OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News May 7-13, 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
🕘 13.5 min read
My findings this week confirm the relentless movement of late persists with 27 establishments coming and going: 18 arrivals, half in closures. This ain’t for the weak of heart. That said, some truly exhilarating discoveries await. The only conundrum? Where to first?
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 gave you the inside track on And Banh Mi‘s imminent arrival downtown (13 Elm St.) a few months back. UPDATE: The new Viet eatery is in soft opening - Pork Crackle bahn mi and phin coffee await. I know. p.s. What was in the space previously? A Brampton outfit, ever so briefly.
Coffee, bevvies, tunes and grub are poppin’ up Saturday and Sunday at Akin’s Remote Gallery at Portland and Richmond (568 Richmond St. W.), courtesy of Club FilFil.
Firehouse Subs has been giving big sub energy since its takeover of the city in 2019. For their newest addition, travel north of Harbourfront (14 York St.).
A lot of attention online is focused on certain drinks - these days, mostly matcha - however, can we talk about how transformative a good slush can be? Whatever the weather? That sudden but momentary ache in the middle of your forehead, the hit of icy sweetness at the back of your throat, that smooth, silky texture of crushed ice and liquid rolling around your mouth… Oof. Bring it on. They’re so often overlooked. Whether you’re imbibing or prefer the virgin version, Hank’s Slushy Bar is here to change the game. Psst. To get your fix, head to the back of Armed Jewelry in Trinity Bellwoods (903 Dundas St. W.).
In Ajax or Bolton? Then you’re probably in the know when it comes to Hen n Bun. For those of us in the city, Hen n Bun’s crispy on the outside with spicy interior “injected” fried chicken is new. Find them in Mississauga (17 Queen St. N.). TR Pro Tip: Watch this space. Scarborough is next, with many further afield (Brampton, St. Catherines, and Laval in Quebec) on the way.
It’s scientifically proven that any situation is vastly improved with doughnuts.* And while the city is teeming with tantalizing options, Montreal bakery Homers’ offshoot in Scarborough, Homie’s Donuts (4545 Kingston Rd.), is a great place to start. (I’ve never seen so many Montreal arrivals clustered together and in such quick succession.). Fresh confections including vibrant pink and blue selections (Cookie Monster!) are the main focus sure, but don’t sleep on other offerings such as Bunz, Dubai Chocolate, Macarons, Beignewiches (Beating out the Bodega Breakfast Sando that’s everywhere right now? Homie’s Fried Chicken Bacon & Cheese boasting halal breaded fried chicken breast and halal beef bacon served on a donut), and intriguing Milkshakes (Smarties and Bubblegum lead the pack.) *If that means a particular blonde in her kitchen “diagnosing” flavours ond conducting “case studies” with sugar-laden pastries in hand, then yes.
It’s not your imagination: Convenience stores are on the come up (including ‘round-the-clock ones), with Infinity Mart quickly taking over - specifically in the city core. See: King and Church (60 Colborne St.), for example.
iQ Food Co. has been a part of the city’s infrastructure since 2011, and is quietly, steadily making a comeback. The healthy chain from the T-dot scored a spot on Avenue Road last fall and just secured a prime poisition on Queen at Dovercourt this last while (1092 Queen St. W.), surprisingly next to another nutrition-packed joint, Heal Wellness. Actually, it’s not surprising at all once you clock the company behind them is one in the same: Happy Belly Food Group Inc., which also counts Rosie’s Burgers and Yolks amongst its growing portfolio. TR Tracker: Aaand they just acquired 50 per cent of yet another popular fast casual local chain, Ghost Taco.
Fall-off-the-bone smoked meat is the specialty of Mississauga’s new mandi destination, Jamra Restaurant (918 Dundas St E.). ‘Nuff said.
Shopping complex The Well (486 Front St. W.) has been welcoming concepts left and right since doors opened November 2023. Joining the food court downstairs: The first Toronto location for Juice Dudez. This marks the fifth location for the popular juicery and dessert brand. To celebrate, JD’s giving away 600 viral desserts (aka Mango Trompe L’oieil) for grand opening this weekend, Friday through ‘til Sunday.
Attn matcha purists: I told you it was on the way. The Matcha Tokyo brings its matcha made from “high-grade, 100 per cent organic, first-flush leaves” washed with spring water to the Ossington strip. Doors open Saturday at 11am (139 Ossington Ave.).
It’s also grand opening weekend for Nile Coffee Club’s new digs in the west end, accompanied by a dope music lineup. The local black-owned coffee roaster touches down at the the corner of Dundas and Dufferin in what was previously Four Stars Cafe (1485 Dundas St. W.).
