International invasion: The 7 hottest restaurant brands coming to Toronto

Only a month into 2024, Toronto’s food and dining scene is already abuzz with excitement. From a newly opened cozy café chain to a celebrity-magnet Japanese-Peruvian fusion eatery, and even a rock and roll-inspired Smithsonian, the city is getting ready to welcome a plethora of new eateries.

Here are seven international brands making their debut in Toronto in 2024.

Pret A Manger

Pret A Manger opened its first standalone Canadian restaurant just a few days ago at 90 Adelaide St. W., in the Financial District. The U.K. café chain offers a menu of baked goods, salads, wraps, soups and sandwiches made fresh daily. Favourites like the ham and cheese baguette, Mediterranean salad, croissants and organic coffee and tea are featured.

Nobu

One of this year’s most anticipated openings is Nobu Hotel and Suites in Toronto’s entertainment district. Set against the historical Pilkington Glass Factory, two sleek towers spanning 45 stories will feature luxury residential units and hotel suites. At street level, the renowned Nobu Restaurant, co-founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, will occupy 1,500 square feet across two levels. Nobu Toronto promises an upscale experience with signature bar lounge, outdoor seating and private dining rooms, mirroring the exclusivity of its counterparts. Nobu’s arrival signifies a new era of luxury in the city.

Shake Shack

We’re on the brink of the first-ever Shake Shack location in Toronto, hinted at by recent job postings. The iconic burger joint will make its Toronto debut six years after the launch of the 2017 Shake Shack pop-up — a collaboration with Momofuku Daisho — that saw throngs of Torontonians lining up in droves for the first-ever taste of Shack in Canada. The New York-based restaurant chain says that they have plans to collaborate with local producers and “create a special Shack experience unique to the Toronto community.” And when it comes to the menu, burgers — the undisputed star of the Shake Shack menu — will reign supreme: Expect the fast food join’s signature items including those famous crinkle-cut fries, Chicken Shack, Shack Burger and delicious hand-spun shakes.

Jimmy Johns

Jimmy John’s, the famous American sandwich shop loved for its lightning-fast deliveries and mouthwatering subs, is heading our way. Born in 1983 in Illinois, Jimmy John’s has been winning hearts across the States with its freshly baked bread, top-notch meats and crisp veggies. The menu includes classics like the “Vito” and “Turkey Tom” to signature creations like the “Beach Club” and “Gourmet Veggie Club,” Jimmy John’s is renowned in the U.S. for its customizable submarine-style sandwiches crafted on French or sliced wheat bread. Additionally, diners have the option of wraps or an unwich, a sandwich that swaps out the bun for lettuce.

Hard Rock Cafe

Toronto is abuzz with excitement as the iconic Hard Rock Cafe prepares for its big return later this year. Renowned for its music memorabilia and delicious food, the Hard Rock Cafe closed its doors in 2017 after nearly four decades. However, a sign has appeared steps away from its original location at Yonge and Dundas Square, hinting at its comeback expected in the second half of 2024.

Fogo de Chao

Toronto’s carnivores are in for a treat with the arrival of Fogo de Chao, a Brazilian steakhouse set to spice up the city’s dining scene. Originating in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1979, Fogo de Chao brings authentic Southern Brazilian grilling techniques to the table. Renowned for its churrasco experience, Fogo de Chao offers a prix-fixe menu featuring continuous service of fire-roasted meats, expertly carved tableside by Brazilian-trained gaucho chefs. While the exact location remains a mystery, Toronto will serve as the gateway for the brand’s expansion into Canada, with plans to open 10 locations within the decade.

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jersey Mike’s Subs, famous for its fresh sliced and grilled subs, has teamed up with Redberry Restaurants, a major Canadian restaurant operator, to open 300 Jersey Mike’s locations across Canada by 2034. This marks Jersey Mike’s first major international expansion in its 68-year history. Redberry will purchase existing Jersey Mike’s locations in Kitchener and London and open five new stores in Ontario in 2024.Since 1956, Jersey Mike’s has been famous for its top-quality meats, sliced cheeses, and customizable sandwiches served with fresh veggies and its special red wine vinegar and olive oil blend.