OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News May 14-20, 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
🕘 15 min read
Three nightclubs, a changeup in fine dining, where to spend the long weekend, and actual patio weather? That's just the tip of this week’s staggering iceberg featuring 26 establishments: 16 arrivals with - brace yourself - over half that in closures.
See you on the patio, then come find me the dance floor. Mmm-chuck, mmm-chuck, mmm-chuck…
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
Want to explore your creative side? B.A. Creative Studio & Snack Bar (140 Sackville St.) by talented siblings Song and Noble is where you want to be. Pair classes such as painting, origami, and collage in an intimate, quirky, craft-filled space with carefully curated whimsical snacks and drinks. ThinkPocky, instant noods, assorted candy, Mexican Coke in bottles, et al.
Ossington never ceases to amaze. I told you the bustling strip was acquiring another cocktail destination. Introducing Bambú (180 Ossington Ave.) above Bowie that was Bonito’s up until verrry recently.
Last winter, I gave you the inside track on Birch Cliff’s Bodega by City Cottage (1680 Kingston Rd.) by City Cottage (1666 Kingston Rd.) coupled with Scarborough perennial fave, Brett’s Ice Cream. Grand opening festivities kick off this Saturday at 10am.
California Beef Noodle King 1. Is true to its name. 2. Does not play. The Chinese chain founded by Li Beiqi, later rebranded as Mr. Lee's California Beef Noodle, opened in The Golden State, then numerous branches in China before its debut here. And what a debut, launching not one, but two locations in the GTA within days of one another: Scarborough at Midland and Finch (3290 Midland Ave., Unit 8) and downtown in Chinatown (361 Spadina Ave.). What to expect? Beef noodle soup, handcrafted dumplings, (don’t sleep on the soup dumplings) and other comforting fare (tripe on repeat), Bonuses: i) The noodle shops offer free noodle refills upon request and unlimited sides and drinks. ii) Both locations are open 24/7 - Find it and others in my Late Night Resto Guide. Win-win-win.
Buckle up, buttercup. If you don’t think clubs are back and taking over the city, think again. This week in particular confirms it BIG TIME starting with Nineteen (19 Toronto St.). Three levels and three non-negotiables: No cameras, no bottle service, no booths. Whaddya think? You in? TR Tracker: After-dinner club viiibes have been emanating in the area for a while now with Chambers next door (17 Toronto St.) and Hawa Beirut Restaurant & Lounge (466 Adelaide St. E.) with its belly dancers and bottle service just blocks away. Thus, what was once primarily a distinct fine dining corridor (See: Carisma, Laylak, and Michelin-heavy establishments including Restaurant 20 Victoria, prior to its move Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto, and in close proximity, Bar Goa) is now accompanied by crowds of clubgoers and bass-thumping beats. Depending on your age and interests, this is either a welcome change or complete meltdown of society.
One of my favourite pastimes is popping into neighbourhood shops to talk food and drink.The Good Sort on St. Clair near Oakwood (1057 St Clair Ave. W.) is a good place to start. In addition to vital vino, find a selection of pantry items - You can never have too much tinned fish, chips, olives, etc. TR Hot Tip: Perf. Assemble aforementioned ingredients to easily recreate the viral charcuterie chips at home rn.
Heval Cafe anchors its identity around coffee and ‘FocaBary,’ their freshly made bread - a commingling of focaccia and barbari resulting in an addictive “crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside” texture. Used as a base for their fragrant sandwiches including meat-centric Nomads Journey featuring saffron-braised beef, truffle sauce, provolone, arugula, and parmesan, and a protein-packed veg number that is likely to sway vegetarian naysayers with its evocative Persian essence: Tia Jan - Herbaceous omelette (kuku sabzi), olive-walnut, and barberry sauce on their signature bread bolstered by sesame. Find the shop smack dab in the heart of Chinatown (393 Spadina Ave.) of all places.
The city has been losing breweries left and right lately (The Aviary, Beaches Brewing, Laylow’s brick-and-mortar, Northern Maverick, Saulter Street) - nice to add to the list for once, complete with resto. In addition to Brewmaster Jeff Kurkowski’s Lager, Pilsner and Stout, expect a full food menu by Red Seal certified chef Scott Cooney at House of McGrath in the historic Comstock building (75 Victoria St.). TR Flashback: Hands up if you remember when the building was Batch? While you’re reminiscing, take a look at that OPEN/CLOSED from a decade ago. How times have changed.
Club #2 this week: Hyve (508 Queen St. W.) takes over where the Velvet Underground stoof at Queen and Portland - but you knew that already. Focusing on house tracks with world, afrohouse and other grooves made to move you, the idea is “Come find the frequency. Stay until you forget your name.” Grand opening is tomorrow if you wanna bounce, skate and 2-step. Psst. Serious about cocktails? Head to the on-site Y Bar, made for a “more sophisticated and elegant experience.”
In need of a secret sanctuary? A calming moment away from the fray? I gotchu. For grounded tea services in a serene setting, head to Mahaya Tea Lounge (637 College St., Unit 200) tucked inside holistic clinic Mahaya Health Services, filled with an array of natural and traditional therapies. Think osteopathy, naturopathy, shiatsu, etc.
