OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News October 9-15, 2025
The OPEN/CLOSED is THE most comprehensive resource of the latest restaurant openings â 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
đ 12 min read
What a whirlwind. 33 establishments, just a fraction of my findings this week as the closures (13) arenât letting up one bit. See the insanity for yourself below.
NO ONE COVERS THE CITY LIKE THIS.
Psst. Want the inside track on whatâs 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 weekâs top stories and events like youâve 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.
Hereâs the very latest:
OPEN
Discover Ethiopian coffee shop Bunna Aroma at Bloor and Brock (1189 Bloor St. W.) in what was previously a decades-old vacuum store.
The cityâs obsession with sandwiches is next level, so what better time for an OG to expand their empire. Mississauga, say hello to California Sandwiches. Doors opened Monday at Dixie and Eglinton (5170 Dixie Rd.).
ChaTraMue, a Thai tea house brand around for generations, has touched down in the heart of Chinatown (341 Spadina Ave.).
Desi Food Junction (1051 Bloor St. W.) ticks a lot of boxes: Indian restaurant? Check. Also serves Hakka fare? Done. Bar? Yep. Comedy Club? That too. And open 24 hours? You best believe it. At this point, what doesnât DFJ do? Find it where Zesty Burgers stood for a spell.
Summer feels get extended with the arrival of El RincĂłn Perdido Gelato & Cafe in Kensington Market (206 Augusta Ave.) TR Trivia: The addy was longtime hom to licensed dispensary HotBox Cannabis Shop with The HotBox Lounge (204 Augusta Ave.), âToronto's first consumption loungeâ next door, where a new venture just took over. Details below.
Dynamic duo Ginoâs Pizza & Wing Machine is serving up winning combo pizza and wings at Bloor and Dufferin (1158 Bloor St. W.).
Smack dab in the middle of Kensington, bar and grill Kensington Socials (204 Augusta Ave.) claims to be âTorontoâs newest hangout for eats, drinks and live vibes.â Think comfort food, cocktails, and the like.
For those in search of a speakeasy vibe: Low Rise Bar, the polished new add-on tucked above North of Brooklyn Pizzeriaâs latest addition in Etobicoke (1180 The Queensway) designed with renowned Montreal-based firm MeĚnard Dworkind, is the spot for craft beer, wine, and cocktails.
M ChĂĄ Bar boasts locations in Vancouver, Toronto and the GTA. Find the triple threat chainâs boba, artisanal gelato and coffee in The Annex (491 Bloor St. W.) in what was forever Alternative Arts, now located up the block (474 Bloor St. W.).
Down the street in Koreatown, Mura Cupbop (690 Euclid Ave.) is all about the Korean street bowl trend taking over the city.
Family-run Nan Yue Kitchen (3261 Kennedy Rd., Unit 3) softly launched in Scarborough on Sunday with an array of authentic Cantonese food.
Orettaâs long-awaited 8,000 sq. ft. destination downtown (160 Front St. W.) kicked off yesterday, joining the OG King and Yonge/Eg locations. p.s. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram for an inside look.
Speaking of pizza, Pizzeria Fornace at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst (562 Bloor St. W.) is heavy with freshly made âza - Roman style amongst them - lasagna and other pastas, focaccia sandos, salads, pastries, and tiramisu. This place is the real deal - the owners have a restaurant back home in Italy.
Steps away, Sammie's Sandwiches (594 Bloor St. W.) is slinging handhelds of every variety including: Smoked Brisket Philly Cheese, Grilled Chicken or Pork Bahn Mi, Reuben, Bourdain (Mortadella, provolone, mayo, house mustard), and ubiquitous breakfast and steak selections.
Shaghf CafĂŠ founded in 2018 and launched out of UAE, has grown to over 65 cafes bringing âthe authentic essence of Arab coffee cultureâ to countries around the globe. The chain of espresso bars made its North American debut recently in Mississauga (6980 Maritz Dr., Unit 16), followed by a new spot downtown in FiDi (170 University Ave., Unit 102), with more to come.
I gave you the inside scoop on Slammie Sammies recently upping sticks. Find their new spot east side at Eastern and Leslie (828 Eastern Ave.) across from Loblaws. Doors open tomorrow.
