Popular pizza restaurant opens first east end Toronto location
Published March 10, 2025 at 12:02 pm
People who live and play in Toronto’s east end can now order popular pizza and pasta dishes from a restaurant chain that’s quickly becoming a GTA mainstay.
Piano Piano, the growing chain helmed by celebrated chef Victor Barry, just announced that its much-anticipated Leslieville location has opened its doors. The news of a new restaurant—and one known not only for its classic dishes but also its bold decor—comes as a bit of relief to foodies who were shocked to see three local restaurants announce back-to-back closures earlier this month.
The brand, which recently opened another new location on Bloor Street, said the March 8 opening marks the restaurant’s first foray into the city’s east end. The new location, right next to Crow’s Theatre, has taken over the 1190 Dundas St. E. spot once occupied by French resto Gare De L’Est.
The sixth Piano Piano location was designed by Future Studio and Creative Director Nikki Leigh McKean and, according to the brand, “blends moody, dramatic aesthetics with theatrical inspiration, featuring rich textiles, alchemy-inspired art, and a ‘Magick Wall of Wands’—a signature creative collaboration between McKean and her daughters.”
The menu boasts some unique dishes (such as a savoury doughnut with caviar) as well as Italian staples such as pizza, pasta, bone-in veal parm, chicken piccata, a 20-ounce boneless ribeye (for sharing, of course), tiramisu, and more.
On Instagram, operators said that starting March 11 (it’s closed March 10), the newest outpost will be open from noon until late for lunch, happy hour and dinner.