Toronto’s dining scene keeps evolving, and this week’s newest openings prove the city still knows how to keep things interesting. From cozy neighbourhood spots built around nostalgia and comfort food to polished new restaurants bringing French, Italian and global flavours to the table, there’s plenty to add to your must-try list. Here are some of the best new restaurants to check out in Toronto right now.
1. Moba
Moba blends traditional Indian flavours with contemporary decor, making it perfect for a celebratory dinner or even a cocktail-fuelled night out. Start with the crispy Palak Patta Chaat or the Guntur Chilli Chicken before moving on to richer mains like the slow-cooked Mutton Nihari or the Guchhi Khumb Risotto, a lux dish featuring prized morel mushrooms. Save room for dessert because the Chocolate Affair, served with fresh berries, vanilla ice cream and coffee crema, is so good that you’ll want another serving or two. 869 Dundas St W.
2. Tony’s Focaccia
Tony’s Focaccia is bringing carb-loaded comfort to Kensington Market with focaccia sandwiches, coffee, pizza slices and sweet focaccia treats. The menu ranges from the Soprano, stacked with prosciutto, provolone and olive tapenade, to the Bourdain with fried mortadella and provolone. Vegans can opt for the Antonia, packed with roasted vegetables, mushroom-walnut pâté and pistachio pesto. Save room for rosemary focaccia stuffed with Tiger Tail ice cream or filled with Nutella. 283 Augusta Ave.
3. Iris
French country cooking gets a polished Toronto update at Iris, a new Bloor West Village restaurant inspired by the flavours and spirit of Provence. Industry veteran Romain Avril consulted on a menu featuring escargots bourguignon, coq au vin, steak tartare and a duck burger, alongside brunch staples like croque madame and Parisian ham benedict. The stylish space pairs patterned wallpaper with banquette seating, while a French-focused wine and cocktail list rounds out the experience. 2256 Bloor Street W.
4. La Tavola
Fresh seafood and understated elegance take centre stage at La Tavola, a new 30-seat Italian restaurant in North York from industry veteran Daniela Pagliaroli. Designed as an intimate spot for long dinners and great wine, the restaurant pairs Tuscan-inspired interiors with scratch-made sauces, handmade pasta and comforting dishes like rigatoni alla bolognese, ravioli alla veneta and crispy arancini. Italian-born chef and partner Cristian Murciano leads the kitchen. 1943 Avenue Rd.
5. Rose’s Pantry
Toronto’s newest pantry and café, Rose’s Pantry, trades viral food trends for something more personal. From chef Shauna Godfrey, the force behind Harbord Village restaurant Maven, the cozy new spot is inspired by the recipes and traditions of her two bubbies, both named Rose. Expect prepared meals, fresh bread, nostalgic sweets and thoughtfully made sandwiches, including a standout egg salad on Maven’s signature challah Pullman loaf. It’s comfort food with a deeply personal story. 141 Robert St.
6. Esquire Restaurant
Esquire Restaurant has been serving up Greek and Mediterranean comfort food to the Scarborough crowd since 1981, but it officially made the leap downtown earlier this week with a second location on Queen West, with made-to-order food and late-night hours that run until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Classics like chicken and pork souvlaki are available on a stick, pita or bun, while the gyro can be ordered by the slice or stuffed into a pita. For something very loaded, go for the Greek fries topped with feta, tzatziki and lemon sauce, or make it a full comfort-food feast with an eight-ounce homemade burger, poutine or a veal sandwich on a Kaiser. Still hungry? End with a slice of baklava. 566 Queen St. W.
