Toronto is a pizza town. There's everything here from Neapolitan to Roman styles to pizza topped with poutine or fried eggs. No matter what neighbourhood in Toronto you're in, chances are there's a great tasting pizza nearby.
Check out all 50 essential Toronto pizza joints in this photo gallery.
Toronto restaurant openings highlights the latest food news in Toronto and gives a preview of what's coming soon. Find us here every Thursday morning.
Have you seen restaurants opening or closing in your neighbourhood? Email tips to editors@blogto.com.
Toronto's long-running search for the best Jamaican patty outside of Jamaica could finally come to an end this year when Golden Krust expands into Canada.
And before you ask, yes – they do have coco bread, and beef and cheese patties, curried chicken patties, soy patties, shrimp patties, adorable mini cocktail patties... they've even got patties made entirely of crust. Patty pastry patties!
Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill originated in St. Andrews, Jamaica circa 1980, but spread like wildfire across the U.S. after opening a location in New York nine years later.
Today, Golden Krust owns an entire block in the South Bronx where it produces patties for more than 100 franchises across the country.
It was the first Caribbean-owned company to be granted a franchise licence in the U.S. and is now considered the foremost Jamaican business in the entire country.
The so-called "best patty ever" will soon be available right here in Toronto, according to a recently-posted job listing, when the popular Carribbean food chain opens its first franchise north of the border.
No opening date has been confirmed at this time, but the job post reveals that Golden Krust will be setting up shop at the Sheridan Mall in North York – presumably, quite soon.
If Jamaican patties aren't your thing (for some reason,) there's still plenty to get excited about on Golden Krust's menu.
Toronto can look forward to a wide variety of "authentic, tasty Jamaican" cuisine like curried goat, jerk chicken, braised oxtail, fried plantains, callaloo, porridge, ackee and codfish and sandwiches galore.
Watch your back, Patty King.
For a restaurant that isn't even open yet, Pick 6ix has been bumping this week.
Toronto music artist / mogul Drake paid heed to his latest hometown business venture again last night by hosting what PR reps call an "intimate event" with OVO Chubbs and Executive Chef Antonio Park.
This, just one day after opening up his new spot for LeBron James to host Dwyane Wade's birthday party.
Park is said to have presented "an exclusive first look of the soon-to-be-released menu" at last night's event and – guess what? – I can finally confirm that Pick 6ix won't exclusively be a sushi restaurant.
Sure, there was plenty of sashimi, nigiri and maki at the tasting, but Park also served dishes like wagyu tataki and grilled octopus salad.
"From sushi to steak," reads a press release for the event. "Chef Park's menu incorporates his Japanese, South American, and Korean roots creating a diverse culinary experience."
Photos and videos posted online suggest that the event, while private, was pretty dang busy.
"I'm here you know, for the media opening, feeling good," said Drake in a video posted to Instagram. "Got the turtle neck on, so, you know… it's the right vibe.”
The restaurant hasn't actually opened yet to media or the public, according to PR representatives.
Last night's crowd appeared to be mostly celebrities, athletes, business associates and friends of the OVO crew – the kind of "A-list clientele" Pick 6ix expects to attract when it opens for real.
Invitations billed it as an "exclusive preview" to the 178-seat, not-technically-a-sports-bar venue.
There's going to be lots of ice in Toronto this weekend, so why not make use of it and then head inside to be entertained? Multiple skate parties go down at rinks across the city, incredible musicians are here to make you dance, and this year's best Canadian films are showing at TIFF.
Events you might want to check out:Less than one week after straight up shattering an almost 60-year-old temperature record with blistering cold weather, Toronto just broke another record – in the opposite direction.
At around 2 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, the thermometers at Pearson International Airport reached 12.3 C.
These are the warmest temperatures our city has ever seen on January 11 in recorded history, according to Evironment Canada's averages and extremes index. Previously, the highest temperature reached on this day was 11.7 C in 1975.
Am I the only one who's freaked out about this?
