The RIP List: 44 Toronto restaurants that didn't make it through winter 2018
Spring is in the air! And, while most Toronto restaurants rev-up to celebrate the end of winter hibernation and the onset of patio season, it’s already too late for the following establishments which closed before winter’s end.
From short-lived spots to Toronto institutions, pour one out for these now shuttered restaurants.
420 Smokehouse
The Cabbagetown smokehouse wont see 4/20/2018 as it closed in mid-March.
Agra Fine Indian
The Indian restaurant and buffet in North York is no more.
Amore Fine Foods
The former sandwich shop on Manning and Dupont has closed for good.
Anchan Thai Kitchen
The Thai Kitchen at King and Strachan has shuttered.
Bar Cru
The St. Lawrence Market-area purveyors of sushi, ceviche, and poke has gone belly up.
Blowfish
After 15 years, this sushi and sake bar served its last order of Spicy Rock Shrimp on March 18.
Braised
The restaurant in Leslieville has already been replaced with Core, a new seasonally-driven Canadian bistro.
Caplansky’s
Both the College Street and Yorkville delis served their last smoked meat sandwich before the change in seasons.
Caplansky’s Deli on College Street (@caplanskys/Instagram)
The Court Jester Pub
After two decades on The Danforth, the pub (relocated in recent years to the corner unit at Pape) has been replaced with the third location for Bar Hop.
The Chickery
This chicken joint from David Adjey has ceased operations at all Toronto locations.
The Contender
The Dundas West sports bar abruptly shuttered this winter.
D-Beatstro
The veg haven and DIY venue on Bloor threw a punk rock farewell and then closed its doors for good in February.
Daishō
The Momofuku restaurant (along with Shōtō) has shuttered and is soon to relaunch as a new restaurant concept.
Momofuku Daishō/Facebook
Doppio Zero
The Neapolitan pizzeria on Eglinton at Castlewood turned the ovens off for the last time.
Fresco’s Fish & Chips
While the OG chippy in Kensington Market is still going strong, the outpost on St. Clair West is soon to be replaced by the TapWorks Pub.
El Fogon
In another blow to the St. Clair West area, this 16-year-old Peruvian restaurant closed before the end of January.
The Golden Apple
Six-years in, the confection shop in Liberty Village shuttered its retail operations after Christmas Day.
Grand Electric Muskoka
Cottage-goers can mourn the loss of lakeside tacos though, reassuringly, a post to social media reads “be not upset as this book has many chapters remaining.” Not to mention that taqueria is expanding in Toronto.
Graffiti’s
The Kensington Market bar has closed after 23 years.
Graffiti’s Bar and Grill/Facebook
Greek & Co.
The Annex location is shuttered though the chain of gyro and souvlaki makers are still cooking at outposts on Queen West, and on King West.
Green Republic Food Co.
The cafe and source for healthy eats on University is permanently closed.
The Kennedy Public House
The Bloor West Village local has poured its last pint.
Less Bar
The shortlived Bloorcourt bar and music venue has closed and has already been replaced with Wasted Youth.
Lil’ Baci
The Italian restaurant might have shuttered but the same owners are opening Frankie’s Italian, a new spot serving all day brunch and favouites from the old country.
Linda Modern Thai
The Thai restaurant at the Shops on Don Mills has closed after almost 15 years of service. Salad King from the same owners is still in business at 340 Yonge Street.
Don Mills Directory
Loaded Pierogi
The Leslieville location on Gerrard is closed and signs in the window indicate that Black Jack BBQ is going in.
Loka
Chef Dave Mottershall’s zero-waste, offcut-heavy Queen West restaurant closed in February.
Mary Macleod’s Shortbread
Riverside’s shortbread specialist closed its retail storefront to focus on wholesale.
MerryBerry Cafe
The Cabbagetown cafe closed this winter after seven years on Parliament.
Mutal Street Deli
The greasy spoon at the corner of Dundas and Mutual closed this winter after six decades serving Toronto.
Orchard Bar
The lowkey bar in Bloordale Village is no more.
Oro
The restaurant on Elm Street closed December 22 after the owner announced her retirement and sold the building.
Petit Nuage
The French-patisserie in a shipping container at Market 707 closed for good on Christmas Eve.
Petit Nuage/Facebook
Rashers
The bacon-centric sandwich shop has closed the doors to its Ossington location. The OG outpost on Queen East is still going strong.
The Roastery Coffee House
This Liberty Village pioneer is now closed after 21 years in business.
Shōtō
Along with the aforementioned Daishō (above) this top tier Momofuku has shuttered to make way for something new.
Skin + Bones
The Queen East restaurant suddenly shuttered much to the neighbourhood’s dismay.
Sleepy Baker
The Beach(es) bakery is just asleep, it’s dunzo.
Spacco
The Italian stalwart at Yonge and Eglinton has closed for good.
Stasis Preserves
The retail pantry on Roncesvalles has closed as the owners shift focus to its wholesale business.
Tilt Bar
The arcade bar in The Annex might be closed but Tilt has already relocated to a new address on Dundas West.
Tito Ron’s
The Caribbean-Pinoy food vendor at the Gordo Food Court in Kensington Market has shuttered while the owners focus on new projects.
Tortilla Flats
The Tex Mex bar and grill shut down after falling behind in rent payments.
Whitlock’s
The restaurant in the Beach(es) has served its last brunch buffet after 27 years.
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