The RIP LIST: 147 Toronto restaurants that closed in 2018
This year-end recap rounds up all the Toronto restaurants that have closed in 2018.
From beloved spots that’ll we’ll mourn forever, to flashes in the pan we almost missed entirely, here are 148 Toronto restaurants that shuttered over the last year.
AFT Kitchen and Bar
The Riverside restaurant and bar, known for its menu featuring smoked chicken and ribs, burgers and brunch, announced its closure in May.
Agra Fine Indian
The Indian restaurant and buffet in North York is no more.
à la Carte at the Gardiner Bistro
The restaurant inside the Gardiner Museum has closed to make room for a new concept from The Food Dudes.
Amore Fine Foods
The former sandwich shop on Manning and Dupont has closed for good.
Amore Trattoria
The Italian restaurant at Yonge and Eglinton is no more.
Anchan Thai Kitchen
The Thai Kitchen at King and Strachan has shuttered.
Anne’s Magic Kitchen
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The makers of dan dan noodles has shuttered in Chinatown.
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.
Barburrito
The burrito joint on College Street has been replaced by Salumi Bar.
Big Tuna Poke Bar
One of Toronto’s first poke bars to open closed in March, signalling the potential end (?) to the once pervasive poke trend.
Blowfish
The sushi restaurant and sake bar at King and Bathurst closed for good in March.
Boku Sushi
While the Boku name lives on, this sushi bar has rebranded and switched focus to Japanese noodles.
Boots & Bourbon
Toronto’s country saloon shuttered abruptly this spring only to be replaced by new music venue Jasper Dandy.
Boralia
This spot closed their doors, with the Chef and his wife citing increasing rent and a new addition to their family on the way. Aww.
Brock Sandwich
The sandwich shop on Bloor is closed following a fire in March.
Carters Landing
The restaurant situated on the boardwalk of Woodbine Beach closed before peak beach season began.
Casa Coffee
The Kensington Market landmark shuttered after 55 years in the neighbourhood and has since been replaced by Jodie’s Joint, a cafe from cannabis activist Jodie Emery.
Celebrity Hot Pot
The Chinatown stalwart is shuttered but has already been replaced by another hot pot spot called Liuyishou Hotpot.
Corktown Kitchen
The King East bistro quietly closed its doors before the warm weather arrived.
Cut the Cheese
The Junction spot specializing in grilled cheese sandwiches and gourmet mac and cheese has been replaced by Latin American eatery Maiz.
Caplansky’s
Both the College Street and Yorkville delis served their last smoked meat sandwich in 2018.
The Court Jester Pub
After two decades on The Danforth, the pub (which 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.
Desmond & Beatrice
The Leslieville bakery has closed its storefront after nearly a decade in business though it’s wholesale operation continue to thrive.
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 since offered a home for a new concept: Kojin.
Doppio Zero
The Neapolitan pizzeria on Eglinton at Castlewood turned the ovens off for the last time.
Delysées
This luxe french bakery closed their King Street location, only to open doors at Yorkdale later in the year. You can now find them at the entrance to Nordstrom.
Dooney’s Cafe
First founded in 1982 in the Annex and later relocated further west on Bloor, the casual restaurant has now closed for good.
Doug’s Public Kitchen
The vegan spot near Eglinton West shuttered as Chef Doug McNish is now at the helm of Mythology Diner in Parkdale.
El Fogon
In another blow to the St. Clair West area, this 16-year-old Peruvian restaurant closed before the end of January.
Frings
The restaurant from Toronto celebs Susur Lee and Drake closed for good on June 23.
Fresco’s Fish & Chips
While the OG chippy in Kensington Market is still going strong, the outpost on St. Clair West has been replaced by the TapWorks Pub.
Galaxy Donuts
After 21 years, this doughnut shop in The Junction has officially retired.
Garden Gangsters
The St. Lawrence Market-area salad specialist has closed up shop.
Greenleafs
The source for healthy lunch options in The PATH shuttered in May after more than three decades serving Toronto office-dwellers.
Green Republic Food Co.
The lunch counter at Dundas and University shuttered in March.
Good Egg
While not a restaurant, this recently shuttered food-focused bookstore in Kensington Market will be missed by Toronto’s culinary community.
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 the taqueria has expanded Toronto.
Graffiti’s
The Kensington Market bar has closed after 23 years.
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 Avenue is permanently closed.
Hawker Bar
This beloved Singaporean snack bar closed for good before the end of April.
Hot Bunzz
The pop-up vendor’s stay on Spadina was especially short-lived.
