OPEN/CLOSED: Toronto Restaurant News March 21-27, 2024

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 min read

For a month generally sluggish for openings due to weather conditions, March Break and other springtime travels, 2024 continues to buck trends with a bevy of activity and cuisines. Sadly, the uptick in closures and fires also persists.

Psst. Want the inside track on what’s happening? In addition to subscribing to the TR Newsletter, keep your eyes peeled on the website (the #TRrending section is a good place to start) and follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook for breaking news and updates. 

Here’s the very latest:

OPEN

Compton Ave. (1282 Dundas St. W.) launches Tuesday in Founders’ recently vacated digs. The latest venture by BarChef founder and Netflix Drink Masters judge Frankie Solarik follows Prequel & Co. Apothecary’s debut last year. Stay tuned for a sneak peek.

Bangladeshi fare is happening at Scarborough’s Dhaka Kitchen at St. Clair and Pharmacy (459 Pharmacy Ave.).

Epochal Imp (123 Danforth Ave.) moved into the former stomping grounds od Mandy’s Bistro and The Old Nick with a new vibe, books, board games, baked goods. coffee, cocktails and collectables.

Acai bowl and smoothie outfit Heal Wellness has been busy setting shop across the province since its start in Hamilton in 2019, including here in the 6ix in 2022, Port Credit (Summer 2023), and now The Beaches (1938 Queen St. E.). Coming soon: Bloor West Village (2241 Bloor St. W.) slated for May.

The Indian Thing is serving up momos and biryani in a vast white and pink space on the Queen West strip (638 Queen St. W.).

Speaking of Indian grub, Kadak (2088 Yonge St.) takes over what was forever Five Doors North at Yonge and Eg. What to expect? Indian fusion with a modern twist.

Louis BonBon Cafe & Patisserie launched Monday in the Financial District (Royal Bank Plaza 200 Bay St.).

Grand opening for contemporary Mexican restaurant Mexhico Foods in Baldwin Village (26 Baldwin St.) took place Monday. Note: The Toronto eatery is not associated with the Barrie restaurant of the same name. Did you know? This address has been home to many concepts and cuisines in recent years including: Japanese (Momo San), Mexican (Cactus Rosado), and Italian (Bocca on Baldwin).

Mogouyan Hand-Pulled Noodles brings its renowned Lanzhou-style cuisine to Queen and Spadina (354 Queen St. W. ) in what was once home to the iconic Stem Diner, as well as BQM - and more recently Stelvio, Buono and for a short time, Give It To Me Supper Club. TR Trivia: The company, one of the most popular beef noodle brands in China, chose the T-dot to be the first overseas location for its notorious noods. Doors opened in June 2019 and it’s been expanding ever since. On deck: Mississauga (Square One 100 City Centre Dr.).

Moon Pasta may have just opened in North York (5359 Yonge St.) and Thornhill (Commerce Gate 505 Hwy 7), but is already known for its Sake Rose Rigatoni and Butter Gochujang Fettuccine. Naturally the new brand by long-running gelateria Kekou Gelato will be stocked with its icy treats.

A Japanese whisky bar and Asian fusion resto at Bloor and Islington that also does brunch? It’s all happening at Resurrection Restaurant + Bar (5096 Dundas St. W.).

Caribbean eats are a hop, skip and jump from Chinatown, the Eaton Centre and Dundas Square, thanks to the arrival of Roywoods’ sixth location at Bay and Dundas (598 Bay St.). Door open tomorrow.

Chinatown’s newest addition Rua De Macau (492 Dundas St. W.) takes over long-standing Hong Kong Island and iterations with a fascinating blend of Chinese and Portuguese flavours.

Breakfast and brunch are at the heart of Bloor West Village’s latest resto, Wake'a Boo (2279 Bloor St. W.).

CLOSED

Carlaw Coffee & Convenience (850 Carlaw Ave.) formerly Carlaw Convenience, was home to Wandering Bean Coffee for a time.

CHILL Thai Restaurant & Bar (229 Ossington Ave.) was a short-lived venture. The owners recently launched another concept, Muay Thai Bar & Restaurant, on Queen West.

A Toronto staple for 33 years, Flo’s Diner announced their impending closure in Yorkville (70 Yorkville Ave., 2nd Fl.) is on the approach. You’ve got until March 24 to get in on their diner fare.

After nearly 40 years, The Gem Bar & Grill (1159 Davenport Rd,) has come to an end.

Gohyang Restaurant + Bar (5096 Dundas St. W.) debuted as Gohyang Sushi over a decade ago and introduced numerous on-site ghost kitchen concepts during the pandemic.

Kachiguda junction (505 Danforth Ave.) was a relative newcomer to Greektown.

Mero’s Hot Chicken at Lake Shore and Marine Parade Drive (2183 Lake Shore Blvd. W., Unit 12) closed after an explosion and fire caused extensive damage.

Tenda Sushi (106 Mutual St., Unit 7) arrived in the Garden District next to Toronto Metropolitan University in 2022.

Ward’s Island Association Clubhouse and its longtime fixture, the clubhouse that also contained the Island Cafe (20 Withrow St.), were destroyed by fire on Sunday.

NEWS

The Beer Store’s new minimum for Ontario bars and restaurants to order brews couldn’t come at a worse time.

The food recalls do not let up: Chef Corey's Chicken Pot Pie recalled due to undeclared milk, Elin Dessert Plates Sold by Anthropologie recalled due to the Presence of Cadmium, Indigenous Collection Ceramic Plates by Canadian Art Prints recalled due to the Presence of Lead, Karachi Bakery Gluten Free Cookies recalled due to undeclared gluten.

Please support local businesses whenever possible. 

Life moves fast. Catch up on previous editions of the OPEN/CLOSED.   

Things change quickly. Follow Toronto Restaurants on Instagram and Facebook and subscribe to the TR Newsletter for breaking news, updates, interviews + more.

Hear of a place that’s about to open or just closed? Have an upcoming food or restaurant event? Get in touch. 

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