Top Toronto restaurant opening new stall inspired by summer backyard barbecues

One of Toronto's most unique Michelin-recommended restaurants is about to launch a new kebab stall inspired by summertime backyard barbecues.

The news that the teams behind two Michelin-approved restaurants (on top of Bear Steak Sandwiches, another local favourite) in Toronto would soon be joining the already impressive ranks of The Well's Wellington Market food hall thrilled scores of local food fans in early July.

At the time, the food hall announced that the teams behind both Baldwin Village's Koh Lipe and Yonge and St. Clair's Taline (Toronto's only Michelin-recommended Armenian restaurant) had new, fast-casual concepts in the works. In the case of Koh Lipe, it was Kao Kang, a venture from owner Patrick Sukasen, centred around Thai comfort foods.

At the time, the details around the other project from the Yacoubian brothers, the owners and chefs behind Taline, remained tightly guarded. Now, we finally have our answer.

Officially launching on Monday, Aug. 11, Giragi will be the first Armenian-Lebanese kebab shop in the city, a love letter to the casual kebab cultures in both countries.

"In Armenia and Lebanon, kebab sandwiches are a way of life," says executive chef and co-owner Seb Yacoubian. "They're the food you grab after work, share with friends, or eat standing up on the street. We're excited to introduce Toronto to that and to do it in a way that's true to where we come from."

More importantly, where Taline honours the Yacoubians' mother, Giragi is a celebration of their father. Translating to "Sunday" in Armenian, the restaurant gets its name from the Yacoubian patriarch's regular habit of grilling kebabs for the family on Sunday nights.

It all began with a pop-up in the alleyway behind Taline in the summer of 2024 that became so popular so quickly in the neighbourhood that the restaurant regularly sold out of its kebabs every night.

It's only appropriate, then, that the concept gets its own devoted space where Giragi kebabs can be enjoyed every day of the week, not just on Sundays.

At Giragi, you'll be able to sink your teeth into kebab sandwiches filled with fire-grilled beef, chicken, lamb and more, bursting with aromatic Armenian and Lebanese flavours, all wrapped in warm, fresh flatbread and topped with pickles, fresh produce and house-made sauces.

There'll also be a selection of shareable plates, like Fasoulia, blistered green beans with dukkah, fennel tahin, and pomegranate seeds, and the can't-miss Hummus, with green harissa, lemon, and Aleppo pepper. You can even opt to dress your dips up with the addition of proteins like chicken, falafel, or halloumi.

The addition of any new eatery is exciting, particularly at a food hall filled with local heavy-hitters, but Giragi may just prove to be the most exciting addition yet. 

Giragi is opening at the Wellington Market Food Hall at 486 Front St. W. on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025.