From some of the most Instagram-worthy Thai food you’ll find, to a completely redefined food court concept and a convenience store-themed spot, we’ve seen some conversation-starting restaurants pop up in Toronto as of late.
Whether you go to say you did, for the photo op, or for the creative culinary perks, here are eight spots you need to try now (or as soon as they open).
Convenience Bar
Serving up creative bar bites and convenience store offerings with a side of nostalgia, the newly opened Convenience Bar is Toronto’s new retro convenience store-inspired spot. Transforming the old Addis Ababa (1184 Queen St. W) into a portal back to your candy-filled childhood, the restaurant features satisfying dishes (and ones that won’t break the bank either) like a Jah Bacon Beef Pattie Sammie, Pogo Sticks, and Convenience Fried Chicken.
Pick 6ix
The former Houston at the corner of Wellington and Yonge (33 Yonge St.) has become Pick 6ix, a high-end restaurant/sports bar owned by homegrown superstar Drake that will surely shake up the more rigid financial district when it opens its doors soon (an exact date is currently unknown). The spot will feature the eats of celebrated chef Antonio Park (Chopped Canada), with a menu heavy in Japanese and Korean-inspired fare. Though I can’t guarantee that the crowd will be anything to write home about once word spreads far and wide, this is the type of place you can’t not check out for yourself.
Assembly Chef’s Hall
Assembly Chef’s Hall opened up shop in December to change how people eat, drink, and be merry in the financial district. With a concept that redefines the food court – think: New York City’s Chelsea Market meets Eataly, minus the grocery component and with more than just Italian food – the spot is essentially a chef-driven community market, with food prepared by some of Toronto’s best chefs and restaurateurs. With so many choices, it’s the type of place that caters to the diverse dietary restrictions of your entire group of friends or coworkers. And yes, alcohol flows freely.
General Assembly Pizza
If you’re in the market for a new pizza place to throw your diet out the window at, it’s worth checking out General Assembly (331 Adelaide St. W). The modern pizza place opened its doors in November, taking over the ground floor of a fashion district heritage building. In addition to an assortment of pizza worth posting about, here, you’ll find an open kitchen, an industrial-chic design, and service that’s quick enough to keep up with the pace and schedules of the surrounding neighbourhood.
The Civic
If you have yet to venture out of your comfort zone of the downtown core to hit the Broadview Hotel (106 Broadview Ave.) – the former Gilly’s strip club that was given a major facelift before opening up shop last summer – you should. The restaurant housed in the eclectic hotel and bar, The Civic, opened for business in November, four months after the Broadview Hotel officially opened its doors. At this fine dining spot, you’ll find a menu full of modern spins on the Victorian era – something refreshingly unique for Toronto. Don’t make post-dinner plans; you’ll want to stay and play at the rooftop bar.
Dumbo Snack Bar
Parkdale will get a new local late night snack bar and watering hole before the ground thaws. In addition to offering no shortage of eclectic, shareable snacks and pricey teacup cocktails, Dumbo Snack Bar will encourage guests to connect like it was the 90s, with the option to check your phone at a charging station at the bar. Taking over the former Raca (1704 Queen St. W), the newly announced spot is set to open in early March.
Kiin
While it’s not as brand new as the others, if you haven’t tried Kiin – a refined Royal Thai spot (326 Adelaide St. W) that opened its doors last spring – you need to add it to your restaurant list. A far cry from any Toronto Thai restaurant (which tend to focus on Northern Thai cuisine), Kiin features a menu packed with colourful – and totally Instagrammable – dishes from all over Thailand that are designed for sharing.
Tanto Restaurant
There’s a new option when it comes to wining and dining in Ossington Village. Tanto Restaurant – which takes over the real estate at 74 Ossington Ave (formerly Hungry Amoo) – is a cozy Argentinian-inspired option that offers a wood-burning grill and a warm, historic brick interior. The new spot is from the same team behind the successful Chabrol and Atlas.
Would you visit one of these restaurants in Toronto? Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image: Instagram/@ga_pizza
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