OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News March 26-April 1, 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
🕘 16 min read
Patios opened in the Big Apple this week. Will the 6ix follow in their footsteps? Utensil’s crossed. In the meantime, to distract you from the persistent winter temps, I’ve got 19 new destinations that truly offer a bit of everything from coffee at the press of a button to elevated fare in a modern setting. Of course, that’s not all. Naturally, these are accompanied by a slew of businesses that shuttered - 12, to be exact - not to mention important news and changes you need to know.
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
Is this one of the best comebacks of 2026? Etobicoke’s The Acme Burger Company has returned to its original post (735 The Queensway) after more than a decade with its beloved Triple A burgers, chicken specials, hand cut fries, molten lava cake, and other cool chow See you there.
You’re not still getting sandwiches with regular bread, are you? Pfft. Level up your handheld game with Ariete E Toro’s schiacciata firenze, aka Florentine flatbread sandos. The stellar outfit touched down in Midtown last year to immediate acclaim and the high demand continues. For those wanting in on the handhelds downtown, a second site launched yesterday at Dovercourt and Dundas (1229 Dundas St. W.).TR Fun Fact: The space was once a tattoo studio.
Aroi Thai just debuted at the corner of Queen and Leslie (1216 Queen St. E.) to rave reviews. Bonus: The interiors might be the most striking of any venture on the strip, new or old. As for the previous longstanding The Friendly Thai? It lives on next door at The Queen’s Head Pub (1214 Queen St. E.). TR Trend Report: This corner has had quite the infusion of activity lately. See: Back Alley Moto Cafe, Baked by Bean, Elm St. Italian Deli, and Kababia.
PSA: Handcrafted bubble waffles at happening at Bay and Dundas. If that’s not enticing enough, Brickhouse Waffle (641 Bay St., Unit 2) has got you for cakes, cookies and ice cream too.
Head’s up Etobicoke: Halal Mexican incoming. Doors for The Burritos Brothers at Islington and Albion (988 Albion Rd.) open Tuesday. Bonus: First 100 customers receive a free small chicken burrito on grand opening day.
On demand coffee with no human interaction required* has arrived at Yonge and Dundas courtesy of a colossal vending machine. Cup2Go Vending is your quick one-stop-shop at TMU Station (3 Dundas St. E.) for on-the-go sippers via one touch from Americanos to Iced Double Doubles. Did you know? The bustling subway station has seen an infusion of activity lately. *One of my favourite aspects of any establishment.
Delhish in Scarborough (41 Lebovic Ave., Unit 123) says it’s “where Delhi meets the 6ix.” Translation: Craving comfort fare including kathi rolls, tandoori chaap, Afghan momos, naanwiches, pastas, rice bowls, curries, and shakes? You’re in luck. TR Tracker: I just wrote about their next door neighbour.
Chef Dima Skorobogatov’s elevated Eastern European victuals at Dimych Bistro (8707 Dufferin St., Unit 22) in Thornhil goes beyond cabbage rolls. Selections range from Duck & Beet Salad, Vitello Tonnato, and Red Caviar with Blini to Chicken Kiev by Dimych, Braised Beef Cheeks, and Monastery-Style Sturgeon. TR Pro Tip: Save room for dessert. Chef’s Napoleon, Mom’s Syrniki, and assorted Varenyky await.
Last fall, I let you in on Dipped Donuts expansion. This just in: DD’s full-time now at St Lawrence Market (93 Front St. E., Lower Level, Unit B19).
DuoDuo Fruit Shop (422 Spadina Ave.) isn’t your typical Chinatown addition.* You won’t find any skewers or stir-fries here. Instead the focus is healthy snacks by way of high protein yogurt bowls and fresh fruit, alongside coffee. Are you closer to Uptown? Two locations appear in North York. *Trying to keep up with the activity in Chinatown lately? Same.
Eggsmart (864 Bloor St. W.) makes getting breakfast at Bloor and Ossington easier. TR Trivia: Tired of American corporations taking over our storefronts? This local chain is “100 per cent founded, owned and operated by Canadians operating in Canada.” Cue National Anthem…
I told you Lamoon was on the move. Then I spilled the beans on the exact location. They’ve done a fab reno on the space. Discover Lamoon Thai Kitchen & Coffee in the recently vacated digs by Isaan Der - Thai Kitchen & Bar and before that, Ruby Watchco at Queen and Broadview (730 Queen St. E.) with a serious roster including: Larb Glass Noodles, Chicken Satay and Tom Yum pizzas, Boat Noodle Soup, and Thai Omelette, to name a few.
Chef Hemant Bhagwani is no stranger to changing concepts. Over the years, the perennial restaurateur has swapped out one project for another. This time the “upscale wine bar” with “global tapas” (more details below) gets traded for Thai food. Introducing his 71st venture: Naari - Modern Thai BBQ (501 College St.). The finer dining concept in Little Italy presents classic Thai fare in a modern setting.
I gave you the inside scoop on what the Amano gang was replacing once shuttered Bar Notte next door to newly opened Notte Ristorante (9 Church St.) months back. Update: Tomorrow marks the opening for yet another Italian-focused joint, Pasta Privato (11 Church St.).
Mealtime’s sorted, finally. Pinto Market brings a boatload of prepared grub to FiDi (with heaps of healthy options, to boot) via The PATH (150 King St. W.), solving the perpetual, “What’s for dinner?” dilemma. This marks their third spot downtown (Princess Margaret Hospital, Simcoe Place) with a fourth (Toronto General Hospital) scheduled to open soon.
Pizza & Wings have a new addy for their dynamic duo. Visit them in Little Jamaica at Oakwood and Eglinton (1678 Eglinton Ave. W.).
