5 most talked about restaurant closures in Toronto in 2024

While 2024 saw some new additions to Toronto, the year was also full of many farewells to iconic spaces. 

The city may be big, but there is only so much room for old favorites, and as a result, numerous well-established locations shuttered their doors this year. 

Whether it was fixtures almost 100 years old or Michelin-recognized fine-dining experiences — here are the biggest restaurant closings in Toronto this year. 

CLOSURE: Almost 100 year old restaurant closes in Toronto

Reliable Fish and Chips, an institution serving Toronto’s Lesliville neighbourhood since 1930 tragically battered and fried its last batch in 2024. 

Many were surprised by this sudden closure, as in 2022, the location underwent a revamp and reopened with new management. 

While there was no official announcement from ownership, the location is listed as ‘permanently closed’ on Google and currently sits empty. 

Hong Kong style restaurant just permanently closed locations in Toronto and Mississauga

A victim of the GTA’s cost-of-living blues, Phoenix Restaurant, which served Hong Kong-style food closed both their Toronto and Mississauga locations due to what ownership described as the “economic environment.” 

Both locations were mourned by regional patrons on social media. 

However, Phoenix Restaurant locations in McCowan, Woodbine and North York remain in operation. 

A pub has permanently closed and is turning into something else in Toronto

Pour House, a Toronto location that served beer, cocktails, and comforting bar food like salads, sandwiches and brunch announced earlier this year that it would be starting fresh. 

In its place, Stella’s Kitchen opened, a new Dupont staple that focuses on Italian-style fare such as pizza, pasta and cocktails. 

No-tipping restaurant in Toronto suddenly announces they’re permanently closing

Then & Now Restaurant, which served an Asian fusion menu of dishes like steak, dumplings and sushi, also built itself on a no-tip system for guests, as ownership touted that it paid staff adjusted wages.

However, this system did not provide a sturdy enough foundation for ownership, as staffing the locale became a chore due to complications of the sole proprietor ot hiring any additional help. 

As a result, Then & Now became much more ‘then’ than anything, as it closed its doors this past summer. 

A Michelin-level French restaurant is closing and transforming into a new concept in Toronto

Pompette, one of the best French restaurants in the city that status recognized by the official Michelin Guide, closed earlier this year.

However, it only briefly shut down to come back as Vinotecca Pompette, a new space that echoes its previous incarnation’s high-quality cuisine with an updated focus on a diverse wine list and high-end Italian and French cuisine.