Amid a flood of new eateries that open each week, a few manage to rise above the rest. From a spot serving up delicious sizzling plates to a Pakistani eatery that’s changing the game, here are 12 of the best new restaurants to check out in Toronto this week.
1. Campaniae
A stunning new gem has arrived at Yorkdale Mall. Campaniae by Delysees blends French and Moroccan cuisine with a sophisticated twist – and, of course, plenty of champagne. This spot is serving up communal plates that highlight bold, exotic flavours. Think Moroccan beef cigars, grainy mustard chicken skewers, couscous merguez and roasted Moroccan sea bass. The opulent bar brings a touch of Parisian-Moroccan style, with a curated cocktail list and extensive champagne selection. 3401 Dufferin St.
2. Loeithai Kitchen & Bar
When another Thai restaurant opens, it’s always a reason to celebrate — especially when it’s as exciting as Loeithai Kitchen & Bar. This new spot on Queen West promises authentic Thai flavours with a twist. Start off with tasty appetizers like sweet potato fritters or Siam chicken wings, then dive into a variety of delicious stir-fries featuring cashew, holy basil and spicy eggplant. And, of course, don’t miss the abundance of noodle dishes, including Tom Yum glass noodles and the crowd-pleasing peanut bliss pad Thai 640 Queen St. W.
3. Cafe 85 °
Café 85 recently opened its new downtown location on Bay Street, offering a stylish yet cozy vibe that perfectly blends upscale with casual. The café serves coffee at the ideal temperature of 85°C (185°F), ensuring each cup is brewed to perfection. Their menu features unique dishes like truffle fries with parmesan and thyme, korean fried chicken with a secret red sauce and a refreshing 85 signature salad. If you’re craving something indulgent, don’t miss their $10 pasta specials, including mushroom fettuccine Alfredo and sausage campanelle. 695 Bay St.
4. Bonito’s
With its forest green and white-striped awning and red neon sign ablaze, it’s hard to miss Bonito’s, the new kid on the Ossington strip, which shares a space with Bar Bowie. The menu loosely takes inspiration from diner and sports bar classics — “emphasis on ‘loosely,’” Montes de Oca says. It incorporates flavours and spices from Korean and Latin American cuisine — think hamachi ceviche, crispy plantain chips, refreshing pomelo salad, stuffed chicken wings and crispy yucca fries. 180 Ossington Ave.
5. Piano Piano Leslieville
Just one month after a new Piano Piano location opened next door to Paradise Theatre on Bloor St. W., Toronto is set to welcome another highly anticipated Piano Piano location — this time in the city’s east end. This Saturday, March 8, Piano Piano Leslieville will open its doors, offering its signature charm and high-quality Italian cuisine. As always, guests at Piano Piano Leslieville can enjoy the restaurant’s beloved menu of house-made pastas, pizzas, and seasonal Italian specialties, alongside a selection of more indulgent dishes like ribeye, rack of lamb, octopus, lobster, caviar, and truffles. 1190 Dundas St. E.
6. Tiger Blues
Tiger Blues, a new Korean fusion restaurant on Queen St. West, is quickly becoming a go-to spot in Trinity Bellwoods. The cozy, beautifully designed space is perfect for date nights or casual outings, offering a laid-back atmosphere with a menu full of bold flavours. Highlights include kimchi chicharon with crispy pork belly and soybean paste, the MacBokki—a creative mashup of mac & cheese and tteokbokki—and mouthwatering ceviche and tacos. The cocktails are just as impressive, with inventive takes on the classics. With shareable plates under $20, this spot delivers exceptional food and drinks at an unbeatable price. 811 Queen St. W.
7. Musoshin Ramen
Musoshin Ramen, originally from Kyoto, has opened its second location on Harbord. Known for its light yet rich vegetable-based broth, Musoshin serves ramen that’s full of flavour without the heaviness of traditional broths. Their house-made noodles are crafted daily with premium aged flour, providing the perfect texture to complement each dish. The menu includes everything from the signature ajitama musoshin to vegan-friendly Kyoto white miso ramen, along with rice bowls and sides like karaage don and Japanese curry rice and is co-owned by Aoi Yoshida, a chef with a background in Japanese sweets. 130 Harbord St.
8. Flaming Kitchen
Flaming Kitchen, just opened its first downtown location and is serving up a sizzling menu full of hot plates, teppanyaki, hotpot meals and specialty drinks. Their sizzling plates are a standout, with options like Angus steak, truffle cream pasta and the spicy beef mentaiko udon, which packs just the right amount of spice. They also offer customizable salads with only the freshest ingredients, plus lunch combos and daily specials. 472 Yonge St.
9. Sugar Cafe & Lounge
Sugar Cafe is a new brunch spot that blends daytime bites with a fun nighttime vibe. The menu features a range of dishes, from salmon risotto and crispy chicken eggs Benedict to bulgogi fries and sweet sandos like strawberry and crème brûlée. The cafe’s drinks are just as tempting, with matcha lattes, smores lattes and creative cocktails like the Lychee Mojito and drink towers. By night, the space transforms into a buzzing lounge serving up bar bites like fried chicken, skewers and sake bombs. 550 Highway 7, Richmond Hill.
10. Jamil’s Chaat House
After starting as a pop-up in early 2024, Jamil’s Chaat House has found a permanent home in a bright lemon yellow building on Queen St. W. The restaurant highlights underrated Desi dishes, offering a vegetarian-friendly menu with generational Pakistani recipes crafted by head chef Eric MacDonald. With chaat as the star, the menu features bold, punchy flavours through dishes like dahi puri, papdi chaat, and samosa chaat, alongside meat options like beef seekh kebabs and lamb nihari. Jamil’s also offers a curated selection of natural wines and creative cocktails, such as the Cardamom Old Fashioned and Tamarind Margarita.
11. Ariete E Toro
A new midtown sandwich spot is taking customers on a trip to Italy with schiacciata — a Tuscan flatbread that’s thinner, crispier and chewier than focaccia. Though it only opened in February, Ariete E Toro has already drawn comparisons to Florence’s legendary All’Antico Vinaio, known for its artisan sandwiches and long lines of global foodies. With constant sellouts, it’s clear the Toronto location is just as popular. Named after the Aries and Taurus astrological signs, the shop offers freshly made bread from a local bakery and made-to-order sandwiches with high-quality ingredients. From 16-month aged Prosciutto di Montagna with gorgonzola and pear crudo to beef brisket with pesto genovese and fior di latte, each sandwich is a unique treat, perfectly complemented by crunchy schiacciata.
12. Hawa Beirut
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.
