OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News December 11-17, 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
🕘 9.5 min read
I told you activity was increasing - 24 arrivals in this edition alone. And don’t let this week’s lack of closures fool you - the onslaught is coming. In the meantime, discover what’s new in and around town.
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
Gelato and coffee is the combo you didn’t know you needed - and one very much on the rise these days. Acoffee Canada brings the dynamic duo to Unionville’s main drag (209 Main St.).
When one door closes, another opens. In the case of Bello Pizza, enter Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.).
TR Hot Tip: Discover Chef Aiks’ Bajan delicacies at Bim Street Eats in Kensington Market (210 Augusta Ave.).
For brekkie, high tea, and “authentic Desi and continental flavours” head to Chaayekhana Express Continental in Mississauga (3920 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 30).
ISO Thai bubble tea? Chapayom’s second cafe just touched down in North York (4909 Yonge St. Entrance: 3 Spring Garden Ave.) Did you know? The downtown location at Yonge and Wellesley (21 Wellesley St. W., Unit 6) debuted Summer ‘23.
Sea moss-based wellness drinks, kombucha, patties, and more are happening inside North York’s Food Hall TO (5210 Yonge St.), courtesy of Chōju.
Frida House (1030 Gerrard St. E.) kicks off grand opening tomorrow. The authentic Mexican eatery moves in where similarly themed Los Cantaritos stood until very recently*, and was previously the east end branch of La Cubana, followed by their offshoot Bar Havana for a while before it moved to Ossington. *TR Trivia: Los Cantaritos is on Dufferin now (1009 Dufferin St.) and as of a few months ago, under new management with “new vibe, same authentic Mexican flavour you love.”
Acai bowl and smoothie chain Heal Wellness has been on a tear lately. The latest? Drops tomorrow at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.). To celebrate grand opening, enjoy a free OF acai bowl, available all day until sold out. Conditions apply.
I let you in on Baldwin Village’s incoming Taiwanese chicken joint J&G Fried Chicken a few months back. Update: Doors are now open (24 Baldwin St.).
Kababia, home of “Mideast eats” (halal kabobs, shawarma, falafels), is a fixture in the east end, boasting two Danforth locations and now one in Leslieville at the corner of Queen and Leslie (1225 Queen St. E.), in what was Shish until recently.
It’s only been a few weeks since Rasta Pasta abruptly shuttered its long-running resto in Kensington. In its place, RP’s new joint, Kensington Jerk & Pasta (61 Kensington Ave.). p.s. Want in on an OG Rasta Pasta repast? Simply head to their setup at Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.).
For Middle Eastern fare in the west end, check out Kysar Restaurant, currently in soft opening in Mississauga (5200 Dixie Rd., Unit 54). Grand opening is Saturday.
You might know hookah lounge La Secreto from its time on Bloor (708 Bloor St. W.). Change of Address Notice: Queen and Roncy (7 Roncesvalles Ave.), where Utopia Waffle stood.
I gave you the inside track on Lyla's House heading to Bloor West Village last month. Newsflash: The cafe and wine bar is now in effect at Runnymede and Bloor (2196 Bloor St. W.) in what was recently another destination for coffee and libations.
Have you noticed the uptick in local grocers lately? Add one more to the list. Attn Vaughan: Mapletri Supermarket celebrates grand opening tomorrow (100 Edgeley Blvd.). Bonus: The first 100 customers will receive a $20 voucher to use opening day.
Chinatown’s new Mexi-Pak Taco's (417 Spadina Ave.) specializes in, what else? Fusion tacos.
Mr. Greek’s signature souvlaki and other grub has landed on Bathurst between College and Dundas (410 Bathurst St., Unit B3).
Pars Grill & Lounge (6114 Yonge St.) offers Persian food and live music under one roof in North York.
You won’t soon forget the name of this shawarma joint in Mississauga. Introducing: Shawarnado (2645 Liruma Rd.).
Soul Smash Burgers (3115 Winston Churchill Blvd., Unit 2) starts doling out patties tomorrow. Note: Walk-in orders only. Did you know? It shares the same addy and owner as next door neighbour East Tea Can. The “Middle Eastern canteen” also held a large site in the downtown core. Details below.
Regent Park’s Dundas strip is littered with fast food chains including Tim Hortons (Three spanning a few blocks between River and Parliament), Popeyes, Subway, new addition Tahini’s, and Wendy’s. Moving in Saturday: Sushi 96 (684 Dundas St. E.), complete with opening specials.
Tacqueria El Tapatio welcomes guests Saturday near Donlands (915 Danforth Ave.) in the space formerly occupied by a joint venture.
Never say never. Est. 2019, Tasty’s Chicken and Donuts is back in action in the same digs in Chinatown (357 Spadina Ave.) after being closed for years, Doors officially reopen December 13 with a free honey butter donut for the first 100 guests.
Vietnamese cuisine and wood-fired pizza isn’t a typical pairing, but once you realize Viet Garden moved into a former Italian joint (372 Queen St. E.), it all makes perfect sense.
CLOSED
East Tea Can’s expansive footprint at The Well’s Food Court (Wellington Market, Lower Level, 486 Front St. W.) has come to an end.
Wood 900 Grill + Bar (372 Queen St. E.) arrived at Queen and Parliament in 2022. Their wood oven however, is still going strong. Details above.
NEWS
Metro supermarket has officially signed the Canadian Grocery Industry Code of Conduct.
Mark your calendars. The province has officially passed Bill 67 the Hospitality Workers Appreciation Day Act, designating February 23rd the big day. TR Fun Fact: The first one next month lands on a Monday.
Latest food recalls: McCain Tasti Taters Crispy Potato Bites recalled due to pieces of plastic, Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella, Vincenzo's Sweet and Savory Mix recalled due to Salmonella, Expanded recall - Oster French Door Toaster Countertop Ovens recalled due to burn hazard. [UPDATE 13.12.25: Aoun Tahineh recalled due to Salmonella.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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