Every year, winter seems to come as a complete shock to Torontonians. It’s always colder, snowier and greyer than we remember. (And who else forgot to put on their snow tires until the absolute last minute?) The only consolation is the abundance of new Toronto restaurants opening up and inviting us into their warm, cozy shelter.
Despite events dwindling this time of year, our weekly newsletter's new In the Know column and the new Toronto restaurant openings have kept our calendar… well, not full, but healthy. Some of last year’s openings quickly ranked among the best restaurants in Toronto or the city’s best bars, and we have high hopes for this year’s flock, too.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and we’ve been blessed with it falling on the Family Day long weekend — what more reason do you need to take your date to a romantic Toronto restaurant that just opened up? But if you can convince your date to celebrate early, you also have all the 2026 Winterlicious restaurants to choose from. Decisions, decisions. You may just have to add all of these new Toronto restaurants to your winter hit list.
16 new Toronto restaurants that just opened for winter 2026
1. PUNCH
30 Mercer St.
Punch at Le Germain Hotel serves cheeky Indo-British flavours in a chandelier-lit, wood-paneled dining room that feels part London, part Bombay. Chef Mandar Kulkarni’s shareable menu dazzles — from tamarind-kissed Madai Crudo to rogan josh beef wellington — all paired with bold drinks, like the tropical-spicy Anika № 5 cocktail.
This downtown spot brings London’s Indo-British energy to Toronto
From beef wellington with rogan josh jus to inventive cocktails, this beautifully designed spot inside Le Germain Hotel on Mercer Street serves bold, shareable dishes.
Read more2. Tono by Akira Back
90 Bloor St. E.
Tono by Akira Back landed atop the W Toronto Hotel in the fall of 2025, bringing world‑renowned chef Akira Back’s take on Nikkei cuisine — a bold blend of Japanese precision and Peruvian flair. Sleek rooftop views meet inventive sushi, charcoal‑grilled mains and creative cocktails in one of Yorkville’s most anticipated new dining destinations.
A globally recognized chef just opened this luxe sushi spot inside a Toronto hotel
Expect a literal smokeshow at Tono by Akira Back, the ninth-floor hotspot inside the W Toronto Hotel from the eponymous chef.
Read more3. Cassette
1214 Queen St. W.
Taking over the former Melody Bar in the Gladstone House, Cassette is a gorgeous, spunky new addition to Queen West. From the checkered floors and luxurious booths, to the vinyl-packed back room, this nostalgic restaurant crackles with retro energy. Come in for a casual post-5 p.m. martini, or for the frequent live performances that range from drag shows to karaoke.
4. Chon Modern Thai Cuisine
1677 Bayview Ave.
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Pii Nong Thai made waves last year with its three-in-one restaurant, market and massage parlour. Now Bangkok-born chef Pii Nong is expanding her brand with a new concept. Taking over the original Pii Nong Thai location on Bayview near Eglinton, Chon Modern Thai Cuisine is a collaboration with chef Chatchalit Chuayruk, formerly the executive chef of Le Lert. The new Toronto restaurant showcases ancient recipes and regional traditions made with modern techniques.
5. Liliana
1198 Queen St. W.
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Former Vela chef Marvin Palomo is stepping out solo with Liliana, a cozy Queen West spot named after a mentor he cooked alongside while climbing the ranks in Italy. The menu is Italian through an Asian lens, with winks to Korea, Japan and the Philippines on the halal-friendly menu. Expect silky beef carpaccio, housemade pappardelle and a tiramisu that’s anything but ordinary — a banana, coconut and coffee gelée–infused twist. All of it is served inside the 30-seat, brick-walled dining room that once hosted Dandylion and J’s Steak Frites.
6. Peaceful Restaurant
515 Bloor St. W.
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Chef Charlie Huang’s Northern Chinese plates have just touched down in Toronto, with Peaceful Restaurant’s first Ontario location. The beloved Vancouver institution has been around for 30 years, and has been featured on Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives — so it’s safe to say we’re stoked for its arrival in the 6ix. The Dan-Dan noodles are pure comfort food bliss.
