OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News January 8-14, 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
🕘 12 min read
Loyal readers already know: As I’ve been furiously tracking and forecasting the comings and goings in the city and beyond, closures have been ramping up. This week is no exception - a whopping 18 joints made the list. And of course, arrivals aren’t slacking off either - 15 in total. Thirty-three establishments in a week? In what historically was the industry’s slowest month? If you follow my reporting, you’ll see this insanity is fairly standard these days.
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
After a stint on Main Street, Rhea Abayan and Ry Lee’s Bakerrae x Chachalate has returned to the east end, this time in East Chinatown. Bakerrae - Modern Filipino Bakery’s (326 Broadview Ave.) new Insta-worthy haunt is lined with “Filipino-inspired” treats, local coffee, and of course chocolates on repeat. Bonuses: Seating and a spot to watch the chocolate and other delectables magic happen in real time. p.s. If you followed Toronto Restaurants on Instagram, you’d have the inside track on the opening. (Find in ‘Latest 2.0’ highlights on Instagram.)
Speaking of baked goods, discover aptly named The Bakers at Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.) with an array of authentic Middle Eastern pastries including maarouk, manakish, and mini fatayer.
TR Hot Tip for thrifters and coffee lovers: Cafe Rec is happening weekends inside Little Italy’s Recalled (615 College St.), the destination for carefully curated secondhand threads, sneaks and accessories.
Corner stores are having a moment. Convenience Canada (584 Queen St. W.), stocked with chips, gum, smokes/vapes, booze, pantry items, and other ‘essentials,’ lands right at the corner of Queen and Bathurst, an area that’s been in flux for some time now. TR Pro Tip: Want to see how much the area has changed in the last few years? Take a trip down memory lane.
DON - Grilled Steak Tacos & Brunch (1030 Gerrard St. E.) officially opened yesterday, adding a daytime component to recent arrival, Frida House.
Hearty, homemade European dishes and desserts with Greek flair is just what this season calls for: Cabbage Rolls, Lasagna, Roast Duck with Orzo, Beef Stew, Lamb Leg, soups and more. See for yourself at Eva’s Daily Cafe in Etobicoke (3333 Lake Shore Blvd. W.), where Ukrainian Buzzy Bee M Deli previously operated.
Hospitality vets chef Steven Kasprowicz and somm Lee Stein hopped across the street from east end’s The Dive Shop (1036 Gerrard St. E.) to open a sando shop on Monday. See: Hot Mess (1027 Gerrard St. E.). in what was for a short while, a different concept altogether.
Last month, I gave you the head’s up on incoming Koh Rawi - Thai Kitchen & Bar (934 King St. W.). Update: Fried Chicken Laab, Malay Curry, Basil Eggplant, Spicy Soft Shell Crab with Chili Sauce, and Hot Pan Crispy Mussel Omelette are just a fraction of what’s now on offer.
LaMochi Japanese Eatery (3580 McNicoll Ave.) softly opened Sunday in Scarborough with a mix of good stuff, both sweet (mochi) and savoury (karaage, tonkatsu, udon).
Breakfast, brunch, dessert, and coffee are what’s up at Le Petit Cafe in Etobicoke (696 The Queensway).
Introducing Cabbagetown’s latest addition: Merkato Eri-Ethrio Cafe & Restaurant (436 Parliament St.).
Soft opening for charcoal-kissed, rotisserie-style chicken spot Mozy’s in Liberty Village (114 Atlantic Ave.) kicks off Wednesday.
Notte Ristorante (9 Church St.) is the latest on-site Italian iteration from the gang at Amano Trattoria. Doors open Saturday. Psst. That’s not all. The changeups continue: Their once shuttered Bar Notte next door? It’s turning into Pasta Privato (11 Church St.). Stay tuned.
Japanese handhelds by way of omusubi (shaped rice wrapped in nori with various fillings), have arrived in FiDi via Onigiri Co. at Bay Adelaide Centre (333 Bay St., PATH Level, Unit C06).
After giving it a go at Yonge and Dundas for a stretch, U.S. chain Panera Bread returns to the 6ix at College and Spadina (253 College St.).
