News — Food

Toronto burger joint unveils AI slop mascot and theme song

Toronto's "The Fancy Induced Burger" restaurant introduces an AI-devised mascot and theme song, aiming to be the city's weirdest burger joint.

People in Toronto are trying to get foie gras banned

VT Hint foie gras

Groups in Toronto are advocating for a city-wide ban on foie gras due to ethical concerns surrounding its production process.

NBA Courtside Restaurant in Toronto closing permanently

VT Hint NBA Courtside Restaurant

NBA Courtside Restaurant, touted as the world's first exclusively NBA-themed sports bar, is closing next month.

Brampton farmers offer taste of Punjabi kitchens

Brampton farmers are bringing the flavours of Punjabi kitchens to the community, both directly from their farms and through online platforms.

BTS members spotted dining at Toronto Japanese restaurant

VT Hint Brown Donkatsu's Bloor West location.

Following their sold-out stadium shows, members of K-pop juggernaut BTS were reportedly spotted eating at Brown Donkatsu's Bloor West location.

New restaurant and nightlife spot Baba opens at Yonge and Lawrence

VT Hint Baba at Yonge and Lawrence.

A new dining and evening nightlife concept named Baba is bringing some buzz to the sleepier Yonge and Lawrence strip.

Iconic Lick's burgers return for the 2026 CNE

Years after the last permanent location closed, nostalgic Ontario burger chain Lick's is firing up the grills at the CNE.

New Gourmet City shopping plaza features four coffee shops

VT Hint Gourmet City shopping plaza in Scarborough

The newly opened Gourmet City commercial development in Scarborough has quickly packed in four distinct coffee spots.

Toronto BBQ pop-ups to check out before summer ends

Get your sticky-finger fix at these smoky, mouth-watering barbecue pop-ups serving up slow-smoked meats across Toronto.

Main Street subway station gets fresh-squeezed orange juice vending machine

VT Hint Main Street subway station

Main Street station replaces its old ATM with a fresh-squeezed orange juice vending robot on the concourse level.

Top Ontario chefs share their picks for the 2026 Toronto Michelin Guide

Ahead of next month's Michelin Guide reveal, local chefs weigh in on which Toronto restaurants deserve a star.

Popular Toronto Vietnamese restaurant just opened a spot that's all about street food

VT Hint CMT8

CMT8 has opened its doors in Toronto, offering an immersive menu dedicated to Vietnamese street culture and cuisine.

Viral Vaughan bakery Cake Your Way opens second location in Toronto

Vaughan's viral dessert spot Cake Your Way is bringing its famous over-the-top cookie pies and sweet treats to Toronto with a brand new second location.

Asahi launches Tokyo Nights pop-up series in Toronto bars

VT Hint Asahi Tokyo Nights pop-up series

Asahi Super Dry is transforming select Toronto bars and restaurants into hidden listening bars for its Tokyo Nights series.

CNE food posters spark debate over alleged use of AI

Promotional artwork and food imagery for this year's CNE have sparked online discussions regarding artificial intelligence generation.

CNE returns with new outrageous midway foods and exhibits for 2026

The Ex is back with an entirely new lineup of wild, sticky, and bizarre midway creations to test your stomach.

Torontonians share top spots to watch Blue Jays games downtown

Locals and visitors swap recommendations for the best downtown sports bars to catch a Toronto Blue Jays game over a cold pint.

Food Basics launches cookbook spotlighting Ontario home cooks

The grocer is assembling a new community cookbook celebrating diverse cultural traditions and recipes across the province.

Toronto restaurants launch BTS-themed menu items for concert weekend

Local eateries are rolling out themed dishes like Dynamite arancini and FIRE poutine to celebrate BTS in town.

The Depanneur hosting public pizza party at Christie Pits Park for 2nd birthday

VT Hint The Depanneur at Christie Pits Park

The Depanneur is celebrating its 2nd birthday with a public pizza party at the Christie Pits Park stone oven this Sunday.

New BBQ pop-up Smoking Section BBQ launches at Toronto brewery

VT Hint Smoking Section BBQ

Pitmaster Lucas Walker brings lifelong barbecue passion to his new venture, Smoking Section BBQ, operating out of a local brewery.

A guide to the best hot dogs in Toronto

From classic street carts to gourmet Coney Island-style joints like Fancy Franks, here is where to find Toronto's top tube steaks.

Toronto's first-ever pottery café TigerBaby Coffee & Clay opens

Sibling-founded TigerBaby Coffee & Clay blends artisan coffee with hands-on pottery workshops for a unique relaxation space in Toronto.

