New Toronto restaurant hopes to be the neighbourhood's go-to gathering place
A new Toronto restaurant that's taking over the former home of a popular diner hopes to become the neighbourhood's new go-to gathering place, and the team behind it might just have what it takes.
I grew up in the Beaches. Yes, the Beaches. I don't mention it to debate the semantics of the neighbourhood's name, but rather to establish the fact that I'm really, really passionate about this little slice of heaven in the city, and I want other people — even non-residents — to be, too.
It's not that the Beaches is maligned, per se, but rather that it seems to fade from the city's collective imagination entirely once October hits, seldom returning until May. I guess that's the price to pay for being a beach neighbourhood in a winter city, but the Beaches has so much to offer year-round, it's high time it got its flowers.
The team behind Leuty's on Queen, a new restaurant poised to open in late summer 2026, is on a mission to make that happen.
Taking over the space left behind by Mira Mira Diner earlier this year, Leuty's, named after the neighbourhood's iconic lifeguard station, aims to be a hospitality-first institution, offering an approachable atmosphere with polished food and drink offerings.
The venture is led by Gabby Martindale and Kamden Kennedy who, along with their partners, boast decades of hospitality experience across Ontario. Hailing from Waterloo and Thunder Bay, respectively, Gabby tells blogTO that the idea for the restaurant was born out of their shared reverence for the neighbourhood itself.
"Growing up, we both spent a lot of time around the water, whether that be Lake Superior or trips to South Carolina to visit family, so being in the Beaches felt like a natural fit for us," Gabby says.
"Even in the city, the neighbourhood has its own pace and identity, and people really seem to care about what opens around them."
The large space at 1963 Queen St. E., with a second-floor private dining area primed for special events and a side patio, also proved a major draw. It was only the second building the pair of first-time restaurateurs toured, but it was an immediate "yes."
Aside from a name that's instantly recognizable for Beaches residents and a prime location in the heart of the neighbourhood, the restaurant's interiors will pay homage to the area's history.
"For the interior, we pulled inspiration from the water, the history of the Beaches, and some of the European restaurants and bars we've loved over the last couple of years," Gabby says.
"The goal is to create a true neighbourhood 'third space': somewhere people can celebrate a big night out, but also stop in casually for a drink, a bite, or a familiar face."
On the menu, you can expect a full suite of refined takes on classic dishes: comfort food crafted with intention and care that are easily approachable for even the most apprehensive of eaters. The cocktail menu, supplemented with a curated wine and beer list, will follow suit.
Noting the Beaches community's deep care for the neighbourhood and the businesses that exist in it, Gabby tells blogTO that, as time goes on, customer feedback will inform further iterations of the menu and atmosphere.
"We hope Leuty's becomes a genuine neighbourhood gathering place. There are great pubs and great fine-dining restaurants, but we think there's room for something that sits between the two: elevated, but not intimidating; polished, but still relaxed," Gabby says.
Still deep in renovations, there's no official opening date set for Leuty's quite yet, but according to Gabby, the current aim is for the first week of August: plenty of time before most of Toronto forgets the neighbourhood exists for the season.
Or, who knows, maybe Leuty's will be enough to have folks from the far reaches of the city venturing to the lakefront year-round.
You can keep up with the latest news about Leuty's by following them on Instagram.
Leuty's on Queen