Following the arrival of Bellis Café & Bar in March, Nomas Hotel (561 Bloor St. W.) welcomes guests to its deftly designed rooms above. TR Trivia: Due to the absence of a lobby, entrance to the hotel is via the cafe/bar on the main floor for a more immersive experience.
As I reported last month, Pizzeria Badiali is settling down in Mirvish Village (581 Markham St.). Festivities kick off Monday at 11:30am. TR Pro Tip # 1. Get there early. #2. Turn it into your own personal food crawl as its steps from Bellis and Nomas.
Think the Japanese listening bar trend was over? Think again. TOKI enters the chat with a speakeasy twist. Discover it at the W Toronto hotel (90 Bloor St. E.) behind a door prior to entering TONO by Akira Back. Doors open tomorrow. Expect crafted cocktails, Japanese whiskies, and small sharing plates designed by award-winning chef Akira Back.
Asian street food chain WokBoyz adds Mississauga (6550 Meadowvale Town Centre Cir.).to the roster. To celebrate today’s grand opening, enjoy Hong Kong Chicken or Tofu Wok for just $2.99.
CLOSED
On Monday Basil Box announced the local chain specializing in healthyish Southeast Asian fast food is closing all seven Canadian locations after 11 years, effective May 14.
Bonito’s (180 Ossington Ave.) was all set to be Ossington’s latest hotspot but barely got underway before quietly shuttering earlier this year. Psst. Stay tuned. They’re transforming it into a new concept, Bambu.
Speaking of quick turnovers, the triumphant return of Calii Love last year to its original location on King West years later (367 King St. W.) was short-term.
Egg Club, est. 2020, debuted store #4 in Liberty Village (!41 Jefferson Ave., Unit A) in 2023. Though it got a rave review just three months back (“EVERYONE needs to try this place! Food: 5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Atmosphere: 5/5”), it’s permanently closed as per Google.
Two outta three means you’ve still got options. Popular patisserie Goûter by RA’s Bathurst footprint (3507 Bathurst St.) has come to an end. Head pastry chef and co-owner Rodney Alléguède cites issues securing the space going forward: “We just couldn’t find an agreement with the landlord making it worth it for us.” Another in North York, newly renovated, remains (300 Eglinton Ave. W.), as does the site in Etobicoke (34 Six Point Rd,).
The city is about to lose one of its only authentic Laotian restaurants in the city with the imminent closure of Lao Thai (4 Gladstone Ave.) at Queen and Dufferin. The countdown has begun: Expect doors to close in less than two weeks.
End of an era. After a 17-year-run, Nancy Manotas Ciancibello’s Manotas Latin Foods concluded service at the St. Lawrence Market due to eviction from the City of Toronto. This is just the latest shakeup at the historic food hall. In years prior, spots rarely became available, however additions and exits have been rampant lately.
Nothing fancy since 1953. In February, Patrician Grill (219 King St. E.) announced doors would close this month. After 70 years, the iconic family-run diner on King (219 King St. E.) says a final farewell after service on Saturday. p.s. For a little backstory, their 50th anniversary.
Two in one week. Brace yourself for the loss of another Laotian/Northern Thai resto: It’s too late to get in on Wiang Kuk Thai Food’s Famous Nam Kao, Pad Kra Prow Kai Dow, Pad Woon Sen, and Pattaya Fried Rice. This week they bid adieu after 14 years of service (First Markham Place Food Court (3255 Hwy 7).
NEWS
Fire broke out at restaurant in the food court of Scarborough’s Woodside Square Shopping Centre. While it led to evacuation of the mall, no injuries were reported.
Beerlicious Inc.. the company behind one of the cities most popular summer events, Toronto Festival of Beer (TFOB), declared bankruptcy, leaving vendors without payment.
Will the recent announcement of the province’s decision to invest over $20M to “support local festivals and events,” help?
Toronto bars are “frustrated by FIFA’s ‘ridiculous’ trademark rules." Remember the recent kerfuffle with the Blue Jays logo?
Latest food recalls: Alarjawi Green Zaatar recalled due to Salmonella, Galerie au Chocolat plant based chocolate products recalled due to improperly declared milk, Germina "Brocoli Calabrese" seeds recalled due to possible contamination with pathogenic E. coli, Jia Fu Li Wasabi Green Peas recalled due to improperly declared soy, ZoRaw brand 72% Cacao No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate - Extra Dark recalled due to improperly declared milk. [UPDATE 05.08.26: SamjinFrozen Fish Cake (with Sauce & Shrimp) recalled due to undeclared egg, gluten and milk.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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