OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News July 23-29, 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
🕘 20 min read
The end of July should signal slowdowns and siestas, vacays and hand-drawn ‘Gone Fishing’ signs. Instead it’s giving serious never-been-busier vibes and might as well get used to it. My research confirms it’s not slowing down anytime either. So strap in and grab a snack. This is gonna take a while, but like all good things, Totally worth it.
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
Discover triple threat shop/cafe/wine bar Atlas Avenue Coffee & Wine on St. Clair between Christie and Ossington (820 St Clair Ave. W.) in Hungry Jack's Grill ol’ stomping grounds teeming with everything you need to get you through the day, morning (locally roasted coffee, fresh baked goods) ‘til night (prepared foods including sandwiches, salads, bevvies - craft brews, vino). One of my favourite features? The local producers they support/products they carry including Burdock, Famiglia Baldassarre, I Deal Coffee, Pluck Tea, Sapsucker, Terroni, and Traynor Family Vineyard.
Grab life by the bagels. Fresh, scratch-made New York-style bagels baked on the premises daily await at Oakville’s new Bagel Barn (380 Dundas St. E., Unit D12). Did you know? It all began in Burlington. See for yourself at their HQ in Appleby (4490 Fairview St.).
Bar Butcher (31 Bay St.), the latest venture by restaurateurs Michael Dabic and chef Derek Von Raesfeld [Michael’s On Simcoe (shuttered in ‘23), The Butcher Chef, Oliver’s Steakhouse] takes over the footprint that was Miller’s Tavern on Bay until just a few months ago. Steaks are in effect, natch, but the menu’s more a-li’l-bit-of-this, a-li’l-bit-of-that, spanning luxe feels (Seafood Plate, Duck Confit) to downright approachable (Schnitzel, Mortadella Sandos). The big draw at the casual riff on older sibling The Butcher Chef? Prices are considerably less than similar items elsewhere (save for apps and sandwiches). Caesar Salad? $18. Nova Scotia Trout? $28. Confit Lamb Shank? $24. 6 oz. Steak (Alberta or Argentina)? $38. p.s. As for when Salt Grass & Rare in Yorkville (50 Scollard St.) that was slated to launch mid-2025 is set to appear? Keep your eyes peeled here for updates.
If you haven’t already clocked it, Blondies Pizza out here hustlin’. In fact, there was mad movement a few weeks back and the Toronto-born pizzeria in head-to-toe pink continues to add to its empire and not just within the city limits either. They set their sights on Oakville during the pandemic* and decided to keep the party going with a second (1415 Dundas St. E., Unit 2). TR Tracker: Their original outpost in Toronto is also located on Dundas East (1555 Dundas St E). *OPEN/CLOSEDs during the pandemic hit different. Hit hard.
This Japanese tea-inspired dessert cafe has been in the works at at Dundas and University forevah. Bloom Cafe finally arrived (180 Dundas St. W.) with array of tea and coffee, evocative cakes (Grape Oolong, Jasmine Darjeeling Mousse, Kyoto Matcha Yuzu, Peach Earl Grey), fresh baked cookies (Classic Sea Salt Chocolate Chunk, Double Matcha, Chocolate with Strawberry Filling) and other desserts (Kinako Daifuku), in addition to soft serve matcha sundaes and new for summer, Gardenia soft serve series. Swoon. Bonus: Their two other locations are within walking distance - Wellesley (596 Yonge St.) and College (255 Beverley St.).
“Toronto’s only coffee and kava bar” Bloom & Ivy has moved to Queen and Denison (6 Denison Ave.), taking over from what was also a coffeehouse. Details below. TR Hot Tip: Is this a sign to finally read Denison Avenue by Daniel Innes and Christina Wong? YESSS.
Etobicoke’s new Clay1Grill (3308 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Unit 6) asserts the menu’s “Indian fusion.” Outside Butter Chicken Mac n Cheese, the current lineup leans pretty tradish: Shawarios, thalis, biryanis, bowls, momos, etc.
Over the last few years Columbus Café has been making its way across the 6ix. Find their latest modern European destination filled with rocket fuel and artisanal pastries in Mississauga’s Erin Mills Town Centre (5100 Erin Mills Pkwy.).
Dear Saigon expanded rapidly for a time. The Vietnamese noodle chain is back at it, this round in ‘Sauga (1177 Central Pkwy., Unit 12). Grand opening celebrations are happening this weekend with offers in effect.
Jam-packed schedule? ISO of a quick ‘n healthy lunch in FiDi? Flamin' Skewer Doner Kebab has got you covered with Turkish doner bowls, pitas, souvlaki, salads, and more in The PATH near King and University (145 King St. W., Concourse Food Court).
This just in: Cult tea shop HeyTea from Jiangbianli, China brought their matcha, fruit, superfood and boba milk teas to CF Fairview Mall in North York (1800 Sheppard Ave. E.).
