OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News March 27-April 2, 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
🕘 9 min read
Warning: This week’s arrivals, closures, and news may cause a wild ride of emotions. In other words: Buckle up.
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
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit rolls into Markham again on April 1, this time at McCowan and Bur Oak (9570 McCowan Rd., Unit 3).
Harbourfront’s culinary offerings continue to evolve with the arrival of more fine dining. Grand opening for Dil Tak (8 York St., Unit 4) is happening tomorrow. TR Trivia: You might know owner/chef Mani Panwar from his other joint, Dil Se* on Roncy (335 Roncesvalles Ave.), and previously of Bombay Bhel Indian Restaurant & Bar. *Recommended by Michelin.
Maki is so 2014. These days, it’s all about hand rolls. For the latest temaki-focused destination, head to The Hand Roll Sushi Bar (717 Bay St., Unit D). Grand opening is Sunday. What to order: While hand rolls are front and centre, other selections include poke bowls, sushi tacos, and aburi oshizushi - aka torched pressed sushi.
ISO authentic Jamaican fare? TR Pro Tip: Look no further than Kelly’s Restaurant & Bar on St. Clair, west of Caledonia (1680 St. Clair Ave. W.).
Old-school Korean donkatsu is the name of the game at Yonge and Gerrard’s new Lucky Donkatsu (415 Yonge St., Unit 103).
Luma Coffee at the corner of Runnymede and Annette (516 Annette St.) features a wide array of beverages from Einspenners to Iced Hojicha Lattes, with sandwiches and baked goods also in effect.
Nord Lyon’s third outpost (665 Queen St. W.) lands at an iconic corner - Queen and John, where Starbucks stood for decades. TR Fun Facts: The french patisserie also boasts a location down the street at Queen and Bathurst, in addition to a new spot at The Well. And stay tuned - another is in the works at Union Station.
Susu Siam softly opened Friday in Scarborough at Midland and McNicoll (390 Silver Star Blvd., Unit 123-128). What to expect? Modern, “innovative” Thai fare, for starters.
Top Gun Burgers was supposed to be all done in Kensington (251 Augusta Ave.) as of a few weeks ago. At least that was the plan. Find the burger joint back in action down the block at Knockout Chicken (207 Augusta Ave., Unit 200), home of affordable chicken and comfort food combos.
Grand opening for “Toronto’s first luxurious spa with a non-alcoholic tea cocktail bar“ is happening now. Check out Yue Spa in Unionville (4261 Hwy 7 E, Unit A7-12).
Billiards are a hot commodity right now and getting hotter. Downtown’s 8Diamondz (31 St Joseph St.) offers darts, air hockey and full bar, in addition to plenty of pool tables.
CLOSED
Want the latest on acclaimed chef Antonio Park’s eponymous restaurant AP on the 51st floor of Bay & Bloor’s Manulife Centre (55 Bloor St. W.)? Listen to Edition 14 of THE TIP OFF on my new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, available on on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and other platforms where you get your podcasts.
After nine years, Leslieville’s Barrio Cerveceria (884 Queen St. E.) is wrapping things up this spring. Final service is April 1st. TR Insider: This follows my report last month that neighbouring resto Frankie’s closed. The establishment went on the publicly share the news this week.
As I reported last week, Toronto nightclub Bodega on King (510 King St. W., Lower Level) comes to an end on Saturday.
Family-owned specialty grocer and destination for Eastern European grub, Denninger’s is saying goodbye after over a decade in Oakville (2400 Lakeshore Rd. W.) on Saturday. Luckily, outposts remain in Burlington and Hamilton.
E-Street Deli (654 Queen St. W.), transformed from dessert destination chain Sweetie Pie last year. Despite the city’s spike in stuffed handhelds lately, the sub shop is no more. Numerous SP locations are still in operation throughout the city.
On Monday, Fattoush Sandwich Club (253 Gerrard St. E.) shared doors are closing March 30. Silver lining: They also included “Stay tuned on what’s next!” Watch this space.
On Tuesday, Momiji Kishi, co-founder of HotBlack Coffee, posted on social media the original location at Queen and McCaul (245 Queen St. W.) will conclude service Sunday, for now. The coffeeshop of nine years has, according to the post, “sort of been sailing blind-folded in the middle of the ocean, mainly because with legal issues,” following the sudden death of co-founder Jimson Bienenstock in 2022. The beloved cafe introduced other locations throughout the years including a Midtown pop-up, then more permanent digs a few doors over, Bloor West Village’s Halycon, and at Yonge and Charles inside The Andore House. TR Pro Tip: Make sure to follow here and socials (links below) for updates.
BREAKING NEWS: The King West closures have been relentless lately, both temporary (Buca, Vela around the corner) and for good - often within steps of one another (See: Casa Mezcal, Dasha, and District Eatery). The latest to conclude service: Kissa that launched at King & Portland (619 King St W.) Summer 2023. Fashioned after Japanese speakeasy-style haunts, it was part of a wave of listening bars across the city offering small plates, cocktails, karaoke, and a place for audiophiles to commune. Last month I reported that the restaurant and karaoke side of things had come to an end. At that time, the dance/nightclub portion was still operational. The venture has since switched to an event space. If this all sounds vaguely familiar, it’s strikingly similar to my recent breaking news about Dasha across the street, that also wound up the resto and karaoke part of the biz, moving to solely private events. Psst. If you listened to Edition 14 of THE TIP OFF on my new podcast, you’d already be in the know.
NEWS
Sam Louie, owner of Grossman's Tavern - one of Toronto's longest running live music venues - died at age 94.
Speaking of music, local musician Teddy Hawkins died.
Toronto police are searching for a suspect after an alleged assault in a restaurant in the Roncesvalles area last month.
The latest food recalls: UPDATE 31.03.25: Greenworld Fine Foods Tahini-Rashi recalled due to undeclared peanut.
ICYMI
I was first to report Gochu Libre Katina opening on my podcast. For details, listen to Edition 7 of THE TIP OFF. Take a peek inside.
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