OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News January 22-28, 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 min read
Loyal readers already know: The activity lately has been through the roof. This week, the insanity continues with a staggering 25 arrivals - and plenty more to come. And while the closures appear to have tapered off from previous editions - nine businesses concluded service below - don’t let the decrease fool you. A tsunami is on the approach.
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
No luggage required to visit sunny Acapulco this winter, thanks to the arrival of The Junction’s Acapulco Mexican Restaurant (2848 Dundas St. W.). From ceviche and fish tacos to margaritas and mole-enriched enchiladas, consider your beach feels sorted. TR Trivia: The addy has been home to many a Mexican venture this last while.
Al Jood Middle Eastern Cuisine dropped at the corner of Queen and Ossington (998 Queen St. W.) with a boatload of wraps, shawarma, falafel and samosas. Did you. know? Another can be found down the strip in Parkdale (1430 Queen St. W.).
I gave you the inside track on incoming Bad Angel Bar (1615 Dundas St. W.) last month. Newsflash: Classic cocktails and local brews are in effect in the space that up until recently was popular haunt, La Piscina.
What a ride. I’ve been keeping tabs on Pompette Group’s transition to Bar Allegro following the changeover to Vinoteca Pompette this last while. Update: The latest addition to the fam (Bakery Pompette, Bar Pompette), aperitivo-focused Bar Allegro (597 College St.), debuts Wednesday. Stay tuned for a closer look. In the meantime, get to know chef/co-cowner Martine Bauer in my chef series, At The Pass.
Bhau-G brings Mumbai style street food - namely vada pav, dabeli, and chai - to the chaotic corner of Queen and Bathurst (657 Queen St. W.), previously the brief base for International Food Garden’s cornucopia.
Burrito Boyz had to up sticks at Church and Dundas (74 Dundas St E.) while neighbouring Imperial Pub, Mayday Burger, Pass the Syrup shuttered for good. What luck - the burrito biz found new digs around the corner on Yonge just north of Dundas (335 Yonge St.).
Dav’s Hot Spot Restaurant + Lounge’s (1499 Gerrard St. E.) grand opening was delayed last week. The unveiling takes place Saturday.
Desi Bar & Grill, known for its Punjabi and North Indian fare since 2012, can be found across the GTA in Brampton, Markham, Mississauga (x2) and a food truck at Toronto Premium Outlets. You can’t miss their first resto downtown. It’s massive. (815 Queen St. W.) TR Tracker: The last concept here was recent - short-lived Mekan (despite addresses listed 815 vs. 817).
Hey good lookin’. The Beaches sleek new watering hole The Druid Bar (2192 Queen St. E.) doesn’t give typical Irish pub or tavern vibes. See for yourself.
El Pocho Antojitos Bar (2 Follis Ave.), home of “modern Mexican eats and craft cocktails,” debuted their newest project, El Chino Antojitos Bar near Bloor and Landsdowne (457 St. Clarens Ave.) on Friday. Prediction: It will be bustling from the get-go. TR Pro Tip: Go early and plan ahead when possible.
Fu-Panda Fast Hot Pot (428 Dundas St. W., Unit 1) is the latest hot pot joint to enter Chinatown’s ever-changing landscape.
Burger alert: Smash burgers have arrived at the corner to Dundas and Sherbourne. The Hunger Spot (236 Sherbourne St., Unit 4) also does shawarma, Philly cheesesteaks,* wings, and more. *Missing these from a few blocks west? Problem solved. Deets below.
I told you corner stores were having a moment. Infinity Mart set up shop in The Beaches (1930 Queen St. E.) where crazy clothing store Ends endured (well past its prime) and it’s been a revolving door of ventures ever since. “Canada's premier convenience retailer” is snapping up real estate left and right, lately: Dundas and Jarvis (200 Dundas St. E., Unit B3) aaaand Queen and Palmerston (652 Queen St. W., Unit 1).
TR King & Portland Watch ‘26: Little Baba by Amal (75 Portland St.) takes over where Bar Chica stood until very recently. The latest INK Entertainment swap-out kicks off Wednesday. The casual sibling to Lebanese Michelin-Recommended Amal is the co’s “first premium fast-serve concept,” a definitive sign o’ the times. Expect this kind of shift from more groups looking to expand.* *Need expert advice navigating the current market trends and learn what’s ahead? I’ve got just the thing.
The first Canadian outpost of Tokyo’s Machida Shoten now resides at College and Spadina (326 College St.) What differentiates the renowned Yokohama Iekei ramen from the crowd? Broth: Tonkotsu (pork bone) broth with tshoyu (soy sauce) seasoning, finished with chicken oil. Noods: Medium cut, straight. Customization: Toppings are pretty standard, such as seaweed, spinach, and chashu pork, but you get to customize noodle firmness, salt level for the broth, and level of chicken oil imparted. And accompanying the soup? A bowl of rice, the traditional way for the meal to be enjoyed. Did you know? The Japanese brand boasts more than 900 locations in Japan alone.