Toronto saw it's coldest day ever at -23 C last Thursday. We've jumped 35 degrees in only six days and will dropping back down at least 20 degrees this weekend.
I'd scream at the sky right now about how the weather should make up its damn mind, but that's probably a bad idea.
We all know how mother nature feels about humans right now. Not very good. She wants us all to freeze and then slip on sidewalks and then freeze back up again. It's bull.
The Rose and Sons restaurant on Dupont is closing down – albeit temporarily – to transform itself from a fancy brunch spot into a proper delicatessen.
"Tonight is the last night of Rose and Sons as you know it," wrote chef and owner Anthony Rose on Instagram yesterday. "We are closing tonight for a WEEK and will RE OPEN on the 18th."
"We will re open w the same GREAT PEOPLE. SAME GREAT PLACE. NEW MENU. Come check out the New Direction," he continued. "You will not be DELIappointed."
Good one, Hahahaha.
Prior to announcing the news in his monthly newsletter, Rose had been hinting about the forthcoming changes to his restaurant on Instagram.
"As of today we have officially given back our Three Stars to @michelinguide," reads a post from Tuesday. "Just want to get back to basics."
Rose revealed in his newsletter during a fictional interview with Anderson Cooper that bacon and eggs will be taken off the menu. When it reopens, he told fake Cooper, his restaurant at Dupont and St. George will be called "Rose and Sons The Delicatessen."
The Rose and Sons in the old Swan space on West Queen West, however, appears to be closed permanently. The restaurant's space is now up for sale, and it's no longer listed on the main website for Rose's various restaurants.
At Rose's reinvented flagship location on Dupont, Toronto can look forward menu items such as "pastrami, pickled and smoked at Big Crow," potato and onion knishes, reuben fries, kishka and gravy, cheesecake, challah, steamies, fried chicken and "my mother's matzoh ball soup."
Drink options will include everything from classic New York egg creams and black cherry soda with whisky to something called "purple Jesus."
The Loretto is an luxury condo in the Annex that's home to some very nice loft spaces. Formerly Loretto Abbey Day School, the adaptive re-use project, which was completed in 2007, boasts 46 units, of which this penthouse is one of the finest.
You don't get an industrial hard loft feel here. On the contrary, the finishes are noticeably polished, from maple flooring to floor-to-ceiling windows to hyper-contemporary kitchens. You might even say that the building has a mature vibe.
That makes sense, of course. It was downsizing Annex homeowners who quickly bought up these units 10 years ago. This suite, for instance, exudes sophisticated taste in the form of an ample art and book collection that give the interior plenty of character.
I'll confess that I love the soaring bookshelves in the library, but the rooftop deck and garden is also beautiful, as is the sun-filled sitting/TV area on the upper level. Basically it's all peaks and no valleys — which you should expect for $5.5 million.
Address: #501 - 385 Brunswick Ave.
Price: $5,495,000
Bedrooms: 5
Bathrooms: 4
Parking: 3
Walk Score: 87
Transit Score: 100
Maintenance Fees: $4,796.79
Listing agent: Alex Brott
Listing ID: C4016037
Someone who wants to flip a stately Annex home into a stunning Annex condo. This one doesn't come cheap, but it possesses a ton of character and space.
You don't need a five bedroom condo. While some of these spaces can be used for other purposes, this unit is bigger than most people's houses.
Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our condo of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.
Another piece of evidence just rolled in to support the theory that its tough to open a restaurant near St. Lawrence Market.
Bar Cru, a minimalist sushi, poke and ceviche joint tucked away on Market Street, has closed down after less than a year in operation.
The food definitely had a creative bent, with dishes like tiger's milk ceviche, octopus bowls and sushi torched with fire.
Alas, like so many other independent dining options across from the hulking St. Lawrence Market, Bar Cru just couldn't sustain enough business to stay afloat amidst.
It's got to be tough convincing people to eat across from St. Lawrence Market when the market itself is the main reason they're in the area.
