What a start to 2022. It was only three days into the new year when Doug Ford announced an indoor dining ban starting Wednesday. Restaurants and bars across Ontario are officially back to takeout and delivery.
That means there are fewer spots opening their doors to start 2022, but there’s still plenty of Toronto restaurant news.
Here are the restaurants and bars that opened and closed, permanently or temporarily, for the week of December 29 to January 4.
Toronto restaurants closing permanently
Hi-Lo
After eight years, the Riverside bar is closing its doors. “We wished we could have had a proper send off with all your beautiful faces but we would rather see you walking in the neighbourhood healthy and happy,” they said in a series of Instagram posts on December 21.
The Depanneur
The food hub on College that hosted pop-ups for chefs from BIPOC and immigrant backgrounds is closing after 11 years. Depanneur founder Len Senater says this won’t be the last of the Dep. This year, the focus will be on the upcoming Depanneur cookbook and “exploring new ways to celebrate the incredible diversity of culinary talent we have in Toronto,” he said.
Paramount Fine Foods
The popular Lebanese food chain has closed one of its locations at Yonge and Eglinton earlier in December.
Toronto restaurants temporarily closing
FLOCK Rotisserie and Greens
The salad-loving restaurant closed its 97 Harbord location on January 1. The team says they’ll be moving up the street and will open later in the month. “It’s been a wonderful run on this corner and we can’t wait to welcome the new neighbours in the weeks to come,” they said on Instagram.
Royal Caribbean Cafe
Earlier in December, the team at Royal Caribbean Cafe announced that the restaurant is temporarily closing until January 31, due to their chef and owner Ainsley Palmer having knee replacement surgery.
New Toronto restaurant openings
Members Only Waffle House
Remember those NSFW waffles that got everyone’s attention in the summer? They’ve found a new and permanent home on Queen and Beverley. Members Only Waffle House opened its doors to the public on December 31. You can try their x-rated waffles with multiple sauces and toppings like chocolate sauce and crushed pistachios.
252 Queen West, @membersonlywh
Tammy’s Wine Bar
Looks like Tommy’s Wine Bar’s sister location in Parkdale has opened. It’s temporarily running as a bottle shop where you can pickup wine and coffee.
1662 Queen West, @tammyswinequeen
eaTO
This Indian snack spot had a soft launch on December 15 in Scarborough. It serves dishes like sev puri, ram laddoo and pav bhaji.
1960 Lawrence East, @eatto.ca
Krystos Modern Greek Cuisine
Earlier in December this Greek food spot opened a second location near Regent Park. Expect Greek favourites like lamb souvlaki, fried calamari, saganaki and baklava.
148 Sumach, @krystos.modern.greek
More Toronto food news
Starting today, scannable QR codes will be mandatory for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This includes indoor dining spots, which are temporarily closed until at least January 26. Older vaccine certificates are no longer permitted.
