OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News August 21-27, 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
🕘 11.5 min read
The end of August used to signal a kind of collective wind down when many businesses shut down for a usually short (and much-needed) break from the grind. Cut to August 2025: Think the opposite of that and times it by 12. That’s what this week is like. Like a damn explosion: I’m talking more 20 new spots to venture out to and more closures to take note of.
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
Archi Element gathers together fine ceramics, tea, and workshops under one roof at College and Dufferin (1150 College St.).
Bar Rustica at Queen and Portland (571 Queen St. W.) is doing “late night pizza and pasta” until 4am on the daily, designed to deliver sustenance and carbs after a night out at the clurb. The new concept is brought to you by Pizza Rustica (37 Blue Jays Way) in what has been another late night destination up until now. Details below.
PSA: Crispy Chinese burgers have arrived at Union Station. Head to Bingz Burger at Union Market (Fresh Market Level, 65 Front St. W., Unit 430-B).
Psst. If you’re all about matcha and dirty sodas, Cafe Sips is for you. Peep the stationary coffee cart outfitted by Amalfi coast umbrellas near King and Niagara (91 Walnut Ave.) in the parking lot of dope women’s kicks and streetwear shop, Makeway.
Back in April, I gave you the inside track on east side barbecue joint The Carbon Bar’s spin-off, The Carbon Snack Bar, dropping at the corner of King and Spadina (460 King St. W.). Update: Doors softly opened Tuesday.
Hey Etobicoke, grand opening for Chai Stop (3180 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Unit 3) is happening tomorrow. On the menu: Chai drinks, baked items and “light bites.”
TR Ice Cream Hot Tip #1: Toronto's first New Zealand style ice cream shop just touched down in North York. What makes the dessert decidedly Kiwi? Think ice cream boasting real fruit doled out like creamy soft serve. See for yourself at Enzi Ice Cream inside Upper East Food Club (5317 Yonge St.).
Following the recent flurry of activity in the Financial District, Everyside - Social Eatery & Taphouse debuts tomorrow right in the heart of it (Richmond-Adelaide Centre 120 Adelaide St. W., Unit 100). The brewery/resto out is dishing out burgers, tacos, pizza, bang bang shrimp, tartare, and other crowd-pleasers alongside select signature brews in addition to imported and domestic suds.
TR Ice Cream Hot Tip #2: There’s something for everyone from tykes to epicureans at Good Gang Ice Cream (656 Annette St.) and it’s going to require multiple visits. You’ll see.
Planks and piccolos? The fitness studio paired with wellness cafe business model proves to be more popular than ever. The latest example: Midtown’s new arrival in a historic building, Groove Pilates & Wellness Bar (2532 Yonge St.).
Helvaci Ali started its Turkish desserts and coffee shop in Turkey, then branched into the States, followed by Mississauga’s Ridgeway Plaza (3535 Odyssey Dr., Unit 89). Vaughan, it’s your turn (3175 Rutherford Rd., Unit 22). p.s. Watch this space: Scarborough and downtown Toronto are in the works.
Speaking of Vaughan, Woodbridge added Joker Lounge (120 Winges Rd.) to its roster, with a lineup of halal dishes (think Akawi Cheese, Chicken Shawarma Wrap, Lahmacun), drinks, and shisha on offer.
Kanafani Sweets & Coffee has been doing authentic Palestinian desserts and premium coffee in the west end (Ridgeway Plaza 3505 Odyssey Dr., Unit 66) since last year. Their kunafeh and other treats can now be found east side in Scarborough (Wexford Heights Plaza (2082B Lawrence Ave. E.). Doors open tomorrow with the whole menu available for 20 per cent off during soft open.
I told you it was about to launch. Doors for College and Bathurst’s latest arrival, cocktail bar Lonely Diner, kicked off officially last night where Mars Diner stood for what felt like forever (432 College St.). I got a first look on Monday - Follow TR on IG for a sneak peek.
Matcha Haus at Dundas and Bathurst (324 Bathurst St.) boasts bites and beverages featuring the buzziest ingredient of the year. Sips include bangers such as Banana Bread, Double Pistachio, Pandan Coconut Cloud and Strawberry Yuzu, paired with emerald-tinged nibbles.
