OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News November 13-19, 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
🕘 10 min read
As per usual, there’s a lot to unpack. For starters, my findings this week reveal copious arrivals offering great variety, nearly as many closures, and the loss of two iconic restaurateurs.
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
Big Belly Greek softly opened yesterday between Bay and University (187 Dundas St. W.). Expect halal Greek street food with “Greek flavours, modern fusion” in what was home to Japanese resto Sushi & Bento until recently.
Burgers n’ Fries Forever (175 Bloor St. E.) brings its namesake items to the corner of Bloor and Church, marking the third outpost in the 6ix for the local burger brand.
Cafe Belém #2 officially debuted yesterday in Oakwood Village (352 Oakwood Ave.). Bonus: The expansive location includes Alma Lusa Snack Bar. Did you know? It’s by the same folks behind Portuguese resto Mercado.
The Leslieville additions keep comin’. Just in: Cocktail bar Corduroy Lounge (1012 Queen St. E.) launches this weekend in what was La Roma Piccola ever so briefly and Baldini’s for what felt like forever.
Gimbap spots are on the rise downtown. Find Dada Gimbap near UofT and Robarts (364 Huron St., Unit C104).
ISO Turkish groceries, baked goods +/or prepared foods? Ege Market Turkish Grocery Store just put down roots at Lawrence and Keele (2319 Keele St., Unit 102). Grand opening to follow on November 23.
Ethiopian sabich is the specialty at Elim Restaurant and Café (1105 College St.), previously dubbed College Coffee House.
The Katsu and Salmon (285 Dundas St. W.) is the latest venture to take over the space at Dundas and McCaul. On the menu: Don katsu and salmon obvs, with an array of sushi, sashimi, udon and other Japanese fare also on offer. Grand opening special November 11-16: Order any Katsu and receive a free Salmon Pressed Sushi. Conditions apply.
In case reptiles aren’t enough of a draw, Mystik Cafe adds coffee to the equation. Find reptilia and brews under one roof in the heart of Kensington Market (56C Kensington Ave.).
Psst. There’s a new omakase destination in the 6ix and it’s not downtown or tucked away in a strip mall. No doubt it will book up quickly - The Onda (750 St Clair Ave. W.), helmed by two chefs who happen to be brothers-in-law, has limited seating.
If you’re a fan of Ruby’s Mediterranean Cuisine at Eglinton Square (1 Eglinton Square Mall), you’ll be psyched one just dropped at Birchmount and Lawrence (2130 Lawrence Ave. E.).
Nepalese eat and drinks commingle with live music, DJs, and karaoke at Thamel Bar in Parkdale’s Little Tibet (1522 Queen St. W.).
After nearly a five year absence, Wallflower makes a triumphant return to its digs in Brockton Village (1665 Dundas St. W.). wallflower3381
The Danforth continues to change things up, this time with Mexican brunch. Find Xuma Cocina Mexicana (505 Danforth Ave.) in the space formerly held by Indian eateries Kachiguda Junction and Spice 505.
6 Cloud is on a tear, bringing cloud sandos (souffle pancakes stuffed with cream and fruit) to not one, but two locations starting today: Yonge & Lawrence (3236 Yonge St.) and Yonge & Finch (10 Northtown Way, Unit 110).
CLOSED
I broke the story on Monday: Chef Matty Matheson’s Bar Clams (802 Dundas St. W.) closed just shy of its first anniversary. The addy was previously a Matheson joint, Fonda Balam. That’s not all. This week marked the wrap of Maker Pizza’s Avenue Road site* (1537 Avenue Rd.), and news of incoming Yonge/Eg, slated for Summer ‘26 in the Capitol building** (150 Eglinton Ave. E.) *Pro Tip: You can order from the Bayview location (1674 Bayview Ave.). ** Hands up if you ever caught a flick there, back when it was a movie theatre.
Head’s up: Clandestino Food & Drink (1183 Dundas St. W.) will close December 31 - at press time slated for a week to relaunch - with new name and concept taking over the footprint.
You’ve got until the end of January to get in on Coco’s locale in Little Italy (668 College St.).
After quite the journey, Enoteca 89 and counterpart Halcyon’s time in Bloor West Village (2196 Bloor St. W.) has concluded. The building is about to welcome Lyla’s House, a French-inspired bistro, cafe and wine bar - an offshoot of the one in Georgetown (76 Main St. S.).
As I reported, you’ve got until Saturday to get your goodbyes in at Imperial Pub (54 Dundas St. E.).
Meza Resto Bar began its story in Etobicoke (664 The Queensway) in 2021. Stay tuned. Next up at this address: “Contemporary dining experience” Novo Restaurant.
Piri Piri Grill (1444 Dupont St.) was a fixture at Dupont and Lansdowne for over 25 years. Coming in January: A new project with executive chef Andrew Capone.
The news of the sudden closure of Kensington stalwart Rasta Pasta (61 Kensington Ave.) has people shook. To get you through, visit their operations that launched in May at Waterworks Food Hall (50 Brant St.).
Is that it for Sansa Bakery and Grill now that Oakwood (352 Oakwood Ave.) and recent College digs (1105 College St.) have shuttered?
The Scarborough branch of South Indian Street Bites (Centreview Square 4465 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 46) closed as of today, but not for long - Another location is in the works. In the interim, Pickering is happy to serve you (1211 Kingston Rd., Unit 14B).
In more Dupont news: Stella’s Kitchen, a fairly recent addition to the strip (182 Dupont St.), is closed for now.
NEWS
Rodney T. Clark of Toronto’s iconic Rodney’s Oyster House died.
Fred Luk, restaurateur of longstanding spirited King West haunts that included Filet of Sole, The Whistling Oyster, Fred’s Not Here and The Red Tomato died.
On Monday, Eataly announced opening date for the CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St) outpost: Mark your calendars for November 25.
Latest food recalls: Spring Creek Quail Farms Mild Pickled Quail Eggs recalled due to undeclared mustard, Krispy Kernels Vitality Dried Fruit, Nuts, Seeds and Yogurt recalled due to undeclared peanut.
ICYMI
I break news all the time. Best places to catch it? Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and 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 TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST.
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