Popular fried chicken chain Juicy Birds opens first downtown Toronto location

VT Hint Juicy Birds

After expanding across Ontario from its Danforth roots, Juicy Birds is finally bringing its Nashville-style hot chicken to the downtown core.

YouTube star Mark Wiens highlights Toronto food scene in new video series

Global food vlogger Mark Wiens sampled everything from an 18-pound lobster tower to top-tier Chinese cuisine during his recent Toronto food crawl.

Roundup explores unhinged fast-food menu hacks across Canada

A look at creative and bizarre secret menu combinations from popular fast food chains operating across Canada.

Guide highlights new summer patios open across Toronto for al fresco dining

VT Hint 5 new patios

A curated list of recently opened outdoor dining spots and patios to visit across Toronto before summer wraps up.

Bello Italian Sandwich Co. expands from The Well to Colborne

VT Hint Bello Italian Sandwich Co.

Bello Italian Sandwich Co. is making waves with classic focaccia sandwiches at The Well and a surprise second location in Colborne.

Family-owned Danforth restaurant El Sol closing after over 30 years

VT Hint El Sol on the Danforth

El Sol, a pioneer of Mexican cuisine on the Danforth since 1991, is shutting its doors permanently this week after more than three decades in business.

Team behind Adrak opening new upscale Indian restaurant Raani

VT Hint Raani, a new upscale Indian restaurant

Ambica Jain, the restaurateur behind Michelin-recommended Adrak, is launching a lavish new Indian restaurant inspired by 18th- and 19th-century royal recipes.

Explore historic Kew Vineyards Estate in Beamsville for a summer day trip

VT Hint Kew Vineyards Estate in Beamsville, Ontario

Located less than two hours from Toronto, Beamsville's Kew Vineyards Estate offers historic 1970s plantings, sparkling wine, and estate charm.

McDonald's taking over former Indie Alehouse site in the Junction

VT Hint McDonald's

The former home of Indie Alehouse in the Junction is transforming into a new McDonald's location.

Tasting signature VQA wines from top-ranked Sandbanks Winery

VT Hint Sandbanks Winery in Prince Edward County

A tasting tour of signature VQA bottles from Prince Edward County's top-ranked TripAdvisor winery, Sandbanks Winery.

CNE launches custom signature hot sauce for 2026 fair

The CNE is rolling out its very own signature hot sauce to feature across multiple eccentric midway food items this year.

Gemini introduces 'Toronto-style' soft pretzels to the local food scene

VT Hint Gemini launched a new business devoted entirely to handmade soft pretzels

A new local venture is carving out a niche for freshly baked soft pretzels, elevating the humble snack into a dedicated Toronto food trend.

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk teams up with Banditos Mexican Lager

Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is featured as a brand ambassador and shareholder for Banditos Mexican Lager.

Huer and Frank's RedHot team up for spicy new gummy bears

A local taste test of the unexpected candy mashup combining Huer gummy bears with Frank's RedHot sauce.

Tennis stars Coco Gauff and Alex Eala visit Summers Ice Cream in Yorkville

Tennis standouts Coco Gauff and Alex Eala took a break from the National Bank Open to grab ice cream at Yorkville's Summer's Ice Cream.

A guide to finding the best jerk chicken spots across Toronto

A roundup of top-rated spots across Toronto serving up spicy, smoky, authentic Jamaican jerk chicken.

New hole-in-the-wall spot Via Gnocchi opens near Bloor and Bathurst selling $5 boxes

VT Hint Via Gnocchi near Bloor and Bathurst

Via Gnocchi has quietly opened near Bloor and Bathurst, serving up warm boxes of fresh gnocchi directly from a walk-up window for just $5.

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut to tackle massive poutine challenge at Smoke-A-Palooza

Joey Chestnut is heading to Toronto's Smoke-A-Palooza festival to take on a staggering 28-pound poutine challenge.

Historic Ontario bakery Don's Bakery saved from closure by former employee

After facing bankruptcy earlier this year, an 80-year-old Ontario cottage country institution has been rescued by a former employee.

The Brick Room cafe rallies community support following break-in

After suffering an early morning break-in, a local Toronto café kept spirits high while neighbours rallied to show their support.

MUCHO Burrito celebrates 20 years in Canada with month-long promotions

MUCHO Burrito marks two decades in Canada with special discounts, rewards, and a Guest Appreciation Day on August 14.

Beloved Toronto noodle restaurant General An Potsticker closes permanently

VT Hint General An Potsticker

Popular Xi'an-style noodle spot General An Potsticker has served its last bowl.

New British-Indian sports bar Tap & Tandoor opens in Toronto

VT Hint Tap & Tandoor

A new spot blending British pub culture with Indian cuisine has opened in Toronto.

