OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News December 4-10, 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
🕘 10.5 min read
Even with the year drawing to a close, the rush of arrivals and closures don’t let up one bit. In fact, if it feels like the pace is increasing, it is, as illustrated below.
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
Brunch is great. Filipino brunch? That’s what’s up. Find it weekends at Michelin Bib Gourmand BB’s (5 Brock Ave.) - with coffee on offer weekdays - for a limited time, courtesy of Manila’s own Annex House.
Denovia offers healing modalities for everything from head to toe, inside and out (sound baths, IV drips, and deep thermal therapy, for starters) complete with a considered café component Uptown north of Eglinton near Blythwood (2656 Yonge St.).
This just in: New KBBQ has landed in Mississauga. See: Galbi Town (257 Dundas St. E., Unit 8-9).
Halal hakka fare is at the heart of Etobicoke’s aptly named Hakka Dynasty (2141 Kipling Ave., Unit 10A), with Caribbean and Guyanese style dishes also available. TR Pro Tip: The extensive menu requires multiple visits - Fried Curry Chicken Spring Rolls, Crab Corn Soup, Cantonese Chow Mein, Yeung Chow Fried Rice (BBQ Chicken & Shrimp), Momos, Manchurian Tiger Prawns (Gravy or Dry), General Tao Fish, Hakka Masala Chicken (Gravy), and Spicy Garlic Beef (Gravy or Dry) are just the tantalizing beginning.
Hamilton isn’t part of my usual coverage area* but I’d be remiss not mentioning the opening of chef Matty Matheson’s new stomping grounds in Hamilton, The Iron Cow Public House at TD Coliseum (101 York Blvd.). As I previously reported, doors open Monday. *I go waaay beyond the downtown core to bring you the latest resto news - from East York to North York, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Mississauga, Etobicoke, Markham, Scarborough, Oakville, and everywhere in between.
Jupiter Bakehouse soft launched over the weekend at the corner of Coxwell and Gerrard (1505 Gerrard St. E.) with a boatload of sourdough and pastries in Glory Hole Dougnut’s former digs. Official launch is Saturday. Psst. Stay tuned: Moving in nearly next door? Dav’s Hotspot (1501 Gerrard St. E.). Did you know? It’s the addy where Mattachioni East operated until earlier this year.
Ka Chi, a fixture on Dundas (414 Dundas St. W.) for 15 years, recently welcomed Hello Cupbop’s Korean street food and KFC (Korean fried chicken) to the fam. To celebrate, enjoy various ongoing promotions and discounts.
Kervan Kebab (516 Danforth Ave.) takes over where Chef Mustafa held it down in Greektown. The Turkish eatery boasts a new owner and name, however the menu remains the same, save for two areas - pasta and alcohol are no longer available.
If your love language is cheesecake, this is for you: Etobicoke just got a Laila’s Cheesecake Co. to call its own (855 Browns Line). As for the OG location in Burlington (4155 Fairview St., Unit 7)? Still going strong since its debut in 2017.
La La Bakeshop just departed the Annex, but swiftly set up shop at Bay and College (761 Bay St., Unit 2), where Gorudoya was. The flagship is offering 10 per cent off every purchase during soft opening. Offer ends December 12.
“Toronto’s first banh mi walk-up window experience” is happening in Leslieille. Oi Banh Mi opens Saturday at 9am in All Way Convenience Store at Queen and Logan (900 Queen St. E.).
PSA: K-food has landed in The Beaches. Discover Olde Seoul Tavern (1911 Queen St. E.) where Otherside Pizza stood.
I told you I’d keep you up-to-date: Cake shop One Pound softly opened on Friday west of Bathurst (889 Dundas St. W.).
It’s entirely possible that there’s already a Pho Anh Vu near you. Situated in North York? Then definitely - Visit 5051 Yonge St., Unit 2. p.s. Are more on the way? Watch this space.
Sweetory Gelato & Waffle (690 Bloor St. W.) has popped up in Koreatown with handcrafted Asian-inspired gelato and made in-house mochi waffles.
Not long after my report, Pape and Danforth’s Taki Sushi Japanese Resto (679 Danforth Ave.) is up and running.
Some businesses really keep me hopping. Tanghulu Tanghulu, for instance: Didn’t they just launch in a mall, you ask? Uh huh. Hasn’t the sweet shop been opening all over town lately? You betcha. And wait, did another just drop? You better believe it. See: Dufferin Mall (900 Dufferin St.). Will there be more? Stay tuned…
18feet Espresso Bar & The Cheong touched down near Davisville mere weeks ago. Find the brand’s third cafe filled with coffee, cheong, and bagels a few subway stops away at Yonge and Dundas (329 Yonge St.).
CLOSED
All Way Convenience Store (900 Queen St. E.) was home for hot grab ‘n go fare for a while. A new venture just took over. Details above.
On Saturday Stephanie Kaptein shared immediate closure of her bakery Ampersand Bakehouse (1808 Danforth Ave.), stating she’ll explain later as to the reason.
After being on the market for a stretch, Beaches Brewing Co., aka Beaches Brewpub & Kitchen (1953 Queen St. E.), has shuttered for good. It’s the latest in a string of brewery closures and located nearby another recent closure in The Beaches, Mira Mira, in addition to arrivals (including above). TR Hot Brewery Tip: Lost Craft is taking over the space formerly held by The Aviary/Longslice in the Canary District until earlier this year, with a brewery, taproom, bottle shop, kitchen and patio combo (484 Front St. E.).
Cafe Plenty’s Midtown outpost (1967 Yonge. St.) that opened Q4 2021 has been marked ‘Permanently Closed’ on Google. The local cafe and market chain established by Melissa Patterson in 2011 has held various locations across the 6ix over the years. Two remain: Dundas and University (250 Dundas St. W.), and in the PATH Commerce Court Food Court (199 Bay St., Unit C-14).
C-Block Taiwanese Bento (690 Bloor St. W.) arrived in Ktown in 2023. The owners have replaced it with a different concept. Pop up top for details.
Chef Mustafa (516 Danforth Ave.) has a new name and owner. As for other changes, see above.
On Sunday La La Bakeshop announced the end of the Annex destination (346A Bloor St. W.), however disclosed more news was on the way. A new shop debuted almost immediately. See openings for info.
CHANGES
Vinoteca Pompette is changing concepts once more. After switching its model from Michelin-awarded Restaurant Pompette to Vinoteca Pompette last year (I broke the news), the owners are switching it out for Bar Allegro. The aperitivo bar, steps from their Bakery Pompette and award-winning cocktail bar Bar Pompette, is slated to launch February 2026. Vinoteca Pompette will remain open until January 4.
NEWS
Latest food recalls: Certain Arnie's All Natural Raw Mix Nuts and Arnie's Sweet & Savory Sensational Mix recalled due to Salmonella, Certain Daesang Red Pepper Paste products recalled due to undeclared wheat, Jin Tian Food Inc. brand Fish & Shrimp Balls and Fried Fish Balls recalled due to undeclared soy, Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella, Imported pistachios from Iran: What you need to know.
ICYMI
TR Pro Tip: With the holidays on the quick approach, cookbooks by Toronto chefs and restaurants make lovely gifts for the food-lovers in your life.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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