Toronto has its beloved classics, but it’s the new restaurants that generate all the buzz. These are the spots to be at. From international brands making waves to first-time chefs on the rise, here are 20 new Toronto restaurants to see and be seen in this summer.
1. The Berczy Tavern
A little bit of music and a whole lot of delicious food just hit Old Toronto with the opening of The Berczy Tavern. Chef Michael Angeloni, along with partners Adam Teolis and Yannick Bigourdan—the brains behind Amano Trattoria and Bar Notte—have brought this joint to life with a vibe that screams historic charm. What’s more intriguing: the New American Bistro cuisine or the space itself? Chef Angeloni has a soft spot for this spot—he used to frequent it during his culinary school days when it was a Japanese restaurant. Now housed in a heritage building with a fresh makeover, guests will step inside to find a stunning 20-foot marble bar, brass detailing, and a grand piano setting the stage for nightly performances.
2. Mott 32
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Opening on July 25, Mott 32 is set to be one of Toronto’s hottest restaurant debuts of the year. This modern Hong Kong restaurant, inspired by the iconic New York convenience store at 32 Mott Street, redefines Chinese dining. Mott 32 sources top-quality ingredients to highlight authentic Cantonese, Szechuan, and Beijing flavors. The restaurant’s accolades include “Best New Restaurant,” “Best Fine Dining Restaurant” and “Best Restaurant Wine List.”
3. Lyla
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For some guests at Lyla, the latest Queen West hot spot, the experience kicks off with a luxurious twist — enjoying a bump of caviar off the back of your hand, paired with a glass of champagne. This playful start from the raw bar sets the stage for an exciting dining journey where Mediterranean and Italian flavours collide. Leading the charge is executive chef Michael Medeiros, who, at just 29 years old, is steering the kitchen as an executive chef for the first time. Lyla offers an elevated yet accessible dining experience, welcoming guests for both tasting menus and shared plates. Alongside co-owners Daniel van Welie, of Cano, and Amen Habtemariam and sous chef Kevin Chen, Medeiros has curated a menu that celebrates seasonal ingredients and caters to all palates.
4. Wolfie
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Toronto’s Little Italy is currently embracing the trend of live DJ sets, and the latest restaurant and cocktail bar in the area has been taking notes. Wolfie, located at 614 College St., from the team behind the Commoner, was crafted with patrons in mind.Named after the owner’s daughter, Wolfie offers a rotating menu of eclectic seasonal share plates inspired by global cuisine. The menu draws inspiration from various sources. For instance, the tikka masala rolls are based on the sous chef’s family recipe, and the hand-cut fries, soaked in malt vinegar and triple fried, are deliberately crafted in British style.
5. Nobu
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Nobu Toronto, opening in early August, marks the celebrated restaurant group’s Canadian debut ahead of the Nobu Hotel Toronto’s 2025 launch. Founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, Nobu brings its global acclaim to Toronto with a sleek resto-bar featuring a separate bar and lounge, two private dining rooms, a sushi bar and an outdoor terrace. Expect impeccable service steeped in Omotenashi, the Japanese art of hospitality.
6. The Deauville Club
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Nestled inside Revery Toronto, this new restaurant fuses French elegance with global culinary inspiration, weaving classics with France’s diverse influences. Helmed by the talented chef Tom Chlebek, the menu features hits like Asian sea bass and paella. The hotel has been revamped from top to bottom, and the transformation is stunning. It’s the perfect spot to hang out with friends over delicious food and cocktails.
7. Ala Antioch
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Ala Antioch restaurant is where friends and family come together to share stories and savour meals, just as people in Antioch have done for centuries. Celebrating an 8,000-year-old culinary tradition, the restaurant stays true to ancient cooking methods and local ingredients to ensure authentic, rich flavours. Every dish is crafted with fresh, local produce, grains, and spices, using traditional techniques like slow-cooking, marinating and open-flame grilling to capture the true taste of Antioch.
8. Suite 115
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Discover a mouth-watering menu of small plates and upscale drinks at Suite 115. Highlights include charred scallion corn cheese, shrimp toast, mom’s dumplings and taro and lotus chips. Suite 115 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Suite 114, which opened in 2017 at Bay & Dundas. Despite its lack of signage, Suite 114 aimed to create an inclusive environment for both new cocktail enthusiasts and seasoned drinkers. The same spirit thrives at Suite 115, where both owners, former bartenders at Suite 114, bring their expertise and passion to this new venture.
9. NeuLokal Social House
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NeuLokal is where food, drink, and community come together, embodying the warmth and hospitality of a classic neighbourhood hub. Located in the former space of Atai, the restaurant offers a mouth-watering Mediterranean menu featuring salads, pasta, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and wraps. A must-try is the seafood board, loaded with chilled shrimp cocktail, smoked salmon, crab cakes and fried calamari, served with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, and mixed greens tossed in a citrus vinaigrette.
10. Ngogo
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Amid Queen Street West’s vibrant food and shopping scene, Ngogo is a new family-owned eatery offering fantastic fare at shockingly affordable prices. Ngogo Restaurant serves up a multi-course tasting menu brimming with delicious French-inspired dishes for just $38 per person. Despite the low price, quality isn’t compromised, with fine dining options like steak and seafood. Chef and owner Bob Park, who boasts experience from top Toronto spots like the now-defunct Globe Bistro, keeps things fresh with a monthly changing prix-fixe menu and an à la carte option for specific cravings. The prix fixe offers three choices in each category—appetizer, entrée, and dessert—catering to both meat lovers and vegetarians.
