OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News December 18-24, 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
🕘 12 min read
I told you things were heating up. This late into December and right before the holidays, you ask? Yep. See for yourself: 21 arrivals, with nearly half that in closures.
p.s. Reminder: Many businesses will be closed over the holidays, some extending closure for revamps and renos (a record number, in fact), so be sure to check operating hours.
p.p.s. As there are so many comings and goings during this time, the OPEN/CLOSED will run straight through to the new year without a break. Send cocktails.
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
For Indian fare mixed in with global eats - think Indo-Chinese selections, pizza, nachos, momos - cocktails, and live entertainment, head to Ameera’s in Mississauga (959 Derry Rd. E., Unit 3).
I’ve been tracking the movements of local pink pizzeria Blondies Pizza for years. Just added to their dossier: Yonge and Lawrence (3233 Yonge St.), formerly home to Philly cheesesteak co., Philthy Philly's.
The recent surge in Mexican restaurants is far from over. Case in point: Last week’s arrivals, the ones below, and the following, for starters. Burlington’s Camila is the latest to enter the Oakville chat (2345 Wyecroft Rd.). In addition to usual crowd-pleasers - aka tacos, guac, and enchiladas - discover an assortment of goodies including gorditas, tortilla soup, and chimichangas.
Have you noticed the uptick lately in eateries replacing similar concepts, often by the same owners? (The journey of Pompette, for example.) Ceniza (942 Queen St. W.) takes over the reins at their former spot at Queen and Shaw (details below) with a different take on the OG concept. Soft opening for the new cocktail bar offering “food kissed by fire” kicks off tonight at 5pm.
Denny’s has become a part of North York’s ever-changing Yonge Sheppard Centre (4841 Yonge St., Unit 227), marking the third in the 6ix for the American chain known for their all-day breakfast and other diner-style dishes.
Don Patron Mexican Restaurant lands at Keele and Finch (1285 Finch Ave.W.) with “authentic Mexican flavours with a modern twist in Toronto.” What does that look like? Definitely tacos, fajitas, and signature margaritas. Did you know? The addy was formerly a Fox & Fiddle.
For Persian, Arabic and Mediterranean meals that won’t break the bank, head to DubaiLevant in Emerald Park Food Court at Yonge and Sheppard (4750 Yonge St., Unit 132). TR Trivia: The space was home to another Persian eatery. Details below.
Everest Fusion, currently celebrating grand opening in Mississauga (650 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 5B), is all about variety. The Indian, Hakka and Chinese selections here go on and on and on: Hakka Noodle, Goan Curry, Kadai Chicken Thali, and Gobi Manchurian are just the beginning. The appetizers alone are never ending, with nearly 50 options to choose from.
Speaking of Indian grub, Scarborough just gained an Indian kitchen and bar. The Jalsa Indian Cuisine (2258 Kingston Rd.) boasts rich curries (think Chicken Changezi, Veggie Korma, Lamb Bhuna), tandoor specialties, biryanis, chaats, and more.
Italian and sub-style sando shops are everywhere right now. The latest addition: U.S. chain Jimmy John’s celebrated grand opening at their new digs in the Entertainment District on ‘Restaurant Row’* (299 King St. W.)- the strip of King West that has seen a lot of comings and goings lately, not far from King & Portland that’s really been through it. * Where N’Awlins Jazz Bar stood for 25 years until the pandemic hit.
Moi Hakka Kitchen debuted yesterday in Mississauga (80 Courtney Park Dr. W.). On the agenda: “Authentic Kolkata Tangra–style Hakka India Chinese comfort food.”
Halal Yemeni restaurant Monasaba, known for their Lamb and Chicken Mandi, is in soft opening at Mississauga’s Ridgeway Plaza (3465 Platinum Dr., Suite 100), a foodie marketplace that’s garnered new occupants lately. p.s. Stay tuned. Scarborough’s next.
MMV Mubaiya Misal and Vadapav in North York (861 York Mills Rd., Unit 7) is the place for authentic Maharashtrian street food. TR Fun Facts: All food is 100 per cent vegetarian and free of preservatives.