Calling all HK hot pot fans: If you love Loon Fong Hotpot’s HK-style hot pot in Richmond Hill (330 Highway 7 E., Unit 106), great news: Sibling Loon Fong Chicken Pot set down roots in Scarborough at Midland and Finch (4188 Finch Ave. E.), this time with poultry-focused HK style hot pot and wok dishes.
Patties get a lot of the city’s spotlight, but samosas have strong game too, working tirelessly as both snack or meal, depending on your mood, time of day, and other foodstuffs. Discover a serious selection Samosa Boulevard at King and Dufferin (1210 King St. W.).
Longing for San Sivar’s pupusas since they closed? You’re in luck. They’ve set up shop not far down the strip from the old digs (1745 St. Clair Ave. W. at Laughton). TR Pro Tip: Get extras to take home, and while you’re there, you’re going to want to get some Salvadorian breakfast and sopas natch, and those Platos Fiuertes are looking mighty fine too… You know what? Better cancel those plans tomorrow. You’ve got some catching up to do…
After a bit of drama, Slammie's Sammies (828 Eastern Ave.) is back in business.
Catch Wrapstors’ grand opening in Mississauga’s colassal halal food complex Ridgeway Plaza (3460 Platinum Dr., Unit 25) on Saturday at 1pm. TR Pro Tip: Go early. First 100 customers get a free shawarma wrap.
XNO Toronto (1800 Davenport Rd.), “a premium restaurant | lounge experience like no other,” celebrates grand opening this weekend with three epic nights planned: Friday Fiesta, Afrobeats Saturday, and No Sleep Sundaze.
CLOSED
Today marks the last day for the Basil Box chain.
Cafe Panchita (152 Lakeshore Rd. E.) spent four years capturing hearts in Port Credit. Chef Humberto Sanchez isn’t finished with his all-day breakfast concept. Watch this space. It’s slated to relocate to Oakville (94 George St.).
Daddy issues. That’s a wrap for fried chicken joint Daddy’s Chicken in Leslieville (1276 Queen St. E.). The hunt for a new location however continues.
Yesterday Dino's Wood Burning Pizza (820 The Queensway) shared after two decades of serving the Etobicoke community at large, the business has been put up for sale. TR Tracker: The price already reduced. Update: There’s still time. A reprieve arrives last minute as the owners have decided to keep doors open until the biz is sold.
On Tuesday Honest Weight (2766 Dundas St. W.) shared their journey of 11 years comes to an end May 30.
Osteria Scossa quietly exited Chefs Hall (111 Richmond St. W.) after joining the lineup in 2023.
Ramen Station spent four years in Chinatown (361 Spadina Ave.). before shuttering for good.
Santa Marta Bar y Tapas dropped at Manning and Dundas (869 Dundas St. W.) with Spanish eats and drinks in 2023. There one minute, gone the next, it’s about to become Moba, the first restaurant by Noor Gandhi Narula and Mudit Narula, where Indian flavours are “redefined.”
Toloache Mexican Cuisine and last year’s daytime addition, Cafe Tinta (1128 Queen St. W.) are kaput. Moving in? Shiroshi Japanese Sushi whom you may know from around town.
All-you-can-eat Brazilian restaurants are fun - Flash green card: Bring it on - until they aren’t - Red card: Please stop, I can’t feel my face. Or feet. (JK, but also for real.) If you’re already missing Touro Brazilian Steakhouse’s Vaughan venture (3255 Rutherford Rd.), don’t fret: Another never-ending feast awaits in Richmond Hill (125 York Blvd.).
NEWS
It’s about damn time. Come summertime, food trucks and carts will be in full effect.
“America runs on Dunkin’.” Now it’s Canada’s turn.
ByBlacks Restaurant Week (BRW) returns, showcasing nearly 20 Black-owned restaurants, caterers, pop-ups, and food trucks across the province including Toronto/GTA ,offering either a prix fixe menu or $10 special (discounted by up to 25%) until Sunday.
Sustainalicious, happening across restaurants in the city May 15-June 14, is Toronto's “climate-smart dining celebration” brought to you Toronto Climate Week and Eat for Impact, in collaboration with Toronto Vegetarian Food Bank and Zestyplan, Enjoy specials at every establishment. Bonus: Take home recipes to replicate dishes in the comfort of home.
CafeTO’s patio program gets underway this long weekend.
TR Tracker: Supermarket Sobeys’ just made a major move with their Yonge and Davisville location now open 24 hours. This is the only big grocer in the city to have a store currently open ‘round-the-clock, begging the question: Will others follow? Find it and other spots made for night owls in my Late Night Resto Guide.
A news report claims Sneaky Dees - the famed resto, bar and concert hall at the corner of College and Bathurst - future uncertain amid development proposal.
Latest food recalls: DAVIDsTEA Organic Sneeze Ease Herbal Infusion recalled due to undeclared almond, Elite Sweets Carrot Cake recalled due to presence of pieces wood, FreezYums! brand Freeze Dried Candy - Sour Key Gummy recalled due to pieces of metal, Ghirardelli powdered beverage mixes recalled due to Salmonella, Certain Shaoxing Cooking Wines recalled due to undeclared wheat, Various Salem Foods Ground Spices and Spice Blends recalled due to undeclared wheat and mustard. [UPDATE 15.05.26: Kyan Culture and Farm Boyorganic microgreens recalled due to pathogenic E. coli, Shirreza Tahini Halva with Date Sap recalled due to Salmonella.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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