Toronto’s top 5 biggest new restaurant openings of 2024
Published December 27, 2024 at 12:02 pm
Toronto had an incredibly busy 2024 for new restaurant openings.
While it should be no surprise that Canada’s busiest urban locale sees innovation each year, 2024 was still a standout era for new spaces opening their doors throughout the city.
From Drake’s personnel chef announcing a new fine dining space to hidden rooftop elegance, all the way to massive entertainment districts opening downtown — here are 2024’s biggest openings.
Drake’s personal chef opening brand new Italian restaurant in Toronto
Occhiolino, helmed by Luke Donato and Nick Manzone, opened this past fall to much fanfare.
Translating to “wink,” the restaurant is operated by the dynamic duo of a Michelin-decorated restauranteur and Drake’s former personal chef.
It is the byproduct of a decade-long friendship between the two gourmands and a love for high-end Italian cuisine as it features multiple Italian regional specialties, all prepared on-site.
Combine food of the highest caliber with a list of Italian wines and apertivo-inspired cocktails and you have one of this year’s most lavish new additions to Toronto.
Nobu has announced they will be opening next month in Toronto
Founded by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro, the newly opened Toronto Nobu Entertainment District features a restaurant, hotel and residences.
The menu includes classic dishes like yellowtail sashimi, rock shrimp tempura and miso black cod, all accompanied by a dynamic cocktail list.
While it has only been open for a few months, this elegant addition to Toronto’s upper echelon of hospitality has even caught the attention of personalities like Martha Stewart.
Huge two-level Thai restaurant, market and spa in Toronto will be the first of its kind in Canada
Just when you thought that Toronto was spoiled with one massive entertainment complex, Pii Nong comes in swinging.
This location opened this December and includes a Thai restaurant, market and spa.
According to the owner, the restaurant was built to rival the Thai culinary scene thriving in New York and cities across Europe, while the marketplace extension features exclusive imports from Thailand that are not available anywhere else in Canada.
Throw in a massive spa complex that focuses on traditional Thai techniques and this new space demands at least one visit for any Toronto resident.
Popular GTA Italian restaurant chain just opened a new location in Mississauga
Shifting gears away from the big city, a celebrated Toronto-based Italian restaurant popped up in Mississauga this year.
Il Fornello’s origins can be traced back to 1986 and was one of the first restaurants to introduce wood-fired pizza to Toronto.
In the modern landscape it has also become known for its extensive plant-based menu.
This new Il Fornello location in Sherwood Village serves a variety of antipasti, such as salads, pizza, pasta and mains like chicken parm.
A new rooftop bar and restaurant just opened in Toronto
Hidden away from the thriving nightlife and hospitality scene of King Street is a new rooftop getaway.
Public Gardens is the perfect place for pizza, pasta, wine and bar classic cocktails like bellinis.
Featuring rooftop DJs every night alongside an ultra-cool European aesthetic with greenery and romantic lighting, Public Gardens is the premiere downtown secret of 2024.