PSA: Nganda African Street Food’s second outpost has landed in the east end at Gerrard and Pape (936 Gerrard St. E.), steps from Gerrard Square, with an array of char-grilled chicken, goat and salmon dishes, suya beef, vegan bowls (TR Rec: Kitoko | Pondu Fufu - Congolese pounded cassava leaves, stewed with eggplant, onion & palm oil served with steamed, rounded dumpling of pounded yam), soups, sides, and save room for dessert - aka Mikaté. Find the OG in the Entertainment District (254 Adelaide St. W.).
Oasis Grill brings Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines together with “premium hookah service” under one roof in Mississauga (33 Hillcrest Ave.).
The Pilot (22 Cumberland St.), one of the longest standing live music destinations in the city - est. 1944 in Yorkville - has added ‘diner’ to its resumé. Introducing: The Pilot Diner, an on-site concept with a lineup of classics including Steak & Eggs, Huevos Rancheros, Club Sandwich, Pilot Burger, Patty Melt, and Aviator Breakfast Sandwich.
ISO shisha lounges in Mississauga? Rouh Café has touched down in Streetsville (37 Queen St. N.).
Syrian shawarma co. Shawarma Royale opened yesterday in North York at Sheppard and Consumers Rd. (2185 Sheppard Ave. E.).
Welcome back, Tinuno. The one downtown (31 Howard St.) reopens today.
Banh mi lovers, this one’s for you: Viet Sandwich celebrates grand opening in Scarborough (2181 McNicoll Ave., Unit 4) on Sunday with a deal: Buy two banh mi or two drinks, get one free until December 31.
Turkish street food biz Yummy Istanbul is in soft opening at Dundas and Erin Mills (2273 Dundas St. W., Unit 6). The third branch for halal pide, smoked meat, and charcoal BBQ is YI’s second in Mississauga. TR Fun Fact: It’s steps away from Monasaba (above) in Unit 11, which also boasts more than one site in ‘Sauga.
CLOSED
The latest in a string of recent closures in The Beaches: Last year’s arrival, Amo’s (2014 Queen St. E.).
Fonda Lola held it down at the corner of Queen and Shaw for 13 years (942 Queen St. W.). The team has transformed it into something new. Details up top.
Short notice alert: Today San Francesco Foods announced you’ve got until Sunday to visit the original stomping grounds in Little Italy (10 Clinton St.) that held strong for 71 years.
Triple threat Sounds Good - cafe, resto, listening bar - at the corner of Dundas and Landsdowne (1756 Dundas St. W.) is coming to an end February 2. TR Pro Tip: Get in on chef Renelle Joubert’s menu here while you can.
The space that was Scarborough’s Spice Bar Indian Street Food & Bar (817 Brimley Rd.) is about to make way for Blaze And Bourbon Bar & Grill.
Thairoomgrand has been changing it up lately. Their other resto on King near Strachan (934 King St. W.) has wrapped up, with another Thai joint, Koh Rawi, about to take over.
Though the website still lists three locations for Toranj, “the best Persian food in the GTA” - Inside the food courts of Emerald Park (4750 Yonge St., Unit 132) and Centerpoint Mall (6464 Yonge St., Unit 115) and restaurant and banquet hall (1101 Finch Ave. W., Unit 4-5), all in North York - all have shuttered. For who moved into Emerald Park, pop up top.
1756 Dundas, the cafe component of Sounds Good (1756 Dundas St. W.) during the day (different than the other Rooms around town) will wrap up for a final time New Year’s Eve. Luckily, you can still get in on their coffee and good vibes via Baldwin Village (17 Baldwin St.), Dufferin (Bather), Dupont (915 Dupont), and Ossington (135 Ossington Ave.).
612 Harlowe (612 Richmond St. W., Unit 103) arrived late last year. It kept some of the Italian vibes from the previous venue, serving everything from Chicken Piccata and Tiramisu, adding international offerings such as Korean Style Chicken and Miso Tofu Steak.
CHANGES
Burdock Brewery’s new Kensington Tavern (184 Augusta Ave.) is joining the steakhouse ranks.
NEWS
Latest food recalls: Various inspiredgo brand products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella. [UPDATE 19.12.25: Arnie's All Ntrl Raw Mx Nuts and Arnie's Sweet & Savoury Mix recalled due to Salmonella. 21.12.25: Certain Pillsbury Pizza Pops Pepperoni + Bacon recalled due to E. coli O26.]
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TR Pro Tip: With the holidays on the quick approach, cookbooks by top Toronto chefs and restaurants make lovely gifts for the food-lovers in your life.