Photo: Richard Hong / Unsplash
A neighbourhood is more than its homes. It's the café on the corner, the place you take friends for a birthday dinner, and the events that bring everyone out in December. Here's a roundup of new spots that have opened across Toronto this fall, plus one in York Region and a few holiday dates worth saving.
As always, I haven't been paid to include anything here. Details come from the sources linked, so please check hours and details before you go.
Recently opened
Casa Rubia, Little Italy
Casa Rubia is a full-service northern Spanish restaurant at 293 Palmerston Ave., just north of College Street, in the room behind Bar Raval. It's from Grant van Gameren, Hailey Burke and chef-partner Zach Smith, and the menu is built around a wood oven, with Galician-style beef, suckling pig and whole roasted turbot. Very Toronto lists the opening date as September 24, 2026, with hours of 5 to 11 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday (Very Toronto).
Loomi Pita Bakery, Little Italy
The couple behind the former PG Clucks have opened Loomi Pita Bakery in their old spot at 610 College St. It calls itself the "world's smallest pita bakery," working out of a roughly 200 sq. ft. kitchen, and serves fresh pita with fillings like chicken schnitzel and braised lamb, plus dips, pickles and seasonal ferments. It soft-opened on Thursday, October 1 (blogTO).
Casa Donato, Harbord Village
Casa Donato, an offshoot of Montreal's Ristorante Donato, is settling in at Spadina Avenue and Harbord Street, at the base of a new rental building. Toronto Life reported that its counter-service café, serving sandwiches, pastries, salads, house-made gelato and coffee, was set to open October 15 as the first phase, with a 150-seat dining room and bar to follow (Toronto Life).
Discreta, King-Spadina
Discreta is a new resto-lounge with cocktails, food and DJs inside the former Portland Substation at 18 Portland St., a heritage Toronto Hydro building completed in 1925 (blogTO). It's an evening spot for a night out in the King West area.
Darling Girl, Wellington Street East
Darling Girl, the sister spot to Dundas West's Jean Darlene piano lounge, is now open in the former Pravda Vodka Bar space on the edge of the Financial District. Toronto Life describes two grand pianos, a live backup band, and a $25 cover that includes passed appetizers all night (Toronto Life).
Gabby's Queens Quay, waterfront
Gabby's Queens Quay, a new location of the family-owned Toronto restaurant group, is now open at 15 Queens Quay E., just east of Yonge Street. It's a casual sports-bar spot with a happy hour, and it offers validated underground parking for $5 for up to four hours with a minimum $20 spend, which makes it handy before an event at Scotiabank Arena (What Now Toronto).
Plus one in York Region: Neko Coffee & Cafe, Markham
Neko Coffee & Cafe opened inside King Square at 9390 Woodbine Ave. in Markham, at the end of the food court (Neko Coffee & Cafe). A new coffee stop if you're shopping in the area.
Holiday dates to save
Distillery Winter Village · Thu, Nov 12, 2026 to Sun, Jan 3, 2027, Distillery District
The tree lighting is on opening night, November 12 at 6 p.m. Tickets are needed at busier times and start at $16 plus HST and a service charge. Admission is free all day Monday to Wednesday through December 13, and at other non-ticketed times (Distillery Winter Village).
The Original Santa Claus Parade · Sun, Nov 22, 2026
The 122nd parade returns this year, and you can watch on the route or on Citytv and Citytv+ (The Original Santa Claus Parade). Check the parade website for the route and start time closer to the date.
Why this matters if you live here, or want to
When people tell me what they want in a neighbourhood, it's usually things like this: somewhere to walk for coffee, a good place for dinner, and things to do with family and friends. Little Italy, Harbord Village, King West, St. Lawrence and the waterfront each have their own feel, and new openings are one of the ways a neighbourhood keeps changing.
If you're thinking about a condo or a home in one of these areas, or you're curious what your place is worth today, message or email me at [email protected]. I'm happy to share recent sales and what's on the market nearby.
Know a new spot I should feature?
If a new business has opened near you in Toronto, Durham or York Region, send me a message or email. I'd love to include it in a future roundup.
Andrew Persaud, Sales Representative, REVEL Realty Inc., Brokerage
#200B – 1032 Brock Street S, Whitby, ON L1N 4L8
📞 m 416.220.7045 | o 905.357.1700
✉️ [email protected]
🌐 https://homesbyandrew.ca/
Business and event details come from the sources linked and were checked on October 26, 2026. They may change, so please confirm with the business or organizer before you go. Inclusion is not an endorsement, and no business paid to be included. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract with a brokerage.
