OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto/GTA Restaurant News October 1-7, 2026
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest restaurant openings β 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
π 12 min read
Patio szn's hanging in there, but days are numbered. TR Pro Move: Slug back your spritzes, sangrias, slushes and gelato while it's still balmy. Perhaps while youβre perusing this list of possible new date night haunts, family dinners, friend catch-ups and office outings. Where to next?
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
Psst. Want the inside track on whatβs 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 weekβs top stories and events like youβve 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.
Hereβs the very latest:
OPEN
Blending together coffee, pastries by Scarborough patisserie and boulangerie La Bastille, and beauty services, you might expect this spot to be nestled in Yorkville, but Beauty In The Beach lies just west of Woodbine (1826 Queen St. E.). TR Pro Tip: Aesthetic med spa procedures pair well with sweet treats. Say, Caramel Iced Lattes and Rum Cakes/Doughnuts, to start.
Grand opening celebrations for Bonjour Patisserieβs new North York digs (5 Northtown Way, Unit 5-6) kick off at 3pm with free croissants for those first in line, discounts, βsurprise gifts,β tunes and more. What to know about the new bakery? The lineup includes cakes, croissants, sandwiches, and specialty coffee. Bonus: Free parking. Even better? βWe bake in small batches and we do not keep yesterday's work. What is in the case at four in the afternoon was made that morning; what is left goes home with the staff or to a neighbour.β Sweeeet.
This haute experience isnβt like the rest. A multi-course Kaiseki dinner by chef Yi-Joo Na happening throughout four rooms in a legit castle? Bushido takes Japanese fine dining to the next level. Bookings are open now for October 23 and beyond at Casa Lomaβs newest dining destination (1 Austin Terrace), though with only 16 seats available, itβs going to be one of the hardest resos to secure this szn. TR Pro Move: Act fast. Act now.
Cafe Landwer arrived in the 6ix back in Summer 2018 and has been expanding ever since. The Israeli resto established in 1919 is about to debut its ninth Middle Eastern outpost filled with its famous brunch items (shakshushas, pancakes, omlettes) hummus plates, schnitzels, burger, and more. Grand opening for the Etobicoke branch (259 The Kingsway) is happening Monday October 5.
Casa Rubia (293 Palmerston Ave.) kicked off service Tuesday. The Spanish concept by restaurateur Grant van Gameren (T.O: Bar Isabel*, Bar Raval*, El Rey, Harryβs Charbroiled, Super Serve. PEC: Cressy House, Rosetta, Harryβs Car Club AKA Harryβs Charbroiled) features dishes βinspired by the Atlantic coast of Galicia,β and is already booked out. Find it nestled next to Bar Raval and replacing former venture Martineβs. *Part of the Michelin Guide.
Darling Girl (44 Wellington St E.), the latest incarnation of song and dance from the great folks behind Jean Darlene Piano Room (1203 Dundas St. W.), has arrived. It takes over what was long ago Pravda Vodka Bar. Note: Not to be confused with Dear Darling, another recent addition downtown.
The Well hasnβt been the same since it opened - the colossal shopping mall is always changing things up. Recently, it said adiΓ³s to La Cubana and welcomes Japan Taco at Wellington Market (486 Front St. W., Lower Level, Unit 14) launching tomorrow. Grand opening spesh: $5 Taco for first 100 in line, with other deals on throughout the day.
Today marks grand opening for Kreamβs North York iteration, Kream Pantry (865 York Mills Rd.). Celebrations include BOGO matcha and earl grey lattes. TR Trivia: The Korean dessertshop known for viral cube croissants (aka Kream Bombs), Dubai chewy cookies, Matcha Strawberry Cakes, and other goodies boast locations downtown, in Scarborough and Richmond Hill.
PG Cluckβs new venture Loomi Pita is alive and kicking as of today in their micro spot in Little Italy (610 College St.). Expect sourdough pitas studded with scrumptious options including traditional Middle Eastern eats - sabich, falafel, chicken shawarma - and downright essentials - brisket, merguez, and how βbout this: their fried chicken is back. Also available as bowls or atop hummus.
North York got the noodle memo years ago and has kept it going all this time. Introducing the newest addition: The Noodle Bar at Yonge and Doris (5443 Yonge St.).
Oklahoma Burgers has a steady stream of new joints happening around town. Their new outfit filled with cheesy oniony βMerican smash burgers, the fourth, finds a home in FiDi (4 Temperance Ave.), taking over a former salad spot of all places. Doors open today.
