OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News September 11-17, 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
🕘 8.5 min read
This week’s arrivals are a real mixed bag. That’s a good thing. Translation: Plenty of options for whatever your sitch/mood/budget. And hold onto your platform loafers - there are more closures to get up to speed on.
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
Etobicoke cake shop Asters Patisserie expands with a second location, this time downtown. Find the French bakery in FiDi (Brookfield Place 181 Bay St., Unit C370) filled with an assortment of cakes (including minis), cookies, and macarons.
Bar Eugenie (89 Harbord St.) just debuted in newly invigorated Harbord Village and has already earned high praise. It’s no wonder: The new hotspot is courtesy of chef Rebekah Bruce, GM Ronnie Fishman and Lee Bonds behind the bar, all whom you might remember from Alo Food Group. See you there. TR Trivia: The building was recently occupied by Piccolo Piano, the offshoot of Piano Piano across the road, however perhaps best remembered as a blush-hued boîte with one helluva burger. Details below.
Psst. Speaking of Harbord, oenophiles and tipplers alike will be pleased by the arrival of Celia Méndez’s bottle shop swathed in cheery yellow, Canary Counter (322 Harbord St.). TR Pro Tip: Guided Flights are the way to go.
I told you The Frederick (10 Temperance St., Street Level) was opening any day now. Chef Cory Vitiello (The Chase upstairs, FLOCK, THR & Co, The Harbord Room) and the crew are serving up classics. Think Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Prawn Cocktail, Sea Bass, and Steak Frites. And save room for dessert - Dark chocolate molten and coconut tres leches cakes await. TR Pro Tip: The return of the Harbord Burger is something some of us didn’t think we’d see in this lifetime. Don’t miss it this time around.
Authentic wood-fired Texas barbecue has arrived at the corner of Christie and Dupont. Grand opening for Golden Horseshoe BBQ (657 Dupont St.) is happening Saturday. TR Pro Tip: Get there early. Expect lineups.
Tanya Matkivska’s Heavenly Perogy launched in a church at Dundas and Bathurst back in 2019. Just added to the mix: Ukrainian gastropub Hoyra at Dundas and Bloor (1566 Bloor St. W.).
Hero Dumpling at Yonge and College (437 Yonge St.) is the spot for the soup, steamed, and pan-fried variety.
Parkdale’s new Krave Diner (1690 Queen St. W.) is an all-day affair. Brekkie features omlettes, benny’s and other egg-centric fare, with brunch/lunch stuff such as burgers, bowls and sandwiches at the ready. Evenings boast international grub: Lamb Rogan Josh Risotto, Japanese Teriyaki Salmon Bowl, Spaghetti Shrimp Marinara, and the like. TR Trivia: KD takes over lslas’ former digs. The Filipino eatery has since moved to a new ‘hood.
Mexhico Foods landed in Baldwin Village (26 Baldwin St.) not long ago. The party continues nearby at their latest concept, La Taquería by Mexhico in Chinatown (221 Spadina Ave.) doling out, what else? A host of tacos.
Egyptian seafood destination Mermaid Fish & Grill House in Mississauga’s Ridgeway Plaza (4700 Ridgeway Dr., Unit 72) is expanding the family. Grand opening for Mermaid Express next door (Unit 73) is Saturday from 2-4pm.
Up until now, South Asian hot chicken joint Namkeen has been a mainstay of the U.S. in New Jersey and New York. The Canadian launch takes place Sunday at 6pm at Ridgeway Plaza (3920 Eglinton Ave. W., Unit 32), complete with free sandos for the first 100 customers. Did you know? Ridgeway Plaza Directory says RP is the “largest Halal restaurants plaza in North America,” boasting “over 100 restaurants.”
Pakal Mexican Kitchen & Bar celebrated its new spot in the Junction (2848 Dundas St. W.) on Friday. Expect eats such as Huevos Divorciados, Sopa Azteca, Quesabirria, and of course tacos. TR Trivia: It takes over from a previous Mexican venture. Details below.
Summer feels get an extension thanks to Parliament Ice Cream Shoppe in Cabbagetown (546 Parliament St.).
Ossington’s been adding to the roster non-stop lately and the momentum is far from over. Case in point: It’s opening day for Small Talk (110 Ossington Ave.), a jazz bar complete with martinis and spin on bottle service with “late night mickey service,” in what was home for Baby Huey until earlier this summer.
Togo Coffee appears to lives by the credo “Go big or go home.” Find 1L-sized coffee and matcha in Midtown between Eglinton and Davisville (2095 Yonge St.).
Viva Sub is doing halal hero subs in Etobicoke (1178 The Queensway). Think Philly Cheesesteak, Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders, and Fajita, in addition to burgers, wings, sides and other grub.
CLOSED
While the brick-and-mortar open to the public portion of plant-based Aunty Ems Deli & Coffee (1672 St Clair Ave. W.) is no longer in effect, the catering side of things is still in full swing.
Local supermarket chain Farm Boy’s Yonge and Eglinton store (2149 Yonge St., Unit 201) is temporarily closed due to health and safety infractions.
Jawny Bakers has stood at the corner of O’Connor and St. Clair (804 O'Connor Dr.) since 1992. On Monday, JB announced the family restaurant in East York shuttered for good.
Kismet Turkish Restaurant (782 Queen St. E.) touched down in Riverside in 2023.
Mexican eatery La Rev (2848 Dundas St. W.) held it down in The Junction since its arrival in 2011. While doors have closed, plans are for “a new beginning elsewhere.” See above re: who’s moved in.
Following a conditional pass from Toronto Public Health dated October 26, 2024, Shish - aka Shish Donair (1225 Queen St. E., Unit 1) reopened for a brief time, and since closed with a ‘Notice of Distress’ dated September 5, 2025 posted to the front.
NEWS
Latest food recalls: Pistachio Kernels recalled due to Salmonella, Various pistachios recalled due to Salmonella.
Please support local businesses whenever possible.
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
Subscribe to TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST on YouTube, Spotify, Apple, and wherever you watch/listen to podcasts.
Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.
Support local independent food journalism and publishing.
Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch.
Need help promoting your business? Get started now.
We should work together.
Enjoy this? Like, follow and comment on Instagram and Facebook. Forward and share using the icons below.
