OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News August 27-September 2, 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
What a week. 22 arrivals and BIIIIG closures are just the beginning of the madness that awaits. See for yourself. And you’re not going to believe what’s coming next…
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
I’m not about to say ‘St. Clair West is the new Ossington’ BUT based on my research of late, the usually sleepy strip IS leveling up at an exponential rate. See: Bodega TinTin (779 St Clair Ave. W.) that takes over former pink persuasion Aviv Immigrant Kitchen with a cocktail/snack menu and vibe that’s about to entice the entire ‘hood and beyond. Pull uppp.
Viral sensation outta Brampton Chaat Pakodi brings its street food and spicy Indian flavours to Scarborough (3867 Lawrence Ave. E.). Expect everything from signature chaats to Mumbai-style vada pavs.
In addition to the titular dish, Chef’s Shawarma is whipping up an array of Middle Eastern fare including chicken in a variety of ways - broasted, tenders, and Farooj (garlic, lemon, spices), to name a few. Find it all at the ever-changing halal food destination in Erin Mills, Ridgeway Plaza (3535 Odyssey Dr., Unit 84).
Following setting up downtown at The Well in February and Dufferin Mall in April, Cotti Coffee has unveiled their latest coffee shop at the corner of Queen and McCaul (200 Queen St. W.). Are there still more to come, you ask? Watch this space.
Craig Pike’s eponymous confection empire Craig’s Cookies has touched down in Port Credit (102 Lakeshore Rd. E.). Grand opening for the first - likely not last bakery - in Mississauga takes place Saturday.
Machida Shoten began its journey in Japan as back in ‘08. Since then it’s gone international bringing their Iekei style ramen (Yokohama style thick noodles in a pork and soy sauce broth) to approximately 400 locations across the globe including Italy, Thailand Philippines, and closer to home, New York and New Jersey. Canada’s first just landed in T.O. named E.A.K. Ramen - IEKEI phonetically. On the agenda: Their signature Yokohama style broth boasting chicken and pork, alongside other variations boosted by shoyu (soy sauce), miso or shiro (salt) tare (sauce concentrate), and custom straight thick noodles. A small curated collection showcases umami rich selections such as vegetable-forward Green House, namesake dish The E.A.K., and Tokyo Chicken puts chicken and umami veg broth. thin noodles, chicken breast, menma, naruto, diced onions and green onions in the spotlight. Find E.A.K. in FiDi in Brookfield Place (181 Bay St.).
Wellness juice bar PLUS luxe flowers and plants? Ema Ismaili and brother Emanuel’s new shop in Oakville, EE Florals & Juice Bar (315 Lakeshore Rd. E.) is THE spot for fresh cold-pressed juices and flora. TR Trivia: 1. ‘EE’ represents the sibling’s first names. 2. Ema also has Ema Florals (384 Kerr St.) in Oakville, voted ‘Canadian Choice Award Winner 2026 - Best Florist in Oakville.’
Ooooh, there’s a new coffee bar on Geary and it’s giving Y2K meets 2028. I’m talking a modern minimalist aesthetic that you’ll want to replicate at the domicile and def capture on IG. Find Equa House (120 Geary Ave.) in Dark Horse’s recently vacated digs. p.s. Damn. Now that the lunch counter at Famiglia Baldassarre has closed, nabbing EH’s Tiramisu Frappé inspired by the pasta shop a few weeks back would have made my week. Finger’s crossed something comes thru again.
FYI: The hot pot trend is still in full force. The latest to land in Markham offers a trifecta of goodness: all-you-can-eat hot pot, premium seafood, and sushi via Gourmet Tribe Hot Pot (7500 Woodbine Ave., Unit 201).
Khaas Bistro Bar has touched down at Kennedy and Ellesmere (880 Ellesmere Rd., Unit 3) with a long roster of enticing options including pastas, Hakka creations, currries, tandoori items, bar bites, sandwiches, milk shakes and more by way of items such as Manchow Soup, Desi Nachos, Drums of Heaven, Noodles Burger, Szechuan Street Style Fried Rice, Kadai Chicken, Peanuts Masala Raja, and Biscoff Latte-Ice.