11. Crying Tiger
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If a restaurant earns acclaim as one of the best Thai spots in the city, it’s clearly doing something right. The team behind Som Tum Jinda is proving that once again with their new venture, Crying Tiger. Located near Toronto Metropolitan University, at Church and Gerrard, Crying Tiger is just a short stroll from Som Tum Jinda—up the stairs and over one complex. Open since early May, this new Thai spot serves up favourites from the beloved Som Tum Jinda menu, including grilled Northern Thai pork sausage, fried papaya salad, mango coconut sticky rice and Thai iced tea. And they’re not stopping there—Crying Tiger plans to push the boundaries of Thai cuisine with new and innovative dishes.
12. Baby’s Cabaret
Baby’s Cabaret hits Queen West on July 13, 2024, blending classic cabaret charm with a modern twist. This 2,000-square-foot lounge serves up expertly crafted cocktails, classic drinks, and light bites in a chic, jungle-inspired setting.Expect a bold jaguar-print carpet, velvet lounges, and standout wallpaper by Candice Kaye. With a lineup of local and international talent, Baby’s Cabaret promises captivating performances that are anything but ordinary. Reza Abedi, Operating Partner, promises an experience that’s “unpredictable,” with evenings featuring singers, dancers and a seductive atmosphere designed to keep guests on the edge of their seats or dancing all night long.
13. Cafe Roma
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Corso Italia’s dining scene just got a boost with the arrival of Cafe Roma. This new Italian hotspot is winning hearts with its decadent fare, including house-made pasta crafted with water imported from Italy. The menu features Italian classics like ricotta ravioli in porcini cream sauce, charred octopus, whole baked branzino, deep-fried olives stuffed with pork sausage, and veal scallopini wrapped in prosciutto.
14. LSL
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Toronto’s dining scene just got a major upgrade with the debut of LSL, a collaboration between three of the world’s top chefs: Didier Leroy, Masaki Saito, and Christian Le Squer. This highly anticipated restaurant blends grand French traditions with innovative Japanese techniques and ingredients. Signature dishes include a tomato creation featuring seasonal Japanese tomatoes, medium fatty tuna, and luxurious French caviar, and a steamed barracuda fish cake made with fish paste, shallots, and button mushrooms, served with a rich Vin Blanc and barracuda bone sauce.
15. Compton Ave.
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Exciting news for fans of BarChef and Prequel and Co. Apothecary! The team behind these iconic spots is now bringing their signature style to their latest venture on Dundas Street West. At COMPTON AVE., co-owner Frankie Solarik’s reputation for meticulous detail shines through. The menu includes a nod to the UK with Yorkshire pudding filled with tartar, and a fresh take on Scotch eggs, featuring sage and onion-stuffed pork served on smoked hay with black garlic aioli.
16. Kadak
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Kadak Indian Restaurant embodies bold, intense flavours true to its name. Utilizing locally sourced ingredients, it offers an authentic taste of Indian cuisine. Highlights include Highway 401 Chicken Tikka, Tandoori Stuffed Mushrooms and Butter Chicken Old Delhi Style with a rich, buttery tomato gravy. For a twist, try the Risotto Payassam, a fusion of creamy Italian risotto and Indian sweetness.
17. Mossop’s Social House
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Toronto’s historic Hotel Victoria at Yonge and Wellington now hosts Mossop’s Social House, the latest hotspot in town. Chef Tomer Markovitz’s Levant-inspired menu features classics like Avocado Toast and innovative cocktails such as the Arak Mojito. General Manager Jordan Gravelle leads the way in creating a vibrant atmosphere perfect for any gathering. The Mosaic Room adds a touch of local art and event space. Mossop’s blends the hotel’s 125-year legacy with a fresh, modern twist.
18. Eataly Ristorante at Eataly Don Mills
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Eataly Shops at Don Mills brings an authentic Italian experience with a local touch. Staying true to Eataly’s signature style, it features a restaurant, a retail section with imported and local treats, and several quick-service counters. The restaurant, with 180 seats and patio options, serves up classic pasta like Tagliatelle alla Bolognese, authentic Pizza Napoletana, and premium seafood and meat dishes such as Bistecca alla Fiorentina. Wine enthusiasts will enjoy over 85 Italian wines, along with seasonal cocktails and non-alcoholic options.
19. Martine’s Wine Bar
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Local restaurateurs Grant van Gameren, known for Bar Raval, Bar Isabel, El Rey Mezcal Bar, and Harry’s Charbroiled, and Chef Luke Haines of Bar Raval have launched their latest venture—Martine’s Wine Bar in Little Italy. While the full menu remains under wraps, Chef Haines has teased some standout dishes on Instagram. Expect a diverse range of offerings, from Salt Spring Island mussels with farm-fresh greens in green sambal broth to razor clams with oyster mushrooms and wild leeks.
20. Takja BBQ House
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Takja BBQ House, a new addition to College Street’s Little Italy, brings a Korean BBQ twist to the area. Named after the Korean word for “table,” Takja BBQ House embodies the spirit of gathering and sharing meals. The space blends modern and traditional elements with dark, moody lighting and intricate, dainty plateware. The menu features a feast of decadent meats, seafood towers with fermented sauces, and hearty cold noodles and stews, making it a vibrant new spot for both casual and festive dining.