I gave you the head’s up on incoming Horio Tavern (516 Danforth Ave.) last month. Newsflash: Grand opening took place over the weekend. What to order from Yiayia’s kitchen? Sure you can do grape leaves, dips, octopus, souvlaki, and fish like you always do. Or go the comfort food route with Maria's Housemade Specialties - aka Magirefta - Mousaka (Layers of potato, eggplant, ground beef and bechamel, with side Greek salad), Pastitsio (Layers of pasta, ground beef and bechamel, with side Greek salad), Gemista (Two baked peppers stuffed with rice, vegetables & herbs, with tomato-roasted potatoes), and Kotopoulo Lemonato (Slow cooked chicken leg, garlic and herbs, served with potatoes).
Italian sandwiches are everywhere right now. Colossal folded focaccia ones? Not so much. That’s where La Baciata by Dacasto at Yonge & Eg (2393 Yonge St.) comes in. Stuffed with heart-stopping amounts of depending on your selection, veal cutlet, Prosciutto di Parma, whole burrata, roast beef, or oven roasted turkey, one thing’s certain: You won’t be hungry again anytime soon. Urp.
Sometimes there’s no movement in a place for what seems like forever, and then changes sweep in like that. Take Kensington Market’s Supermarket (268 Augusta Ave.), for instance. I just documented their new taco spot, then Mig’s Sandwich Bar rolls up weekends (Thurs-Sun 12pm-9pm). Love it. Double trouble, Two is better than one, Who doesn’t love options… you get it. And these sandos? They don’t play. Chicken Parm? Schnitzel-centric Mig Jägger? Classic Meatball? Breaded Bifana? That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout. Hungry for more? Pair them with hand-cut fries. Looking for something lighter yet vibrant? ‘French Picnic’ is the way to go, boasting Brie, green apple, orange marmalade, onion jam, and arugula. C’est magnifique.
If you’re a fan of viral sensation Bành Mì Nana, Electric Piggy Vỉa Hè, or Nam 2 Vietnamese Restaurant, you’re going to love the fam’s latest iteration, Nam 6, debuting tomorrow in North York (2111 Sheppard Ave. E.). TR Prediction: From the family-style offerings (Can you pass the Banh It Ram?), carefully curated aesthetic (Click, click), and grand opening specials, you can expect serious lineups for months to come.
Psst. I know you loooove a hidden destination, especially when accompanied by libations. Introducing cocktail bar Second Story (1954 Yonge St., 2nd Fl.) “Midtown’s new cosmology where friends meet where nights get louder,” with signature cocktails (Apollo Ember, Dionysus Haze, Solaris Tide) and victuals (Truffle Parmesan Fries, Flame Grilled Shrimp Skewer, Smoked Beef Cubes), currently available by reservation only.
Italian resto Seen Kitchen & Lounge in Woodbridge (4101 Rutherford Rd.) is the spot for daily made fresh pasta, pizza licked by wood-fire, and “curated lounge experience.”
Attention musicians and music lovers: Soundstage inside the W Hotel (90 Bloor St.E., 6th Fl.), developed by ArtsHouse Media Group (AMG) - the parent company of Billboard Canada, Rolling Stone Canada, and NXNE - is serving as “a new hub within Canada's growing ecosystem of music, media, culture, and live experiences.”
Baldwin Village’s Taisho Japanese Grill is twinning. The long-anticipated Annex branch has finally been unveiled (537 Bloor St. W.). TR Hot Tip: Go for the AYCE JBBQ, stay for the White Chocolate Wasabi Ice Cream.
Trans-owned and operated Understory Cafe has touched down in the heart of The Village (505 Church St.). Dani Gaede and Rowan Jette Knox’s welcoming community-driven third space offers coffee, tea, sandos and pastries, with wine in the works.
Wow. 99 Grill Burger & Steak (692 Yonge St.) ticks a lot of boxes. 1. It’s right downtown (in between Bloor and Wellesley). 2. It goes all day/all night so it fits in with your schedule for once. 3. From pancakes to Philly cheesesteaks, comfort foods that don’t break the bank are at the ready. TR Tracker: The addy was formerly home to Monga Fried Chicken and back in the day, The Living Well Cafe.
CLOSED
Has Queen’s Bloc, formerly Food Alley (615 Queen St. W.) closed? Launched only last summer it appears issues with management are affecting vendors. On Sunday, Friescape posted their closure on social due to “unforeseen landlord and lease-related issues” which seems to be a common theme across the city as well. The spud co. hopes to reopen elsewhere. I’ll keep you posted.
HoHo Korean Food has exited First Markham Place (3255 Hwy 7, Unit 259). In its place? Another biz starting with ‘H’.
Mangoes Restaurant in South Etobicoke (2491 Lake Shore Blvd. W.) wraps things up for good at the end of the month. You’ve got until July 31 to get in your goodbyes.
Oh no… Mr. No? The windows of Chinatown’s Mr. Yes Noodle Bar, aka Mr. Yes Noodle House, (456 Spadina Ave.) are papered over.
