Pizza, beer, Japanese souffle pancakes, tacos, Instagrammable pastries – all the major food groups are covered in this week’s balanced diet of Toronto restaurant openings and (temporary) closings.
While takeout-friendly spots continue expanding in the city’s food scene, a few major names in the high-end dining space are throwing down amidst the fourth wave, including an international eco-hotel chain that has taken over the home of a former late-night diner on King West.
Meanwhile, pizza lovers should be looking west, as two buzzy places open on Geary and in the Junction. And two Mexican favourites expand with second locations.
Here is this week’s roundup of Toronto restaurants happenings for the week of August 11-17.
Toronto restaurants that closed
Big Trouble Pizza
The pizza place on Spadina has said goodbye to Chinatown, but the owners have promised to resurface again soon on Geary. “For the past three and a half years we’ve built relationships in this area that will forever be a part of our lives, we are grateful for all those who have given us a chance and opportunity to showcase what we do,” they wrote on Instagram. “We hope you to see you when we start our new chapter of this epic journey.”
Greta Soloman’s Dining Room
The French restaurant in Leslieville is closing temporarily due to a lack of kitchen staff. “We are going to take some time to restructure and with fingers crossed we will be back on our feet very soon doing what we love best: Hospitality,” the owners said in an Instagram post. In the meantime, reservations are cancelled.
Toronto restaurants that opened
Burattino Brick Oven Pizza
Burattino, a California pizza place known for adventurous creations, has expanded to Toronto with a location in the Junction.
3109 Dundas West, burattinopizza.ca
Nava Social
East-end coffee house Nava Social now has a presence in the west end. The shop, known for its eye-catching desserts and drinks, opened a second location over the weekend that’s tucked away near King and Portland.
8 Waterloo Terrace, instagram.com/nava.social
Nickel Brook Brewing
Burlington-based craft brewer Nickel Brook has officially opened its previously announced second location in the former Big Rock Brewery facility in Etobicoke. It’s running a bottle shop and a taproom.
1589 The Queensway, nickelbrook.com
Fuwa Fuwa
Japanese souffle pancakes might’ve been branded a food trend in the past, but the desserts continue to be popular in the GTA. Chain Fuwa Fuwa has opened a fifth Canadian location at Scarborough Town Centre.
300 Borough, fuwafuwapancakes.com
Prairie Boy Bread
Another new addition to the Geary neighbourhood is Prairie Boy Bread. The artisanal bakery run by farmer-turned-baker Grant MacPherson, a favourite spot on College, has expanded with a second location.
201 Geary, instagram.com/prairieboybread
El Sazón Mexicano
The St. Clair West Mexican restaurant and bakery has expanded with a second location that’s now open at Jane and Lawrence. The family-run spot first opened in 2019.
1742 Jane, elsazonmexicano.ca
1 Kitchen at 1 Hotel
On the luxury end of the spectrum, boutique eco-hotel chain 1 Hotel has opened a Toronto location in the space formerly known as the Thompson Hotel. The restaurant 1 Kitchen Toronto – which is adorned with greenery, promises sustainable farm-to-table cuisine and a zero-waste operation – has moved into the old Thompson Diner space.
550 Wellington West, 1hotels.com
Yu Seafood
Staying on the high-end dining tip, the upscale Chinese seafood and dim sum restaurant Yu Seafood has opened a second GTA location at Yorkdale mall.
3401 Dufferin St Unit 601A, yuseafood.com
Campechano
On August 18, Raena Fisher and Daniel Roe’s Mexican taqueria is opening a second location at College and Bathurst in the former home of Little Italy bar No One Writes to the Colonel.
460 College, campechano.ca