If you love hidden haunts, youβre going to love Salt and Sand. Gourmet grub and vino is happening in Yorkville above SPQR Espresso Bar (92 Avenue Rd., 2nd Fl.). Note: Not to be confused with Salt Grass and Rare, also slated to make Yorkville home at some point.
Shakes n Shawarma lands at the corner of Spadina and Harbord (656 Spadina Ave.) with titular items and other halal eats including chicken n beef burgers.
I gave you the inside track to Shay Ristorante a while back. The Italian resto kicks off in Rosdale (1055 Yonge St.) today. TR Pro Move: Tartare al Carrello (fish or beef) finished tableside.
Thai Bar Na softly opens in Woodbridge (8470 Highway 27, Unit 104) today. This marks the fourth location in the GTA (See: Toronto, Etobicoke, Mississauga) for the family-owned Thai eatery offering authentic eats from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket including halal, gluten-friendly, and vegan options.
Psst. Oenophiles, can you keep a secret? Head up to the second floor of 322 Bathurst St for a cozy hidden bistro (above underrated Bathurst Local). Doors opened Tuesday. See you at Wine Stand Bistro. Clink.
Yorkvilleβs Yakatori Momji (156 Cumberland St., 2nd Fl.) marks βTorontoβs first Japanese yakitori omakaseβ brought to you by who else? Chef Masaki Saito of adjacent MSSM and Ramen Tabeti, in addition to MSSM Ossington, MSSM Edmonton, Onze, Osoba Ni-Hachi, Shoushin*, Sushi Masaki Saito*, and forthcoming Yori in Edmonton featuring Japan Hambagu and Kagawa Udon. The luxe rendezvous showcases chef Takuma Mukouzaka and chickens raised here in Ontario exclusively for this purpose and establishment in an intimate setting - counter seating for only 12. The price? $248 for 15-courses. p.s. Thatβs not all. Details in the TR Sneak Peaks. *Michelin-Starred restaurants.
CLOSED
Pearson Airport (6301 Silver Dart Dr.) cut the mustard. Re: Caplanskyβs Deli.
Drag bingo, Karaoke Fridays, Paint Nite and other fun events are a thing of the past now that CCβS Bar and Grill (1564 Danforth Ave.) is gone.
Then there were two. Another Chop Hop, home of βthe best salads in the cityβ hit the chopping block, this time on the edge of FiDi (4 Temperance Ave.). Commerce Court (199 Bay St.) and First Canadian Place (100 King St. W.) are still in effect, following the closure of the flagship at Yonge & Lawrence months ago.
Hana Don Japanese Cuisine at CF Fairview Mall (1800 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 2020) is permanently closed as their lease has concluded. They expressed gratitude on socials, including: βThank you for every visit and for your continued support.β Two locations filled with premium seafood donburi are ready to serve you: Downtown (128 Dundas St. W.) and Markham (9255 Woodbine Ave., Unit B14).
NEWS
Phoenix Concert Theatre (410 Sherbourne St.) is moving. Not yet tho.
TR SNEAK PEEKS
Ba Ngoai Vietnamese Home Kitchen in Baldwin Village (47 Baldwin St.) says itβs the βfirst of its kind in Toronto.β TR Tracker: Itβs right in there with new Viet arrivals and neighbours Petite Lune (31 Baldwin St.) and Pho Le (51 Baldwin St.).
Esther Queen of Soups may have had to leave her longtime digs at Cumberland Terrace, but now the mallβs gone for good, other avenues have opened. Coming soon: College Park (444 Yonge St.).
Youβll never believe where Grotto by Masaki Saito is opening. If you guessed Yorkville again, youβd be correct. The exact addy? 2026 Two Michelin Key winner, The Hazelton Hotel. Woah. For how much real estate chefβs already got going on in the bougie βhood, pop up top for details. And watch this space for opening details.
Psst. Michelin Guide Recommended Zen Japanese Restaurant is about to unveil its third location next month, though this time itβs a new name and concept. On the approach: Nagomi accompanied by Japanese yoshoku (hello hambagu) and sweet stuff in Markham (16 Vogell Rd.).
I told you it was on the way. Union Hotelβs new resto Sahni is slated to arrive this Fall (60 York St.).
TR Hot Tip: Terrain at The Clayfield Hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake (18 Clayfield Commons) is your next out-of-town dining destination in wine country.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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