Psst. New hidden dessert spot revealed. Let It Swirl’s small-batch made in-house soft serve gelato is happening inside Oakville’s Claw City (335 Lakeshore Rd. E.). First outta the gate: Serious contenders Black Sesame, Earl Grey, and Matcha.
A few months ago, I gave you the inside track on Loukoumania Cafe’s plan to join the Danforth (1426 Danforth Ave.). Update: Greek puffs (loukoumades) with your choice from over 30 toppings, other traditional Greek sweets and treats, coffee, tea and soft serve gelato can now be yours in the vicinity of Coxwell and Danforth where Taverne Tamblyn once stood.
Family-owned Mia Mor Taqueria is “on a mission to share the real, authentic flavours of Mexico with our incredible community.” The new taco joint in Oakville (111 Jones St.) offers a tight menu: Street Corn, Frijoles Rancheros, Tacos (Steak, Carnitas, Barbacoa), Quesabirria, Quesadilla, and small selection of drinks. TR Pro Move: Pair your meal with Coke in the glass bottle aka ‘Mexican Coke’.
Was it just a matter of time before we got “Toronto’s first pay-by-weight tiramisù and gelato cafe”? Apparently. Introducing Mirello Tiramisu & Gelato Cafe in Scarborough at Danforth and Warden (60 Danforth Rd.).
Nawab Saab - aka Brampton biryani and kebab HQ - has set down roots in Mississauga (2275 Britannia Rd. W., Unit 12). Think tender mutton cooked in Awadhi spices, layered with kewra and rose water-infused rice (aka Lucknowi Mutton Biryani), succulent shrimp cooked in a fiery Guntur chili spice blend, layered with aromatic flavoured rice (ask for the Guntur Shrimp Pulao), and savoury mushrooms and lotus root in tomato-onion masala with aromatic spices, layered with flavoured rice (also goes by the name Kaju Kamal Mushroom Biryani). Oomph. Grand opening is Saturday.
After last week’s shocking absence of banh mi and other Viet essentials,The Saigon Pho & Grill that softly opened in North York (13 Byng Ave.) in April 2025 has added a new branch in Mississauga. Head to their west end sitch in Square One’s Food District (100 City Centre Dr.) for an array of fragrant phở, grilled pork rice, and vermicelli bowls in a warm, welcoming setting with ample seating (not main food court seating thankyouverymuch). And yes, they’ll fulfill your serious need for banh mi too.
Two things: 1. The fact that this is the first time we’re seeing a biz named Sandwich Therapy is WILD. What a move. Kudos. 2. The new shop in Richmond Hill (10087 Yonge St., Unit 108) is doing a bunch of sandos, but the Brain, Tongue & Mushroom definitely stands out. Yes you read that right. BRAIN. Will you give it a go?
Shelby’s Legendary Shawarma has been vigorously increasing its presence across the province over the last few years. Their latest halal outpost drops just north of Yonge & Sheppard (4969 Yonge St., Unit 9) with countless items that swap (swab) out p’s for b’s: Wrabs, Dibs, Bickles, Binapple, Brotein, Boutine, and “Bepsi.” TR Tracker: Uh, does Pepsi and its legal team mind the mod - or should I say mob?
After launching in the city’s north end earlier this year with its build-your-own hot pot and free ice cream, Souper Hot Pot & Tea has softly opened in the heart of The Annex (388 Bloor St. W.). Find it where Big Sushi used to stand.
If you’re in need of Hakka noodles, Szechuan dishes, Manchurian items, chilli paneer, fried rice, and other Indo-Chinese grub, get yourself to Etobicoke’s newest food truck, Streetwok Indo-Chinese Eatery (6628 Finch Ave. W.).
Tres Piggies Carnitas is doling out authentic Mexican carnitas in Kensington Market (72 Kensington Ave.) by someone you likely already know and love. Details below.
