COVID-19 permanent restaurant and bar closures by neighbourhood

Written By

Mimosa Nguyen

almost 4 years ago

Updated: almost 3 years ago

As COVID-19 continues to sweep across the nation, the hospitality industry is among the hardest hit. Though many restaurants have moved their operations over to takeout, delivery or even grocery services, others have struggled to meet rent obligations and remain open during these unprecedented times.

A recent survey from Restaurants Canada revealed that the Canadian food service sector laid off 800,000 people in March. According to the Financial Post, the survey found that "10% of the country’s 97,500 restaurants, bars and cafés have already permanently closed [and] another 18% said they will be forced to close for good within a month if current conditions continue."

With significant loss of revenue and lack of rent relief, many are forced to shutter their doors.

Shanna Munro, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada, says that restaurants who do manage to survive the current pandemic will experience "crushing levels of debt" that could take a generation to recover from.

Here is a list of restaurants, eateries and bars that have permanently closed during the COVID-19 crisis:

The Annex

Apollo Eleven Restaurant

The Coffee Lab

The Grand Elvis (Chef Anthony Rose transitioned this place back to the former Black Crow BBQ & Rose and Sons)

Green Beanery

Live Organic Food Bar

The Puck

Universal Grill

The Beaches

Brett’s Ice Cream

The Elm Tree

Bloordale

The Delaware (replaced by Port Light, from the same people behind The Shameful Tiki Room)

Emmys Ice Cream

Fahre Bakery ( Scarborough location remains open)

Garfield Eats

Bloorcourt Village

The Delaware (replaced by Port Light, set to open December)

Disgraceland (a GoFundMe has been started for the restaurant after they were locked out by their landlord for late rent payments)

Brockton Village

Wallflower

Cabbagetown

The Landsdowne Cone

True Love Cafe

Qi Sushi

Chinatown

Furama Cake and Dessert Garden

Jules Bistro (Leslieville and Queen West locations still open)

Yeon

Church-Wellesley Village

Cora's

Golden Thai (Church Street location)

The Wickson Social

Christie Pits

Universal Grill

View this post on Instagram

It is with heavy hearts we are making the announcement that Universal Grill is now permanently closed after an incredible 24 years of serving Toronto. The financial strain associated with being closed during the COVID-19 crisis was beyond what we could handle. There are many people to thank for making Universal Grill so special and able to thrive for so many years. Firstly, Thambirajah Inpanathan, the genius behind Rajah’s dry ribs. Rajah has been the true backbone of Universal Grill and without him, it would not be the same. He has been with us since the beginning and is the hardest working person I have ever seen in a kitchen. His dedication is beyond words. Thank you Raj. We love you. Next, our brunch chef Sean Keenan who has never missed a weekend of serving up what some might say was Toronto’s best brunch. For the last 16 years he has been there, just as eager on the last day of service as he was the first. Thank you Sean, you amaze everyone. Our staff… we wouldn’t have lasted as long as we did without the love everyone put into our little restaurant, both front and back of house. Everyone pitched in and wore multiple hats. I don’t think it’s too often you see staff stay employed at a restaurant for up to 10 years or more… and then keep in touch, and remain friends once ways are parted. Thank you. Our customers.. imagine generation after generation of families choosing to visit us. Engagements, weddings, births, anniversaries - you allowed us celebrate with you, and we cherish that. Dear friends were made, thoughtful conversations had. Thank you all the way back to 1996. It’s been a wonderful journey, Toronto. Xoxoxo. #since1996 #tbt

A post shared by Universal Grill (@universalgrillto) on Jul 16, 2020 at 7:47pm PDT

Corktown

Odin Coffee Roasters

Danforth

Athena Bakery

Brass Taps Pizza Sub (College location still open)

Café Tangier’s

Camel Restaurant

Casa Tamayo

District 34

The Ellery

Everest

Fernando's Hideaway

Hikari Sushi Bar

Hollandaise Diner

Nando's (21 locations have closed so far across the country)

New York Cafe

Pappas Grill

Rikkochez

Shore Leave Tiki Bar

Old Nick

Downtown

Benihana

Fran's (Front and Yonge location, all other locations open)

Le Select Bistro

Prairie Girl Bakery

Taiyaki NYC

Tala (looking for new location)

Dufferin Grove

Bake Shoppe (retail shop is temporarily closed. Bake Shoppe's new space is still TBA)

Dundas West

Cafe 668

Friday Roots and Vibes

The Red Light

Sapori

View this post on Instagram

We've had some of the best times and the honor of hosting what we think are some of the best parties the west end has ever seen, but after 11+ years our doors are closing. In the midst of this this unprecedented shut down someone has bought TRL from us. Our love and deepest thanks goes out to all who were a part of this over the years, and it warms our hearts to know that bathroom #2 was broken one last time before it was all over. THE RED LIGHT LOVES YOU!