Roast Aroma’s pop-up cafe in Scarborough (3495 Danforth Ave.) commences Saturday at noon.
Clandestino’s revamp, Vie Strada (1183 Dundas St. W.) is now in effect. What to expect: French-Italian resto and bar from the steadfast west side Italian wine bar.
Yukimi Donburi (412 Queen St. W.) replaced another Japanese noodles and bowls joint at Queen and Augusta. Details below.
CLOSED
The team behind Amano Trattoria (9 Church St.) swapped in something similar, a practice that’s becoming more prevalent these days. Details up top.
After its arrival in 2024, Bad Egg, later rebranded Bold Bites Co. (2214 Queen St. E.), has concluded in The Beaches. The one downtown remains open.
Following the closure of Bar Clams, and opening another restaurant- this time outside the city limits, chef Matty Matheson’s eatery Cà Phê Rang with Chef Rang Nguyen (147 Spadina Ave.. Unit 109) wraps up January 24 as the lease comes to an end.
That’s it for Cozy Bean Café (3495 Danforth Ave.), the poplar rendezvous where Danforth Road and Avenue meet. For those still looking for coffee and connection, a limited-time venture has arrived in its place. Details above.
As is so common with numerous businesses today including mega hospitality group INK Entertainment properties, Figo (295 Adelaide St. W.) is being flipped into another project - Byblos Uptown, Chica, and Pink Sky, to name a few. It had a good run, holding strong since 2015. Stay tuned for what’s next.
Goose Island Brewhouse (70 The Esplanade) arrived Summer ‘17 with fresh brews and fun pub fare. Doors closed New Year’s Eve. Their Goose IPA will still be available for purchase.
Little Kitchen Academy, the Montessori-inspired cooking school for kids with numerous locations throughout Canada and the U.S., has subtracted two from the lineup: Vaughan (20 Jacob Keffer Pkwy., Unit 4) comes to an end on Sunday, and the one in the Beaches (2052 Queen St. E.) is about to become a shawarma joint, Osmow’s in particular.
Lucky Lin's Restaurant, home of West Indian and Chinese chow in Scarborough (5633 Finch Ave. E.) since 1991, is ceasing service at this location of January 13 as “our landlord has chosen not to renew our lease.” Fortunately, the stalwart is “actively searching for a new home.” Watch this space.
After 35 years, the Yonge and Eglinton branch of Chinese buffet chain Mandarin is shuttering its long-time digs (Canada Square 2200 Yonge St.), Final day to get in on your customizable meals is January 18.
Midori Ramen settled in at Queen and Spadina (412 Queen St. W.) in 2021. Find locations throughout the GTA - and one in Alberta. In the meantime, Japanese eats remain in its place. Details above.
Earlier this week, Nadège Patisserie announced closure of the enduring Queen West shop (780 Queen St. W.) for renos*, launching as something new next month. Stay tuned. *A trend this szn like I’ve never seen: Alo, Antler, MIMI Chinese, to name just a few.
Ops Burger & Bar (566 Queen St. W.) touched down at Queen and Bathurst just last summer, but the space has been cleared out.
Rolltation’s Yonge & College outpost (3 Carlton St.) has come to an end. Locations remain in the vincinity at Yonge and Dundas and Dundas near University. As for who’s moving in to the Carlton space? Keep your eyes peeled for Koko Fino.
Addy 507 Church St. in The Village has seen its share of businesses over the years include recent additions Koi Sushi Bar, Stuu Stuu, and Torch Pressed Sushi.
NEWS
What a way to start the year. On January 1st, four of Canada's largest food rescue organization, Second Harvest, delivery trucks were vandalized.
Goodfood, the Montreal co. behind “The #1 Canadian mealkit” had its licence suspended by Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Despite Winterlicious on the quick approach, registration for Summerlicious has opened.
And speaking of applications for restaurants, enrolment to be a part of CafeTO 2026 has commenced.
Latest food recalls: Co-op Gold Cream Cheese Creamy Frosting recalled due to undeclared milk, Various pistachios and pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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