Heyyy sweet stuff, I’ve got just what you need. Willy's Candy Shop just joined the recently changing Harbord Village lineup (175 Harbord St.) with an exhilarating array of hard-to-find and extreme snacks: Coriander (aka Cilantro) Doritos, Kit Kat Cereal, Rhubarb & Custard Haribo, and Fanta Lychee are just the tip of the icy Mountain Dew. TR Tracker: If 50 Cent’s suggestive track “Candy Shop” crossed your mind while reading this, no wonder - the addy was formerly home to the brick-and-mortar portion of “Toronto's premiere sexuality store” Good For Her.
CLOSED
Bar Niro (1334 Dundas St. W.) seemingly had it all - Looks, location, concept: Apertivo? Here for it. But as we both know, that’s not nearly enough these days. Doors for the brick-lined digs opened in 2024. Psst. The addy is about to welcome Filipino sensation Annex House, however last time I swept by, the lease sign was still parked in the window…
After setting down roots in 2024, chef Daniel and Anna Yoon’s Korean fusion kitchen Diner Seoul (1351 St Clair Ave. W.) has concluded service.
DoDoner landed west of Dovercourt (1132 Queen St. W.) with Aussie bonus to boot, in 2024.
The Annex’s The Fancy Induced Burger (565 Bloor St. W.) is upping sticks for another site downtown. Stay tuned for where to get in on their viral halal cheese syringe burgers shortly.
Authentic Jamaican street food truck The Good Eats by Julian has left its known coordinates in Scarborough at Guildwood GO Station (4105 Kingston Rd.).
Adiós.The final La Cubana outpost at The Well’s food court (Wellington Market 486 Front St. W., Lower Ground Level) is terminado.
As I mentioned last week, the activity lately is INTENSE. That continues to be the case as few have clocked that one of the city’s top Mexican restos and Kensington stalwart across three addresses since 2012, Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos (72 Kensington Ave.) is suddenly a thing of the past. Luckily, SL’s already dreamt up a similar scenario to take its place. Details above.
End of an era. That also goes for Toronto's oldest Spanish restaurant Tapas at Embrujo (97 Danforth Ave.), est. 1972. The go-to for authentic tapas, Flamenco performances, and events highlighting Spanish cuisine and traditions in the city’s east end shuttered without warning - much like its neighbour across the street, Azura (162 Danforth Ave.). Besos.
CHANGES
Mississauga’s A1 Hakka House (660 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 5B) has rebranded. Welcome Everest Fusion Flavours.
Knockout Chicken, est.2015, is tired of being caged in. Say hello to Knockout Chicken & Beef (207 Augusta Ave.).
NEWS
Latest food recalls: Momchipz Veggie Chips (Broccoli Florets & Cauliflower) recalled due to undeclared wheat.
TR SNEAK PEEKS
“A true Italian experience” is about to arrive in Scarborough (2173 Victoria Park Ave.) with a serious (s)quad: Pizza, sandwiches, coffee and gelato. See you soon, A Pagnotta.
Game on. Toronto’s biggest retro arcade bar Tilt is bringing similarly themed Bumpers to Stella’s Kitchen former footprint on Dupont (182 Dupont St.).
Circles and Squares Bakery & Café added a striking new modern outpost to the Financial District earlier this year. Next up: Transforming Uptown stalwart Club Monaco (2610 Yonge St.) into their latest dessert destination.
Attn Coffee Lovers: La Marzoccco Toronto Showroom is coming to King West (1189 King St. W.). Grand opening is happening September 20.
The Annex is about to welcome another Mexican venture - La Mixteca Mexican Seafood - slated to replace the anddddd-it's-gone FlyMood Cafe & Lounge (533 Bloor St. W.).
Remember when I told you Chinatown’s Mr Yes Noodle House shuttered? It’s about to become Little Town Story Sichuan Cuisine BBQ (454-456 Spadina Ave.). Stay tuned.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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