Meet You Cafe (858 King St. W.) opens its second cafe in the city this week at King and Niagara with an array of coffee, bubble tea, and nibbles. The first sits in a strip of eateries across from U of T (177 College St.). TR Trivia: They’re self-serve ordering and tip-free establishments.
Constant companions Poutine Hub and The Wings Bistro took over Philthy Philly’s in the Garden District near Jarvis and Dundas (132 Dundas St. E.). You might know the duo from their other east side joint at Parliament outdoor food hall Hangout Street (181 Parliament St.) and Poutine Hub right next door (179 Parliament St.).
Bánh Mì, Vietnamese coffee, milk tea, and more are happening in Chinatown. See: Rose's Viet Subs at the corner of Dundas and Spadina (493A Dundas St. W.).
Indie grocers are where it’s at. North York’s Sango Market on Keele north of Lawrence (2542 Keele St.) may be located inside a condo building, but the offerings are plentiful. Shop all the departments - meat, deli, produce, dairy, bakery, etc. - and peruse the aisles for your pantry essentials. Many prices are comparable or less than big box supermarkets, especially when you shop the flyer. TR How Cool is This: The store’s created a WhatsApp group for weekly specials.
Scratchy throat? Runny nose? General winter malaise? Sense Maker’s handcrafted lemon tea is the balm this season needs. Find the inaugural Canadian shop of the tea brand out of China in the Yonge and Wellesley nabe (595 Yonge St., Unit 2).
What the… Tasty’s Chicken and Donuts (357 Spadina Ave.) was back, then it wasn’t. All set to relaunch last month, grand opening has been rescheduled for Saturday. Bonus: The first 100 customers receive a free honey butter donut.
Smash burgers have taken over the city. For those in Little Italy, they’re within reach thanks to Two Hands Burger (695 College St.). Do you remember? The space has welcomed various cuisines throughout the years including recent UK India Bistro and before that, Sushi Bon.
CLOSED
Earlier this week Bier Markt announced immediate closure of its Esplanade outfit (58 The Esplanade), in close proximity to recently shuttered Goose Island. TR Trivia: Remember when the former chain held it down at King and Portland (600 King St. W.), in North York (CF Shops at Don Mills 67 O'Neill Rd.) and Mississauga (Square One 100 City Centre Dr.)? One still stands on Sparks St. in Ottawa.
You’ve got until Saturday to get in on Cà Phê Rang’s Viet grub - Pork Belly Roll, Brisket Pho, Lemongrass Chicken Bánh Mì, Chicken Wings - at Spadina and Richmond (147 Spadina Ave., Unit 109).
Colaba Junction - aka Colaba Indian Junction - had a good run at the corner of College and Bay (801 Bay St., Unit 3-4), arriving back in 2016. Another followed on Bathurst in 2019, since shuttered. Remaining locations include Vaughan and recent addition in FiDi’s Brookfield Place.
Chinatown’s transition continues with the subtraction of Malubianbian (440 Dundas St. W.) and Qingshu Malatang – Spicy Hot Pot (442 Dundas St. W.) on the main drag.
Mehfill Indian Cuisine arrived in The Beaches (2120 Queen St. E.) a few years back. The footprint about to become Delicacies by Banana Leaf that you may know from Etobicoke and Oshawa. Looking for Mehfill elsewhere? You’re in luck, locations remain throughout Toronto/GTA.
Queen Shawarma (998 Queen St. W.) took a while to finally open in 2023 and made quite the bold claim. As for its namesake item, visit the new occupant.
Following my report a few months back that Stella’s Kitchen on Dupont (182 Dupont St.) shut down temporarily, the FAB Concepts venture has shuttered for good. It replaced their previous enterprise, Pour House Pub and Kitchen.
Woah, Taste of Alley (428 Dundas St. W.) was just getting started. Luckily if you’re craving hot pot, you can still get your fix. Details above.
NEWS
Ontario grown products get a boost from the government.
Over 3,000 employees at Health Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada are at risk for layoffs.
Big changes coming to Mississauga foodie destination, Ridgeway Plaza, a place that’s seen a lot of activity lately.
Latest food recalls: Left Coast Organics Organic Chia Seeds recalled due to Salmonella, Tasty Bavarian Custard Filling recalled due to mould, T&T Supermarket Ground Beef recalled due to possible pieces of plastic, Veggie Paradise Vegan Ham recalled due to undeclared wheat.
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