This week in food: Toronto restaurant openings, closings, and our top picks

Nov 7 2019, 6:05 pm

This round-up spotlights the newest Toronto restaurant openings, bar openings, upcoming closings, and some special spots that should be on your radar.

Here’s what’s up in the city’s food scene right now.

Just Opened

  • You’ll now find three locations of Carlo’s Bake Shop vending machines in the PATH: at Richmond-Adelaide Centre, Royal Bank Plaza, and Waterpark Place.
  • Hey Sugar is now open at 3278 Midland Avenue, Unit D116, and offered free drinks over the weekend to celebrate.
  • Serving fierce-looking plates of comfort food, Great Canadian Diner is now open at 598 College Street.
  • Taking over where Schmaltz Appetizing used to be at 224 Ossington Avenue, Gordy Smiles is “like a Taco joint, but better,” and it’s also by chef Anthony Rose.
  • Pizzaface is now serving up pizza, pasta and vino at 221 Richmond Street West.
  • Hershey’s Kitchens interactive bakeshop has popped up in the Scotia Plaza PATH, and will be sticking around until December 24.
  • Inspired by regional French flavours, Lapinou is a neo-bistro and wine bar now open to 642 King Street West.
  • Mom’s Basement is now open at 1430 Danforth Avenue, serving “nostalgia and beer with a side order of Donkey Kong and cocktails.”
  • Queen West just got a new place to party, because Cold Tea opened the doors to its new location this weekend. Find it at 1186, where Brooklynn Bar used to be.

Opening Soon

  • Love Chix has announced that they’ll soon be opening a space called Century Park Tavern on Powerhouse Street, which is tucked away off of Lansdowne between Dupont and Davenport.
  • Meat & Pie Co. will soon be slingin’ BBQ and pies at 212 King Street West.
  • Long-awaited Italian marketplace Eataly is set to open in the Manulife Centre, located near Bloor-Yonge, on November 13. For a peek inside, look here.
  • Tacos Rico is coming soon, with an all-veg menu, to replace Grand Electric’s Trinity Bellwoods location.
  • Christmas-themed booze hub Miracle Bar will be returning to the city this fall, taking over 146 Ossington Avenue starting on November 25.
  • And sister to Miracle Bar, Sippin’ Santa will take over Project Gigglewater at 1369 Dundas Street West from November 25 to December 26.
  • KitKat has revealed that its permanent Canadian flagship “Chocolatory,” will open on November 14, in Yorkdale mall, across from newly-opened by CHLOE.
  • Born in Leslieville and ready to take on the west end, laid-back local eatery The Green Wood is bringing sustainably sourced wholesome food to 461 King Street West in November.
  • Putting a spin on classic comfort food, Lobster Burger Bar is coming to 214 King Street West.

Our Top Picks

Gordy Smiles

Gordy Smiles / Instagram

It feels like just yesterday that a sign posted on the door of Ossington’s iconic Schmaltz Appetizing shared word that the spot was soon to close. Since then, chef Anthony Rose has swapped out bagels for tortillas, as Gordy Smiles opens its doors. Menu options include a long list of tacos, burritos, soups, sweets, and booze. Dishes range from $4 to $8, with tequila and mezcal choices ranging from “cheap” to “less cheap” to “not cheap.”

Address: 224 Ossington Avenue

Instagram

Pizzaface

toronto restaurant openings

Pizzaface / Instagram

With a wide range of pizzas splashed across the menu, plus a whole load of other delicious and carby eats, Pizzaface is quickly becoming an important spot to hit on Richmond West. Serving trivia and other fun, vibey experiences alongside plenty of vino and plates of goodness, it’s a super easy solution to the “where to go for dinner” problem.

Address:  221 Richmond Street West

Instagram

Lapinou

toronto restaurant openings

Lapinou / Instagram

On Sundays, this new restaurant hosts brunch with a menu that’s always changing, and a half-price wine and champagne offering. Shared plates will range from Brioche and Mulberries to house-made Ham and Truffle Celery Remoulade, and indulgent mains will include Smoked Eel, Duck Confit, and Mushroom Chittara. Don’t miss out.

Address: 642 King Street West

Instagram

Last Call

It’s closing time for this establishment. You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.

  • Grand Electric’s Trinity Bellwoods location has shuttered, but it’ll soon be replaced by an all-veg taco spot by the same owners.

Kayla GladyszKayla Gladysz

+ Dished
+ Restaurants & Bars
+ Restaurant Openings
+ Restaurant Closings
ADVERTISEMENT