks the first in Toronto (60 St. Clair Ave. E.) for the chain known for its classic and sometimes fusion (Butter Chicken, Tandoor Paneer) pies that come with approachable and often shockingly low prices. See: X Large Pizza 5-Toppings and 2 Dips ($22), Medium Pizza 3-Toppings ($9.99), 2 Signature Pastas and 2 Cans of Pop ($18.99), Slices ($2.99-$3.49), 2-Slice Combo with Pop ($6.69), 3-Slice Combo with Pop ($9).
CLOSED
BREAKING: Psst. Another Michelin listed resto has quietly concluded service. Restaurant compendium Michelin Guide appointed Azura, the Mediterranean fine dining destination offering multi-course blind tasting menus on the Danforth, ‘Recommended’ in 2024. That same year, bar manager Shayne Herbert earned the ‘Exceptional Cocktails’ award (FYI: These days find him at Michelin Starred aKin). Azura’s designation remained in 2025. This swiftly follows the recent closure of their other establishment, “fine dining tribute to Mexican cuisine” Alebrije on Harbord* that debuted Fall ’25, replacing their previous haunt, Her Father’s Cider Bar + Kitchen. Speaking of Alebrije: Currently on the alebrijetoronto.com site? The Azura website… Perhaps they’re being reimagined elsewhere? I’ve been breaking restaurant closures left and right, including a slew of Michelins lately (scroll through - you’ll see). TR Prediction: This isn’t the last MG award-winner to exit and change things up this year. In fact… Oh you know what to do… W A T C H T H I S S P A C E. TR Tracker: Remember when the addy was home to their former venture Judaline, for a bit? *I broke the story June 25.
After 12 years, Mister Mustard, aka Zane Caplansky, is currently slated to shutter the Mississauga outpost of his eponymous condiment-driven outfit, Caplansky’s Deli at Toronto Pearson International Airport (6301 Silver Dart Dr., Terminal 3 past security. Head to Gate B39) October 1. This marks the last location for the Toronto brand and resto.
I reported on Lebanese rendezvous Daymi arriving in Parkdale in 2024. Their digs at 1376 Queen St. W. may have come to an end, but will soon be bringing their stellar Batata Harra, Kale Freekeh Salad, Sandos including Halloumi, Taouk, and Kafta, Falafel Plate, Kabsa Chicken, Shrimp Provençal, and daily dishes* - aka your new favourite activity - that has our names all over it to Yonge & Wellesley (565 Yonge St.). Oomph. *Tues-Wed Molokhia & Rice: Hearty green leaf stew with tender chicken breast, served with vermicelli rice. Thurs-Fri Riz a Djej: Spiced ground beef and rice served with tender chicken and fried almonds.
Despite having built-in foot traffic, Goa Indian Farm Kitchen (also went by Goa Kitchen) and Pōpa Burmese Kitchen* at Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave.) by relentless restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani who has been unleashing new ventures all over town lately, have shuttered. *Pōpa was a joint venture by Bhagwani and fellow restaurateur Trevor Lui, est. 2020 and has been flagged for non-payment as per the notice posted on the establishment.
Whoa, end of an era. Uh guys, Midfield Wine Bar (1434 Dundas St. W.) is about to be something else. Details in TR Sneak Peeks below.
CHANGES
Same diff. Recent arrival Mari Sixfive 8 Cafe’s simplified things. The family run café inside Macel Studios (658 Queen St. W.) now goes by Mari Coffee.
NEWS
A three-alarm fire caused serious damage at Zanzibar Tavern.
Upper Beaches community is up in arms about smoke from a certain local resto.
As I previously reported, family-owned Greek bakery opened since 1978 Athens Pastries (509 Danforth Ave.) has been temporarily closed for some time due to a fire at their Scarborough production kitchen (2567 Victoria Park Ave.). As they’ve been closed for some time, people have started to wonder if they’re ever coming back, so the biz posted that they are indeed set to return. p.s. Welcome to my world, folks. Sometimes the wait is longer than expected. And of course I’ll be sure to let you know when they’re open again.
Latest food recalls: Mounit el Bait Tahina and Halva recalled due to undeclared peanut, Olymel Cooked Turkey Breast Roast Honey & Dijon recalled due to undeclared mustard, Various brands of cheese products recalled due to generic E. coli, Various Salem Foods jarred products recalled due to undeclared wheat, mustard and sesame, Wu Xian Zhai Vegetarian eef and Preserved beancurd recalled due to undeclared wheat.
TR SNEAK PEEKS
Cocktail Lovers: Acornhouse (1159 Davenport Rd.) is set to touch down on Davenport* this Fall accompanied by Kanako Hayashi, Jacob Homoki, and James Park. The theme? Celebrating Canadian ingredients “at their finest.” TR Prediction: It makes T.O. fooderati’s top cocktail and bar lists within six months of opening. *Formerly home of The Gem.
Hot on the heels of my breaking news of the end of Chop Hop’s flagship at Yonge & Lawrence, Baba (3204 Yonge St.) is about to move in. The cafe by day, snack bar by night, brought to you by local chefs Kevin Chen and Michael Medeiros, is set to launch at the end of the month. Note: Not to be confused with Little Baba by AMAL on Portland, the fast-casual spin-off of Michelin-Recommended Amal.
The sandwich wave is faaaar from over. Entering the scene soon: Vaughan’s The Big Panino (90 Edgeley Blvd., Unit 103).
Psst. Charme (1434 Dundas St. W.) is moving into a beloved wine bar’s stead. Keep your eyes locked here for details.
The mantra of new reformer pilates and pantry combo, The Pilates Pantry? “Your body, your recipe.” Hell yeah. Coming Fall 2026.
Since landing north of the border I’ve been logging Shake Shack’s every move: Oakville (275 Hays Blvd.) Burlington (4511 Dundas St.) and London (3275 Wonderland Rd. S.), you’re next. TR Trivia: Calgary will be the proud owner of Shake Shack’s first drive-thru in Canada.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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