7. Fangio Trattoria
1111 Queen St. E.
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Leslieville locals worried about losing a stalwart Italian favourite can breathe easy. Fangio Trattoria has taken the wheel at the corner of Queen and Caroline, replacing longtime Ascari with a concept so familiar it even retains the iconic red Formula 1 racecar logo. Positioned as a “respectful rival” to its 14-year predecessor, the menu spans classic pasta plates to an indulgent 11-oz, bone-in veal chop.
8. Meláni Greek Restaurant
2537 Yonge St.
After closing down the Uptown location of its Mediterranean-slash-Middle Eastern concept Byblos, Ink Entertainment has transformed the space into the lush and moody Meláni. Doubling down on Greek fare, the modern menu covers everything you would expect: creamy dips, salads, house-made pickles, souvlaki skewers and plenty of grilled seafood, all paired with signature cocktails and mocktails, and Old-World wine.
9. Notte Ristorante
9 Church St.
New for 2025, Notte Ristorante ushers in the evolution of Amano Trattoria and Bar Notte in the St. Lawrence District. The modern Italian spot blends aperitivo and dinner into one lively experience, serving housemade pastas, Roman-style pizzas, generous sharing plates and a bar program designed for the late-night crowd.
10. Proper
392 Roncesvalles Ave.
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If you’re gonna do it, do it right, right? That’s the philosophy behind Proper, an Italian-American red-sauce spot ushering in a new era for Roncy. In the former home of Cubana, chef Julien Cawagas — veteran of Toronto kitchens like Giulietta — serves from-scratch pasta, chicken parm and seafood with confidence.
11. Bar Filo
146 Yonge St.
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While we were disappointed when chef Cesar Karanapakorn’s The Lost Land closed in late 2025, after receiving mixed reviews, we’re equally excited to hear he’s back with a vengeance. Bar Filo is more approachable than its predecessor — with a focus on seasonal ingredients, the menu leans Italian.
12. Chagall
18 St. Thomas St.
Yorkville just welcomed an upscale, dairy-free kosher spot. Celebrity chef David Adjey has opened a dinner‑only restaurant inside the historic Windsor Arms Hotel, serving Korean meatballs, short rib tacos, Thai‑spiced chicken lollipops, and other shareable bites. Pair it with a moody red and settle into the elegant booths all winter long.
13. Sundays Pasta Lab
Multiple locations
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On a warm day, you can smell the fresh pasta wafting out of Sundays Pasta Lab’s Stackt Market shipping container. The build-your-own pasta pop-up was a fan-favourite addition to the Bathurst market, and have now opened two new locations: one in Liberty Village and one in First Canadian Place. Choose from three eggless, durum semolina pasta shapes (casarecce, campanelle or rigatoni) and dress it with fresh sauce, proteins and other fixings.
14. Alebrije
119 Harbord St.
The team behind Azura — the Michelin-recommended, Mediterranean tasting menu spot on the Danforth — is back with a fine dining tribute to Mexican cuisine. Named after the Mexican folk art sculptures of mythical creatures, Alebrije promises authentic dishes adapted with Canadian ingredients alongside inventive twists. Meatier dishes include Birria Beef Short Rib, koji-marinated Iberico Pork Secreto with pineapple adobo and Steak a la Plancha featuring Oaxacan black mole. Wash it all down with a seasonal margarita flight.
15. Hello Nori Yorkville
1250 Bay St.
Lunchtime in the Yorkville nabe is about to get a whole lot more delicious, with the third Toronto outpost of Hello Nori scheduled to open its doors in early 2026. Lovers of the popular Vancouver export can expect the same signature hand roll sushi, aburi oshi and premium sake selection in its new Bay Street location.
Get in line: Vancouver hand roll sushi spot Hello Nori has arrived in Toronto
Hello Nori's high-quality, affordable hand roll sushi, plus local beverage options and great service, combine for one of Toronto's most exciting openings all year.
Read more16. Mandy's Yonge & Eglinton
2670 Yonge St.
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Mandy’s cult-following salad empire continues with their fourteenth brick-and-mortar location — this time at Yonge and Eglinton. Find their signature salads, grain bowls, smoothies, soups and freshly baked cookies all served in the cute and eclectic restaurant.