Jule
The tea room on Carlton is soon to be replaced by bubble tea chain Cuppa Tea.
Karelia Kitchen
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Bloordale’s Nordic smokehouse, known for its Scandinavian-style brunches, called it quits in recent months.
Melanie’s Bistro & Patisserie
The Danforth bakery shuttered in April and has since been replaced by The Ellery.
No One Writes to the Colonel
The rec room-like bar in Little Italy has closed its doors after eight years in business. A new location could be forthcoming.
Noorden
As intended, the temporary Indo-Dutch food bar hosted its last rijsttafel before June began.
Sarah’s Shawarma and Falafel
This Lebanese counter-service stop has officially closed up shop.
SpiritHouse
The cocktail bar near King and Portland closed for good on April 28 and has been replaced by Petty Cash.
Street Shak
Toronto’s quick-service Bajan has shuttered which means no more fish cakes and bakes or seared fish sandwiches on Queen West.
South Indian Dosa Mahal
The Bloor Street dosa spot remains closed until further notice after a fire broke out in a neighbouring restaurant.
Sweet Jesus (Scarborough Town Centre)
While the chain of epic ice cream purveyors continues to expand across Canada, the location at STC has been replaced by Eva’s Original Chimneys.
The Christie
The cafe near Christie Pits shuttered this spring.
The Common (Bloor)
The cafe’s outpost in The Annex shuttered in March, though locations in Little Italy and Bloorcourt are still open for business.
True True (Queen Street)
The sophomore outpost might have closed but the OG pizzeria on King East is still open for business.
The Borough
The restaurant on The Danforth has closed and City Betty has already opened in its place.
The Saigon Hustle
This shortlived Vietnamese eatery was quickly replaced by My Roti Place.
The Scullery
The cafe in Cabbagetown has already been replaced by Beer Batter, a fish and chip shop from the folks behind the Irv Gastro Pub.
Under the Table
The Cabbagetown restaurant known for its Caribbean comfort foods has closed after failing to renegotiate its lease.
Urban Acorn Market
The flexitarian kitchen in the Junction Triangle closed its retail space in March to focus fully on catering operations.
Village Pie
Makers of spanakopita and other savoury Greek-style pies on the Danforth has closed their doors for good.
West End Food Co-op
After nearly a decade in Parkdale, Toronto’s West End Food Co-op has closed to make room for a new development.
The Yukon
The Queen West watering hole has been quietly transformed into Birky’s Bar.
Zeytounda Mediterranean Cuisine
The shawarma shop near Yonge and Dundas is dunzo.
420 Smokehouse
The Cabbagetown smokehouse didn’t see 4/20/2018 as it closed in mid-March.
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 was promptly replaced by Wasted Youth.
Lil’ Baci
The Italian restaurant might have shuttered but the same owners are opened Frankie’s Italian, a spot serving all-day brunch and favourites 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.
Loaded Pierogi
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This spot’s Leslieville location on Gerrard closed up shop.
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 low-key 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.
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 spot 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 Beaches bakery isn’t 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 Beaches has served its last brunch buffet after 27 years.
Wilder
This Junction spot shuttered its doors in November. No more whole food soul foods, for now.
The Anne Boleyn
The pub on Richmond at Peter closed before the beginning of July – not even a year after its debut.
Annvita Tea Room
This posh afternoon tea spot in Willowdale is no more.
Bay Burger
The indie fast food outlet at Bay and College Streets has flipped its last burger.
Beaches Bakeshop
The popular east-side bakery closed this summer after 12 years in business.
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Following a decade on Dundas West, Jen Agg has shuttered the acclaimed restaurant that spurred the vibrant restaurant scene in the area.
Black Rock
This spot, attached to a rock climbing gym, has closed its doors. Their matcha lattes, mini sandwiches and vegan muffins are deeply missed.
Boar
The popular sandwich shop at Yonge and Davisville has quietly closed its doors.
Branca
The Argentinian restaurant on Dundas West fired up the parrilla for the last time on September 1.
Church Aperitivo Bar
The Italian restaurant on Queen West closed up shop this summer and staff report they’re still owed wages.
Crafted Coffee
The Ossington cafe has closed and reopened under a new name (Pilot Coffee Roasters) and new address doors down.
Corned Beef House
The old school deli has shuttered its Entertainment District outpost and has since been transformed into a new spot called Melrose on Adelaide.
District Oven
The sit-down Middle Eastern restaurant has been replaced by a billiards club.
Dog’s Bollocks
The taproom on Queen West closed in July and has already been replaced by the 817 Sports Bar & Grill.
