Buzzworthy Toronto brunch restaurant facing eviction by landlord
After only a year in business, the owner of a much-talked-about Toronto brunch restaurant is getting candid on social media after her landlord threatened eviction.
It's hard to believe that Cabbagetown's Rayah has only been in business for a little over a year. Landing with a huge splash in the spring of 2025, the French-Moroccan cafe and restaurant single-handedly brought a new energy to the neighbourhood: an energy that's only been sustained in the months since.
Helmed by chef and owner Wafa El Rhazi, the restaurant serves a singular menu that combines French and Moroccan cuisines, inspired by her upbringing in France to Moroccan and Algerian parents. It was an instant hit.
With a comfortable business flow and city-wide buzz under her belt, it's easy to assume that El Rhazi has settled into a permanent new address on easy street. According to a June 10 post on the restaurant's Instagram, though, that couldn't be further from the case.
"I have, unfortunately, bad news to share with you guys," El Rhazi begins the video.
"Two days ago, I received a notice of eviction from my landlord because I dared to ask for invoicing and supporting documents for the end-of-year TMI [taxes, maintenance, insurance] calculation he's presenting me, because those amounts kept changing from one thousand to five thousand, then seven thousand," she explains.
El Rhazi assures her followers that she's actively fighting against the eviction, but, in a particular stroke of bad timing, the situation has coincided with Rayah's first anniversary. Because of the dispute, she explains, the celebrations are cancelled.
"I hope one day we'll celebrate and we'll celebrate well, but right now, this matter is more important," she says.
El Rhazi tells her followers that she'll keep them updated as much as possible through social media, and asks that they support the restaurant during this difficult time.
"It's been tough, and we should not, as business owners, have to deal with such unfair situations," El Rhazi concludes. "I'll keep you posted. Stay strong."
Rayah is located at 507 Parliament St.
Fareen Karim
