In a growing city like Toronto, new restaurants are as plentiful as construction sites. Our thumbs never get tired of eagerly refreshing our Instagram feeds, awaiting the launch of the hottest new restaurant in our neighbourhood, or a moody drinking den that will vie to be one of the best bars in Toronto. Will this spot make the Michelin Guide? Will that restaurant be our new go-to for cheap eats in the city? We can't wait to find out.
When summer hits, the hype surrounding the best new restaurants in Toronto reaches a near-fevered pitch. Even the sun stays up late, bathing well-dressed urbanites in buzzy 'hoods like King West or Yorkville in golden light as they line up for Toronto's new restaurants or bars. Many are in the city's beating heart, too; downtown Toronto restaurants seem permanently packed all season long. Talented chefs and mixologists are constantly innovating, developing unique experiences to 'wow' you, from inventive omakase to Instagrammable takes on classic French dishes.
There's a new trend sweeping the town, too: food halls. Several have opened in the city recently; you won't find any cold corporate chains in these bustling hotspots for good eats. Crammed wall-to-wall with beloved favourites along with new Toronto restaurants, you can return to these culinary wonderlands and try something new every time.
Summer is fleeting, and that's all the excuse you should need to stay out later, party a little harder and make that reservation at Toronto's best new restaurants. If your budget is tight, head to the best Toronto Summerlicious 2024 restaurants. Soak up the warmth while you still can, and make summer '24 one to remember.
The 23 best new Toronto restaurants and bars for summer 2024
1. Nobu
25 Mercer Street
This international restaurant and hotel brand (owned in part by Robert De Niro) is set to make a big splash upon its arrival in Toronto. In August, Nobu Toronto will open its 10,000-square-foot, two-level eatery in the heart of the Fashion District. Designed by Studio Munge, it will include a moody bar, featuring a 28-foot bronze chandelier; sake bar and outdoor terrace; sushi bar; and a breathtaking main dining room, crafted from blonde elm. Architectural mastery aside, chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s renowned “new-style” Japanese flavours with South American influences will dazzle guests. The glamorous restaurant precedes Nobu Hotel Toronto’s launch in the spring of 2025.
2. LSL
2066 Avenue Rd.
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The sheer star power behind LSL, a new, ultra-fancy tasting restaurant in North York, is enough to make a gourmand shiver in delight. Didier Leroy, Christian Le Squer and Masaki Saito are no strangers to Michelin recognition and have combined their culinary expertise and finesse for a Japanese omakase-style experience, reimagined through French cuisine. There are only nine seats in the house; meals are $680 per person, plus $300 for a wine pairing.
3. Cafe Renée
100 Portland St.
The highly Instagrammable Cafe Renée recently moved into one of the row houses on Portland just north of King West. Expect to see plenty of babes chowing down in this cutesy, bustling bistro before a big night out. It’s all French pasta and decadent dishes like crunchy gruyere cheese sticks, perfect for putting down a base. Need a pick me up? Order the crème brûlée espresso martini — the sugary, torched crust and caffeine will keep you up all night.
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Read more4. Mott 32
190 University Ave.
Acclaimed international Chinese restaurant chain, Mott 32 is set to take over the former Momofuku space in the Shangri-La hotel. Enjoy dim sum, premium kobe beef cuts, their famous 42-day apple-wood-roasted peking duck and more on one of the restaurant’s three distinct levels. Opulence will be in no short supply; the antique brass bar, which will feature a double-height ceiling and dazzling custom emerald-green glass blocks, will be pure eye candy as you sip and snack.
5. MSSM Ossington
1221 Dundas St. W.
While Masaki Saito’s eponymous Yorkville restaurant has become the only Toronto restaurant to receive two Michelin stars, the $680 price tag has kept it largely inaccessible to many. Saito’s MSSM venture, though, executed by his students, serves edomae-style omakase at a much more agreeable $98 for 14 courses. It’s new on Dundas, near the Ossington strip. While the menu will change frequently based on the seasonality of ingredients, diners can expect exceptional nigiri, soups and hand rolls from the mind of one of Toronto’s best chefs.
6. Wellington Market
486 Front St. W., Lower Ground Level
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Anyone who grew up in the malls of the 80s and 90s probably wouldn’t describe a food court as sexy, but Wellington Market, by contrast, is as alluring as they come. The 70,000-square-foot eatery is the newest opening at The Well, Toronto’s massive multi-use complex at Front and Spadina.
The glitzy food court, located on the ground floor, forges a similar path to food halls in the city, with primarily local faves slinging bites (Gus Taco, Rosie’s Burgers, Hooky’s) alongside popular international selections (Uncle Tetsu).
However, the small, but integral Toronto-centric details are where Wellington Market takes things up a notch. The food hall is dog-friendly and licensed from end to end courtesy of cocktail bar The Pier from the Scale Hospitality team, so you can enjoy boozy night-time walkies in the hood.