7. Daddy’s Chicken
After leaving its longtime Queen E location following a landlord dispute, Daddy’s Chicken is now cooking out of Wei Bar near Boston Ave, just a few blocks from its former home! The move thankfully hasn’t left the restaurant’s amazing over-the-top sandwiches behind: The Big Daddy stacks two crispy chicken thighs with cheese sauce, pickled onions, jalapeños, bacon and ranch, while the Sugar Daddy swaps an ordinary bun for two glazed doughnuts, then adds maple syrup and bacon! Heat seekers can order the Hot (nope, not a typo, it’s just called the Hot), made with a spicy fried thigh, lime-jalapeño aioli, spicy slaw and deep-fried pickles, or go even further with the aptly named Hot Hot. There’s also a Buffalo chicken sandwich loaded with Cajun aioli, jalapeños, spicy slaw and pepperoncini. 1014 Queen St. E.
8. Gebang Sikdang
Toronto’s newest destination for Korean marinated crab comes with some serious Seoul food credentials (you see what we did?). Gebang Sikdang has teamed up with Katsuya for a permanent location on Gerrard St East, after testing the waters with a popular North York pop-up earlier this year. The original restaurant has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its gejang, a Korean specialty of raw crab marinated in either soy sauce or a spicy seasoning! Start with the ganjang gejang, made with blue swimming crab marinated in a savoury soy sauce and served as a set with rice, seaweed soup and rotating banchan, or the yangnyeom gejang, which coats the crab in a sweet-and-spicy chilli-based sauce. 66 Gerrard St. E.
9. Wilbur Taco Shop
Wilbur is now bringing its delicious tacos and burritos to Liberty Village. The carne asada taco pairs steak with pico de gallo, molten queso fundido and crispy onions, while the al pastor keeps it classic with pork, pineapple, pickled red onion and cilantro. Or bite into the bulgogi taco, which folds sweet-and-spicy Korean beef into a flour tortilla with jicama slaw, pear and sesame seeds. There’s also a Baja fish taco with beer-battered mahi-mahi, jicama slaw, pico and chipotle crema, as well as a crispy cauliflower version dressed with habanero glaze, guacamole, pickled red onion and sesame. Margaritas and palomas are also available on tap. 50 Atlantic Ave.
10. New Era Burgers
New Era is now open on Queen St. E., serving up a classic lineup of burgers, grilled and crispy chicken sandwiches, fries, onion rings and milkshakes. It’s great for a late-night hangout as it’s open until 2 a.m. most nights and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Start with the signature Gen’Z, stacked with two beef patties and double cheese on a Kaiser bun, or dig into the Chicken Club’Z, which pairs grilled chicken with cheese and bacon (if you’re not into meat, there’s even a Veggie’Z option!). Round out your meal with some poutine or chicken fingers. 1001 Queen St. E.
11. Saigon Pai
Saigon Pai brings everything from pho and banh mi to Thai curries and tropical smoothies to its new outpost on Queen West. There’s a lot to choose from, but if you’re a noodle lover, try the oxtail peanut satay pho, which combines rice noodles and tender oxtail in beef broth with peanut satay, or the bun bo Hue, which brings together beef, pork sausage and vermicelli in a spicy Hue-style soup. Indulge in some khao soi, made with egg noodles in yellow curry and topped with crispy noodles and onions, or the crispy pork belly with holy basil served over rice. Complement your meal with che ba mau, a colourful Vietnamese dessert drink layered with red beans, mung beans, pandan jelly, coconut milk and crushed ice! 1138 Queen St. W.
12. Uncle Pete’s Bread Co.
Uncle Pete’s Bread Co. is back! The Italian sandwich shop that began as a Toronto pop-up in 2024 (and later drew crowds to a permanent Kensington Market location) has resurfaced inside Track & Field Bar in Little Italy. Look out for Pete’s signature sandwiches on focaccia baked fresh daily. If it’s your first visit, try The OG: fresh focaccia piled with mortadella, prosciutto and soppressata, then balanced with whipped lemon ricotta, arugula, balsamic glaze and chilli crisp. The Pesto Pete goes meat-free with heirloom tomatoes, whipped lemon ricotta and nut-free basil pesto (although prosciutto, mortadella and soppressata can all be added). 582 College St. W. (inside Track & Field).
