A growing Montreal-based grilled chicken chain is planting its flag in Ontario for the first time by opening a location at one of Toronto’s trendiest food halls, and it’ll be in good company.
Despite opening its first location in just 2018, Montreal’s Emilia Portuguese Grilled Chicken is already making a name for itself in the city, thanks to its expansive menu and upscale approach to the good, old-fashioned churrasqueira.
Over the past seven years, the business has expanded to three locations in Montreal, including its original location in the Ossington-Dundas West-esque Villeray neighbourhood.
It’ll soon be Toronto’s chance to understand what the cluck all the hype around this chicken is about, though, as the chain prepares to head west, settling in at Waterworks Food Hall among a number of well-loved peers, from Harry’s Charbroiled to Civil Works.
While the exact opening date for Emilia Portuguese Grilled Chicken’s first-ever Toronto location has yet to be confirmed, it’s been slated for early summer 2025, so the wait won’t be a terribly long one.
Emilia’s not the only new kid on the block at Waterworks, though. It’s just one of four new additions that have either recently opened at the food hall or are slated to in the near future, shaking up the status quo at the eatery.
Tantxo Steak Bar, known for the virtually incomparable $20 steak frites deal they offer every Monday, opened its stand in December of 2024 and has already become the subject of much attention from local foodies and bargain hunters alike.
Shortly thereafter, Hanoi Bites, a home-cooked pop-up turned local sensation, opened its first-ever brick-and-mortar in the food hall in February 2025, where diners can pick up Hanoi-style banh mi, Vietnamese iced coffee and a whole host of other Vietnamese treats.
Lastly, a true Toronto icon is getting its well-deserved flowers in the form of a new location at the food hall. Kensington Market stalwart Rasta Pasta is also set to open up its very own stall this spring, serving up its distinct blend of Jamaican and Italian (but mostly Jamaican) cuisine just a stone’s throw from its home base.
Waterworks Food Hall is located at 50 Brant St.
