omaw toronto

Popular Toronto restaurant abruptly closes after four years

After four years on Ossington, while revellers around them celebrated the new year, Omaw quietly closed its doors. Their last service was on January 31, 2019.

It seems that the concept of elevated Southern sharing plates wasn't clicking with the neighbourhood, according to chef Adrian Niman.

Those who are fans of the Food Dudes concepts (which Omaw and Niman are a part of) need not worry about the space changing over into entirely different hands, however. 

Apparently a back area, which has most recently been used for DJ nights and similar events, is going to be converted into another Blondies space.

This will be their third location after a Commerce Court spot that's slated to open soon, the original location found in Leslieville. Food Dudes is also known for sibling restaurants Rasa and Sara.

With an aim to open Blondies on Ossington this summer, it's uncertain for now whether the street-facing part of the restaurant will also be part of a large, expanded Blondies, or if there will be a collaborator or other concept taking up the reins in that area.

Lead photo by

Hector Vasquez


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

We teamed up with local small business Cereal Box Cafe to give away 100 free ice creams

Two huge Caribbean food festivals coming to Toronto this summer

Toronto bakery is giving away hundreds of free patties before they close for good

Michelin-approved Toronto restaurant is closing to undergo 'transformation'

New Loblaws policy promises customers free produce if it isn't fresh

Canadians could soon cash in on $500 million Loblaw bread price-fixing settlement

Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski shares his love of Canadian chips

An American visited a Canadian Costco and shared their haul