Somehow, it’s already July, and we are barely making progress on our ultimate summer bucket lists. However, the days are long, the nights are warm, and plenty of new restaurants are popping up all across Toronto.
With World Cup fever peaking and plenty of places to catch the football action, you may have gotten distracted. Luckily, we’re here to steer you in the right direction. From sophisticated Japanese BBQ to book bars where you can sip and flip a page, the city is bursting with newness.
The summer is also a fantastic time to revisit the new menus at Toronto’s best restaurants and top bars, many of which have expanded or upgraded their patios, with exclusive menus created specifically for dining under the stars.
If you need to escape the city, we’ve rounded up some amazing Ontario restaurants worth a stop or a whole trip. And before you know it, the Michelin Guide will be back to announce the crème de la crème of Toronto’s dining scene.
Add these spots to your list, and explore Toronto’s gourmet game before summer’s up.
The hottest new restaurants that just opened for summer
The Dirty Laundry
1186 Queen St. W.
Fun and connection are back in a big way, and the Toronto bar veterans behind The Dirty Laundry are at the heart of the city’s nightlife renaissance. Taking over the corner at Queen and Northcote, the lively Tex-Mex spot from legends Robin Goodfellow (Vela, Pretty Ugly, Bar Raval) and Aldo Pescatore-Tardioli (La Carnita) is built for good times. Retractable garage doors open onto a sunny patio, DJs spin on weekends, and both food and drinks are served from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Chef Renelle Joubert’s gluten-free, celiac-friendly menu leans into crushable dishes — from nachos to enchiladas to loaded fish sandwiches — all paired with margaritas, cosmopolitans, large-format punches and a stellar non-alc lineup. Think of it as a cocktail-forward Sneaky Dee’s, all grown up.
Eggslut
545 King St. W.
Unless you’ve been living under an Instagram-shaped rock, you’ve probably seen the drippy, squirty, egg-splosive breakfast sandwiches from this L.A.-born concept. The iconic warm brioche buns, piled with cage-free eggs, thick-cut applewood smoked bacon, caramelized onions and sriracha mayo, have finally touched down in Toronto on King Street West. Add crave-worthy sides, like the Truffle Hashbrown and French Toast Sticks, plus local java from Hot Black Coffee for the ultimate morning flex.
Jongro Korean BBQ Buffet
754 Yonge St.
Korean BBQ lovers have a new spot to get their grill on downtown. Jongro Korean BBQ Buffet allows diners to (literally) go ham on the all-you-can-eat experience, which includes a full buffet and salad bar. Find marinated pork kalbi and thinly sliced brisket seasoned with salt and garlic just steps from Bloor-Yonge Station.
Arthur’s Snackette
684 St. Clair Ave. W.
Holy moly — Toronto just got a hot new spot for bagels. Arthur’s Snackette, the offshoot of Montréal's Arthur’s Nosh Bar, sold out within hours of opening in a St. Clair West laneway. If you don't mind queuing, Brodflour co-founder Dara Gallinger's heavenly sourdough stacks of lox and cream cheese are worth the wait.
Shinji
333 Bay St.
Toronto’s steakhouse boom shows no signs of slowing, but the Financial District’s newest addition is looking to the Pacific for inspiration. Shinji, located at 333 Bay Street, brings refined Japanese BBQ to the power-lunch crowd, backed by over a decade of experience from executive chef and partner Jia Zou (Auberge du Pommier, Grey Gardens, Kasa Moto). Expect premium beef and sushi, an open robata grill, and a strong cocktail program featuring shiso infusions and Japanese whisky.
Book Bar
600 Markham St.
Mirvish Village welcomes a stunning new literary sanctuary with Book Bar, a bookstore and cocktail lounge. Founded by long-time friends Robin Storfer and Tom Freeman, the three-floor Victorian townhome features cozy reading nooks, rich wallpapers and custom arched shelving. Visitors can browse a curated selection of Canadian authors, sip on wine or signature cocktails and join community events like romance fiction panels and book launches from local authors.
Afro's Pizza
28 Bathurst St.
West-enders no longer have to pass through the chaotic, tourist-laden Sankofa Square to get their hands on a slice of woodfired, deep-dish, Detroit-style pizza from Afro’s. The crispy-edged, personal pizzas are now available at Stackt Market this summer, loaded with unexpected toppings like Thai green curry tiger shrimp and green mango, jerk chicken and coleslaw or ground beef and pickles. We’re adding this to the summer bucket list.
