If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen people sharing their midyear food recaps. Restaurant ranking app Beli analyzed 40 million user ratings to determine Toronto’s highest-rated new restaurant openings.
Unlike traditional five-star reviews, Beli asks users to compare restaurants head-to-head in quick “this or that” matchups. Those millions of comparisons are then used to rank the city’s top performers.
No ranking is definitive, but the results offer an interesting snapshot of where Toronto diners have been eating and loving over the past six months. Here’s how the top new openings of the year stack up.
Mozy’s
If you’ve noticed a lineup at 114 Atlantic Ave. lately, it’s likely for Mozy’s Charcoal. Open since January, the Liberty Village spot is having a moment thanks to chef Barbode Soudi, an Alo alum who has turned his attention to charcoal chicken. Named after his late father, Mozy’s blends Persian, Portuguese and Australian influences, with charcoal-roasted spatchcock chicken as the star. Elevated sides like smoked labneh with brown butter and steak-cut fries seasoned with sumac-rich chicken salt round out the menu.
Brasserie Côte
One of Toronto’s favourite French bistros has expanded to the Annex. Brasserie Côte, the new sister restaurant to Côte de Bœuf, brings the original’s beloved steak frites and French classics to a much larger space at Bloor and Brunswick. Inspired by 1920s Paris, the restaurant pairs zinc counters, burgundy banquettes and a spacious patio with an expanded menu that now includes breakfast, lunch and an extensive wine and cocktail program.
Arthur’s Snackette
Arthur’s Snackette has brought Montréal favourite Arthur’s Nosh Bar to Toronto in the form of a bagel shop tucked into a St. Clair West laneway. The weekend-only spot specializes in naturally leavened sourdough bagels, fermented over three days and served open-faced with toppings like smoked salmon, egg salad and cream cheese. With cookies, coffee and bagels that have already been selling out, it’s quickly becoming one of the city’s hottest breakfast destinations.
Machida Shoten
Japan’s popular Machida Shoten has opened its first Canadian location on College Street, bringing Yokohama Iekei-style ramen to Toronto. Known for its rich pork bone and soy sauce broth, the chain lets diners customize their bowl by choosing noodle firmness, broth saltiness and chicken oil level. Each ramen comes with a complimentary bowl of rice, while sides like gyoza, karaage and aburi chashu don round out the menu at the brand’s downtown debut.
TRE
Located on Elm Street, TRE, also known as Tre Viet Heritage, has been winning over local crowds by treating traditional Vietnamese comfort food with a lot of culinary respect. The room is modern, but the recipes stick to comforting, deeply flavorful roots. Their 24-hour slow-simmered beef rib pho is a major highlight on the menu.
The Dirty Laundry Bar (best new bar)
Moving into the specific category winners, this low-key Queen Street West spot took the crown for best new bar. The Dirty Laundry has taken over the former Cold Tea space on Queen West, bringing affordable cocktails, Tex-Mex comfort food and late-night energy back to the neighbourhood. From the team behind Bar Raval, PrettyUgly, La Carnita and Sweet Jesus, the bar serves enchiladas, nachos and reasonably priced drinks before turning up the music on weekends with DJs.
Bakerrae (best new bakery)
Located in East Chinatown, this bakery pairs classic French pastry techniques with Filipino flavours. Run by a former nurse turned baker, the counter has gained a fast following for flaky croissants packed with tangy calamansi curd and savoury pastries like their caramelized onion and mushroom adobo option.
mochi lab (best new sweet treat)
Run by Mochi Mochi Bakery, this spot was named the best new sweet treat in the city. It has earned rave reviews from texture-obsessed foodies for its ultra-chewy mochi cookies and crispy mochi churros.
The Matcha Tokyo (best new café)
Landing on the Ossington strip, this minimalist, 14-seat import avoids marketing gimmicks and focuses on pure, organic Japanese matcha. Popular orders include their smooth Gold Blend or the Toronto-exclusive matcha chocolate Basque cheesecake.
