OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News October 23-29, 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 min read
Chains, mall fare, shisha, and lounges rule this week’s findings, but loyal readers know, as always, that’s just the beginning. Full details below.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
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Here’s the very latest:
OPEN
The city’s hotel dining trend continues in full force. See: Cassette, the new concept inside Gladstone House (1214 Queen St. W.). This iteration puts an elevated spin on diner fare and the spotlight on showcasing live music and entertainment. Doors open Saturday.
Cocobaz Lounge at Finch and Dufferin (4544 Dufferin St., Unit 3-4) has assembled food (by way of Mediterranean fusion cuisine), shisha, and nightlife all under one roof. Expect DJs, dancing, and Lambos/Raris out front. Psst. There’s complimentary valet, no matter what whip you’re pulling up in.
Hi Bowl Malatang (517 Yonge St., Unit 2) lands on the stretch of Yonge between Wellesley and College that’s seen mad movement this last while. On the menu: 13 signature soup bases and 100+ fresh dishes. Fun Fact: The hot pot eatery is “powered by” Haidilao’s “global supply chain.”
Local healthy chain iQ Food Co. joins the strip of Avenue and Lawrence that has been bustling lately. In fact, the addy - 1542 Avenue Rd. - is the same as Rosie’s Burgers that debuted earlier this year, and is up the street from another recent arrival, Heal Wellness (1819 Avenue Rd.). TR Trivia: It’s a family affair, as they’re all a part of the Happy Belly Food Group.
Jabal Coffee House brings their Yemeni coffee experience to Mississauga (3515 Odyssey Dr., Unit 63) in a bright, design-forward setting.
Mandy’s Gourmet Salads entered the chat not long ago, but didn’t slack on quickly building an empire in the 6ix. Introducing the newest addition to the fam: MGS #14 in Midtown (2670 Yonge St.) across from Sporting Life. TR Trivia: The building was once the long-standing home of iconic Canadian clothing store, Roots.
Mega Kebab & Steak House arrives at Wilson and Dufferin (730 Wilson Ave.) with a host of halal Turkish grub, grand opening specials, free parking and wi-fi.
Mississauga’s new Mirage Lounge (6435 Dixie Rd., Unit 1) claims to be the “city's most premium escape.” Translation: Cocktails and shisha, for starters.
Cooler weather doesn’t mean the end of gelato szn. Here to prove it, Nani’s Gelato kicks off today in Mississauga’s Square One (100 City Centre Dr.).
Oklahoma Burgers made Mississauga home back in 2022, then expanded to the Big Smoke late last year. The latest drop for their signature onion patties? Yonge & Bloor (762 Yonge St.).
Sewar House joins Ridgeway Plaza (3545 Odussey Dr., Unit 5) with a lineup of Arabic desserts and drinks, but don’t expect the usual cafe setup. Membership is required to access the “exclusive amenities” here including: the coffee lounge, meeting room, and “special product offerings not available to the general public.”
Burgers, fries and shakes have landed at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.) courtesy of Shake Shack. The U.S. chain that’s made the Great White North home since last year begins service at the Vaughan mall on Tuesday.
Speaking of Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr.), Tanghulu Tanghulu, who has also had quite a run lately, moved in with its sweet lineup of candied fruit.
Head to Trend Lounge in Woodbridge (3850 Steeles Ave. W., Unit 20) for modern Mediterranean cuisine in a stylish setting.
The Wings Hut out of Newmarket adds Toronto to its roster, taking over where Lucia’s reigned until recently in the Junction Triangle (1595 Dupont St.), and in Etobicoke (2916A Lake Shore Blvd. W.), in what what also a chicken joint.
579 Taiwan Beef Noodle House settled into Scarborough (3280 Midland Ave., Unit 22) earlier this year. North York, this one’s for you. Head to Yonge & Finch (5455 Yonge St.) to get in on their authentic Taiwanese noodles.
CLOSED
Byblos Uptown (2537 Yonge St.), the Middle Eastern destination that debuted in 2019 in the ol’ North 44 digs, has suddenly concluded and is about to make way for a new resto. In the meantime, you can visit the OG location downtown in the Entertainment District (11 Duncan St.).
Is London Fried Chicken’s halal UK-style grub offski in the GTA? Etobicoke (2916A Lake Shore Blvd. W.), established in 2018, wrapped up a while back, and 2020 arrival in Scarborough (1071 Danforth Rd, Unit 7) has also permanently closed.
Melody Bar at Gladstone House (1214 Queen St. W.) had a good run. For what’s there now, see openings above.
More Natas Please (762 Yonge St.) came and went. The space is now burger centric. Pop up top for details.
Speaking of burgers, the first location in the city for a vegan fast food chain has come to an end. Globally Local launched in Little Italy (492 College St.) in 2018, reopening as Odd Burger in the same digs a few years later.
Pii Nong Bayview (1677 Bayview Ave.) is transforming into yet another Thai destination, Chon Modern Thai. For those wanting in in PNT’s grub, visit the Yonge & Lawrence location, complete with Thai massage. TR Fun Fact: The Bayview location also debuted in 2019.
NEWS
Sneaky Dee’s, one of the city’s fave dive bars and live music venues, was told to take down their social media posts that included the Blue Jays logo - Something countless other businesses were/are doing, btw.
Latest food recalls: Certain pistachios recalled due to Salmonella, Enayat Farms Pistachio Raw Kernel recalled due to Salmonella, Green Pistachios recalled due to Salmonella. [UPDATE 24.10.25: Baklava recalled due to Salmonella, Certain ground beef products recalled due to E. coli O157:H7.]
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