OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News March 20-26, 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
The frenzy of arrivals continue, especially when it comes to expansions. Alas, so do the closures.
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
Turkish coffee, delight, and desserts have landed in an extensive space at Yonge and Dundas, courtesy of Ahmetzade (330 Yonge St.).
Speaking of Turkish fare, Vaughan’s halal eatery Ala Antioch Turkish Cuisine unveiled a fast casual extension in the downtown core. See: Ala Antioch Express in The Bullger’s former outpost in Greektown (424 Danforth Ave.).
I gave you the inside track to Harbour 60’s reopening last month. Can you keep a secret? An upscale Italian joint is hidden within. For “avant-garde Italian cuisine,” head up to the fourth floor to discover Arianna Restaurant (60 Harbour St.).
Frédéric Vaucamps’ exquisite patisserie chain Aux Merveilleux de Fred can be found worldwide - as far flung as Switzerland, Japan, Spain, France and UAE. One touched down at Queen and McCaul (224 Queen St. W.) back in 2020, and now, Bloor West Village has one to call its very own (2190 Bloor St. W.).
Bar 24 (1532 Dundas St. W.) brings cafe, happy hour, brunch, tapas and bar vibes to Little Portugal. Did you know? The space recently housed Mumbai Tadka and before that, a venture also dubbed Bar 24.
Georgian food is usually relegated to the boroughs. That’s all changed now that colossal destination Georgian House (147 Spadina Ave.) holds court at Spadina and Richmond.
TR Hot Tip: I just found your new obsession: Patti coco bread sandos at Jamaican Spiked Patties (10 Mercer St.). Bonus: JSP also can be found at Humber College (205 Humber College Blvd., North Campus - E Building).
Last month I delivered the inside scoop on forthcoming Levande Bakery & BBQ (798 Danforth Ave.). UPDATE: Doors are now open. On the menu: Manakish, wraps, plates, mini pies, kaak, sides and dessert.
Matcha Matcha’s ceremonial grade matcha cafe caused a frenzy when it touched down in Toronto at Church and Carlton (407 Church St.) around this time last year. Psst. There’s more action to get in on now that MM’s new “lab” just dropped in Markham (1 Fairburn Dr., Unit 8).
Scarborough has been adding a slew of sushi spots lately. This just in: Shodo Sushi at Midland and McNicoll (3720 Midland Ave.) boasts a curated selection of premium sushi that “marries traditional techniques with innovative flavours.”
Go ahead, call it a comeback. Squirly’s Bar & Grill (807 Queen St. W.), the Queen West watering hole est. in 1988, closed for what seemed for good back in November. Newsflash: The neighbourhood haunt is back in business as of St. Patrick’s Day with new ownership, interior, food and vibe.
Chef Aleem Syed’s THG's Hot Chicken food truck and Scarborough spot (4830 Sheppard Ave. E., Unit 8) have been staples for food lovers for years. Mississauga, it’s your turn to get in on THG’s famed Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders, Hot Box Combos and other good grub. See you there (4099 Erin Mills Pkwy, Unit 9).
Wetzel’s Pretzels set up shop in the 6ix a while back and now their fresh pretzel lineup is in effect at CF Toronto Eaton Centre (220 Yonge St.).
3 Mariachis out of Vaughan and Richmond Hill promises “Mexican dining like no other. “ Discover the third destination right downtown (140 The Esplanade).
Chicken wings are happening at 6ixty Wings at Dundas and Bathurst: (410 Bathurst St., Unit B5). TR Trivia: The addy was previously a poultry place when it was Chicken N’ Dough.
CLOSED
Today, Jean-Pierre Centeno shared he’s closing his teeny sandwich and wine shop of five years, Bicyclette Food & Wine (290 1/2 Harbord St.) shortly, for “personal reasons.”
Head’s up: King and Brant’s nightspot Bodega on King (510 King St. W.) is shuttering next week on March 29.
Chick Wings (689 Queen St. E.) arrived at the corner of Queen and Broadview in 2023, “powered by” Liberty Eats, The Bull BBQ Pit, and Royal Bistro.
After eight years at Queen and McCaul, cold-pressed juicery and smoothie destination Daily Press Juicery (200 Queen St. W.) has concluded service.
East of Chick Wings, another poultry-centric spot on the strip is kaput. Kajun Chicken and Seafood (755 Queen St. E.), a new occupant to the Riverside nabe, has a ‘Notice of Termination’ dated February 26 posted on the front window. TR Flashback: Do you remember when it was Vietnamese restaurant Lan?
The subterranean space held by African restaurant Le Plato (785B Danforth Ave.) is now home to a discount clothing and houseware chain.
Lukumum (484 Danforth Ave.) wasn’t just a dessert shop in Greektown. It was a place for the community to gather at the neighbourhood square, however the Alexander The Great Parkette where Lukumum’s patio stretched, was under construction and in redevelopment for some time.
Luanne Ronquillo took to social media to share the news that the Pacific Mall location of her award-winning ice cream shop Ruru Baked (4300 Steeles Ave. E.) is coming to an end March 23. Thankfully, the Landsdowne OG (659 Lansdowne Ave.) isn’t going anywhere and a Ruru Ice Cream Truck is on the way.
The Shore Club’s long-standing digs on Wellington (155 Wellington St. W.) next to The Ritz-Carlton, are no more. It appears to have been closed for months now, however with all the city’s hotspots coming and going, went largely unnoticed by the public and also press, until now.
Have you been keeping up with the rapid turnover happening in Kensington Market? It seems I’ve been writing about it at least once a week lately. Top Gun Burgers’ branch in the ‘hood (251 Augusta Ave.) has wrapped up service after a decade. Last day was March 13.
CHANGES
In February I let you in on when Michelin Recommended Jacobs & Co. Steakhouse (12 Brant St.) was set to be on the move by. Take note: It’s been extended. First it was March 5, then the 15th, now it’s the 29th - Subject to change, and let’s face it, likely.
East end French resto Taverne Tamblyn (1426 Danforth Ave.) is transitioning to more of a storefront as of March 29, offering prepared items, catering, and “occasional bistro night.”
NEWS
Heading to a Jays game? A new “lip-smacking” menu features mini pancakes, Korean fried chicken wings, and cotton candy fries.
Latest food recalls: Habibi's Mediterranean Hummus Lebanese Style recalled due to undeclared peanut. [UPDATE 21.03.25: Eatlove Organic Almond Butter Cup recalled due to undeclared peanut. 22.03.25: Certain Habibi's Mediterranean dips recalled due to undeclared peanut.]
ICYMI
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