Archie’s
106 Broadview Ave.
The beloved Rooftop at Broadview Hotel usually steals all the attention with its sweeping views of the city skyline and the Don River, but now a new Toronto restaurant opening on the ground floor will be vying for your affection. Dubbed a family-friendly neighbourhood spot, Archie's will offer elevated takes on classic dishes and drinks, paired with pool tables, a photo booth and screens showing the game.
Mailo's
357 Bremner Blvd.
Leftover pasta is all well and good, but what about a freshly made, grab-and-go cup of pasta from European concept Mailo’s? Head to the pasta takeout spot in the heart of downtown and build your bowl in three simple steps: choose a sauce, pick a pasta and add any extras. With everything from Tomato and Basil to Chicken Tikka Masala, rigatoni to campanelle, and truffle oil to parmesan, there are enough combinations to keep your lunch rotation interesting.
Santa Madre
1437 Gerrard St. E.
The east end has been blessed with not one but two taquerias from chef Luis Valenzuela. Off the back of his success at Holi Tacos, a cozy takeout window and restaurant on Queen East, the chef has launched Santa Madre. Modelled on affordable fonda restaurants from his native Mexico, Valenzuela serves tacos, sandwiches and a full weekend brunch out of this colourful spot in Little India, where tipping is not an option.
Bar Romy
295 Adelaide St. W.
You can still get your Italian fix in the Entertainment District with Bar Romy, which has taken over the former Figo space. Under INK Entertainment and chef Ben Heaton, the menu leans into comfort with pizzas, veal chops and fresh pasta sourced directly from Toronto favourite and Michelin-recognized pasta restaurant Famiglia Baldassarre. Enjoy a glass from their great wine selection, or if you are craving something savoury, order the Tomatotini.
Beaches Brewpub & Kitchen
1953 Queen St. E.
Six months after closing, a much-loved east end fixture beats the odds to return to Queen Street East. Original owner Carl Pratt returns to head up brewing operations, but a new group of co-owners introduces a sleeker black-and-bronze look, with the kitchen swapping standard pub fare for a new menu blending French and South Asian influences, giving locals a refreshed space to enjoy a pint.
The Matcha Tokyo
139 Ossington Ave.
Toronto welcomes the Canadian debut of The Matcha Tokyo to the west end. With its focus on the mindful preparation of matcha top of mind, director and owner Kristina Bura brings the brand’s minimalist approach, with 100 per cent organic, pesticide-free matcha sourced directly from farms in Uji and Kagoshima. The menu highlights traditional gold blend brews, hojicha drinks and Toronto-exclusive treats like a nama matcha chocolate Basque cheesecake.
As We Do Chocolate
105 Wingold Ave.
Toronto’s chocolate wizard Brandon Olsen is back with another sweet opening. The chef (Black Hoof and La Banane) has joined entrepreneur Michael Held to launch As We Do Chocolate. The duo secured the keys to a 16,000-square-foot North York facility where they’ll be cranking out milk and dark bars in-house, plus a few fun flavours like Cinnamon Brown Butter, Raspberry Fennel and Morning Coffee.
Raani
360 Bay St.
The restaurateur behind Yorkville gem Adrak is set to launch a new Indian concept in Toronto’s Financial District. For her next act, Ambica Jain is drawing inspiration from the Raj-era clubs inside a converted bank on Bay Street. Expect multiple bars, a chef’s table and a restored vault that's integral to the glamorous, immersive dining journey.
Poke Burgers
335 Yonge St.
We haven’t been this excited since the sushi burrito craze swept the city (RIP). But now, we’re getting a new “food you’ve never seen before that riffs off a dish you’ve seen plenty of” on menus all over the city. Enter: the poke burger, a crispy, fried rice cake bun stuffed with marinated tuna or salmon, avocado and crab salad. We’re heading here for lunch as soon as it opens this summer.
Renso Pho-Potle
506 Queen St. W.
If you’ve ever had strong opinions about what goes into your pho, you’re in luck, because Renso Pho-Potle is bringing the build-your-own-bowl concept to Vietnamese pho. Choose dry or broth-based pho, picked your protein and add your herbs and toppings. It opens September 1, just in time for cozy season.