Porchetta & Co. said arrivederci to their King and Portland home of a decade (545 King. St. W.) last summer, leaving just their FiDi outpost (Exchange Tower 130 King St. W., Concourse Level) and exclusively on offer when the Raptors and Leafs play, Scotiabank Arena (40 Bay St., Gate 1, Section 120). For those in the Dufferin/Eglinton ‘hood: You have one to call your very own now at Kitchen Hub Castlefield (1121 Castlefield Ave.) filled with crispy pork and crunchy fried chicken. Drool.
A hidden food court home to serious waffles? Head to Midtown to get in on Waffle De Rêve. Directions: Once at the NE corner of Yonge and Eglinton, head downstairs to EPlace Food Court (6 Eglinton Ave. E., Unit RU-04) underneath The Burger’s Priest.
What doesn’t Markham’s new Xggsup Brew House (50 Anderson Ave.) do? From ‘lite’ breakfast and early bird specials to lunch and dinner options galore - burgers and wraps to wings and pasta are just the beginning.
CLOSED
Azkadenya began welcoming guests to its Middle Eastern resto at Queen and McCaul (235 Queen St. W.) in 2019.* Branches in Mississauga and Oakville remain open. *So many of these closed. Eep.
End of an era. Not far down the strip, Bangkok Queen Thai Street Food (582 Queen St. W.), as seen here, has been a fixture at the corner of Queen and Bathurst since forever ago. Longtime readers have been privy to my detailed coverage of this particular corner for some time now. New here? Here’s a quick catch up.
I broke news of Brampton’s B-Town Pizza’s arrival in T.O. (13 Elm St.) last year on my podcast. The current sitch: Windows are papered over. TR Tracker: 1. And Banh Mi is moving in. With PORK CRACKLE BAHN MI and phin coffee. You’re welcome. 2. Funny, I just wrote about a Viet resto debut on Elm last week. 3. In case you haven’t noticed, Vietnamese food is taking the city by storm. See for yourself.
As I reported, you’ve got until Tuesday to visit Borscht Kitchen inside Sushi Hub (74 Lippincot St.).
A few doors down from Azkadenya, halal chicken-centric ChickQueen (247 Queen St. W.) has been marked ‘Temporarily Closed’ on Google, however a ‘Notice of Termination’ dated January 2 affixed to the door, says otherwise. You can still get your CQ poultry fix in Mississauga, Oakville, and Markham. TR Tracker: A slew are slated to launch throughout the GTA this year including Richmond Hill and Etobicoke. Keep your eyes locked here for updates.
Delibar95 touched down in the heart of the Entertainment District (300 Richmond St. W., Unit 101) less than a year ago with “a true taste of Israel” by way of grilled meat-stuffed panini sandwiches.
Irish goodbye. Chances are Grace O’Malley’s (14 Duncan St.) was going strong in the Entertainment District long before your first visit to the area: The Irish pub has been a part of the nabe since 2005. Is this goodbye forever or simply a pause? Stay tuned.
Reminder: Visit Honeymoon Dessert in Markham (3828 Highway 7, Unit 2) before doors close Sunday.
I gave you fair warning of Miga’s closure in Thornhill (7335 Yonge St.) - You’ve got until Sunday.
Oro Luxury Dining (501 College St.), or perhaps you know it by one of these iterations - ORO, Oro, ORO Small Plates & Cocktails, Oro Small Plates & Cocktails - was short-lived, but the “Netflix-season inspired” joint has already given way to something new. Details above.
Sammie's Sandwiches set up shop in the Annex (594 Bloor St. W.) mere months ago with enticing selections. The restaurant now claims they’ve been locked out by a business partner. Stay tuned.
The sprawling space at Dundas and Ossington that has been home to Sprezzatura Spaghetti Disco (1166 Dundas St. W.) may have come to an end, but the good times continue around the corner in the form of pop-up at one of co.’s many establishments on the strip, Season Six (188 Ossington Ave.). Discover more on the first edition of The Tip Off on my podcast.
CHANGES
Chinatown stalwart New Sky Restaurant (353 Spadina Ave.) is moving. Don’t worry - it’s just across the street (like Rol San did a few years back). into recently shuttered The Red Room (444 Spadina Ave.). The reason? According to a staff member, the lease was up and an agreement couldn’t be made with the landlord. The new place is being renovated as we speak, with doors scheduled to open April 1.
One of Pai’s newest concepts, Tha Phae Tavern (221 Richmond St. W.) now goes by the easier to say and spell, Thai Tavern. p.s. Want to learn to make Pai’s Pad Gra Prow? Get the secret recipe now.
NEWS
After recent drama at their current addy, Scarborough’s West Indian Chinese resto Lucky Lin’s had to make a statement regarding other locations with similar names. To set the record straight, there is still only one destination (5633 Finch Ave E.) and of course I’ll let you know if and when that changes.
Latest food recall: Certain Ajinomoto products recalled due to the possible presence of pieces of glass, Baixiang Artificial Spicy Beef Soup Flavor Instant Noodles recalled due to undeclared peanut, Farmers, Québon, and Natrel milk products recalled due to possible presence of pieces of glass, Katilo Classic Roomy recalled due to Salmonella, Long and Short Nakki recalled due to undeclared mustard, Tim Hortons Pink and White Colour Changing Donut Mug recalled due to a burn hazard. [UPDATE 27.03.26 Katilo Classic Roomy - Full Cream recalled due to generic E. coli.]
ICYMI
Psst. Want in on fabulous guided wine tastings? Check out the upcoming sessions happening soon. Details below.
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