OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News May 21-27, 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
🕘 19.5 min read
My findings this week - 17 arrivals, 8 closures, and bonus: temporary ones - are particularly electrifying. You’ll see. And I know it’s a dense read, but sooo worth it. See for yourself.
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
I know you looooove your hidden bars and secret entrances. This one’s for you. Psst. Bar Bokeh is in soft opening. If you’re a TR regular, you got the inside track when I let you in on the speakeasy set behind Leslieville’s new Matcha Haus (890 Queen St. E.) on my podcast last summer.
Cambridge bar and grill Blaze and Bourbon extends its offerings of fresh-never-frozen wings, crafted cocktails, and party vibes to its second home in Scarborough at the corner of Brimley and Lawrence (817 Brimley Rd.). Of course you already knew it was on the way, right?
That was fast. Just as Cafe Panchita recently came to a close in Port Credit, the all-day breakfast and artisanal bakery by chef Humberto Sanchez has emerged in Oakville (Oakville Square 94 George St.). TR Hot Tip: There’s a lot to behold here, so go hungry. I’ve got my eye on the Huevos a la Flamenca (Choice of two eggs, chorizo iberico, jamon serrano, green peas, tomatoes and homemade patatas), Scotch Eggs (Spicy tomatoes jam, ground beef, soft boiled eggs), OG Fried Chicken Waffle with ghost pepper-maple sauce and creamy slaw, and the BBQ Pork Croque Monsieur (Slow cooked pulled pork, caramelized balsamic onions, bechamel, mature cheddar on sourdough with side salad). And you’ll want to stock up on the housemade sourdough while you’re there. How you choose between Walnut, Jalapeño & Cheddar, or the Pullman White Loaf is beyond me.
Speaking of Oakville: Introducing Dahlia (218 Lakeshore Rd. E.), a Mediterranean escape with evocative fare - Shrimp Saganaki, Black Angus Speducci, Leek Pie, and Mushrooms & Marrow are just the beginning. TR Tracker: Why you might want to call your resto by a certain name.
The Elm Tavern, the latest concept to enter downtown’s Chelsea Hotel Toronto (33 Gerrard St. W.) debuts Wednesday. What to expect when dining at the country’s largest hotel? A “fresh, design-forward take on the British classic pub, reimagined through a distinctively Canadian lens.” The all-day affair starts with brekkie, rolling through to evenings filled with live music. TR Prediction: Crowdpleasers will be led by family-style Sunday roasts and cocktail program featuring local producers and small-batch spirits.
I alerted you to incoming Gerrard Greek (1056 Gerrard St. E.) last fall. Update: Doors are now open, complete with all the classics - dolmades, gyros, village salad, moussaka, calamari, saganaki, lamb, you get it - for dine in or takeout. Note: It’s the first time I’ve ever seen ‘Shrimp Souvlaki’ on a menu.TR Tracker: If you love Greek food, you’ll love this: Witness three Greek eateries within a short stretch, even on the same side: Le Greeka at Gerrard Square (1000 Gerrard St. E.), Gerrard Greek (1056 Gerrard St. E.), and further up the strip, Zante Greek Bistro (1950 Gerrard St. E.).
And while we’re on the topic of Hellenic fare, Greek Gordo touches down at St. Clair near Oakwood (1028 St. Clair Ave. W.) with a focused menu featuring Greek fries, shrimp saganaki, a selection of souvlaki, and whole Mediterranean sea bass.
iCue Billiard & Lounge (347 College St.) is a fun-for-the-whole-family addition at the edge of Kensington offering a cafe alongside so many activities, you’re not going to know where to start: American AND Chinese-style 8-ball pool, snooker, ping pong, mahjong, PS5, and claw machines. Told ya.
Ivy Coffee Shop dropped into the Harbourfront nabe (109 Queens Quay W.) last May with an array of pastries and coffee. How fitting the second shop also found a home downtown in spring, this time in the Entertainment District at King and Duncan (19 Duncan Ave.) in Barba’s former digs. TR Hot Tip: Forgo your usual order for the new Spring Cold Foams such as Iced Latte & Salted Maple, Cold Brew & Vanilla Cold Foam, and Ube & Plant-Based Espresso Cold Foam. And yes, they have Strawberry Matcha.
If you’re a footlong fan, listen up: Jersey Mike’s Subs introduces a new branch at Dundas and University (425 University Ave.) on Wednesday. This marks the second one downtown, 26th in Canada, for the U.S. chain operated here in the Great White North by Redberry Restaurants - You know their other properties I presume: Burger King, Taco Bell. TR Tracker: Two additional sub shops are slated to open downtown later this year - part of the company’s plans to launch 300 across the country by 2035.
