OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News September 18-24, 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
🕘 10 min read
First the good news: Introducing an exhilarating mix of cheap eats, luxe dining, and everything in between, including options for dancing and dessert. That said, I’ve uncovered nearly as many closures as arrivals this week - more, if you include the pileup of Beer Stores that have, or are about to, shut down.
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
Following a fire a few years back, Bao Mama has reemerged in Scarborough. Find the Filipino/Asian bao specialist on University of Toronto Scarborough Campus (1265 Military Trail, Marketplace, Humanities Wing). And stay tuned: An outpost in the west end - Mississauga’s Square One - is also slated for this fall. TR Trivia: The bao biz says it’s the “first Filipino-Canadian restaurant inside a Canadian university.”
If you’re not taking in the city’s live music scene right now, you are truly missing out. TR Pro Tip: See for yourself at grand opening weekend for Dina’s Tavern (486 Spadina Ave.). Fun fact: It’s helmed by the fine folks behind Track & Field Bar and Bangarang. Did you know? It takes over the space once home to the historic The Silver Dollar Room, which moved to Queen West a few years ago.
Kid entertainment co. JoJoFun are celebrating the grand opening of their new ice cream and coffee shop in The Junction, JoJoFun Scoops (2696 Dundas St. W.) on Saturday from 11am to 8pm.
Psst. Chef Marvin Palomo’s Italian-Asian destination on Queen West, Liliana (1198 Queen St. W.), may have not opened yet, but resos starting September 26 have. p.s. Read about his culinary journey in my acclaimed long-running series featuring Toronto chefs, At The Pass.
Macedo Winery on Dufferin past Geary (1382 Dufferin Ave.) just added a serious bonus to its CV: Caffé. The Portuguese winery now features the country’s coffee and pastries with of course, pastéis de nata, on offer.
More Gelato set down roots in The Junction (392 Pacific Ave.). On the agenda: Coffee and dessert. Find it where Famous Last Words stood until earlier this year.
The second branch of Naimas Asian Fusion Cafe touched down at Woodbine and Danforth (2186 Danforth Ave.) with a lineup of rice bowls, pastries and coffee. TR Hot Tip: Croffle alert.
I was first to report the temporary closure and reveal the new location of Michelin Recommended 156 Cumberland last year. Now dubbed OneFiveSix Restaurant and located in the cool corridor at Queen and Dovercourt (1100 Queen St. W.), the contemporary Korean by chef Masaki Saito is now welcoming guests. TR Trivia: Tonight’s Michelin Awards revealed his eponymous restaurant, Sushi Masaki Saito, formerly two star status, dropped down to one. Stay tuned for the full report.
ISO coffee, baked goods, and good vibes in the west end? Look no further than Panther City Coffee tucked inside The Piston at Bloor and Ossington (937 Bloor St. W.).
Peaceful Restaurant in The Annex (515 Bloor St. W.) focuses on Northern Chinese food. Known for hand-pulled noodles and beef rolls, the Vancouver eatery in operation since 1998 boasts five locations across B.C.’s largest city. This marks the first in the 6ix.
Shaghf Café founded in 2018 and launched out of UAE, has grown to more than 65 cafes bringing “the authentic essence of Arab coffee culture” 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), and more in the works.
EDM lovers, I’ve got just what you need: Grand opening for new dance destination Story (214 Adelaide St. W.) is happening tomorrow, complete with special guests Birds of Mind, Savage & She, and Ashkan Dian and Mojie. See you on the dance floor.
CLOSED
The Beer Store continues to shutter locations left and right, with a slew of current and upcoming closures. So many in fact, I’d have to create a dedicated edition of the OPEN/CLOSED to cover them all.
The second Duke's Refresher + Bar has permanently closed with signage already removed and windows papered over. It landed in Riverside (709 Queen St. E.) last summer.
Following last week’s temporary closure of a Farm Boy in Midtown, a store in the vicinity at Christie and Dupont (744 Dupont St.) has also shuttered for the time being.
Fresh Buy Market (1913 Yonge St.) is one of two long-standing small, independent fruit and vegetable shops at the corner of Yonge and Davisville closed due to condo development. Fruits Basket is located just a few doors north (1919 Yonge St.). Hopefully these are just temporary until new homes can be found.
In between the two green grocers above, Kramer's Bar & Grill (1915 Yonge St,) a fixture at the corner of Yonge & Davisville for decades as well, has closed, with hopes of finding other location nearby.
La Cubana has been a part of Roncy (392 Roncesvalles Ave.) since 2013. Doors close at month’s end. Two will remain: 1. On Ossington. 2. In The Well’s food court.
Speaking of Ossington, now that something else has taken over where Baby Huey held court, farm to table tortilleria Maizal is no longer operating out of 110 Ossington. Find their ground fresh nixtamal masa, tortillas, and totopos at various events around town until a new venue is secured.
Queen West’s Nugateau Patisserie (709 Queen St. W.) moved up the street in 2023. A Landlord’s Termination notice has been posted on the establishment.
Nutmento Caribbean Griil (936 Gerrard St. E.) is a recent addition to Gerrard and Pape, however doors have been closed for weeks.
On Friday Velvet Underground (508 Queen St. W.) shared the music venue will wind things up next month.
NEWS
Tonight, the Michelin Guide announced selections for the 2025 Michelin Guide Toronto & Region. Stay tuned for a look at this year’s roster featuring 106 restaurants. In the meantime, headlines include: Restaurant Pearl Morissette upgraded to two stars, a new one star addition - aKin, open ten months - and dramatic change for the city’s former only two star spot. Details above.
Latest food recalls: Daesang Gochujang recalled due to undeclared wheat, Enayat Farms Pistachio Raw Kernel recalled due to Salmonella, Govardhan Thal Handvo recalled due to undeclared wheat and milk, Public Health Notice: Outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to dog food and treats. [UPDATE 19.09.25: Dion Herbs recalled due to presence of insects, Habibi Dubai Chocola Kunafa Pistachio Milk Chocolate recalled due to undeclared soy and wheat.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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