Why is Taco Bell trying to start (88 per cent) beef with Drake?
You're not Meek Mill, Taco Bell. You're not Kendrick Lamar or Tory Lanez. You sell gordita supremes to drunk people late at night. Chill.
I mean, I respect your free sauce packets, but calling Toronto hip-hop "soft" to jazz up your taco ads is pretty crappy — kinda like how people feel after going to Taco Bell (it's on!).
Taco Bell is savage pic.twitter.com/NktFsyfC4C
— Consequence of Sound (@consequence) January 10, 2018
I kid, but the U.S. fast food chain does have a lot of people riled up right now over some copy on its website.
"It's the kind of taco that will bring flowers to your mom when it's invited over for dinner," reads a description of the brand's soft taco shell. "It remembers your birthday, even without the help of social networks."
How very "Drake-the-type" of this gentlemanly Mexican meal (Yeah, I see you, Taco Bell).
"It’s so soft," continues the ad, "it exclusively listens to Toronto hip-hop."
Shots fired...Taco Bell vs. Drake. Who you got?! https://t.co/Fjkh1snYMC
— Michael Leckinger (@sneakermonster) January 2, 2018
If you're at all familiar with Drake's history as an internet meme, the target of this burn is pretty obvious.
Still, it's not exactly an insult. Taco Bell describes its Drake shell as having "a nice polite chill." He does.
It's also described as dreamy, placed in stark contrast against the chain's crunchy taco shell – which, apparently, has "a penchant for picking fights with strangers."
Drake needs to drop a diss track on Taco Bell now.
— Adam 🌓 (@Worlds_Finest09) January 11, 2018
Whatever the brand's intentions were with this ad (probably to get people talking about its tacos), the city's a bit offended by the insinuation that our hip hop scene is soft.
You see, "soft" is sometimes seen as a bad thing in the cold hard world of Grammy award-winning rap.
"Hey, @tacobell," wrote City of Toronto Councillor Norm Kelly on Twitter in response to news of the taco burn. "Your product descriptions are as bad as the stomach aches your food gives."
When bae says some cute shit pic.twitter.com/RQeEn9tfGd
— Drake Gifs (@bestdrakegifs) October 15, 2015
SAVAGE.
Your move, Taco Bell.
Upcoming food events in Toronto offer plenty to sip on, from the hotly anticipated Toronto Tea Festival to the much buzzed about Mini Cask Festival. Additional food events include the Japanese Winter Festival, Robbie Burns Day festivities, and a slew of Winterlicious culinary events.
Events you might want to check out:The best new brunch restaurants in Toronto appease the masses when it comes to what is fast becoming one of our favourite weekend meals. Bacon, beans and eggs, a rainbow of smoothies, and even sushi now break fasts all over the city.
Here are the best brunch restaurants that opened in Toronto in 2017.
9 - La PalmaToronto Fire Service responders were hard at work last night rescuing people from the Don Valley Parkway after floods left motorists stranded in their cars.
That's what happens when an entire freaking winter's worth of snow melts in a single day, I guess.
Several people were trapped in their cars as flood waters took over Bayview Ave near River. Tow trucks credited for rescuing at least 2 people at this location. #Toronto#wx Bayview Ave close Gerrard to Queen. pic.twitter.com/ODl8T9lHjg
— Toronto News JASON (@FirstNewsGTA) January 12, 2018
A large stretch of the DVP and Bayview Extension were closed in both directions on Thursday night as the Don River overflowed and left the busy adjacent roadways underwater.
"Water levels in the Don River are rising due to rainfall. On the lower portion of the north and south DVP there may be ponding and/or standing water," warned Toronto Police shortly before 11 p.m.
UPDATE: DVP closed both directions due to flooding. Closed southbound at Richmond and northbound at Gardiner. Traffic will be diverted while City crews assess flooding and clear catch basins. ^rr pic.twitter.com/YOQyaBEGTn
— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) January 12, 2018
Crews were able to clear tand reopen the highway by 6 a.m. on Friday, but problems persist.