Brace yourself for the loss of another neighbourhood stalwart. Family-run Italian deli and grocer Pascale Gourmet held it down at Yonge-Eglinton (2393 Yonge St.) since 1993. To discover who’s moved in, pop up top.
After shuttering their micro-location in Little Italy, PG Clucks wraps up the Queen outfit (1112 Queen St. W.). Luckily a new venture is in the works. Watch this space.
Two weeks following my breaking news about the quiet closure of one of the city’s top breweries, Something in the Water Brewing Co. announced immediate closure of their digs in Liberty Village (Liberty Market Building 151 E Liberty St.) that welcomed Ghost Taco recently. Fortunately, their suds are still on offer at the LCBO and the Kingston location, with “big plans in the works and we’ll be back in Toronto with something else :)” p.s. Are you up-to-date on all the other brewery closures? p.p.s. Keep your eyes peeled here. Like so many ‘hoods these days, Liberty Village is turning over at a rapid rate and you want to stay in the loop.
The IG bio for Sahar Delmoradi’s Persian coffeeshop 5S Cafe (6 Denison Ave.), known for its intimate space, cozy feels, flat whites, and saffron cake, reads “We are closed temporary,” however their Google Profile has been marked “Permanently Closed.”
NEWS
Toronto police are investigating gunfire damage to restaurant in Etobicoke plaza. No injuries have been reported.
No injuries have been reported at an industrial bakery fire in Etobicoke.
Now that Toronto has a direct connection to Arthurs in Montreal, this might be of interest.
AI is wreaking havoc. This time with an Ontario resto.
Facebook and Instagram were down again this week - the second outage in 72 hours, affecting thousands.*Psst. Basing a lot of your advertising dollars on socials? Hmm, might be time to reconsider your current approach. Need help? You’ve come to the right place.
Latest food recalls: Goodfood Meatball Meals recalled due to undeclared egg and sesame, Mounit el Bait brand Tahina recalled due to undeclared peanut, Various brands of meat products recalled due to Listeria monocytogenes, Westside Sauce Peanut Thai recalled due to spoilage, RAINS Stainless Steel Tumbler recalled due to burn hazard. [UPDATE 24.07.26: Cadbury Dairy Milk Oreo Candy Bar recalled due to undeclared pistachio, Izem Energy energy drinks recalled due to labelling issues.]
TR SNEAK PEEKS
Attention art and coffee lovers: The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is getting a new coffee bar this November as part of an exhilarating larger transformation led by Toronto firms B+H Architects and CHIL Interior Design.
One of the city’s best bakeries, Blackbird Baking Co., is about to become a part of the exciting new Mirvish Village development at Bloor and Bathurst (610 Markham St.), joining Book Bar and Pizzeria Badiali.* Moving in this Fall: Batch Cookies, Cremma Gelato, Pasta Basta, Unruly Smoothie, and all-day café, restaurant, and bar Upstage. *Get to know PB’s chef Ryan Baddeley in my long-running series showcasing Toronto’s top chefs, At The Pass.
Finally. An address for where U.S. celebrity chef/restrateur Bobby Flay’s chain Bobby’s Burgers, is about to touch down in the 6ix. Is The Well’s subterranean food court, Wellington Market (486 Front St. W., Unit 46-60), where you expected it to land?
Richmond Hill’s Chef Reza Persian Grill is slated to take over the NW corner of Yonge and Wellesley soon, where Not Just Noodles stood forever and until verrry recently.
If you don’t already know, I cover way more than just downtown Toronto. Lately, I’ve gone way out of my usual radius to extend destinations that translate to more day/road trips for you. (Did you pack the deep-fried pickles? Which playlist should we start with?) Like many destinations across the province, I’ve got a real soft spot for Muskoka (I wrote for many of their publications for a time). Who doesn’t love a cottage on the lake? Coffee (or cocktails) on the dock? Oomph. The Kee to Bala? The best. Weber’s? A must. Hopping in the boat to get provisions at Foodland (There are never enough chips or snacks…), then grabbing ice cream next door at Berries & Cream ? If only every weekend looked like this. Look, you don’t need to buy a place to get in on the fun. Pffft. TR Pro Move: Get yourself to the new Muskoka Bay Resort in Gravenhurst (1217 N Muldrew Lake Rd.), complete with Cliffside Restaurant, Muskoka Skybar, and Pool Bar… We leave in five? ‘Kay, lemme grab my swimsuit… and we’re going to need more snacks for the road…
Modern Indian kitchen Jungle Bistro is coming to Mississauga (3970 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 7). What’s the vibe, you ask? JB states it’s “An escape into serenity” AND “Family-friendly jungle theme restaurant.”
Premium French pastries and ice cream are about to touch down in Chinatown of all places. Puuffy Bakery & Ice Cream (439 Spadina Ave.) cake designer Can Montana specializes in handcrafted elvated desserts - French croissants and cakes, in addition to fresh baked cookies and ice cream.
Get ready to rock out on the rooftop of Quawah Cafe & Shisha Lounge (529 Yonge St., 2nd Fl.), complete with “New vibe. New view,” coming soon.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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