OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News August 28-September 3, 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
At this point it’s no longer a surprise that as we head into the long weekend, new spots are launching left and right - a whopping 22 in this edition alone. And the closures? Keeping pace as per usual. Fortunately not all are permanent.
TR Pro Tip: Double check hours of operation before heading out as it’s heavy vacay time for many owner/operators.
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
Amor Shawarma drops into Corktown with Turkish fare including its namesake dish and döner “done right” at the corner of King and River (514 King St. E., Unit 5).
Doors softly open Tuesday for “Italian resto bar” Bar Filo at Yonge and Richmond (146 Yonge St., Unit 101). The new incarnation takes over what was ever so briefly “land-to-table fine dining” concept, The Lost Land.
The Brick Room launched not long ago in the Financial District. Update: Another just dropped at the edge of FiDi (9 Temperance St.). TR Trivia: It lands around the corner from the resto bar above and directly across the street from fine dining destination The Chase (10 Temperance St., 5th Fl.) and its more casual counterpart, The Frederick, the new resto at street level with chef Cory Vitiello (The Chase, FLOCK, THR & Co, The Harbord Room) at the helm, set to open any day now.
PSA: “Toronto’s first melt bar” has arrived in Dufferin Grove. Co. Cheese moves into Laylow’s former stomping grounds (1144 College St.) with cheese-laden handhelds.
Craves Bites & Delights takes the dessert café category seriously. Discover everything from mini pancakes and milkshakes to waffles and soft serve under one roof in Scarborough at the corner of Birchmount and Lawrence (2171 Lawrence Ave. E.).
After a sudden, brief closure due to an “unfortunate event event” last month, Crudo (1451 Royal York Rd., Back of Bldg) - home of viral pizza and the “GTA’s first panuozzo” - is back in business.
Introducing wellness cafe The Cure by TMA (19 Mercer St.) brought to you by Fort York brunch spot The Morning After (88 Fort York Blvd.). Find it in the same structure with new arrivals Nobu and Nobu Hotel (33 Mercer St.).
Following the debut of its speakeasy Bar Cart last month, the restaurant side of things is underway with Eloise (42 The Esplanade) offering a focused modern menu in a contemporary sleek setting. Stay tuned for a peek inside.
Epos Cafe Couture has arrived in Yorkville (90 Yorkville Ave.) replete with French and artisan pastries. Grand opening festivities are slated to follow next month.
The changes at Queen and Bathurst have been rampant this last while.* Meet new occupant Gaia Burger (671 Queen St. W.) serving up fun fast food including fusion smash burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes, and poutine. *Peep the streetscape just two summer’s ago.
Gusto 501 (501 King St. E.) is back in action as of yesterday after a recent kitchen fire.
Jersey Mike’s Subs has been making its way across the city lately. Yesterday, the American sub shop kicked off in Woodbridge (21 Famous Ave.), just one of the 300 Canadian locations to launch in the next decade.
Mississauga’s new Mooncha (1525 Bristol Rd. W.) offers “a taste of Asia in a cup.” Think Viet coffee, bubble tea, and premium matcha.
Pho Ha Noi brings its signature northern Vietnamese cuisine to the Queen West strip (712 Queen St. W.) in the space formerly home to a fine dining Indian destination. A location on College debuted in 2023.
Pizza Pizza of all places, set up shop at the corner of Dundas and Palmerston (811 Dundas St. W.) taking over a portion of the expansive footprint that was Hilary's Pharmacy for eons.* It’s the first new PP I can recall in recent memory, and boasts a modern interior. Did you know? The Canadian pizzeria started back in 1967, has over 750 outposts across the country coast to coast, and a famous phone number that was part of their jingle back in the day. *Note: The drugstore has since relocated to a smaller spot across the street: (809 Dundas St. W.).
Royal Baithak touches down in Riverside (755 Queen St. E.) with the “flavours of India with a touch of Nawabi elegance,” and a unique grand opening discount - From August 30 to September 1, show your ID: Your age equals your discount. 38 years old? Get 38 per cent off. TR Trivia: The space has been home to a few concepts as of late.
In January, I gave you the inside track on Tabule’s plans to set down roots in Oakville. Newsflash: The local Middle Eastern chain is now welcoming guests at Trafalgar and Lakeshore (234 Lakeshore Rd. E.).
Tahini’s welcomes guests for the first time today at Dundas and River in Regent Park (690 Dundas St. E.). TR Trivia: The corner spot was set to be Gimbap House at one point before the Mediterranean fusion fast food co. took over.
After recent movement in the downtown core, Top Gun Burgers brings its extreme burgers and other maximalist meals to Mississauga (5955 Latimer Dr.).
Psst. Can you keep a secret? Down the street from the new pizzeria above, Uh Bar (1221 Dundas St. W., Unit 5) has quietly opened as renos are still underway. TR Hot Tip: If you listened to The Tip Off on TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST - Edition 13, in particular - this watering hole would’ve been on your radar already.
Uncle Pete’s Bread Co. claims to have “Toronto's best sandwiches on fresh baked focaccia.” See for yourself at the grand opening on Saturday. Find it in Kensington Market sharing space with Dipped Doughnuts (161 Baldwin St.).
The family behind specialty grocer Tavora Foods just unveiled 3 Castelos Bakery & Grill (1030 Dundas St. E.), a Portuguese restaurant and bakery in Mississauga.
CLOSED
I gave you the head’s up last week - This weekend is your last chance to get in your goodbyes at By The Way Cafe in The Annex (400 Bloor St. W.).
This also marks the final weekend for legendary dance party, Cold Tea (1186 Queen St. W.).
Earlier this week, Faiz Abdella shared the Dundas and Landsdowne location of his beloved Fahmee Bakery (222 Lansdowne Ave., Unit B) has come to a sudden end as of yesterday. Luckily, it’s not forever. The iconic patty and Caribbean restaurant is heading back to its roots in Scarborough. Watch this space for opening details.
Glory Hole Doughnuts (1505 Gerrard St. E.), established in 2012, closes up shop one last time on Sunday.
Head’s up: Sunday also marks last service for Japanese eatery Iwami at Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.).
New arrival The Lost Land (146 Yonge St.) has made way for a different concept. Pop up top for details.
I broke the news Sunday it was Superpoint’s final day (184 Ossington Ave.). Stay tuned for more details and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram for more exclusives.
Tanghulu Tanghulu’s pop-up at the Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.) may be coming to a close this weekend, however an array of sites to satiate your sweet tooth remain around town.
NEWS
Canada to remove retaliatory tariffs on select goods.
Police investigating after gunfire damages to two Scarborough restaurants.
Little Jamaica Food Festival is the latest event not to move forward due to lack of funding and other issues.
Latest food recalls: Rose Dry Anchovy recalled due to histamine, Shaikh Al Kar Plain Halva recalled due to Salmonella, Various pistachio containing products recalled due to Salmonella.
ICYMI
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