The left lane of the northbound Don Valley Parkway was underwater near Lawrence heading into the morning commute, as was the westbound Hwy-403 off ramp at Upper Middle Road in Mississauga.
There is an Extreme Weather Event happening and they're calling for a -12C flash freeze tomorrow/tonight. And the DVP flooded out.
— ಠ_ರೃ Alex (@aeleitch) January 12, 2018
Driving could be even more dangerous this evening, however, when another extreme weather shift freezes all of the water from yesterday's melt.
"Potential for icy conditions later this morning and this afternoon," wrote Environment Canada in a special weather statement issued on Friday morning. "The rain is forecast to change to snow by midday as temperatures plummet with the passage of a cold front."
How to walk on ice? Be a penguin. Stay safe today, Toronto! (via https://t.co/i8IY11iCBu ) pic.twitter.com/PhzERLhRYW
— Sarah J. McCabe (@Sarah_McCabe_) January 12, 2018
Roads, highways, sidewalks, parking lots and other pedestrian walkways could become extra icy and slippery tonight as another "very strong cold front" moves into the region.
Hey, at least we had a warm-ish Thursday.
It's scary scene out there for renters in Toronto, particularly when it comes to condo units.
Today, the market analysis firm Urbanation announced that rentpricesgrew by a startling 9.1 per cent year-over-year last quarter – meaning that the average monthly cost of a condo is now close to $2,200.
Blame a lack of supply and too much demand.
"Lower condo rental supply in 2017 was the result of an increased share of units resold as investors took advantage of quickly rising condo prices," writes Urbanation.
"At the same time, high rent levels and new rent control regulations are leading tenants to move less often, further reducing available supply."
Fortunately, there are 7,184 rental units being built across the city right now – more of them under construction at once than Toronto has seen in more than 25 years.
Developers proposed over 5,000 new, purpose-built rental units in the latter part of 2017, bringing the total number of condo units that could be built in coming years to 33,787.
These new places, when complete, could raise vacancy rates, soften demand, and lower (or at least stabilize) the average cost of rent in Toronto.
Here's to hoping.
Argggggh, winter 2018! What are you doing to us?
The much-hyped new skating trail under Toronto's Gardiner Expressway has already shut down, less than one week after opening to the public.
But don't worry – it'll be right back.
The Bentway announced this morning that its skate trail would close today in light of that sloppy melting mess outside.
Events scheduled for this evening are also cancelled, because a DJ skate night doesn't really work without the skating part.
Otherwise you're just dancing outside in January and like, who wants to do that?
The Bentway has not yet cancelled anything else this weekend, and it wouldn't be a stretch to think the trail will be open tomorrow.
Temperatures are expected to drop rapidly once again on Friday afternoon following Thursday's big thaw and, by Saturday morning, the entire city should be covered in ice.
Just hours after stomping the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 133-99 blowout, the Toronto Raptors have revealed their new "OVO edition" jersey.
Something tells me LeBron won't be buying one (not that he'd have to, being besties with Drake).
"This that new Toronto," wrote the Raps on Twitter early Friday morning, sharing several photos of the jersey being modelled by players Norman Powell, Delon Wright, Fred Van Fleet, OG Anunoby and Lucas Nogueira.
This that new Toronto.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 12, 2018
Presenting our very own OVO Edition Jersey.
Available now at @RealSports& @welcomeOVO. pic.twitter.com/IwOzyAkVB2
Images of the jerseys, which went on sale today at RealSports, were actually leaked a few weeks back via Nike's European website.
The Raptors may be calling them "OVO edition," but the new black and gold threads are actually a part of Nike's league-wide, "City Edition" uniform line.
Nike revealed its fourth official uniform category of the season on Dec. 27, writing that the City Edition jerseys pay homage to each NBA team's respective home city.