A post shared by The Red Light (@theredlight) on May 8, 2020 at 11:10am PDT

The Six Brewhouse (replaced by Collective Arts

SoSo Food Club

Swan Dive

Mezu's

Etobicoke

Buster's Fish House

Laura Secord (other locations remain open)

Luci

Tucker's Marketplace (all Canadian locations)

Union Chicken (Sherway Gardens location temporarily closed)

Entertainment District

Cora's (both Wellington and Yonge and Carlton locations have closed)

Crocodile Rock

View this post on Instagram

🐊🍻💕

A post shared by Crocodile Rock (@crocodilerockto) on May 11, 2020 at 3:08pm PDT

Kit Kat Italian Bar and Grill

The Office Pub

Pancho y Emilano (King Street location)

Montecito

View this post on Instagram

Thank you for being our valued customer. We are so grateful for the pleasure of serving you and hope to see you at our Kensington Market location.

A post shared by Pancho Y Emiliano (@panchoyemiliano) on Apr 30, 2020 at 8:40am PDT

N'Awlins

Underground Garage

Wayne Gretzky's

Financial District

The Chase Fish and Oyster (now Planta Cocina)

Marché Mövenpick Toronto (all locations)

Plancha

Prairie Girl Bakery (PATH First Canadian Place)

Rusi

Supernova Ballroom

View this post on Instagram

After an incredibly challenging day that saw us finish packing up the bar & make plans to return keys we sat down for a meal that finished with two fortune cookies. These were the two notes found inside & for a moment everything made sense. Supernova Ballroom is closed permanently. While we are both heart broken at this news, we are hopeful for what is to come & immensely grateful to be walking away in a relatively positive place. If you'd like to read more, link in our bio has a little more insight. Sincere thanks to all for the good times, we will see you soon x #forloveofthefizz

A post shared by Supernova Ballroom (@supernovaballroom) on Jul 3, 2020 at 10:41am PDT

Garden District

Duke's Refresher

Reds

Scaddabush

Harbord Village

Aunties & Uncles

River Tai

Harbourfront

Toula

Hillcrest Village

Dave's on St. Clair

The Junction

Dino's Pizza (Junction location)

Vesuvio Pizzeria and Spaghetti House

Kensington Market

Bacon Nation

Cold Tea (Kensington, Queen Street still open)

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A post shared by Cold Tea (@coldteabar)

Maracas

Moo Frites

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Since March of this year, we have been forced to close due to COVID-19. With no tourism and substantially lowered number of pedestrians in Kensington Market; we have no choice but to close the business for good. It was a tough decision. We will miss you dearly. —— Our official farewell is on our website at moofrites.com

A post shared by moo frites (@moofrites) on Jul 28, 2020 at 1:38pm PDT

Round

Torteria San Cosme

The Boat

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A post shared by The Boat (@theboatkensington)

Osteria Porte Rosse

Koreatown

Apiecalypse Now

NishDish

Torteria San Cosme

White Brick Kitchen

Leslieville

Brickyard Bistro

View this post on Instagram

We have decided that the time has come to close the chapter on Brickyard Bistro. We are so thankful to all of you in the community, family, and friends alike for your generosity, and kind spirits. This place has not only taught us a lot about running a business, but also a lot about ourselves. Throughout this process we have experienced more ups and downs than expected (hello covid, hello construction every other weekend!) but overall we walk away with knowing we made great new friendships, and we hope we have left a positive mark on the community. To be completely honest, friends - running a small bistro is HARD. Yes, you have heard it before, but it is so so true. There comes a point when doing what you love just isn’t enough anymore. The restaurant culture here makes it basically impossible to thrive, for both employees and owners alike. It takes so much from you, not just financially, but emotionally as well. We have chosen to take the opportunity that our landlords (who have been absolutely wonderful, fair, and supportive throughout these covid times) gave us to end our lease prematurely, so that we can end on a note that we feel comfortable with and go back to focusing on family and personal well-being. To our amazing staff - we would like to publicly thank you all for your dedication, work ethic, and care that you put into your work with us every single day. You were the best of the best, and for that, we are grateful. We will always be a Brickyard Family!! We will be open in a Stage 2 format for the rest of the summer, with our last day being brunch on Sunday Aug 30th. Please come on by to say goodbyes, and any support you continue to give us through this last month will be extremely appreciated. Also, if you are a holder of any Gift Cards for the Bistro, they can be used up until our last day, so please make use of them if you plan to before they expire! Thank you all once again from the bottom of our hearts! Team Brickyard

