Amid the constant wave of new eateries opening each week, a few standout spots manage to rise above the rest. From a Kensington Market Tavern, to a dual-concept eatery offering sushi and a show, here are 9 of the best new restaurants to try in Toronto right now.
1. Rooh
Rooh, a modern Indian kitchen and cocktail bar in Little Italy is rethinking what Indian fine dining looks like in Toronto. The College Street space offers a five-course omakase menu (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) that blends traditional Indian flavours with global techniques and seasonal ingredients. You’ll find dishes like honey mustard paneer tikka, rich lentils with curry of the day and mango lassi panna cotta. 633 College St.
2. Tony’s Sourdough Pizzeria
OK, it’s a bit of a cheat — this one’s not in Toronto — but it’s too good to leave off your radar. Opening June 6 in the postcard-pretty town of Elora (just 90 minutes away), Tony’s Sourdough Pizzeria comes from globe-trotting chef Tony Bish, who’s cooked everywhere from Bangkok to New York. Bish will be slinging just 100 pizzas a day, made with a family sourdough starter and toppings like veal sausage, smoked ricotta and roasted fennel. Elora Mews, 45 West Mill St.
3. Kensington Market Tavern
Kensington Market just got cooler. Burdock Brewery, known for its lagers and Grape Ales, has opened a new bar and restaurant beside its original brewhouse. Taking over the former Amadeu’s, the revamped space now houses Kensington Market Tavern, a meat-forward spot serving piri piri chicken, grilled sardines and wings done wet or dry. Expect nods to the old Portuguese haunt — and a sun-ready patio. 184 Augusta Ave.
4. Ju-Raku
Ju-Raku, a new dual-concept Japanese restaurant at Bayview Village, blends sushi and teppanyaki under one sleek, Scandinavian-meets-Japanese roof. The 120-seat space feels like a tranquil hideaway, with natural wood, soft lighting and open design. On one side: refined sushi and omakase. On the other: a teppanyaki grill where chefs sear strip loin and scallops with quiet precision. There’s also a private room for 10. 2901 Bayview Avenue, Unit 101.
5. Made-Rite
This cozy Kensington Market café is earning a name for one of Toronto’s best breakfast sandwiches. Made Rite Coffee’s signature sausage, egg and cheese (SEC) is a local favourite: fluffy eggs, melted cheese and sausage on a soft bun. The Hollywood Club—chicken salad meets BLT—is another standout. Add banana bread or a banana chocolate cookie and you’ve got breakfast (or lunch) sorted. 68 Wales Ave.
6. The Queen Seafood
The team behind Congee Queen has launched The Queen Seafood, a luxe new Cantonese restaurant in North York serving elevated dim sum and refined seafood dishes. Standouts include the scallop & yellow chives rice noodle roll in XO sauce, plus the baked abalone & chicken pie and black truffle & quail egg siu mai. It’s elegant, spacious and already drawing a crowd. 900 Don Mills Rd., Unit 2, North York.
6. Loeithai Kitchen & Bar
Loei Thai Kitchen & Bar on Queen West serves authentic Thai and generous portions. Highlights include Siam chicken wings, satay gai supreme chicken skewers and the spicy pad kra pao fried rice. For noodles, try the classic pad thai or the rich Khao Soi curry Nnoodles. Vegetarians have options like sweet potato fritters and Bangkok fresh rolls. 640 Queen St. W.
7. Bún Bún
Bún Bún is a new Vietnamese restaurant and it’s already a go-to for oversized, meat-loaded Vietnamese bowls. The signature beef bone pho comes in under $20 and arrives with brisket, rare beef, beef balls and a hefty prime rib-style bone that’s more meat than marrow. There’s also a three-tier grilled meat platter made for sharing, loaded with mango salad, curry chicken skewers and cold seafood. Add on the Hainan chicken rice and coconut iced coffee, and you’ve got a seriously filling spread. 7750 Kennedy Rd.
8. The Playbook Commons
Toronto’s Hotel X just opened The Playbook Commons, a new sports-focused steakhouse that’s not your typical wings-and-fries spot. The menu features Italian-American classics with dishes like spicy vodka rigatoni, bone-in filet and swordfish meunière. There are huge screens everywhere for watching games, plus a solid cocktail list featuring a twist on the Negroni and spritzes topped with lemon sorbet. Inside you’ll find floor-to-ceiling windows and a laid-back
9. Poulet Rouge
Montreal’s Poulet Rouge has landed in Toronto with its first street-level spot on Queen West. The fast-casual chain is known for its customizable grilled chicken bowls built with Mediterranean ingredients and North American staples, including rice, roasted veggies, marinated chicken and house-made sauces. Everything is made to order and designed to fit almost any diet: vegan, gluten-free, keto, halal, or high-protein. 360 Queen St W.