Looks like the official Raptors Nike City Jerseys are called the “OVO Edition” and is being sold on the OVO website. Too bad the OVO logo is not on the jersey itself. pic.twitter.com/d45z1VJGBI
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) January 12, 2018
Materials released by The Raptors today explain that the uniform's colours are, obviously, inspired by Drake's OVO brand.
The six-pointed chevron on the jersey's front, on the other hand, pays homage to "the six boroughs of Toronto."
The word "North" is meant to "represent a territory all our own," but, as I and every other person on the internet has argued a thousand times, this makes little sense.
Toronto is latitudinally further south than several NBA teams, including the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Portland Trailblazers, but whatever.
Raptors X OVO - Representing the North. The OVO Edition jersey is available now at Real Sports Apparel. Get it here: https://t.co/eclbQpyE3E or at Gate 1 at the Air Canada Centre. pic.twitter.com/w1SaXPJzkK
— RealSports (@RealSports) January 12, 2018
"These designs honour the fans," wrote the sportswear company in a press release, "those who, 41 times a year, take pilgrimage at their local arena, and whose passions help define each respective team’s identity."
When you put it like that, OVO colours make sense.
It's hard to deny the impact that Drake has had on Toronto's image, regardless of how you feel about his work. The Grammy-winning artist is also the Raptors Global Ambassador and one of the team's biggest fans.
Some were even joking last night that Drizzy partied late with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade at his restaurant on Wednesday to ensure a home team victory.
The greatest thing @Drake ever did for the Raptors was keeping LeBron and Wade out late last night. Thank you Drake. #RTZ
— Fortune (@goldenguns_tons) January 12, 2018
The truth, of course, is that the Raptors are really good this season.
Toronto's team is currently 29-11, marking their best 40-game start to a season in franchise history.
Edenvale Crescent is a street that's slowly transforming as houses originally built in the 1960s and 70s hit the market and are renovated or rebuilt. Located adjacent to the prestigious St. Georges Golf Club, many of these properties are extremely valuable.
As to the houses themselves, that tends to vary. It's hard to know what's in store for this recently sold property at 79 Edenvale. It's brimming with retro appeal, but it'd take a massive renovation to bring it inline with the worth of the land it sits on.
Initially listed for $4.19 million in May, it was subsequently reduced to $3.88 million in September before being closed at $3.1 million in December. That's almost a million bucks below the initial asking price, but still a pretty penny considering the cost of nearby homes.
While the house itself needs major updates, the lot here is extremely attractive. In addition to backing onto the 11th green at St. Georges, it's enormous at half an acre in size. It would hardly be surprising to see a new dream home constructed in place of the existing structure.
But, there are many elements of the current house that remain alluring. For one, it was designed by decorated Canadian architect Jerome Markson, who's modern sensibility can be witnessed throughout the home.
From the spacious principal rooms to the varying ceiling heights and enormous windows, this house has a unique flare that you won't find in many residential structures in Toronto. It would be lovely to see this gem restored to greatness.
If nothing else, the listing photos offer an intriguing window into a previous period of Toronto house design, and there's a ton of potential here to be capitalized on in the years to come whether it's through a renovation or rebuild project.
Location and size. The pie-shaped lot is huge, featuring a long curved driveway and a sprawling backyard with views to a ravine and the golf course. It doesn't get a whole lot nicer than this.
The sale price surely reflects the work required to restore/upgrade or rebuild the home. It's going to be expensive, but the potential here is enormous, which is why it still went for over $3 million.
We're now two months into the King Street Transit Pilot and, while things have been going exceptionally well on some fronts, the City of Toronto wants to make a few tweaks.
"The benefit of pilot projects is that they allow us to learn as we go," said Ward 20 Councillor Joe Cressy in a press release on Friday.
"We're able to make improvements, adjust to fill gaps and continue to evaluate options," he continued, "and work together to ensure the pilot works better for everyone."
Based on the discourse surrounding King Street in recent weeks, Cressy was referring to local business owners – and maybe also people who are cold.