A post shared by Brickyard Bistro (@brickyardbistro) on Aug 6, 2020 at 1:06pm PDT

The Dock on Queen

The Green Wood (Leslieville and King West location closing)

Mad Dog Cafe (Will be replaced with East End Vine, a new restaurant and wine bar set to open in December)

Mean Bao (Leslieville, Village by the Grange and Annex Food Hall locations closing end of March 2021)

Stratengers (closing January 31, 2021)

Sweat & Soda

Tasty Chicken House

Yummy House

Ziba Berlin Doner (all locations)

Liberty Village

Barcelona Tavern

Libertad (Ossington location still open)

Salumi Bar

Smoke's Poutinerie (now home to Burger Drops)

Little India

Flying Pony

Little Italy

Bake Shoppe (operating as a commercial kitchen at 1414b Dundas Street West)

BBs Diner

Boom Breakfast (Yonge and Eglinton and St. Clair locations still open)

Boonsik

Burgatory

Il Gatto Nero

Orbit Room

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Dear fans of the Orbit Room and live music, it has been 4 months since all live music shows and venues were closed due to the pandemic. It pains me to have to announce that the club at 580a College St will remain closed. This doesn't mean that we are out of the live music business, it just means that our shows will no longer be at that address. For 22 of the last 25 years, we have had a band play every night of the week. Like everyone else, we will have to wait and see how the business reopens and what it will look like before we can make any plans for the future. Apparently, the people that make those decisions have no idea what sort of timeline we are looking at. I want to thank everyone who ever came to the club to see the best musicians in the country. I want to thank the hundreds of musicians who graced our tiny stage and gave the club the reputation of offering the best live music experience in the city. You lot really were the Orbit Room. I want to thank Tim Wilson and all the people who worked behind that bar. I'll make announcements about future shows so please stay tuned. Thanks and stay safe, Tim Notter

A post shared by The Orbit Room (@orbitroomto) on Jul 16, 2020 at 1:03pm PDT

L'Arc En Ciel

LeTAO

Pray Tell

Ronto's

Southern Accent

The Hideout Toronto

The Walton

Trattoria Giancarlo

Virtuous Pie

Woodlot

Little Portugal

Mezu

Moss Park

Spice Indian Bistro

Queen West

Butter Avenue

View this post on Instagram

Thank you for the love and support for our Queen & Spadina location throughout the years ❤️ We’ve been blessed with the most amazing customers in one of the coolest neighbourhood in Toronto! It is difficult to say goodbye but this Saturday, MAY/16 will be our last day at this retail location. . Don’t worry we will continue to bake your favorite macarons from our Markham HQ, order online before noon for next day delivery 🚚 or in store pick up (link in bio). . New macaron flavours and dessert creations will be revealed online soon, please stay tuned for more 🍮🍰🍬 news, email us at info@butteravenue.com if you have any questions, thanks again for the ❤️ for more 🍰🥐🍞😃☕️ follow our sister brand @butterbakerto

A post shared by Butter Avenue (@butteravenue) on May 15, 2020 at 6:18pm PDT

Cafe Crepe

Cauldron Ice Cream

Clove Apple Cafe

Gandhi Indian Cuisine

Maiz (Yonge and Dundas locations remain open)

Piadina by Monti

Plentea

Rickshaw Bar

West Queen West

Ama

The Beaver

Carmen

Country General

Montgomery's

Poutini's

Tacos Ricos

Roselle (Queen location)

Parkdale

Nice Nice

Pretty Ugly

Tennessee Tavern, replaced with Gianna's Pies and Patties

Stones Place

Regent Park

Vicino Italian Kitchen

Riverside

Elvy & Flo Cafe

I'll Be Seeing You

Lucky Star

Prohibition Gastrohouse (under new ownership, now Prohibition Social House)