Hot dessert alert: Taiwanese wheel pies in an array of flavours have touched down in North York. See: Mister Wheel nestled inside Upper East Food Club (5317 Yonge St.).
MJ Curry Kitchen & Shawarma (203 Dundas St. E.) moved into King Place BBQ & Curry’s recently vacated space at Dundas and Jarvis with an array of “Indian, Middle Eastern and Canadian food” - aka comfort fare including biriyani, curry, shawarma, pizza and other grub - with items as low as $4.99 and $5.99.
Roxton Public House has arrived at Dundas and Ossington (1112 Dundas St. W.). TR Trivia: It’s by the folks of MOK (Man of Kent Pub) around the corner (202 Ossington Ave.), so you know it’s proper British. The addy was home to Opera Bob’s Public House for 16 years before shuttering at the end of last year, including various pop-ups such as Slammie Sammies last year which is launching in the east end (828 Eastern Ave.) soon.
Shake Shack landed in the 6ix not long ago but the American burger chain has quickly set up a whack of places. Add Mississauga mall Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) to the list.
Toronto vegan stalwart Sorry I’ve Got Plants brings its healthy, vitamin-packed meals from Roncesvalles to the Financial District at Bay Adelaide Centre in The PATH (333 Bay St., Unit F6).
Potato-centric eateries are nothing new - poutine has become one of our national dishes after all - however the emergence of “the first potato bar in Canada” is recent. It appears our love of spuds cannot be contained. Spotato in Midtown (2471 Yonge St.) pays homage to the baked variety.
Sun Chinese Cuisine drops into Yonge and Sheppard (25 Spring Garden Ave.) with a host of noods - traditional Lanzhou beef and hand pulled ramen are just the beginning - and other addictive fare.
Last spring, I reported Vero Italian Sandwich Co. (477 Queen St. W.) was on the approach. Doors have opened with Soprano-esque selections including: Il Diavolo (Soppresatta Calabrese, Nduja Crema, Peperonata, Mozzarella), Don Angelo (Prosciutto, Burrata, Parmigiano, Tomato, Balsamic, Arugula), and Gabagool (Capicola, Mortadella, Fresh Mozzarella, Giardiniera, Tomato, Arugula).
CLOSED
On Friday, By The Way Cafe shared that doors are closing August 31. The all-day spot has held it down in The Annex (400 Bloor St. W.) for over four decades.
Courage Cookies’ pop-up at Stackt Market (28 Bathurst St.) has come to an end. Luckily, you can still get over 30 varieties of their sweet stuff at their bake shop and cafe on Dundas West (1561 Dundas St. W.) and numerous retailers across the city.
Lemon Lily Organic Tea debuted a retail outpost in Riverside (747 Queen St. E.) last year. The brick-and-mortar side of things is coming to an close September 7.
Scarlett launched at the corner of Queen and Portland (571 Queen St. W.) days before the pandemic shutdown in 2020 and just got its liquor licence back before switching to another concept - Details above. The venue started as a resto-bar, and for a time, welcomed “exotic” dancers.
Bad news: Sorry I’ve Got Plants OG spot on Roncy (476 Roncesvalles Ave.) is done, but their vegan fare is on offer downtown. Pop up top for details. As for SIGP’s former stomping grounds? It’s about to become home to something pretty sweet: Steven Tran Chocolates.
The facade of Japanese eatery Sushi & Bento (187 Dundas St. W.) is boarded up.
NEWS
Attention business owners: City of Toronto Red Tape Hotline for Businesses.
The latest food recalls: Andalospastry products recalled due to Salmonella, Crown Royal Reserve Canadian Whisky recalled due to possible presence of glass, Daesang Gochujang recalled due to undeclared wheat, Délifruits and Chocofolie Pistachio products recalled due to Salmonella, Gangrongtai Enoki Mushroom recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Lactantia Original Cream Cheese recalled due to off odour and off taste. [UPDATE 22.08.25: Various pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella.]
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