There are plenty of changes coming to the city! From Bayview to Queen West, find out what new restaurants, shops and studios are opening in your neighbourhood this season.
Trapped Midtown recently launched on Eglinton Way, offering a new place for residents looking for a place to host birthday parties or team building events. Trapped is known for creative and sometimes terrifying escape room themes, including one set in the future and one based on a medieval prison. The new escape room space is at 298 Eglinton Ave. W.
Unnie has opened its doors in Willowdale, and the Korean hot pot spot is serving up delicious and authentic eats. With a moody and classy interior, the bistro sets the scene for a fun night out. The menu features a variety of hot pot dishes — all of which pair well with soju, an alcoholic Korean beverage — ranging from beef shank and pork belly to tofu. The new eatery is located at 4852 Yonge St.
The Hut recently opened at Yonge and Eglinton, and the smoothie and juice bar is already a popular spot in the neighbourhood. With a colourful menu of fresh smoothies, juices, bowls topped with goji berries and housemade granola and toasts ranging from avocado smash to almond butter and bee pollen, the new shop is located at 2528 Yonge St.
Fairway Restaurant and Bar is opening soon on Bayview, and the combined golf simulator, chipping and putting spot, restaurant and lounge promises to be “Leaside’s famous 19th hole.” Visitors to the space at 1660 Bayview Ave. can expect an opportunity to perfect their golfing techniques before sitting down for a bite and a cocktail.
Pattaya City recently launched at 1010 Eglinton Ave. W., and the new restaurant is offering a menu of authentic Thai cuisine. Diners will enjoy classics such as tom yum soup, pad krapow and khao mun gai, a traditional Thai chicken rice, as well as unique dishes such as a khao soi salad and shrimp chips.
Shamshiri Restaurant has just opened its doors in Thornhill. The Persian restaurant promises to cook up authentic dishes that you would find in Iran. The menu features classics such as ghormeh sabzi stew, lamb neck and a koobideh wrap. The new location at 8199 Yonge St. is being praised for its quality food, great service and overall delicious and affordable dining experience.
Hair Tree has opened a new salon at Yonge and Eglinton. Known for a specialization in Korean hairstyles, the salon does everything from straightening, root volume and bang perms to balayage, highlights and ombre. With a roster of experienced hairstylists from Korea, the new location at 2409 Yonge St. will have you looking your best.
Carhartt WIP has officially opened its doors on Ossington. The sleek and spacious location features meticulous displays of the brand’s workwear and streetwear collections, including a display of graphic tees laid flat along the wall like an art exhibition. The new space can be found at 49 Ossington Ave.
Vintage and the City is popping up in Yorkville Village! The locally run curated vintage shop has previously been turning heads at Hippie Market, the Sunday Variety Market and more. Now, you can shop fabulous vintage finds, from ’80s jewelry to elegant ’90s blazers, right in Yorkville at 55 Avenue Rd.
Shawarma Daddy is new to Bloor West. The popular Scarborough eatery’s famous charcoal barbecue whole chicken is now available at 728 Bloor St. W. Lovers of shawarma, those looking for a halal food or those just looking for a quick bite to eat on their lunch break will love the restaurant’s simple and affordable menu, featuring chicken and beef shawarma, falafel and special jerk chicken or butter chicken fusion shawarmas.
No Vacancy, a new spot at 74 Ossington (formerly Ghost Chicken), merges global flavours and cocktails in a laid-back, neighbourhood-driven atmosphere. A nod to Ossington’s evolution, it’s perfect for starting, ending, or spending your night. Chef John Carlo Zabala’s open-flame dishes showcase his Filipino roots, while the moody, nostalgic space features local art and exposed brick.
Gem Studio has launched its first Canadian location in Toronto at the Well. The U.S.-based experiential jewelry retailer is known for its customizable approach to jewelry, where customers are walked through the process of crafting their own jewelry. Providing a hands-on silversmithing experience, customers will walk away from Gem with anything from earrings to a pet collar or a keychain that they had a hand in making. The studio at 486 Front St. W. also offers permanent jewelry.
Community news
Willowdale in the ’70s, a Facebook group that’s all about celebrating growing up in the community, recently raised over $28,000 for their local food bank, NeighbourLink North York. The Facebook group, which has grown to include over 25,000 members, has raised money for the charity for five years in a row, and their funds raised this year surpassed all previous goals.
Sasha Kim, a 12-year-old artist in the Queen West neighbourhood, recently chose to submit a painting of her favourite local bakery, Nadège Patisserie, for a contest asking participants to create a painting of something dear to the artist’s heart from their neighbourhood. When owner Nadège Nourian — and her partner Morgan McHugh — heard the story, she offered to buy the painting to display in the bakery at 780 Queen St. W. The show of support for a young artist from the community was greatly appreciated by Sasha and her family!