Dolly’s
The Pinoy Mojito bar is shuttered and already being converted into something new.
El Riconcito Mexicano
The Mexican joint on Church has closed to make way for new condos.
The Fish Store
This Little Italy spot remains closed following a fire in a neighbouring restaurant.
Flip, Toss & Thai Kitchen
No more noodles (or anything else) at this unfussy Harbord Street spot.
Frings
The restaurant owned by celeb chef Susur Lee and Toronto rapper Drake shuttered on June 23 and has been replaced by Marbl.
Ghazale
The Middle Eastern take-away joint has closed following a two-alarm fire which occurred during the Taste of Little Italy street festival this summer.
Hoja Luwei
The Taiwanese snack shop and source for Formocha bubble tea shuttered in August.
Jackpot Chicken Rice
Chef Craig Wong’s Hainanese chicken and rice joint shuttered June 24.
Junked Food Co.
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While catering operations resume, the Queen West snack bar closed in July.
Ken Oh
Toronto’s lone Ankake Spaghetti house has closed.
The Korean chain of dessert houses devoted to tiramisu shuttered less than a year since opening.
Koek Koek
The healthy food concept quietly shuttered and its Yonge and Eglinton address was put up for lease sometime this summer.
Lady Marmalade
The beloved brunch spot closed, only to reopen a re-vamped location on Broadview Avenue.
Lola’s Kitchen
The brunch spot abruptly closed on Labour Day without giving any notice to staff or customers.
Lone Star
The Texas grill in the Entertainment District is no more.
Mad Crush Wine Bar
The short-lived wine bar abruptly shuttered and owners transformed the place into The Peacock Public House.
Mascot Brewery and Odd Thomas
The multi-floor venue complete with glorious rooftop patio closed at the end of June as the site is slated to become the home to the previously announced Nobu Residences Toronto.
Mihalis Place Dining
The Iranian breakfast joint on Broadview has quietly closed.
M.W.M. Fish Co.
Cabbagetown’s fishmonger and oyster bar was especially short-lived.
North 44
After nearly three decades, the Toronto restaurant at Yonge and Eglinton has closed its doors. The restaurant was local celebrity Chef Mark McEwan’s first independent restaurant when it opened in 1990.
One Hour Cafeteria
The Chinatown snack bar has called it quits.
Ouzeri
Yet another Greek restaurant on The Danforth called it quits over the summer.
Pacific Park Social
This spot shut their doors and left the Junction neighbourhood wanting more… steak on a bun, that is.
Paramount Butcher Shop
The halal butcher shop at Yonge and Eglinton folded just months after opening. The Mississauga outpost is still going strong though.
Pearl King
The King West dim sum spot cites the King Street Pilot Project as the cause of its downfall.
Pan on the Danforth
The longstanding Greektown restaurant has closed, though a new spot from the same owners, Soulas Modern Greek Cuisine is now open just a few doors down.
Pots & Pans Eatery
Just months old, this Greek spin-off from the folks behind Tzatziki’s didn’t last long.
Potbelly
The Yonge Street location of this sandwich spot has closed up shop, which means hungry financial district-ers must seek meatball sandwiches elsewhere.
Revere
The Italian restaurant on The Danforth has permanently closed.
San Francesco
The Italian ‘sangwich’ shop on Queen Street West is closed and already converted into a second outpost of Cluck Clucks.
Spoon & Fork Plus
The location on York Mills Road at Don Mills has closed, though other locations across the GTA are still open for business.
Square Fish
Be there or be square. Literally. This spot is no longer at Queen and Spadina, serving up donut-shaped or blow-torch sushi.
Sushi on Gerrard
The Japanese restaurant shuttered in late June after nearly five years.
Tacos 101
The compact taco shop is on the hunt for a new location after vacating its Yonge and Dundas address to make way for incoming condos.
Vivoli
A fire in neighbouring restaurant Ghazale has shuttered this Little Italy stalwart.
Peoples Eatery
The beloved Kensington spot held its final dinner service on November 2, and people left with full tummies and sad hearts.
Nota Bene
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Chef David Lee is shuttering the doors of Nota Bene on New Year’s Eve with a new Planta project in mind.
The Céilí Cottage
This Ireland-inspired hub closed its doors on October 27, after 10 years of service in Leslieville.
Bombay Street Food
This spot, known for bold flavours and affordable prices, is set to close up on December 19.
Parts & Labour
This iconic hangout technically made it through 2018… but they’re officially done on January 1. Breaking hearts and taking names.
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