Toronto’s restaurant scene never sits still. One week it’s a hidden cocktail bar tucked behind a café, the next it’s a Korean brewpub in a former laundromat or a smash burger spot drawing lineups across the city. From authentic Greek comfort food and British-inspired pubs to inventive cocktails and house-brewed drinks, these are the best new restaurants and bars in Toronto to check out this week.
1. Gerrard Greek
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Toronto’s east end has a new spot for classic Greek comfort food. Gerrard Greek focuses on traditional recipes and locally sourced ingredients, serving generous portions of favourites like chicken, pork and lamb souvlaki, gyros, calamari and grilled Atlantic salmon. Most dinner plates come with rice, roasted potatoes and Greek salad, making them ideal for a hearty weeknight meal. The restaurant also prepares staples like tzatziki and taramosalata in-house, while dishes such as lamb chops and village sausage highlight the kitchen’s commitment to traditional Greek flavours. 1056 Gerrard St. E.
2. Beaches Brewing
One of the Beaches neighbourhood’s longtime brewery brands has opened a new brewpub where craft beer is only part of the appeal. Beaches Brewing pairs house-made beers with a crowd-pleasing menu of pizzas, tacos, quesadillas and fried chicken sandwiches, alongside cocktails like its signature Painkiller. Founded by longtime Beach resident Carl Pratt, the brewery has been part of the neighbourhood since 2014 and now offers a laid-back gathering spot inspired by beach culture from around the world. The spacious venue also doubles as an event space for everything from group dinners to full private parties. 1953 Queen St. E.
3. The Elm Tavern
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A modern British pub has opened inside the Chelsea Hotel, bringing elevated comfort food and a strong drinks program to downtown Toronto. The Elm Tavern serves updated pub classics like masala-spiced Scotch eggs, Berkshire pork sausage rolls, lager-battered haddock and chips, chicken and leek pie, and a Prime Rib Burger, alongside local beers and classic cocktails. There are also daily specials, including Sunday roast with Yorkshire pudding and all the traditional fixings. 22 Elm St.
4. Charlie Social House
A new neighbourhood hangout has arrived in CityPlace. Taking over the former Fox & Fiddle space on Fort York Boulevard, Charlie Social House is a British-inspired pub designed to work just as well for a casual lunch as it does for a late-night cocktail. The menu features comfort-food favourites like fish and chips, burgers and Irish spice bags alongside pizzas, pastas and share plates. There’s also a playful cocktail list, a large patio, private dining space and plenty of screens for sports fans. Expect trivia nights, live music, DJs and a a fun community-focused atmosphere.
5. Gyopo Makgeolli Brewery
The team behind Toronto favourites Gonzo Izakaya and Kensei Bar is embracing the Korean wave with Gyopo Makgeolli Brewery, a new Little Portugal spot serving Korean-inspired dishes and house-brewed makgeolli on tap. Set inside a former laundromat, the space channels the energy of a Seoul back-alley hangout, complete with a pocha-inspired bar and open kitchen. On the menu, expect creative takes on Korean classics, including creamy acorn noodles with seaweed puree and grilled meats, alongside fresh pours of Korea’s oldest alcoholic beverage. 1456 Dundas St. W.
6. Mista Boiga
When Big Trouble Pizza closed on Geary Avenue in January, it left a pizza-shaped hole in the neighbourhood. Thankfully, the team is back with Mista Boiga, a smash burger spot that’s already drawing crowds. The menu keeps things simple, with every burger priced at $12, including the Classic OG, the spicy Kwispy Wanch and the standout Gaucho Melt, topped with fire-torched provolone, chimichurri and garlic-lemon aioli. The team is obsessed with consistency, and it shows in every crispy-edged patty. Add fried pickle spears on the side and you’ve got one of Toronto’s hottest new burger destinations. 191 Geary Ave.
7. Ferdi’s Foods
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One of Toronto’s most intriguing new lunch spots is hiding in a laneway behind Mattachioni on Dupont Street. Open Saturdays only, Ferdi’s Foods serves British- and Swiss-inspired comfort food from a tiny Junction Triangle outpost. Standout menu items include a fish finger-style sandwich loaded with beer-battered fish, tartar sauce and American cheese, as well as a hearty chip butty stuffed with triple-cooked fries, vinegar and butter. There’s also Swiss-style grilled sausage with mustard and a selection of frozen take-home items. Just be sure to arrive early — it’s open from noon until sold out. 1617 Dupont St.
8. Bar Bokeh
Toronto’s hidden-bar scene has a stylish new addition. Tucked behind Matcha Haus in Leslieville, Bar Bokeh is a moody cocktail lounge inspired by the photography term for softly blurred lights. The intimate space pairs Asian-inspired small plates with inventive cocktails featuring house-made infusions, teas and clarified spirits. Standouts include the Mango Sticky Rice, Banana Roti and Ube & Lychee cocktails, alongside spirit-forward options like the Garden Gibson and Wintermelon Ramos. With DJs on select nights and a late-night lounge atmosphere, it’s quickly becoming one of the east end’s most intriguing new drinking destinations. 890 Queen St. E.
