OPEN/CLOSED: TORONTO/GTA Restaurant News March 13-19, 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
With 18 arrivals and select patios launched this week (See you outside!), things are looking up. That said, there are more closures and important news you need to know.
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
What was a hair salon is now a destination for java and baked goods. See for yourself at BirdBite Coffee’s aesthetic digs at Dundas and Gladstone (1420 Dundas St. W.).
Warm Scottish vibes are at the centre of The Bothy (2249 Gerrard St. E.), a charming coffee shop in the east end near Main taking over Prologue’s former digs.
Charmaghz lands in Oakville (649 Fourth Line, Unit 3) with Persian fusion fare for brunch and dinner.
I gave you the inside track on Bloor West Village’s incoming Dickey’s Barbecue Pit (2150 Bloor St. W.) last year. Update: The American chain and “world’s largest barbecue franchise” specializing in Texas-style ‘cue kicked off at Runnymede and Bloor on Monday. TR Insider: The province’s first branch debuted in a sprawling space at Yonge and College Spring 2023, however closed last year. A Markham site followed last May, with another also in Markham on the way.
Scarborough’s premium hookah spot Eden Lounge at Sheppard and Pharmacy (1800 Pharmacy Rd.) awaits with “a taste of paradise in every puff.”
Fox & John’s Restaurant + Bar - aka Fox & John’s Pub & Restaurant - of Bloor West Village second venture has arrived. The location? Liberty Village, where The Craft Brasserie & Grille stood (107 Atlantic Ave.) until very recently.
Happy Belly Food Group, hot on the heels of delivering a twofer in Bloor West Village in December, presents another Heal Wellness stocked with acai bowls and smoothies tomorrow at Avenue Road and Lawrence (1819 Avenue Rd.), with grand opening to follow Saturday. TR Trivia: 1. The location was previously cannabis shop, Tokyo Smoke. 2. The wellness cafe chain is setting up on The Danforth soon. 3. Small world - The Bloor West spot is steps away from Fox & John’s.
I told you more Hello Nori were on the way. “Canada's first premier hand roll bar” touched down at King and Bathurst last fall. The second officially launched today in the Financial District location (70 York St.).
Local restaurateur Hemant Bhagwani of newly minted Michelin Recommended Bar Goa has unleashed numerous Indian concepts throughout his lengthy career. And no doubt casual spot Indian Streat Food at York University (95 The Pond Rd., Unit 20) will be the last. Stay tuned. Note: Not to be confused with Indian Street Food Co., the Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in Leaside which coincidentally used to be his as well.
Nonna Lina Ristorante Pizzeria (740 King St. W.) set up shop at King and Tecumseh where Ristorante Rosina, a part of The Taverniti Group known for their authentic Italian eats, held court. Still front and centre on the menu? Pizza. pasta and other traditional fare. p.s. See closures below for more intel.
Hey big spender, “Toronto’s first caviar and cocktail bar” has arrived at the edge of Yorkville. See: The One Caviar Bar (850 Yonge St./1 Yorkville Ave., Unit 108). Which begs the question, How has Yorkville gone without a caviar bar this long? Bonus: You don’t have to be well off to get in on the action. Soft launch happy hour in effect with select signature cocktails 20 per cent off 3-7pm until March 17.
Piano Piano’s east side pizzeria (1190 Dundas St. E.) opened Saturday. This marks the latest in the local frozen pizza and resto brand’s expansion, after launching a lavish new location in the west end last month.
Speaking of ‘za, Rose Pizza brings Detroit-style pizza to Kensington Market (161 Baldwin St.).
SOCO Kitchen + Bar and SOCO Cafe at Delta Hotels Toronto (75 Lower Simcoe St.) are back in effect as of Monday.
Indian fine dining has arrived at King and Yonge. TR Pro Tip: For a quick backgrounder on new Swaagat Resto & Bar (36 King St. E.), listen to Edition 12 of The Tip Off on the new TORONTO RESTAURANTS | THE PODCAST.
Coffee and clothing is a winning combo. Add Mexican food and drinks to the mix and you’ve got one helluva hotspot. See you at Wey Cup at Dupont and Spadina (260 Dupont St.).
Yonge Potato brings Turkish style baked potatoes and desserts to the corner of Yonge and Finch (28 Finch Ave. W., Unit 110).
CLOSED
Greta Solomon’s in Leslieville (1118 Queen St. E.) draws to a close on Saturday.
Sinead Hammons moved into a former butcher shop at Greenwood and Gerrard to set up vegan Jinglepear Deli & Grocery (245 Greenwood Ave.) in 2020. The brick-and-mortar portion shuttered in January, however shopping online in still available.
You’ve got until Saturday to get in on Michelin-awarded La Bartola.
Nancy Peppler stuck it out on Dupont over 16 years and nearly 20 in the biz overall. Last day of operations of Nancy’s Cheese (260 Dupont St.) was January 18. For who’s moved in, see openings above.
Jumping on the Canadian bandwagon, Offworld Bar (739 Queen St. W.) is leaning in on all thing’s Canuck by transforning into Grizzly Bar, “Toronto's first (and, as far as we know, only) Canada-themed bar and restaurant” next month. No doubt more establishments will implement similar measures into their spaces and onto their menus.
On February 20, Ristorante Rosina (740 King St. W.) said arrivederci after an eight year run. It turns out their Italian cuisine lives on not only in other locations but this one up top.
NEWS
On Friday, grand opening day at Piper Arms Pub in Scarborough, a shooting sent 12 people to hospital. The news made it to outlets across the globe including The New York Times.
Hudson's Bay Company, the country’s oldest retailer - and one that carries food, beverages, and housewares in addition to clothing -files for creditor protection.
The first Saturday Farmers’ Market at St. Lawrence Market’s long-awaited North Building is taking place on April 5.
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