Unfortunately, this past year we have witnessed one too many small businesses close their doors. From long-standing institutions, mom-and-pop shops, chains and new ventures, the constant string of lockdowns has most definitely had its impact on Toronto's hospitality industry. Yet, on the flip side, we have seen several pop-ups, homegrown businesses, bodegas, takeout counters and restaurant openings still unfold throughout the past year and successfully so. Sometimes it's hard to choose what new Toronto business to support, so we have rounded up a list of 15 businesses, from restaurants, pop-ups and small homegrown ventures that we're making a point of checking out next month.
Hospitality group, Gusto 54 opened their newest restaurant, Azhar, earlier this year as a marketplace to pick up Middle Eastern pantry items, baked goods and breads. The restaurant has finally launched its takeout menu, where you'll find an Azhar tasting menu for two for $100 on Tock.
Plenty of home bakeries have been born out of COVID that it's hard to pinpoint the ones that stand out but Reverie Deli has certainly caught our attention. Truly inspired cakes are unlike any other creations available, like the Stripy Pistachio Pamplemoussier with grapefruit genoise sponge, orange blossom grapefruit curd, roasted pistachio mousseline cream, topped with pulp, zest, ground pistachio, safflower petals and Maldon salt.
There's been plenty of bakeries to open this past year that's its hard to account for them all but one worth noting is this new micro-bakery in Bloorcourt. Find cheese boules, sourdough bread and absolutely divine cookies.
This new addition to Toronto's Chinatown specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine and is well known amongst the university crowd, as the chef used to run a popular catering service. If you're looking for bao and jianbing, check this restaurant out.
Brought to you by a former sous chef at Momofuku's Kojin, this weekly dinner pop-up is cooking classic Eastern European comfort food with new menus dropping every Sunday. Think challah, olive cake, chicken paprikash and veg forward sides.
This Toronto-based ice cream company is making some beautiful ice cream sandwiches just in time for the summer. Sandwiches can be ordered directly through their Instagram, at Tulip Variety and when ordering from Saints Island Pies. What sounds better than homemade vanilla brioche ice cream with raspberry jam sandwiched in between a peanut butter cookie. We're also digging the nostalgic rectangular shape.
Toronto's newest burger to arrive on the scene comes from famous Calgary chef Mike Pigot and is already selling out. The pop-up even has a secret burger on the menu that is a collaboration with Toronto's very own, The Heartbreak Chef.
141 Ossington Ave
Mamaliga Romanian Kitchen
This authentic Romanian pop-up is one of the more unique offerings the city has seen thus far (the space for smash burgers and fried chicken is closing) and if you have yet to try Romanian food, now is your chance! Behind Mamaliga is chef Haan Palcu-Chang, who is also the chef at Favorites Thai BBQ.
This small business catering to Toronto's west end is crafting hand-made pasta from the kitchen of Bar Vendetta. Chef Holger Schoorl has spent 30 years in the industry and his dedication and passion to producing the best possible product shows.
This local brewery just opened a new location in Etobicoke and its bottle shop is the ideal spot to grab a few cold ones for all the west end folk -- we are waiting in anticipation for their beergarden this summer.
This new shop in Hillcrest Village is the place to go for all those chocolate and coffee lovers out there. Pair an artfully decorated bonbon alongside De Mello's award-winning coffee.
The newest addition to Toronto's uprising of bottle shops, Green Apple in the Junction sells low-intervention wines, local ciders and craft beers. The shop is definitely worth visiting if you're looking to support small and local producers.
Another food venture housed by Italian restaurant Il Covo, Morts, is dishing out delicious mortadella sandwiches and sides for takeout on Uber Eats.
Brought to you by the team behind Hanmoto, Pinky’s Ca Phe and Seoulshakers, this takeout-counter and bodega in Wallace-Emerson is selling fried chicken, burgers, banchan, Asian snacks and drinks.
659 Lansdowne Ave
Ruru Baked
Easily the most anticipated ice cream storefront opening ahead of the season, this pop-up turned Bloordale Village store scoops small-batch, custard based ice cream in inspired flavours like Ontario apple pie and Viet coffee.
