OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News September 25-October 1, 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
Perfect patio weather and wide-ranging destinations across the city and beyond? Introducing a one-of-a-kind, choose-your-own-adventure this week calls for.
p.s. Brace yourself. The closures this week? Dramatic.
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
Boba Tea Canada just touched down in Parkdale (1394 Queen St. W.) with real fruit smoothies, bubble and fruit teas.
Broadfork Produce has been supplying both industry and the public with fresh from the farm produce, sustainably raised meat, dairy and eggs, alongside pantry essentials, via their website. Prefer to shop in-person? Grand opening for the brick-and-mortar Broadfork Retail Shop (182C St. Helens Ave.) takes place Sunday 11am-5pm.
Charlie’s Tea soft launch for the downtown outpost at Yonge and Wellesley (546 Yonge St.) comes with a deal: Enjoy 15 per cent off your entire order today until October 9 from 3 to 8pm.
“Canada’s first burlesque-inspired ultraclub” kicks off tonight. FYE Ultraclub (7 Saskatchewan Rd.) is delivering “immersive nightlife” on Exhibition Grounds. What does that mean exactly? Think acro, burlesque performances, and the like, paired with food and drinks. I’m getting a sneak peek this evening. Follow TR on Instagram for an inside look.
Ghost Taco is setting up shop in Liberty Village. Find the “un-authentic Mexican” Ontario chain at Something in the Water Brewing Co. (151 E Liberty St ). Grand opening festivities are happening Saturday at 11am. Bonus: The first 100 customers receive a free taco and soda.
My tracking of Ossington’s intense turnover is far from over. Newsflash: Papi & Rosita has arrived at Dundas and Ossington (198 Ossington Ave.), up the street from their stalwart Papi Chulos (121 Ossington Ave.). On the menu: Comfort food by way of chicken tenders, perogies, deep-fried pickles, quesadillas and sandos, with a lineup of tipples, natch. TR Fun Fact: It’s also close to their new venture Little Ese that I broke news ‘bout in January and debuted last month, and Aleria, both on Queen West.
The city’s recent hotel revival continues with Riu Plaza Toronto Hotel in the Theatre District (30 Widmer St.). The 4-star destination boasts 352 rooms and round-the-clock gym, in addition to a sleek restaurant on the second floor - buffet breakfast included as per the company’s tradition - with a bar located in the lobby. This marks the first hotel in the country for the family-owned Spanish group with nearly 100 hotels in 21 countries to its name.
Psst. Seafood and oyster bar Seahorse is in effect (1226 Yonge St.). See you in Summerhill, of all places. Psst. If you listened to Edition 18 of THE TIP OFF on TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST, you’d already have it on your radar.
North York’s Soul Garden Kitchen & Bar (699 Lawrence Ave. W.) invites you to '“travel the world one plate at a time.” What to expect? A lively mix of pub classics and global fare at Dufferin and Lawrence.
Toronto Hot Chicken isn’t your typical Nashville hot chicken joint. Their southern-inspired heat comes with extreme crunch, bold flavours, and “local twist” employing sandos, tenders and more. Doors opened Saturday in Mississauga (808 Britannia Rd. W., Unit 102).
Dubai’s Asian street food chain Wok Boyz commenced its Canadian journey last year, starting off in Liberty Village, with plans to expand. North York, it’s your turn: Today’s unveiling (75 Billy Bishop Way) gets underway with a special deal: Chicken, Veg, or Tofu, or Woks (Hakka Noodles or Nasi Goreng) for only $1. Limit three per guest.
CLOSED
Consider yourself a Michelin fan? Then you’ll want in on these tidbits: Yorkville’s 1-Michelin star Kyō-Kaiseki restaurant Aburi Hana (102 Yorkville Ave., Unit 4, Lower Level) is temporarily closing Tuesday for renos to “introduce an exciting new concept.” This comes days after the 2025 Michelin awards were announced in which the fine dining establishment not only held onto its one star status that began in the inaugural 2022 edition, the team led by chef Ryusuke Nakagawa received the guide’s ‘Outstanding Service Award.’ Plot twist: Nakagawa announced last month via social media his departure from the restaurant at the end of September, and it turns out, the country, thus, the Aburi Hana experience as you knew it will cease to exist by month’s end. TR Pro Tip: Keep your eyes peeled here and on TR socials for more breaking news and updates.
Authentic Shawarma & Burger just opened in Little Italy (601 College St.), so finger’s crossed the closure is short-lived.
Black Pot Lounge & Restaurant (804 Danforth Ave.) is a pretty recent addition to Pape and Danforth. After clocking Crime Stoppers tape around the joint mid-July, a ‘Notice of Distress’ dated August 15 has been posted out front.
As reported earlier, La Cubana’s digs on Roncy (392 Roncesvalles Ave.) wrap up at the end of the month.
It’s been mere days since Pakal Mexican Kitchen & Bar’s grand opening in The Junction (2848 Dundas St. W.), yet it’s been marked ‘Permanently Closed’ on Google.
According to news reports, before Monday’s two-alarm fire, Rally Sports Bar (1660 O'Connor Dr.) - aka Rally Restaurant & Bar - was set to reopen this week after renovations. No injuries have been reported.
Score on King (107 King St. E.) can’t catch a break lately. After being behind fencing while the City blocked the intersection “all summer for water main replacement,” the sports bar says the “‘brand new’ water main ruptured and flooded our basement.” That was the end of last month and doors are still closed for now. In the meantime, visit sibling Score on Queen (298 Queen St. W.) that launched around this time last year, and stay tuned for reopening updates.
NEWS
Latest food recalls: Al-Ghazal brand Tahini recalled due to Salmonella, Beretta Chicken Pot Pie recalled due to undeclared egg, Various pistachios recalled due to Salmonella, Various pistachio-containing products recalled due to Salmonella, Oster French Door Toaster Countertop Ovens recalled due to burn hazard. [UPDATE 27.09.25: Pistachio Raw Kernels recalled due to Salmonella.]
Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.
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