OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News August 6-12, 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
🕘 13.5 min read
Despite the length and depth of this week’s roster - 16 arrivals, nearly as many closures (10), 1 change of address, 5 sneak peeks, and whack of news you need to get up to speed on - you’ll find little overlap in cuisines and concepts. A rare occurrence I assure you, so soak it up while you can buttercup, ‘cause it’s about to get wild in here.
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
Fresh mini doughnuts are just part of the equation at Danforth’s new Dang Good Donuts (499 Danforth Ave.) Specifically, the Chocolate Glazed, Cinnamon Sugar, Cookie N’ Cream, Dubai Chocolate, and Strawberry Cheesecake variety. Add in soft serve and coffee, and you’ve discovered the formula for sweet bliss.
Fruits Basket was one of three food establishments to have to up sticks at the corner of Yonge and Davisville last fall. Two have already relocated: Neighbouring green grocer Fresh Buy Market set up close by and Kramer's Bar & Grill’s new iteration, The Blue Horse Cucina* in Etobicoke. Make that three: Find Fruits Basket a few blocks south of its original coordinates (1818 Yonge St., Unit 106-107), and just steps from The Blue Horse Eatery (1867 Yonge St.). *As I previously broke the story, The Blue Horse Rotisserie is set to arrive on Parliament soon.
Loyal readers already know: I love a slip of a place. The latest micro-destination, Jesmin Foods (405 Parliament Ave.) in Cabbagetown, is reminiscent of your old apartment where you had to close the fridge door in order to enter the kitchen. The narrow joint doesn’t need an expansive footprint to show off its wide array of grub. Expect Biryani, Chicken Rolls, Samosas, Singara, Chola Mury, Paan, Salad, and Sweets, with pop, tea, and ‘tobacco’ (When was the last time you heard it called that?) also on offer.
Good to have you back, La Rev. The fab resto and live music venue has settled into their new digs at Runnymede and St. Clair (825 Runnymede Rd.), complete with lineup of local talent. See for yourself.
The Main Exchange Public Exchange & Eatery (220 King St. W.) swiftly took over verrry recently shuttered Mascot Brewery at King and Simcoe with finger foods and handhelds - Crab Rangoon, Corn Fritters, Pulled Pork Sliders, burger, wings - and bevvies, natch.
Nowwa Coffee Canada, the “fruit coffee” chain out of Shanghai boasting 10+K stores around the globe, softly opened at Twilight Cafe & Bar’s Yonge & Bloor branch (667 Yonge St.) over the weekend. The “fruit-infused” java comes in many unique formulations including refreshing Yuzu C Americano featuring Thai Green Pomelo and Kyushu White Pomelo “fruit aromas” and IIAC Gold Medal coffee, the viral supersized 750ml mega jugs Ton Ton Buckets, and “the Supermodel Cheese Latte” (TR Tracker: How the name alone, never mind the concept, isn’t trending is beyond me. Erewhon who?) containing “natural fat-reducing ingredient ‘Diacylglycerol’ reduces fat absorption. One cup calories = 0.5 avocado, equivalent to 30 minutes of exercise.”
This just in: The Original Thunderbolt Cafe on St. Clair near Old Weston Rd. (1728 St. Clair Ave. W.) is the spot for paninis, pastries and potables.
No need to fire up the barbie now that Pri’s Smoke BBQ’s (4 Greenwood Ave.) in effect with Southern-style ‘cue with “a chef’s touch” such as BBQ AAA Ontario Smoked Brisket slow-smoked over hardwood for up to 14 hours, Smoked Chicken Wings, Pork Belly Bites, Double Smash Burger, BBQ Jackfruit Sandwich, Classic Canadian Poutine, Kare Caesar Salad, House Pickles, Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, and Churros. Droool. TR Pro Tip: Extra napkins. Always.
The Rosie’s Burgers chain is loyal to the classics: Smash burgers, fries, shakes, et al. Find the whole shebang in FiDi at First Canadian Place (100 King St. W., Mezzanine Level Food Court). Doors open Monday.
Changeup alert: A colossal Indian restaurant touched down on the Danny only to be replaced by another months later. Introducing local chain Shaaz Indian Cuisine delivering “a new chapter of Hyderabadi” to the city via Greektown (411 Danforth Ave.).
Tasty treats by way of fresh baked donuts, crispy croquettes and coffee are the mission of K-bakery Simbongsa Dorokke in North York (5369 Yonge St.). Spoiler alert: Mission accomplished.
“Canada's first British Indian sports tavern” has arrived, courtesy of restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani. Say hiya to Tap n Tandoor (2865 Dundas St. W., Unit 1) by husband-and-wife Tarun and Noni Verma who managed and helped run Bar Goa and Indian Street Food Co. Doors softly open tomorrow in the same space as the owner’s former health food venture - Details below. Bonus: Enjoy 50 per cent off the food menu every day in August from 12–5pm.
Last month, I gave you the inside track on incoming Trisara (1451 Queen St. W.). Update: Parkdale’s Little Tibet welcomes the new Himalayan restaurant and lounge Saturday.
