OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News October 2-8, 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
🕘 9.5 min read
Hotel resto changeups continue with a focus on culinary mashups, Chinatown is the latest nabe to overhaul operations, the rash of closures continue, and more reasons to proceed with caution when it comes to a particular nut, are just the tip of this week’s culinary iceberg.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
Bluet Bakery lands east side (245 Gerrard St E.) where Pastor Taco stood, with an assortment of baked goods including signature chunky cookies, matcha, and other goodies.
Elsyian Lounge touches down at Islington and Steeles (134 Millwick Dr.) offering the "ultimate luxury lounge experience” by way of halal eats, drinks and shisha.
Fangio Trattoria (1111 Queen St. E.) takes over Ascari’s recently shuttered digs in Leslieville. As with its predecessor, it’s inspired by a race car driver with ties to Italy - this time around, Juan Manuel Fangio - and a menu of similar vibe and offerings - expect an Argentinian flair.
After unveiling a store at Dundas and Bay this summer, Taiwanese bubble tea shop FiftyLan joins the Entertainment District at Queen and John (311A Queen St. W.).
Today marks the launch of Honey Soul Food’s highly anticipated venture downtown, The Hive by Honey Soul Food (907 Dundas St. W.). Doors open at 5pm.
Introducing Chinatown’s newest addition: Jasmine Kitchen (434 Dundas St. W.), complete with a wide array of Asian grub including dumplings, casseroles, chow mein, rice bowls (Mapo Tofu, Braised Pork Knuckles, General Tso Chicken) and featured fare such as Uyghur Bone-in Chicken and Hot & Spicy Dry Pot Shrimp.
The first Canadian outpost of Kajiken in North York (4850 Yonge St.) is garnering a lot of attention. No wonder. The Japanese chain specializing in abura soba - aka “soupless” ramen - earned a Michelin recommendation for its San Mateo, California location. TR Pro Tip: Expect lineups.
Punch pulls into Le Germain Hôtel Toronto Mercer (30 Mercer St.) with British Indian dishes. In the kitchen: Executive chef Mandar Kulkarni, whom you might know from his extensive experience across award-winning Toronto kitchens including Michelin-starred Don Alfonso 1890.
The space for the latest Ramona’s Kitchen in Leslieville (913 Queen St. E.) was still under wraps when I broke the story re: the previous occupant. The all-day eatery is now open for business.
Since its arrival north of the border, I’ve been tracking Shake Shack’s every move. Newsflash: The Yonge and Eg branch (40 Eglinton Ave. E.) kicks off tomorrow at 11am with a free burger for the first 100 in line. Stay tuned. More are underway.
Tahini’s is another chain that’s been swiftly making its way across the city. Markham, this one’s for you (3150 Hwy 7).
And Tanghulu Tanghulu hasn’t let up lately either. Get your sweet tooth on at Scarborough Town Centre (300 Borough Dr.).
Taqueria El Pastorcito at Dufferin and Bloor (1160 Bloor St. W.) was jam-packed when I was by a few weeks back. In the east end and craving tacos? You’re in luck: TEP just debuted at Donlands and Danforth (988 Danforth Ave.) in Ha Gow Dim Sum House’s former digs.
TONO by Akira Back brings Nikkei (Japanese Peruvian) cuisine to the W Hotel (90 Bloor St. E.) as of Saturday. Did you know? Chef Back’s first Canadian restaurant, eponymous Akira Back Toronto at Bisha Hotel (80 Blue Jays Way), launched in 2017. Fun Fact: That same year, Dosa, his destination in Seoul, earned a Michelin star.
Coffee, baked pastries and pugilist pursuits? United Coffee Shop, a slip of a joint inside United Boxing Club (1034 Bloor St. W.), is a viiiibe.
ISO authentic Sichuan-style hot pot? Head to 3rd Mom Hot Pot’s new spot downtown (261 Spadina Ave.).
CLOSED
BanBuDian Bistro Restaurant set down roots in Chinatown (261 Spadina Ave., Upper Level) not long ago. BBD’s Richmond Hill site (505 Highway 7, Unit 68) also ceased operations.
After a five year run, a popular vegan bakery and cafe wrapped things up at Bayview Village (2901 Bayview Ave., Unit 107A) on Sunday. Luckily, Bloomer’s is merely moving within the mall, and four locations remain in Toronto/GTA. Stay tuned for opening dates.
Next door to recently shuttered Black Pot Lounge & Restaurant, the footprint that was newly appointed Chef's Hotspot (802 Danforth Ave.) - a ”Nigerian food haven” filled with Assun Jollof Rice, Catfish Peppersoya and Efo Riro - has been cleared out.
It’s said that two is better than one, but a pair of concepts under one roof near Donlands (915 Danforth Ave) - Chachu’s, home of Pakistani fusion fare, and Uncle Sal’s Hot Chicken and Ribs - is no more.
Dundas Spring Garden served Cantonese fare in the heart of Chinatown (434 Dundas St. W.) for over a decade.
Keeping tabs on the revolving door of businesses at one particular building east of Pape (675 Danforth Ave.) has been time-consuming to say the least: Grub Shack arrived in 2023. Prior to GS, the addy welcomed Boomerang Sandwich, Camel Restaurant and Mishwar. Will forthcoming Pizza Bono turn the tide? Watch this space.
If it feels like Heritage Cafe & Kitchen (368 Queen St. E.) just set down roots, it did.
If you haven’t been to the Imperial Pub (54 Dundas St. E.) lately, mark your calendar: You’ve got until November 15 to make your way to the historic watering hole one last time. The cause of the 81-year-old establishment’s closure? A major redevelopment project in the area.
Following new arrivals in the vicinity, a Junction stalwart is departing. Indie Alehouse (2876 Dundas St. W.) is closing doors as of October 11, but on the lookout for new digs. In the meantime, The Brewpub at Eataly’s Bay and Bloor shop (Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor St. W.) is in full effect.
If you’re looking for Victor Restaurant at Le Germain Hôtel Toronto Mercer (30 Mercer St.), you won’t find it. Good news: New eats await in its stead. Details above.
NEWS
Effective October 1, 2025, minimum wage rates went up in the province.
After cattle disease outbreak, Canada bans raw-milk cheese imports from Europe.
Latest food recalls: Handfuel Raspberry Pistachio Clusters recalled due to Salmonella, Indian Punjabi Bazaar Green Pistachios recalled due to Salmonella. [UPDATE 03.10.25: Krazy Krunch brand Popcorn White Cheddar recalled due to improperly declared milk.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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