Unfortunately, this past year we have witnessed one too many small businesses close their doors. From long-standing institutions, mom-and-pop shops, chains and new ventures, the constant string of lockdowns has most definitely had its impact on Toronto's hospitality industry. Yet, on the flip side, we have seen several pop-ups, homegrown businesses, bodegas, takeout counters and restaurant openings still unfold throughout the past year and successfully so. Sometimes it's hard to choose what new Toronto business to support, so we have rounded up a list of 15 businesses, from restaurants, pop-ups and small homegrown ventures that we're making a point of checking out next month.
Azhar Kitchen and Bar
Hospitality group, Gusto 54 opened their newest restaurant, Azhar, earlier this year as a marketplace to pick up Middle Eastern pantry items, baked goods and breads. The restaurant has finally launched its takeout menu, where you'll find an Azhar tasting menu for two for $100 on Tock.
Reverie Deli
Plenty of home bakeries have been born out of COVID that it's hard to pinpoint the ones that stand out but Reverie Deli has certainly caught our attention. Truly inspired cakes are unlike any other creations available, like the Stripy Pistachio Pamplemoussier with grapefruit genoise sponge, orange blossom grapefruit curd, roasted pistachio mousseline cream, topped with pulp, zest, ground pistachio, safflower petals and Maldon salt.
Ba Noi
There's been plenty of bakeries to open this past year that's its hard to account for them all but one worth noting is this new micro-bakery in Bloorcourt. Find cheese boules, sourdough bread and absolutely divine cookies.
Tianjin Auntie's Steamed Bun
This new addition to Toronto's Chinatown specializes in Northern Chinese cuisine and is well known amongst the university crowd, as the chef used to run a popular catering service. If you're looking for bao and jianbing, check this restaurant out.
Godfrey's Supper Club
Brought to you by a former sous chef at Momofuku's Kojin, this weekly dinner pop-up is cooking classic Eastern European comfort food with new menus dropping every Sunday. Think challah, olive cake, chicken paprikash and veg forward sides.
Ernie's Icebox
This Toronto-based ice cream company is making some beautiful ice cream sandwiches just in time for the summer. Sandwiches can be ordered directly through their Instagram, at Tulip Variety and when ordering from Saints Island Pies. What sounds better than homemade vanilla brioche ice cream with raspberry jam sandwiched in between a peanut butter cookie. We're also digging the nostalgic rectangular shape.
Pigot's Burger Club
Toronto's newest burger to arrive on the scene comes from famous Calgary chef Mike Pigot and is already selling out. The pop-up even has a secret burger on the menu that is a collaboration with Toronto's very own, The Heartbreak Chef.
141 Ossington Ave
Mamaliga Romanian Kitchen
This authentic Romanian pop-up is one of the more unique offerings the city has seen thus far (the space for smash burgers and fried chicken is closing) and if you have yet to try Romanian food, now is your chance! Behind Mamaliga is chef Haan Palcu-Chang, who is also the chef at Favorites Thai BBQ.
Rockwell Pasta
This small business catering to Toronto's west end is crafting hand-made pasta from the kitchen of Bar Vendetta. Chef Holger Schoorl has spent 30 years in the industry and his dedication and passion to producing the best possible product shows.
Mascot Brewery
This local brewery just opened a new location in Etobicoke and its bottle shop is the ideal spot to grab a few cold ones for all the west end folk -- we are waiting in anticipation for their beergarden this summer.
De Mello Coffee x Chocolat de Kat
This new shop in Hillcrest Village is the place to go for all those chocolate and coffee lovers out there. Pair an artfully decorated bonbon alongside De Mello's award-winning coffee.
Green Apple Bottle Shop
The newest addition to Toronto's uprising of bottle shops, Green Apple in the Junction sells low-intervention wines, local ciders and craft beers. The shop is definitely worth visiting if you're looking to support small and local producers.
Morts
Another food venture housed by Italian restaurant Il Covo, Morts, is dishing out delicious mortadella sandwiches and sides for takeout on Uber Eats.
Pepper's Food and Drink
Brought to you by the team behind Hanmoto, Pinky’s Ca Phe and Seoulshakers, this takeout-counter and bodega in Wallace-Emerson is selling fried chicken, burgers, banchan, Asian snacks and drinks.
659 Lansdowne Ave
Ruru Baked
Easily the most anticipated ice cream storefront opening ahead of the season, this pop-up turned Bloordale Village store scoops small-batch, custard based ice cream in inspired flavours like Ontario apple pie and Viet coffee.
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