Kensington’s Knock Out Chicken, known for their epic deals on extreme comfort food combos featuring crunchy fried chicken, burgers, and fries, unveils Unika Kebab today in Liberty Village (133 Jefferson Ave.) with opening special: Kebab Sando with Fries, and Pop or Water for $10.
I told you it was on the way. The Wine Thief (840 Bloor St. W.) takes over what was recently The Fall Bright Tavern. TR Prediction: This cozy wine bar and bottle shop combo with patio in Bloordale is about to be your new rendezvous thanks to their carefully curated list, epic nightly pours (Burgundies? Barolos? YESSSSS.), and small sharing Mediterranean plates. See you there.
Markham is exploding with new options like never before. The latest entry, 26 Boulevard Bar & Lounge (125 Commerce Valley Dr. W., Unit 50-51), offers “a premium dining and nightlife experience.”
CLOSED
It’s too late to satiate your burger craving at the Yonge and Bloor outpost of mall burger chain Bingz Crispy Burger (730 Yonge St., Unit 6).
Did Central Kitchen in Greektown (409 Danforth Ave.) even launch? It came and left in the blink of an eye.
Newsflash: Right before the return of Taste of the Danforth, Christina’s on the Danforth (492 Danforth Ave.) closed temporarily for renovations. TR Trivia: Long-running Greek restaurant Kalyvia, a few blocks west, just did the same.
Dang Smoke BBQ (4 Greenwood Ave.) arrived at the corner of Queen and Greenwood in 2023 but has been on the market for some time. Psst. Should you be craving barbecue at this addy, you’re in luck. Details up top.
Indian resto Dhoom (411 Danforth Ave.) was a LOT: Big in size. Immense in its offerings. Turns out that wasn’t enough. And someone’s already moved in. See openings above for deets.
Kyma Mediterranean Grill (2865 Dundas St. W.) was in operation for only a few months before a new concept took over. See above for info.
Chinatown’s More Than Noodles (449 Dundas St. W.) is closed for now. Stay tuned.
Strictly Bulk has been a presence in the city since 1987. The bulk food emporium with a focus on healthy ingredients and products at Pape and Danforth (638 Danforth Ave.) has come to a close. Fortunately, their store in Bloorcourt (924 Bloor St. W.) is still all in. TR Sidebar: Look, the store isn’t new and might not seem exciting at first, but if you look past the appearance, you might just find items you didn’t know you were looking for, but make all the difference.
“The city’s newest all-inclusive safe space” landed on Queen near Augusta (482A Queen St. W.) in 2023. The Well Bar, has quietly, according to Google permanently, closed. The OG on Church (487 Church St.) is ready to serve you.
Next to Strictly Bulk (above), the cafe portion of real estate office Re/Max Hallmark Danforth (630 Danforth Ave.) - 6Thirty Coffee and Co. has concluded. TR Tracker: Remember when the space was briefly A Bite of China and Simple Fresh?
CHANGES
ZERO Cocktail Bar, Tasting Room & Bottle Shop has picked up and moved. Not far. From Cabbagetown to neighbouring ‘hood, Regent Park (170 Sumach St.).
NEWS
Toronto festivals are dropping left and right: Just as Taste of Danforth is about to get underway, Afrofest is canceled.
Quebec meal-kit company’s Goodfood current sitch includes convos about bankruptcy.
Glen Tymchuk of former Toronto eatery Hogtown Smoke is taking the CRA to court for “the losses he said he endured” at the Colborne location during the pandemic.
Casino workers including “hospitality and food service staff such as servers, cooks, dishwashers, bus persons and chefs” in Toronto, Pickering, and Ajax, “remain on strike with no timeline for future talks.”
A man is wanted after an alleged assault in a nightclub in the Entertainment District near Queen and Peter.
A Toronto food bank has been forced to close for now.
Latest food recalls: Compliments Smashed 100% Chicken Burgers recalled due to undeclared egg, PC Organics and Frankie's Organic Plant-based cheddar corn puffs and crunchies recalled due to undeclared milk.
TR SNEAK PEEK
Latin vibes are about to drop in Corso Italia. See: Aluna (1127 St. Clair Ave. W. ), where Royal Caribbean Cafe stood for 27 years.
Luxe modern KBBQ showcasing premium ingredients is about to touch down at Yonge and Dundas (332 Yonge St.), an area crowded with almost exclusively casual options. Watch this space for details about Hwaro Korean BBQ, scheduled to open this month.
PSA: Halal Nashville chicken HQ Juicy Birds is about to make the Entertainment District home, where Abey's Indian Chinese Hakka Fusion’s - aka Abeyan Pizza & Grill - sign is still on display.
On the approach: Ramen resto Kajiken downtown to Queen West. The Michelin-listed haunt arrived in North York (4850 Yonge St.) last year.
Pizza Wine Disco (788 King St. W.) shuttered only weeks ago but it’s about to become something new. The same folks are launching a steakhouse in its stead. Get ready for you’d-never-guess-it’s-a-steakhouse-by-the-name, Sonny Can't Dance, unleashed by Municipal Goods this coming Wednesday.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
Subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and wherever you watch/listen to podcasts.
Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.
Support local independent food journalism and publishing.
Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.
Need help promoting your business? Get started now.
We should work together.
Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below.
