Fall in Toronto is truly a special time. With the baking summer days behind us and sub-zero days of snow and slush ahead, October is a month to experience the city in perfect conditions.
With your vaccine passports in tow, crunch through the leaves to these 10 new establishments sometime soon!
1. Giulia
134 Avenue Rd.
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Toronto’s latest addition to the Italian dining scene is Osteria Giulia. Headed up by Rob Rossi and David Minicucci, their sizeable menu includes their Focaccia di Recco, a stuffed flatbread that dates back to the 12th century. But it doesn’t end with the food. A 20-page wine menu and desserts ranging from pera e mandorle (a Bosc pear accompanied by almond frangipane and crème Anglais) to gelato del giorno complete the quintessential Italian experience.
2. MIMI Chinese
265 Davenport Rd.
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A pop-up with a mission to bring the taste of southern China to Toronto, MIMI is Chinese food like you’ve never had it before. From salt & pepper squid to their hidden crispy chicken, MIMI is sure to have something for everyone. All of their tables are booked through October, but new dates have been promised for November.
3. Sunny’s Chinese
60 Kensington Ave.
OK, this one is a bit of a tease, but we just talked about its sister restaurant MIMI, so it’s hard to resist not putting Sunny’s on this list. Though they have announced a short break via their Instagram, they’ll be back in Spring 2022 with a new location in the heart of Kensington Market. When Sunny’s reopens its doors, the focus will be on the wok and charcoal grill, coupled with beer slushies and natural wines.
4. Paris Paris
146 Ossington Ave.
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Wine lovers, unite! Paris Paris is ready to serve all comers with an incredible selection of vino. With an emphasis on low intervention wines (that is, wines that are as hand-crafted as possible), this west end haunt will have a wine for you, no matter your taste.
5. Toca
181 Wellington St. W.
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Located inside The Ritz-Carlton, Toca offers classic Italian cuisine in a beautiful downtown setting. Headed up by Michelin star chef Oliver Glowig (who is based in Rome and regarded as one of Italy’s top restauranteurs), Toca is a taste of the Bel Paese in Toronto.
6. Restaurant 20 Victoria
20 Victoria St.
A new venture from the minds behind Brothers Food & Wine (which was forced to close during the first wave of the pandemic), Restaurant 20 Victoria represents a return to the Toronto dining scene for partners Jonathan Nicolaou and Chris White. With a flexible menu that is liable change on the daily and an intimate dining space, this new Toronto spot brings the feeling of home to the bustling downtown core.
7. Pink Sky
480 King St. W.
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A self-described “seafood mecca” in the heart of King West, Pink Sky offers oysters, ceviche, crudo and a daily catch menu. Along with traditional favourites such as lobster corn bisque and shrimp cocktail, if it comes out of the water, Pink Sky has it.
8. Fonda Balam
802 Dundas St. W.
A reincarnation of Birria Balam that was formerly located at Spadina Ave. and Richmond St. W., Fonda Balam is a Mexican cuisine spot located a stone’s throw from Trinity Bellwoods Park. Inspired by Kate Chomyshyn and Julio Guajardo’s travels around Mexico (along with a good dose of Matty Matheson), expect affordable (tacos and quesadillas start at $8) and authentic favourites.
9. Neon Tiger
14 Dupont St.
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The former Playa Cabana Hacienda is about to be replaced by Neon Tiger, a new venture from the Ossington staple, OddSeoul. The spot will feature an Asian fusion menu from chef Wes Haines, who was behind popular restaurants Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and Gusto 101. The space is massive, including a patio with room for up to 130 people, so it’s definitely going to be the newest midtown hotspot when it opens on Thursday, Oct. 28.
10. Selva
221 Richmond St. W.
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Chef Nuit Regular, the chef behind Pai, is the creative mind launching Selva, Toronto’s first ever multi-sensory, immersive restaurant. Opening Nov. 3, it will feature massive contemporary art murals and black lights, but the menu is even more eye-catching. Featuring unique dishes that double as edible art, such as a vegan twist on ceviche and Waygu beef skewers, visit Selva if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind dining experience with your most artsy friends!