Ki-ishi Izakaya (5437 Yonge St.) is North York’s latest Japanese watering hole with the kind of choose-your-own-adventure grub that allows you to order as little or much as you like. Tuck into donburi, udon, and skewers of salt-grilled Negima Shioyaki, Short Rib with Tomato & Pepper, Pork Belly with ponzu scallion sauce, and Grilled Shiitake Mushroom Meatballs, And whatever you do, don’t skip the apps. I’m talkin’ Hamachi, Wagyu with truffle sauce and goose liver, Sous Vide Chicken Liver, Salted Egg Chicken Wings, Ankimo (monkfish liver), and Abalone. Droool. Bonus: During soft opening, enjoy 20 per cent off all items. TR Pro Tip: For those that want in on the rare cuts - Chicken Feet Tendon, Chicken Triangle Cartilage, Chicken Oyster, and the like - quantities are limited.
TR Hot Tip: Uh guys, there’s an ice cream vending machine in Markham doling out 6.3 per cent milk soft serve ice cream in to-go containers. (I told you 6% milk was a thing - see IG ‘Latest 2.0’ Highlights, scroll ‘til almost the end). And it’s open 24/7. Not only that, Kimdor, “Canada’s first gold ice cream,” is available in 10 flavours. You’re welcome. Get yourself to Matcha Tea & Dessert in Markham/Thornhill (Commerce Gate 505 Hwy 7, Unit 15) now. Also, whose car are we going in?
Newsflash: Vancouver’s Pokerrito just unveiled its first T-dot poke shop in FiDi. Find their Hawaiian-inspired poke bowls and burritos bolstered with Korean flavours at Commerce Court West (199 Bay St., Unit C-144).
According to Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill, they’re “your ultimate sports destination” With more than 25 locations across the country and countless scattered far and wide throughout the province (Orleans, anyone?), only four are from ‘round these parts. Made that five with the new addition in Richmond Hill (161 York Blvd.). Grand opening party kicks off tomorrow with “game-day eats,” drinks and DJ Regina on the ones and twos.
Shree Gathiya House entered the chat Victoria Day. Discover your new authentic Gujarati snacks HQ in Etobicoke (23 Westmore Dr., Unit 7B). Promising “Indian crunch in very bite,” their 100 per cent vegetarian sweets and treats such as bhajiya, gathiya, and jalebi are prepared fresh on the daily using time-honoured recipes.
Thai street food chain Soi Thaifoon, known for its fragrant textured fare - Crispy Wontons, Satay Salad, Crispy Chiang Mai, Bangkok Katsu, for instance - set up shop right downtown at Waterworks Food Hall Fall ‘24, and another just settled into the city’s core near Moss Park at Queen and Church (25 Dalhousie St., Unit 1). For those outside the city limits? One touched down in Oakville (133 Bronte Rd.) last year, with others as far flung as Bangkok.
The menu at Uncle Jack’s in Mississauga (1065 Canadian Pl., Unit 116) takes you on a journey. There’s the Beet Bliss - beetroot patty on black bun - and Clinton and Kennedy Sliders on red and green buns (respectively), harkening back to the big trend of roughly a decade ago. The Indian-style Cold Club Sandwich is a veritable picnic on-the-go boasting creamy coleslaw, cucumber, cottage cheese and “corns” stuffed between white bread. And Nacho Pasta is exactly what it sounds like: Nachos and noods in one helluva comforting bowl. TR Trivia: This marks the first Canadian site for the Indian brand.
CLOSED
Fine dining Indian destination Aamara started at Dufferin and St. Clair (1224 St Clair Ave. W.) in 2024, but announced closure yesterday “due to unforeseen circumstances.” TR Tracker: The space is about to become Solena Brunch & Bar, “Corso Italia’s premier everyday brunch bar and social destination.” Keep your eyes peeled.
Buca King has been “temporarily closed” for years now. Now that it’s no longer on the website, it seems they’ve finally, though quietly, called it. (You didn’t think I’d forget, did you?) But SURPRISE - Coming soon: The return of Bar Buca! Watch this space.
King Rustic Kitchen & Bar (905 King St. W.) has been a fixture at the corner of King and Strachan since waay back: 2013, to be exact.
La Barbacha (210 Augusta Ave.), home of the viral Birria Pizza, is the latest eatery to temporarily close due to issues with a landlord. Plans to reopen elsewhere are already underway. Their exit is the latest example of the vigorous movement happening in Kensington as of late.