7. Ricky + Olivia
996 Queen St. E.
Partners in life and business Ricky Casipe and Olivia Simpson have transformed Leslieville’s former Wayla Bar & Lounge into a multi-dining venue and destination for Ontario’s wine bounty. Front-of-house business partner Adrian Proszowski is leading the charge at Ricky + Olivia’s bottle shop, while the food and cocktail menu provides playful spins on nostalgic childhood classics, featuring plenty of local love and even sample-size teeny martinis.
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Read more8. Martine’s Wine Bar
293 Palmerston Ave.
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Grant van Gameren is back at it again with Martine’s Wine Bar, a vegetable-leaning spot for small plates that just opened in the former Woodlot space in Little Italy. Van Gameren’s Prince Edward County farm provides the wine bar with plenty of produce, while house sommelier Hannah Holmes has created a small wine program to tempt guests. Enjoy flatbreads from the wood-fired oven and handmade pasta plates from chef Luke Haines, paired with co-owner Hailey Burke’s simple but satisfying cocktail program.
9. Waterworks Food Hall
50 Brant St.
Doublespace Photography
Karak in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Arepa Republic in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Steven Evans
Aburi Sushi in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Waterworks Bar
Kayla Rocca
Arepa Republic in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Aburi Sushi in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Dave's Genuine Deli in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Harry's Charbroiled in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Aburi Sushi in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Dave's Genuine Deli in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Grape Witches in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Musoshin Ramen in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Grape Witches in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Harry's Charbroiled in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Musoshin Ramen in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Karak in Waterworks Food Hall
Kayla Rocca
Over a dozen food and drink vendors have moved into the gorgeous Toronto Waterworks building — a heritage site near Adelaide and Spadina that’s been revitalized into a mixed-use development. The lofty, 55,000-square-foot brick-and-beam space is illuminated by massive windows, a beautiful skylight and 35 chandeliers hanging over the stalls. These aren’t your average food court snack slingers — find Toronto favourites like Harry’s Charbroiled, Island Oysters, Boxcar Social and Grape Witches alongside authentic Mexican fare, Venezuelan arepas, aburi sushi, ramen and Roman-style pizza. The Waterworks Bar is fully stocked with local wine and craft beer, while Sobr Market offers an incredible selection of non-alcoholic serves.
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Read more10. Wolfie
614 College St.
Little Italy’s Bar Commoner was recently made over into the new Wolfie. Primed for date night, the casual bar and restaurant slings tasty cocktails and affordable, decently large share plates — a rarity in Toronto. The pork bao and Szechuan cauliflower are musts. The atmosphere is so relaxed and the lights are so dim, any first date could go well here (even if you or they don’t look quite like the photos).
11. Gateau Ghost
974 College St.
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Jayden Park’s beloved madeleine pop-up has found a permanent home on College Street and now it’s a full-fledged brunch restaurant and pastry shop. Park makes brioche in-house daily and uses it in a drool-worthy ricotta french toast; savoury options include steak and frites topped with an egg, and a soy-honey-garlic chicken thigh sandwich that’s to die for. Don’t sleep on the specialty drinks either, which span creative flavours like a black sesame cappuccino, or an iced blueberry matcha latte.
12. À Côté
1158 Yonge St.
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Decade-old French-Mediterranean fine dining spot, Sorrel, recently opened a sister location à côté de their Rosedale restaurant. The aptly named wine bar is gorgeous; custom millwork, wooden floors, concave ceilings, a glass wine display wall and a marble bar feel elevated yet cozy. Things are more laid-back here — they don’t take reservations, rotating small plates are on the menu and there are only eight bistro tables.
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Read more13. Takja BBQ House
962 College St.
Servers play double duty at this new Korean barbecue spot — they’re also your chefs. Top-tier proteins like Miyazaki A5 wagyu and short rib galbi from Kansas are cooked to perfection on the gas grill built into your table, so no one has to worry about over- or under-cooking these quality cuts. Chat with friends and sip skin-contact wine or house cocktails while your meal is being prepared. All BBQ comes with fresh scallion salad, ssam lettuce to cradle whatever’s just come off the grill, pickles and condiments. Select from three banchan options, then enjoy corn or strawberry bingsoo stacked precariously tall for dessert.
14. Thien Tam Restaurant
2907 Dundas St. W.
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Vegan and vegetarian foodies had a tough year in 2023, with many beloved favourites shuttering (Parka Food Co., Fresh on Queen West, Rosalinda). Taking up the mantle of dishing mouth-watering, animal-free bites is Thien Tam, a new Junction spot serving mostly vegan pan-Asian bites. The unfussy, tranquil interior combines Japanese, Vietnamese and Thai design elements, and those cultures make it onto the plate, too. Tom yum soup is stuffed with plant-based meats and tofu; crispy Vietnamese bánh xèo, or crepes, are stuffed with mung beans and jicama, and served with a fresh salad. There’s also vegan phở, ramen and six curries to choose from.
