The 10 hottest new restaurants in Toronto right now
The hottest new restaurants in Toronto speak to the city's ever-changing cravings: from no-frills sports bars to takeout banh mi shops and beyond.
We're spoiled for choice at the best of times when it comes to restaurants in Toronto, but so far in 2026, there's been quite a surge of new spots to tuck into.
The throughline? People in the city are increasingly gravitating toward the unpretentious, whether that comes in the form of a gritty, open-flame stove upon which galbi gets lusciously charred or a neighbourhood haunt specifically designed for its community to amble the day away over coffee and chips.
Though there's no shortage of restaurants making waves online and in-person these days, here are 10 of the most talked-about restaurants in Toronto right now.
Gyopo Brewery
A first for the team behind Gonzo Izakaya and Kensei Bar, this Dundas West spot doubles as a restaurant serving flame-kissed Korean staples and a brewery creating craft Makgeolli in the basement.
Osler Records
Equal parts record label, coffee shop and bar, everything about this Junction hangout was designed to make you feel right at home. Food-wise, that looks like simple shareables and baked goods from nearby Noctua Bakery, coffee-based beverages and no-frills cocktails.
Keep an eye peeled for up-and-coming Canadian musical talent, as the spot also doubles as the HQ for the in-house record label.
Chez Wa
Despite opening in early spring, this Little Italy wine bar had an irrevocable claim on the social media feeds of Toronto residents all summer long. Here, inventive Chinese-inspired dishes (hello, mapo tofu campanelle) are paired with an exquisite rotating lineup of wines and sakes.
Maria's Sports Bar
Okay, I tricked you. Yes, this Brockton Village bar has been a neighbourhood staple for decades, but, being that it was recently taken over by the team behind Milou and Bar Bowie, it's more than deserving of its spot.
Don't expect anything frilly, though: the bar serves up a no-frills menu of pizzas cooked in a flame stove, all manner of deep-fried delights, baked pastas and, most importantly, 2-for-1 beers... but only between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
& Banh Mi
Banh Mi aficionados the city over have been singing the praises of this Yonge and Dundas sandwich shop ever since it opened in the spring, and for good reason. Here, hefty, crusty buns baked fresh in-house are loaded to their limit with savoury proteins and bright, zingy veg.
Pizzeria Badiali Markham Street
Need I say more? The opening of a sister location to what's often called the city's best pizzeria came as quite the relief, both to Annex-based fans of Chef Ryan Baddeley's award-winning pies and to those who have grown sick of enduring the lengthy lineup at its original Dovercourt location.
Santa Madre
After being kept hush-hush during a months-long buildout, this Mexican joint from the team behind Holi Tacos has been unleashed on Leslieville in all of its vibrant, multicoloured glory.
Inspired by Mexican fondas, the restaurant eschews servers in favour of a simple counter service, where you can choose from a stunning array of tacos, tortas and more.
Archie's
We love our hotel restaurants here in Toronto, and this one, the latest to open at Riverside's Broadview Hotel, has been immediately accepted by both hotel guests and the community at large. Inside, you'll find screens for sports-watching, a pool table centrepiece, and a menu of crowd-pleasers done right.
The Dirty Laundry
When local hospitality stars join forces, magic happens. At this Queen West bar from Robin Goodfellow (Bar Raval, Vela, Harry's Charbroiled) and Aldo Pescatore (PrettyUgly, La Carnita), that magic comes in the form of affordable cocktails, Tex-Mex bites and an utterly Instagrammable bar bedecked in Tiffany lamps.
Book Bar
BookTok be damned! This new spot in the Annex wants to create an IRL community through the shared love of reading. Acting as a cafe during the day, bar at night and bookstore all the time, local bookworms immediately burrowed into its airy environs upon its long-awaited opening.
Fareen Karim