Latin World on St. Clair near Dufferin (1028 St Clair Ave. W.) was a mainstay for eons. For those craving their authentic fare including Breakfast Chilaquiles, $1 taco specials, and Flautas Barbacoa, three Bloor locations and one on Eglinton West are ready to serve you.
I broke the story Tuesday: Despite a statement in March that their parent company’s filing for Chapter 11 would NOT effect the Toronto locations (See: My OPEN/CLOSED March 19-25) - Planta Yorkville (1221 Bay St.) est. 2016, and Planta Queen (180 Queen St. W.) that launched in 2019, have shuttered for good. The Toronto-founded plant-based chain closed four big outposts in South Florida last year amid news of the bankruptcy. Yesterday, the company posted a notice on its website and later to social media regarding the closures. It reads in part, the locations “have reached a point where they are no longer financially viable to continue operating and have been officially closed.” A press release also issued Wednesday announced “a strategic transition to sharpen its focus on continued growth and expansion across the United States.” The company’s American operations, “which operate under a separate entity, continue to perform strongly across its key markets including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.,” and appears in position for “continued expansion in additional U.S. cities.” The vegan and vegetarian scene was vastly different a decade ago. Their innovative dishes and approaches (who can forget the aged then smoked carrot hot dog?) in a design-forward, upscale setting set it far apart from its counterparts.
Some addy’s are in constant motion. Take 633 College St. in Little Italy, for example. Restaurants have been cycling through these last few years: First By Aanch’s “theatrical interpretation of modern day Indian fare”, and “sassy little sister” to chef Kumar’s Michelin Recommended Aanch Restaurant,. And now ROOH Indian Kitchen & Bar that arrived last spring. TR Flashback: Hands up if you remember when the footprint held Hogtown Pub & Oysters or prior to that, The Auld Spot?
TEMPORARY CLOSURES
Every time I open my phone, it seems another restaurant closed for the day (or longer) due to equipment or structural issues. Shoutout (and big hugs) to all industry trying to hold it down and keep doors open during equipment breakdowns, water issues, and whatever else you’ve had to deal with. (I’m avail to do ice/cambro/kosher salt/etc. runs.) And while there are a myriad ‘closed for now’ places, as you can see by above and below, I’ve got my hands full at the moment (Send noods.). There are however, a few notables to take note of:
The dining room at street level at Cucina Buca (2 St. Clair Ave. W., Site 100) was all but cleared out due to water damage. As for other Buca news… jump up top.
Fine dining Chinese resto Mott32 (190 University Ave.) is closed until further notice “due to the maintenance and the last minute renovation.” They hope to reopen sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.
A slew of others are also closed for renos, including: Danforth stalwart Kalyvia (420 Danforth Ave.) and Ocha’s Leslieville outpost (1022 Queen St. E.) which was supposed to reopen last month, however updates are still underway.
CHANGES
Garden Garden at Dundas and Ossington is on the move. Find the summer dance party further west in Parkdale this szn at The Caddi (1296 Queen St. W.). One thing likely to stay the same? The never-ending lineups. TR Pro Tip: Bring drinks, snacks, and good company. It’s going to be a while.
NEWS
Gilles Goyette, a server for over two decades at former Cabbagetown cornerstone Peartree Restaurant, died.
Animl Steakhouse on Wellington is reported to have been “struck by gunfire on two consecutive days this week.”
Police are asking for your help to locate a suspect in a restaurant break-in in the east end.
Storm’s a brewin’ at local food delivery company Mama Earth Organics.
Last call goes until the wee hours across the province during FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Earlier today, MICHELIN Guide announced this year’s award ceremony will be held September 22 at Liberty Grand Entertainment Complex. Of course I’ll have a full report.
Following last week’s grocery news, Sobeys and Loblaw are “under fire for maple washing.”
Speaking of supermarkets, ave you received your Loblaws bread settlement dough yet?
Highly-anticipated Book Bar is on the approach. Grand opening is happeing next month (June 27-28) in the newly redesigned Mirvish Village (900 Markham St.).
Latest food recalls: Blackstone Parmesan Ranch Seasoning recalled due to Salmonella, El Mexicano Agua Fresca de Horchata Instant Horchata Drink recalled due to improperly declared milk, Farm Boy and Kyan Culture organic microgreens recalled due to pathogenic E. coli, Les Fermes Lufa Broccoli microgreens recalled due to pathogenic E. coli, Micro Verdure brand 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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