Ruby Watchco

Tertulia

Roncesvalles

The Ace

Lambretta Pizzeria and Wine Bar

Mean Bao (Roncesvalles and St. Clair and Yonge locations have closed)

The Westerly

Thai Chef

Trinity-Bellwoods

Canis

The Ossington

Tacos Rico (replaced by famed burger joint Matty's Patty's Burger Club)

Sam James Coffee (other locations remain open)

Scarborough

Canyon Creek (Square One location as well)

Wexford Restaurant

Victorian Monkey

Taste of Empanada

St. Clair

Bar Buca (The Yonge & Eglinton location shut down in the summer, after being evicted by their landlord. It is unsure whether the restaurant group will be reopening in the future)

Dave's

Scallywags

St. Lawrence

Club 120 and 120 Diner

Golden Thai

Hogtown Smoke

True True Diner

Yorkville

Brother's Food and Wine

View this post on Instagram

NOTHING ENDURES BUT CHANGE. AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT THIS SATURDAY'S DINNER WILL BE OUR LAST SERVICE AT BROTHERS. IT IS WITH HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE HAVE DECIDED TO CLOSE THE RESTAURANT. WITH THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE THIS SPRING IT WAS OUR INTENTION TO RIDE THE WAVES OF UNCERTAINTY WITH THE HOPE THAT WE WOULD GET BACK TO REGULAR SERVICE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE NOW FEEL IT IS NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE TO PLAN ON ANY FORM OF NORMAL OR MEANINGFUL DINING IN THE NEAR FUTURE. BROTHERS WAS PURPOSEFULLY BUILT AS A SMALL AND INTIMATE SPACE. THIS CONTRADICTS ANY REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS OF MOVING FORWARD GIVEN THE GUIDELINES FOR A SAFE REOPENING. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF AMAZING.THE SINGLE HARDEST PART OF RUNNING BROTHERS HAS BEEN BUILDING A TEAM THAT SHARES OUR VISION AND INTEREST IN FOOD & HOSPITALITY. OUR TEAM IS THE MOST DEDICATED GROUP OF EMPLOYEES WE HAVE EVER WORKED WITH, MANY OF WHOM ARE READY TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR OWN VISIONS IN THIS CITY, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THEIR SUCCESS. THE RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE BUILT WITH OUR GUESTS ARE TRULY BEYOND WORDS. ANY SUCCESS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED IS A REFLECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY & BROTHERS IS NOTHING WITHOUT IT. YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT HAS TRULY BEEN OVERWHELMING. THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU. WE NEVER INTENDED FOR THIS TO BE FOREVER, ALWAYS UNDERSTANDING THIS WAS A STEPPING STONE IN OUR CAREERS. BROTHERS WAS INTENDED TO BE A VESSEL IN WHICH WE SHARED OUR THOUGHTS ON FOOD, WINE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOSPITALITY. WE ARE VERY PROUD THAT BROTHERS NEVER WAVERED IN ITS INTENTIONS. IT PAINS US GREATLY NOT BE ABLE TO HOST YOU HERE FOR A PROPER GOODBYE, BUT KNOW THAT WE HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF RE COMMITTING TO THIS WORK & FEEL WE HAVE A LOT LEFT TO CONTRIBUTE. THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, SEE YOU DOWN THE ROAD. “THIS RIVER I STEP IN, IS NOT THE RIVER I STAND IN”

A post shared by @ twentyvictoria on Jul 13, 2020 at 12:39pm PDT

Dessert Lady

HÖM Cafe

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A post shared by HÖM Cafe (@homcafetoronto)

Sorelle & Co. (Yorkville and Vaughn)

Yonge Street

Labothéry (all locations)

Pickle Barrel (all locations)

Swiss Chalet (Yonge & Gerrard)

Yonge and Dundas

Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken

Yonge and Lawrence

The Burger Cellar

Yonge and Wellesley

Funnel Cake Express

Midtown

Dufflet Uptown (Lawrence Park South location)

JJ Bean (all Toronto locations; Eglinton, Adelaide, Bartley)

North York

Genghis Khan Mongolian Grill

Golden Krust

Sea-Hi Famous Chinese Chop Suey

Markham

Frankie Tomatto's

Sadly, this is an ongoing list and will be updated as new closures are announced. If you know of any closures, feel free to comment them below. Let's do our best to support local business in these difficult times -- check out our guides section for our curated lists of go-to dishes and spots in Toronto.

We’ll see you in there.