8 of the biggest restaurants opening in Toronto for summer 2025
From unassuming independent ventures to long-awaited locations of national chains, Toronto’s restaurant scene is heating up with some hotly anticipated openings this summer.
Toronto has no shortage of tried-and-true restaurants that always hit the spot, but, as they say, variety is the spice of life. Luckily, though plenty of old standards have managed to stand the test of time, others gracefully bow out, allowing fresh meat to take over, and this summer in Toronto will be a perfect example of that.
From June to September, the city will see a slew of new restaurants, bars, cafes, and some concepts that blend all three, to keep your must-try list stacked.
Here are some of the biggest restaurants opening in Toronto for summer 2025.
Central
As the city’s ultimate summer hotspot, it’s only fair that the business landscape on Ossington is ever-evolving, right? We certainly wouldn’t want the neighbourhood to lose its reputation as one of the coolest streets in the world, that’s for sure.
Another new addition to the Ossington roster this summer is also coming from out west, this time in the form of Calgary-based restobar concept, Central.
The chain’s first-ever Toronto location is bringing with it a 360-degree bar, a menu of globally inspired bites, cocktails that pack a punch and a year-round patio, and it officially opens on July 3.
Address:Â 114 Ossington Ave., Toronto
Daisy May’s
The Annex lost quite the beloved neighbourhood haunt when Grapefruit Moon, a drunch spot and diner that had been around for decades, suddenly shut its doors in 2024. Luckily for the neighbourhood, the new venture moving in might just fill the void.
Set to open in June, this Bathurst diner is a love letter to founder Theo Laan’s grandmother, the titular Daisy May, and will serve up diner-style classics, cocktails and a whole heap of nostalgia.
Address:Â 968 Bathurst St., Toronto
Lunch Lady
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If Anthony Bourdain says it’s good, you know it’s good, and the late, legendary chef and TV personality had a particular affinity for the culinary workings of “The Lunch Lady,” Nguyá»…n Thị Thanh, who originated her restaurant business with a street stall in Vietnam, before opening a hugely popular brick-and-mortar in Vancouver.
While the opening of the Toronto location was delayed slightly when Nguyễn Thị Thanh suddenly passed away during her travels to celebrate the grand opening, the restaurant is rolling full steam ahead in her honour.
The restaurant is now expected to open its doors on June 26, marking just one of a smattering of new arrivals on the Ossington strip this summer.
Address: 93 Ossington Ave., Toronto.
San Vito
La dolce vita will be alive and well at this brand-new waterfront Italian concept that’ll render your plans for a summer trip to Italy totally unnecessary.
A pizzeria, deli, hot table, cafe and bakery all at once (mamma mia!), this new spot was founded on the mission to bring a faithful taste of Italy to the city, and they’re achieving that by operating as a cafe in the morning, hot table and quick-service for lunch, and wrapping things up with a decadent sitdown pasta service for dinner.
While the precise opening date has yet to be revealed, the team announced on June 20 that they’re “almost ready” to open their doors, so the wait can’t be much longer.
Address:Â 110 Marine Parade Dr., Etobicoke
Queens Harbour
This epic eatery fit for royalty has been a long time coming, taking over a long-vacant space on Queens Quay and filling it with seating for 800, “MediterrAsian” cuisine, and opulent waterfront vibes.
About a year after being officially announced, the restaurant will finally be open for business as of July 11; just in time for some serious patio hangin’.
Address:Â 245 Queens Quay W.
N.L. Ginzburg
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The latest from Carmelina Imola and Zachary Kolomeir, the husband-wife team that brought Toronto Taverne Bernhardt’s and Dreyfus, this Little Italy eatery has been described as “a dining room and menu inspired by the simplicity and minimalism of the slow food trattoria, viewed through a diasporic Jewish lens.”
While the exact opening date is still up in the air, the most recent news was that the restaurant was in the process of hiring. That was over a month ago, so the wait won’t be much longer.
Address:Â 548 College St., Toronto
Matcha Haus
A matcha-lover’s paradise is currently setting up shop on Bathurst, promising to provide the west end of the city with “farm to cup” beverages featuring “haus made” syrups and vegan cold foam to top it all off.
Strawberry yuzu, banana bread and double pistachio are among the first concoctions they’ve already teased, and, lucky for Toronto, they’re opening for business on June 23. Patience is a virtue, but not when it comes to matcha.
Address:Â 324 Bathurst St., Toronto
Sal’s Pasta & Chops
While its predecessor, Wolfie, may have only lasted in this location for less than a year, this new Italian-Canadian concept might just have what it takes to stand the test of time — particularly thanks to the team behind it, who also own Lucia in the Junction Triangle.
An homage to both owners’ fathers and the nostalgic dishes they grew up eating, the restaurant’s name certainly implies that, at the very least, you’ll be able to tuck into a variety of pasta and meat-centric dishes once they open in July.
Address:Â 614 College St., Toronto
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