Leafs' William Nylander surprises Toronto restaurant with unexpected visit
The Toronto Maple Leafs may have come up short in the 2025/2026 NHL season, but judging by star players' impressive intel on the local food scene, they could easily score an off-season gig as food influencers.
The love affairs between Leafs players and local restaurants have been well-documented over the years, whether it be Max Domi's affinity for Bar Isabel or Auston Matthews' unsurprising soft spot for Sotto Sotto.
When it comes to Swedish star William Nylander, it appears as though a newly opened bagel shop has his heart — along with the hearts of plenty of other Toronto residents.
Opening its doors in early April, Arthur's Snackette, a new venture from the team behind the uber-popular Arthur's Nosh Bar in Montreal, flanked by some illustrious Toronto locals, was an immediate hit.
And I really mean immediate: the bagel shop sold out within hours on its opening weekend, and has continued to draw considerable lines every weekend since then.
It seems as though the hype finally made its way to the one and only Willy Styles, as, on Sunday, May 17, he shared a series of photos noshing on Arthur's instantly recognizable bagels.
According to Arthur's Snackette co-founder Dara Gallinger, Nylander's visit to the tucked-away bagel shop came as a "complete surprise."
"We were so excited and honestly really humbled that he chose to stop by. What made it even better was how kind and low-key the whole experience was. He waited patiently in line like everyone else," she tells blogTO.
The visit was made especially significant, she goes on to explain, because the team had previously heard that the hockey star once tried to visit Arthur's Nosh Bar in Montreal, only for his trip to coincide with the restaurant's closure for a private event.
"So the fact that he made a point to come visit us in Toronto this time around was incredibly flattering," she explains.
For Gallinger, the fact that a high-level athlete chose to eat at Arthur's Snackette makes complete sense.
"We also like to think our bagels are a great fit for people who really care about what they're putting into their bodies — especially professional athletes. Our bagels are 10 per cent sourdough (naturally leavened), fermented for 30 hours, high hydration, and made with high-quality flour from Quebec with no additives," she explains.
"We put a huge emphasis on process, ingredients, and digestibility, so it's amazing to see that resonate with people who obviously care about what they're eating!"
And, while Gallinger reiterates that she and the team are "incredibly grateful for [Nylander's] support," what's been especially meaningful to them in the weeks since opening has been the enthusiastic reception from the Toronto community at large — Willy Styles included.
"We're sure his seal of approval will help spread the word, and we definitely expect a lot more first-timers coming through over the next few weeks — which is incredibly exciting for us," she says.
Arthur's Snackette is located at 684 St. Clair Ave. W.