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Read more15. Baby’s Cabaret
563 Queen St. W.
Shaking up Toronto’s nightlife scene, this new 25+ entertainment and cocktail lounge from the minds behind some of the city’s buzziest hotspots (Lobby, Kissa) is offering a fresh take on cabaret. Magnetic local and international performers will take the stage from Friday to Sunday, in the moody 2,000-square-foot space at 563 Queen Street West (formerly Daisy). Dress to impress — there’s a style code in effect. Baby’s Cabaret is decked out to the nines, too, with marble tables, velvet couches and a striking jaguar-print carpet. Mixology director Jake Dolgy (Goldie, Good Fortune) is behind the house cocktail program; classic tipples, beer, wine and bottle service are available as well.
16. Ficoa
585 College St.
Il Covo may have departed this busy College and Clinton intersection, but save your tears until you’ve experienced the intimate tasting menus of its successor. Chef Gerry Quintero has created a warm and inviting atmosphere at Ficoa, with a blind menu of around 16 bites across seven courses that’s full of fun, flair and fermentation. There are plenty of whimsical nods to Quintero’s childhood and career, from spins on his grandmother’s kitchen snacks to The ‘Losing’ Duck, the dish he made on Fire Masters that did not win but has since become a crowd favourite.
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Read more17. Lano
The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, 181 Wellington St. W.
Slated to open inside The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto this September, Lano — a contraction of Milano — will bring northern Italy to the luxury hotel. Decked out in marble, light wood and gold, the cream-coated wine bar and café is part of a refresh that will see the dated hotel lobby infused with a beautiful, modern aesthetic. Throughout the day, the menu will transform from grab-and-go pastries and espresso in the morning to salads and antipasti for lunch, paired with a selection of 30 Italian wines and Italian cocktails.
18. Bridgette Bar
423 Wellington St. W.
Calgary’s highly acclaimed Bridgette Bar has landed in Toronto at The Well. The restaurant and bar dishes mid-century vibes, craft cocktails with cheeky names and plenty of pizza and pasta. But it doesn’t stop there — Bridgette checks all the boxes with snack plates like smoked tuna crudo, large plates like grilled lamb and desserts like banana pie.
19. J’s Steak Frites
577 College St.
When the West Queen West location first opened, we were skeptical about a restaurant with only one thing on the menu, but J’s Steak Frites has proven that sometimes doing one thing really well is all you need. The new College Street outpost will offer the same prix-fixe menu that has diners start with a fresh salad and house-made bread before the main event: a juicy 10-oz AAA New York striploin served with an unlimited helping of golden, crispy skinny fries and that special butter sauce. A back-garden patio, a bar with a new cocktail menu and an open dessert kitchen set the new location apart.
20. Eataly Don Mills
49 Karl Fraser Rd., North York
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The global Italian marketplace has ventured north with its third Toronto location. Eataly Don Mills occupies nearly 10,000 square feet, and includes a huge 180-seat restaurant, Eataly Ristorante; all-day coffee bar, Il Gran Caffè; and La Salumeria, specializing in paninis, plus all of the usual authentic Italian treats under its roof.
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Read more21. Earls King West
601 King St. W. #595
This gorgeous new two-level addition to King and Portland is sure to become the corner’s new hotspot. It may still feel like an Earls, but the King West vibes are here. A moody lower-level lounge with soft orange ambient lighting is date-night material; a coconut mango margarita on the rooftop solarium feels like a tropical vacation. Earls’ iconic 11 p.m.-until-close food and drink happy hour specials are sure to fuel many late-night adventures.
22. Lulu Bar
427 Wellington St. W.
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The Well’s new ground-floor restaurant Lulu Bar is yet another West Coast transplant, but instead takes its culinary inspiration from the North Pacific Ocean. Find influences from Asia and Hawai’i across its menu of snacks, skewers, noodles and dumplings. Dishes like loco moco, which consists of a hamburger patty, brown gravy and a sunny-side up fried egg on rice, plus a burger that comes with a serving of grilled spam inside a Hawaiian bun, will call vacations to mind. And that’s before you’ve ordered one of their many tropical and delicious cocktails. If you’re lucky, it’s served in a signature cat mug.
23. EDNA + VITA
77 Adelaide St. W.
EDNA + VITA is the Financial District's newest spot for Italian dishes with fresh ingredients, fun cocktails and multiple dining experiences offered across the 6,500 square feet and two levels. Head to Edna upstairs for sophisticated vibes. Vita (meaning 'life'), found a flight of stairs below, offers diners a more casual spot to scoff calamari and cannoli. Chef Gord Mackie's resume is stacked with a philosophy that relies heavily on using the best and most authentic ingredients. Order the bone-in veal parmesan and check out the 'bubble bar' on your next visit.