TR readers got the inside track on Steven Tran Chocolatier Pâtissier setting up shop on Roncy (476 Roncesvalles Ave.). Update: Doors are now open.
Three Dots Coffee Lab College and Ossington (865 College St.) with pour overs, matcha, specialty sippers and âexperimental coffee.â
Breakfast and wraps are the focus of Wrapido (196 Augusta Ave.) in the space that was one of Kensingtonâs longest running restaurants Hungary Thai until recently.
CLOSED
After nearly 13 years, Bloor West Villageâs long-standing Baka Gallery Cafe (2256 Bloor St. W.) shut down for good yesterday.
bbtease - originally known as Bubbletease - landed at Bay and Dundas (111 Dundas St. W.) in 2021. A âNotice to Terminateâ dated September 16 2025 has been posted to the door. TR Trivia: The co. launched in the GTA in 1999 expanding to Markham and Mississauga, locations which have since closed.
Cafe La Gaffe (24 Baldwin St.) has been a fixture on Baldwin for decades. The historic jointâs closure, like many these days, seems to have gone largely unnoticed - until now. Psst. Itâs about to become a fried chicken joint.
Last day for Chef 88 Oriental Cuisine in Scarborough (3261 Kennedy Rd., Unit 3) was September 21.
Earlier this week Dipped Donuts shared operations in Parkdale (1374 Queen St. W.) are closing to the public, however another location in the works. In the meantime, the Kensington outpost (161 Baldwin St.) is ready to serve you.
The space that was Great Burger Kitchen gave way to another burger-centric concept, Fusion Factory (1056 Gerrard St. E.) not long ago. p.s. Itâs about to become Gerrard Greek.
I gave you the headâs up last week: Indie Alehouse Brewhouse Co. is leaving The Junction (2876 Dundas St. W.), but itâs not the end of the story. Watch this space.
If youâre into Michelin restos, youâll want in on this: Mama Fatma Turkish Cuisineâs first location in Vaughan (10385 Weston Rd., Unit 7B) has come to an end, despite being inducted into the 2024 Michelin Guideâs âRecommendedâ category. TR Trivia: The Mississauga location, which opened February 2024, received identical accolades in the 2025 edition announced mere weeks ago.
Melody Bar at the Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W.) had a good run. For whatâs in its place, pop up top.
Pink Elephant Creamery (114 Queen St. E.) didnât make it to its first anniversary.
Soya Mandarin Kitchen (31 Baldwin St.) has come to an end. Not long ago either - the DineSafe Pass posted in the window is dated April 20, 2025. The space has been cleared out.
Thay Bar debuted in Koreatown (690 Euclid Ave.) in 2023. To check out whatâs there now, see above.
I8 Yokocho took over the space at Dundas and McCaul (285 Dundas St. W.) recently - The DineSafe Pass posted is dated August 5, 2025. According to a handwritten note affixed to the door, itâs relocating. Stay tuned for details.
NEWS
News reports two people were rescued from the roof of a burning restaurant on the Danforth early Sunday morning. Police are investigating the fire at newly opened Blue Gin Sports Bar (681 Danforth Ave.) as arson. TR Trivia: Itâs just steps away from where Greenwood Smokehouse stood (673 Danforth Ave.) before it closed a few years back also due to fire.
Headâs up: CafeTO patios are wrapping up, however if this weather keeps up, dining al fresco at establishmentâs own patio set-ups is very much in the cards.
The Michelin Keys are back. What are they, you ask? Hereâs a brief rundown. This yearâs recipients in Toronto: 1-Key: Ace Hotel Toronto, Bisha Hotel Toronto, Park Hyatt Toronto, Shangri-La Toronto, 1 Hotel Toronto. Two-Keys: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, The Hazelton Hotel. Note: The city did not secure any top tier Three-Keys.
Speaking of hotels, I told you hotel dining is having a moment. Gladstone Hotel (1214 Queen St. W.) is getting in on the fun with Cassette, set to launch later this month.
Latest food recalls: Al-Ghazal Tahini recalled due to Salmonella, Barrhaven Market Organic Pistachio Kernels recalled due to Salmonella, Certain pistachios recalled due to Salmonella, Pistachio recalled due to Salmonella, Raw Pistachio Kernels recalled due to Salmonella. [UPDATE 11.10.25: Aoun Pistachio Heart recalled due to Salmonella, Various pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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