Toronto’s dining scene continues to evolve with flair and diversity. In August 2025, the city welcomed several exciting new spots—ranging from cozy cafés to adventurous concept eateries. These fresh openings reflect Toronto’s vibrant culinary landscape and are already making waves among locals and food lovers alike. Here’s a rundown of the most noteworthy new restaurants that opened last month:
Oro
Chef Hemant Bhagwani—known for Goa and Indian Street Food Co.—launched Oro, a luxury restaurant serving global flavors in narrative “seasons” and “episodes.” Each visit offers a fresh, story-driven menu that elevates fine dining into an immersive experience.
Emilia
Famed as a Portuguese chicken chain from Montreal, Emilia opened its first Toronto location this August at Waterworks Food Hall. Expect juicy, flavor-packed grilled chicken with a comforting yet modern twist.
Sambal
Once a creative lockdown concept, Sambal has now become a full-fledged modern Indonesian bistro on the Danforth. It brings bold Southeast Asian flavors and casual elegance together under one roof.
Giragi
From the minds behind Michelin-recognized Taline, Giragi brings a more casual vibe to Wellington Market with kebab sandwiches served from a relaxed stall setting.
Eloise (and Bar Cart)
Sophistication meets stealth with Eloise, offering a $39 prix-fixe lunch, and its hidden sibling speakeasy, Bar Cart, tucked away on The Esplanade. Classic elegance with a secretive twist.
Uncle Pete’s
This new sandwich spot in Kensington Market specializes in focaccia creations—simple, flavorful, and undeniably cozy.
Everyside
Everyside is a swanky new taphouse in the Financial District. With two daily happy hours and plenty of shareable bites like pizza, it’s become a lively development in the uptown lunch and after-work scene.
Vero
This Italian sandwich shop on Queen West offers house-made schiacciata bread with thoughtfully curated fillings. Fresh, aromatic, and satisfying.
Hoyra
Located near High Park, Hoyra is a Ukrainian gastropub from the creator of a popular pierogi project—expect Eastern European comfort food with a contemporary edge.
A Few More to Watch This Summer
A few standout spots opened in the summer (late July) and are worth exploring:
- Central Taps: A Calgary-based restobar with a 360° bar, global bites, and cocktails—now open on Ossington.
- Lunch Lady: The beloved Vietnamese street-food brand opened its first Toronto location, bringing iconic phở and bánh mì to the city.
- Occhiolino: Located on Bathurst, this Italian gem serves up nonna-quality tagliatelle and tonnarelli—bright, simple, and rich in flavor.
- Pii Nong Thai: At Yonge & Lawrence, it’s a Thai market, restaurant, and massage studio all in one, offering immersive southern Thai flavors.
Why These Openings Matter
Toronto’s latest openings signal more than just new places to eat—they highlight the city’s commitment to culinary diversity, cultural storytelling, and evolving trends:
- Cultural Innovation: From Indonesian to Ukrainian, Palestinian-inspired (louf), and Portuguese cuisine, these spots underscore Toronto’s multicultural identity.
- Casual Meets Creative: With bistro stalls like Giragi and modern gastropubs like Everyside, the city leans into elevated casual dining.
- Narrative Dining: Concepts like Oro and louf (though opened earlier) focus on storytelling through food, turning meals into memorable experiences.
- Inclusive Dining: Lunch Lady’s halal offerings and Pii Nong’s comforting Southern Thai highlight accessibility across various dietary and cultural preferences.
Quick List of Featured August 2025 Openings
| Restaurant | Concept |
|---|---|
| Oro | Luxe global menus in rotating “seasons” and “episodes” |
| Emilia | Portuguese chicken pop-up turned full-service |
| Sambal | Modern Indonesian bistro on the Danforth |
| Giragi | Casual kebab sandwich stall at Wellington Market |
| Eloise & Bar Cart | Prix-fixe lunch + hidden speakeasy experience |
| Uncle Pete’s | Focaccia sandwich shop in Kensington Market |
| Everyside | Trendy taphouse with happy hours and shareable eats |
| Vero | Italian sandwich spot with fresh schiacciata bread |
| Hoyra | Ukrainian gastropub near High Park |
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