Amid a flood of new eateries that open each week, a few manage to rise above the rest. From a Middle Easter mecca to a spot brining Japanese dishes to the breakfast scene, here are 11 of the best new restaurants to check out in Toronto this week.
1. Hawa Beirut
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Hawa Beirut brings the vibrant flavours of Lebanon to downtown Toronto with an upscale twist. Located on Adelaide Street East, the restaurant combines authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, premium shisha and live entertainment. The menu boasts luxurious offerings like truffle hummus, smoked lamb shank and flame-grilled lamb chops wrapped in edible gold leaf. This spot is a must-visit for lovers of Middle Eastern food and culture. 466 Adelaide St. E.
2. Bready
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Bready, the popular bakery-café that started in Vaughan, has now expanded to King West, offering the same artisanal charm with a fresh new urban vibe. Known for their house-made sourdough, flaky pastries and gourmet brunch options, Bready brings together the best of bakery, patisserie and café culture under one roof. Try their signature buttermilk pancakes, indulgent Sabich Benedict or fresh salads, paired perfectly with locally roasted coffee. And don’t miss their decadent desserts, from ice cream sandwiches to indulgent Nutella pizza. 130 King St. W.
3. Tatsuro
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A new brunch spot in Leslieville is bringing Japanese-inspired dishes to the weekend breakfast scene. Highlights include housemade milk bread toasts, wafu pasta and specialty items like mochi waffles (moffles) and crispy karaage. Try the muffle a chewy waffle with butter and maple syrup, or the honey butter toast made with shokupan bread, whipped honey, butte, and salt. For a heartier option, the karaage moffle pairs fried chicken with mochi waffles, miso syrup and spicy mayo. With unique takes on Japanese breakfast staples, this new spot offers a fresh twist on brunch. 1378 Queen St. E.
4. HOJA Mi-Sua
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HOJA Mi-Sua has arrived in Markham, bringing authentic Taiwanese comfort food to the community. Featured dishes include  Mi-Sua  (Taiwanese vermicelli), braised pork rice (Hoja Lo-Bah-Png) and century egg with tofu. The cozy spot serves up rich, flavourful bowls of misua, perfect for powering through a busy day, along with crispy basil salted chicken and iced black tea. The restaurant’s charm comes from the hand-painted lanterns made by local kids, adding a cool, unique vibe to the place. 3235 Highway 7 E, Markham,
5. Rumeli
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Situated on Dufferin Street just steps away from G. Ross Lord Park, Rumeli is awash in gold and emerald tones but it’s the decadent chandeliers, intricate mirrors and green foliage that really bring the sumptuous, high-end quality to the interior design. Even the small details — white tablecloths, lap napkins, tableside lamps and cutlery placements — offer an air of elegance typically reserved for Toronto’s city centre. As one would expect from Turkish cuisine, the menu at Rumeli offers no shortage of grilled meats from steaks and lamb shanks to chicken chopstick and beef shish — and it’s all 100 per cent halal. North York has been showing instant appreciation for the restaurant’s special mixed platters which can feed the whole party at the table with a combination of textures and tastes found in lentil soup, Adana, findik lahmacun, chopsticks, oven-baked mushrooms and so much more. 4700 Dufferin St.
6. 612 Harlowe
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Step into the heart of Italy at the new downtown spot, 612 Harlowe. The menu reads like a love letter to traditional Italian cuisine with classics like caprese salad, mushroom arancini, tiramisu, chicken piccata and a pasta lineup that includes arabiata, linguine pesto and penne alla vodka. But just when you think you’ve got it figured out, the menu throws you a curveball with non-Italian items like chicken wings, miso salmon and corn steaks. 612 Richmond St. W.
7. Elements Restaurant
Located on Richmond Street, Elements boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and an art-deco inspired design. The restaurant’s menu is a mix of global flavours, including mozzarella spring rolls and polenta fries. For something heartier, the spaghetti di mare features al dente pasta in a garlic and white wine sauce, loaded with calamari and shrimp, with other seafood option like shrimp fried rice and fritto misto.  21 Grenville St.Â
8. B-Town Pizza
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A big hit in Brampton, B-Town Pizza has now expanded to a downtown location. Known for its Indian-style pizzas, the menu features unique pizza options like paneer, tikka chicken, butter chicken and even a fried chicken pizza topped with French fries and cheese curds — say goodbye to ordering a side of fries with your pizza. Beyond pizza, B-Town offers a variety of non-pizza dishes including pasta, poutine and French fries, plus indulgent desserts like lava cake and the traditional Indian treat, moong hawla. 13 Elm St.
9. Chillax Eatery & Mart
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In North York, Chillax Eatery & Mart offers a fresh take on all-day breakfast and Asian fusion. Created by husband-and-
wife team Allen Li and Ning Jia, it combines delicious food with a unique grocery twist, just south of Yonge and Sheppard. he spot puts a unique spin on brunch, offering classic favourites with a fusion twist. The breakfast menu includes dishes like chicken and waffles. After 4 p.m., the menu transitions to Asian fusion options like salty egg yolk fried chicken wings and rice and noodles. Exclusive dishes at this location include the braised beef noodle soup and the mouthwatering basil n’duja ragu rigatoni. 4679 Yonge St., North York.
10. Gochu Libre Kantina
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Gochu Libre Kantina features an all-new lineup of unique offerings, crafted by the new executive chef, Rodrigo Salas-Aguilar, who brings his expertise in Mexican cuisine to the table. The menu boasts share plate and small bite options including the special ssireum smash fries — which is decadently topped with a red bean curry, tofu bulgogi and multiple salsas —and the crispy Korean fried chicken wings with homemade cotija ranch.n A beef bulgogi is among the options that can be found on the taco menu, which includes Korean-inspired twists on pulled pork and tempura cod. 815 Bloor St. W.
11. Sophia Turkish Restaurant
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The team at Sophia’s Turkish Restaurant wants their customers to feel like invited guests at a party, and the vibe and food certainly live up to that expectation. Must-try dishes include the ezme, a blend of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, and parsley, finely chopped by hand using a traditional half-moon knife. Follow that up with the Babaganough, a smoky roasted eggplant dip mixed with tahini, garlic, and lemon. For something a bit more indulgent, try the crispy Handmade Roll Borek, stuffed with creamy feta cheese for the perfect crunch. And no meal is complete without the Adana Kebab, spicy ground lamb skewers grilled to perfection. 302 Eglinton Ave. W.Â