Restaurants and stores along King have been complaining of lower sales figures since the start of the pilot project, blaming a lack of business on a lack of parking now that car traffic is restricted.
The City announced today that it would be taking a number of measures to "support the pilot's objectives of moving people more efficiently" while "supporting economic prosperity."
These changes include:
The City says it's addressing overcrowding on streetcars along King by adding more new, low-floor vehicles to the 504 and 514 routes as they become available.
"I believe these updates to the Pilot will help transit riders, businesses and drivers," said Mayor John Tory on Friday. "I remain committed to listening to everyone about this project and making changes where they make sense."
Would less people take the subway during rush hour if it were cheaper to ride earlier? Or later?
Overcrowding has become a huge problem for Toronto's subway system in recent decades, particularly on Line 1, which sees an estimated 30,000 riders per hour heading southbound from Bloor.
The idea of "dynamic pricing" has been floating around City Hall since at least 2015, but has always been brushed off as something that couldn't work until Presto did.
"Many transit agencies offer peak and off-peak pricing to reduce congestion during peak hours and encourage off-peak ridership," reads the TTC report from December of that year.
"There are two ways in which this policy is implemented," the report continues. "Either the peak price is inflated to discourage travel during peak hours or the off-peak price is decreased to encourage new customers during off-peak hours."
The goal back then was to increase revenue, but off-peak fares are being considered now as a potential solution for capacity issues heading into 2018.
Neat graphic showing where the Yonge subway is overcrowded, and how the new trains in 2014 helped a bit, but not enough. pic.twitter.com/IzMNRiMmDU
— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) January 12, 2018
A TTC report called "Managing Crowding on Line 1 Yonge-University" is set to go before the transit agency's board next week.
The report includes several long-term strategies and immediate measures that can be taken to alleviate congestion, including customer awareness campaigns, better station management and design studies.
What's most interesting for passengers, however, is option number one in the TTC report's "Medium-Long Term Strategy" section.
"Differential pricing to encourage demand away from the peak hours has been approved by the TTC Board," it reads. "With PRESTO at every station, and soon at every entrance of every station, this strategy is plausible."
This means that the TTC could theoretically implement dynamic pricing as soon as they're satisfied with the Presto rollout, though no set amount for discounts or hikes has been announced.
A policy still needs to be developed, according to the report, but it looks like this is a very real possibility.
Ice fishing might be the ultimate winter activity in Ontario. While you can go skating, skiing, or tubing to get your cold weather kicks, these pursuits lack the ceremony and social element that huddling up in a tiny hut on a frozen lake offers in spades.
For years, ice fishing was thought of an esoteric activity reserved for true outdoorsy types, but it's popularity has been on the upswing for a while now. As a result, it's never been more easy to take the plunge and try it out.
Lake Simcoe is one of the most popular destinations for ice fishing near Toronto with an array of operators offering heated ice hut rentals. At about an hour's drive from Toronto (depending on which part of the lake you're starting from), it's convenient place to try it out for the first time.
Casey's Fish Huts, Blue Hut Rentals are two solid options for day-trippers, but for those who want a more upscale experience overnight experience, you can head to the Briar's Resort, which offers ice fishing excursions as part of its winter activity programming.
Those willing to travel further afield can try out ice fishing in Prince Edward County as part of the Winter Warrior package at the Drake Devonshire, which takes guests out to a heated hut on Wellers Bay where there's good Walleye.
There are, of course, also Ontario resorts that completely tailor their winter programming around ice fishing, but those tend to suit experts of the craft rather than novices just trying it out. The most popular lakes tend to attract people with a range of levels.
Whether day tripping or heading out to ice fish as part of programming at an overnight resort, beginners will want to make sure to use a service that offers bait, on-ice transportation, and heated huts with pre-drilled holes. Just bring the food (and booze) and drop in your line.
Specs
Good For
Move On If
The Essentials
Why it sold for what it did
Was it worth it?
