Toronto’s dining scene keeps growing, and this week there are eleven new spots worth knowing about. From a dim sum institution in a new era, to a Portuguese spot from a veteran team, these restaurants bring something different to the table. Here are the 10 best new places to try right now.
1. Little Ese
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Taking over the old Noce spot across from Trinity Bellwoods, Little Ese is what happens when margaritas and mozzarella are the stars of the show. From Peanut Gallery Hospitality (Papi Chulo’s, Aleria), this Queen West newcomer serves al pastor pizza, saucy wings and cocktails that don’t mess around — think smoky mezcal sippers and crushable sangrias. The vibe lands somewhere between sports bar and DJ booth, with $7 happy hour drinks and $10 pizzas. 875 Queen St. W.
2. Lai Wah Heen
Once dubbed “the best dim sum in Toronto, maybe North America” by The New York Times, Lai Wah Heen is back with a refined new look. Now under new ownership, the landmark Cantonese restaurant has reopened on the second floor of the DoubleTree hotel with reservation-only dining and a modern, minimalist interior. Expect artful dim sum — think uni-topped siu mai and $37 lobster dumplings — plus signature dishes like xiao long bao and steamed pumpkin buns. After closing in 2023, the long-awaited return marks a new era for this Toronto institution. 108 Chestnut St.
3. Taberna LX
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4. Sal’s Pasta + Chops
From the team behind Lucia and Local Kitchen, Sal’s brings hearty Italian-Canadian classics to Little Italy — with a focus on nostalgic chops like lamb, veal and pork rarely seen on local menus. Named after the owners’ fathers (both Sals), the space is filled with vintage family photos and retro charm. Expect handmade pastas, antipasti, and a parmesan-wheel tableside special, plus chops grilled to perfection. 614 College St.
5. Vinny
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Toronto’s latest vinyl-themed lounge lands on King West in the former Pink Sky space. Created by INK Entertainment (Amal, Akira Back), Vinny is a moody, music-forward cocktail bar and restaurant designed to feel like a vintage listening den. Chef Ivan Kuuts (ex-Vela) serves globally inspired plates — think oysters with yuzu mignonette, shishitos with lemon, and a hanger steak with café de Paris butter. Unlike other lo-fi vinyl lounges, Vinny goes polished: stacked records, crafted cocktails, and serious design, minus the velvet rope energy. 480 King St. W.
6. Central
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With the arrival of GRETA Bar, Lulu Bar and Bridgette Bar Calgary’s restaurant wave continues with Central Restaurant, opening July 3. From the team behind CRAFT Beer Market, Central is a cozy, cocktail-forward hangout with a 360-degree bar, fire pit patio and art-filled space. Expect local craft beers, global dishes like stone-fired Mexican chicken and brunch favourites like sourdough French toast. Known for its $4 happy hour and signature Spicy Tequila Pineapple Mule, Central brings its “non-pretentious” vibe to Toronto just as two more locations are planned for Vancouver and Calgary this year. 114 Ossington Ave.
7. Cafe Prima
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Cafe Parmesan is a new café serving up a fusion of Italian classics with Turkish comfort dishes. The signature dish is a handmade fettuccine tossed inside a Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel, then finished with sauces like Nonna’s Bolognese or a creamy mushroom blend. On the Turkish side, you’ll find traditional manti dumplings, baklava and Turkish coffee alongside Italian espresso and tiramisu. They also serve house-made lemonade, Dubai-imported chocolates and small-batch gelato. 918 Kingston Rd.
8. OPS Burger
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Does Toronto really need another burger spot? When it looks as delicious as OPS — a new joint on Queen West, then the answer is a definite yes! There’s a classic hamburger and cheeseburger, along with a bacon burger with maple sauce and a saucy Wet Burger. They’ve also got a truffled-up Egg’n’Avocado burger, a mushroom version and fried chicken on a brioche bun. Fries come plain, cheesy, with bacon, or as full poutine.
9. Harvest Clean Eats
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Harvest Clean Eats has opened its first Toronto location inside Union Station’s Market. Founded in 2020, the fast-casual spot focuses on health-conscious meals made fresh daily. Expect smoothies, coffee, all-day breakfast and a lineup of bowls, wraps and salad.Highlights include the Thai Tofu Peanut Satay Bowl with toasted coconut and satay sauce, the falafel-packed Habibi Salad with turmeric tahini and the Black Bean Burger Crunch Wrap.
10. Petros 82
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Petros 82 has officially opened its second location, bringing its modern Greek menu and seafood-forward experience to Don Mills. Known for its focus on philoxenia — Greek hospitality — the new outpost offers the same refined yet approachable menu as its original, with fresh seafood at the heart of it. Guests can select their own fish from the daily seafood market or go all in with a chilled tower of lobster, oysters, crab and shrimp. 900 York Mills Rd.
11. Paros
From the crew behind Parc Ave and Future Nightclub comes the new iteration of PAROS, Yorkville’s latest see-and-be-seen spot. The space has been transformed into a sharply styled Aegean-inspired supper club with two distinct vibes; a bright, gold-toned patio for early evening drinks and a dark, bass-thumping lounge that turns into a full-on party by dessert. The menu’s built to share: zucchini chips with Paros sauce, ouzo-flamed saganaki, grilled kalamari and a stacked weekend-only platter with skewers and dips. 119 Yorkville Ave.