Reddit user offers leftover Taco Fest tokens

A local Reddit user is looking to pass along 24 leftover tokens for anyone heading to Taco Fest.

Two chip stands have been duking it out for over 50 years in a small Ontario town

A deep dive into the legendary, decades-old French fry rivalry in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario.

This popular new Toronto sandwich shop is only open on weekends

VT Hint Mig's Sandwich Bar operating out of Supermarket in Kensington Market

Mig's Sandwich Bar is making a splash slinging weekend sandos out of Supermarket in Kensington Market.

South Asian food pop-up Shipra launches in Toronto

VT Hint Shipra pop-up by Arush Vardhan Singh and Syed Mohammed Ahmed

Chefs Arush Vardhan Singh and Syed Mohammed Ahmed are making waves with Shipra, a new pop-up highlighting Pakistani and Indian flavours.

Independent Toronto grocery store Pascale Gourmet closes after 30 years

VT Hint Pascale Gourmet at Yonge and Broadway

Pascale Gourmet at Yonge and Broadway has officially stocked its last shelf after serving the neighbourhood Italian specialties and prepared foods since 1993.

The Jonas Brothers visit their favourite Toronto restaurant ahead of Boots and Hearts

VT Hint blogTO doesn't name the restaurant in the title

The Jonas Brothers made a pit stop in Toronto to grab a bite at their go-to local eatery before heading to the Boots and Hearts music festival.

Team behind Toronto nightlife spots opening Sonny Can't Dance steakhouse

VT Hint Sonny Can't Dance

A prominent Toronto hospitality group is launching a brand-new, unconventional steakhouse concept designed to break traditional white-tablecloth molds.

Financial District staple Modus Ristorante transforming into Strella Strella

VT Hint Modus Ristorante is becoming Strella Strella

After closing its doors earlier this year, FiDi fixture Modus Ristorante is returning this fall as a reimagined Italian dining concept called Strella Strella.

Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Sean Walker fills Stanley Cup with ice cream in Keswick

VT Hint Sean Walker filled the Stanley Cup with ice cream in Keswick

Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Sean Walker celebrated his Stanley Cup victory by bringing the trophy home to Keswick and filling it with iconic local ice cream.

Toronto's first pottery studio and specialty coffee shop opening in Brockton Village

Brockton Village is welcoming Tigerbaby Studio, a unique hybrid concept blending a specialty coffee shop with a hands-on pottery workspace.

SNL star James Austin Johnson cracks jokes about Pizza Pizza in Toronto

VT Hint cheeseburger poutine

Saturday Night Live's James Austin Johnson took aim at a curious new Pizza Pizza menu item during a visit to the city.

Modern Indian restaurant Dhoom closes on Danforth after seven months

VT Hint Modern Indian restaurant Dhoom on the Danforth

Modern Indian restaurant Dhoom has shuttered on the Danforth just seven months after opening in a notoriously challenging spot.

Hershey Canada issues voluntary recall for popular chocolate product

VT Hint Hershey's Kisses Creamy Milk Chocolate

Hershey Canada has recalled certain lots of Kisses Creamy Milk Chocolate products because they may contain undeclared almonds.

Honestly Good Chicken Fingers expands in Toronto

VT Hint Honestly Good Chicken Fingers

Honestly Good Chicken Fingers is rapidly expanding across Toronto, earning comparisons to US giant Raising Cane's.

House of Smash brings popular pop-up burgers to Geary Avenue

VT Hint House of Smash

Operating outside Division 88 on select nights, House of Smash is emerging as a standout burger spot on Geary Avenue.

Down Home restaurant in Markdale offers a unique rural dining experience

VT Hint Markdale's Down Home restaurant

Set inside a Grey County farmhouse in Markdale, Down Home provides a distinctive culinary experience unlike anything in the city.

Exploring whether Toronto tipping culture and tip screen prompts have gone too far

VT Hint Yes, many residents feel tip fatigue from 20%+ prompts at retail and self-service spots.

With tip prompts appearing everywhere from fine dining to self-serve spots, Torontonians are weighing in on fatigue.

Toronto Cocktail Festival returns this fall featuring top local bars

The Toronto Cocktail Festival is returning this October for a week-long celebration across the city's top cocktail bars.

Toronto's enduring appetite for Caribbean cuisine highlighted during Carnival weekend

As Caribana takes over the city, new data highlights how deep-rooted Toronto's appetite for Caribbean culinary traditions is year-round.

A guide to Toronto's top Caribbean restaurants serving up jerk chicken, patties and stews

From Allwyn's Bakery to neighborhood hidden gems, explore Toronto's standout spots for jerk chicken, patties, and island comfort food.

New Mexican restaurants open across Toronto for the summer

Discover five fresh Mexican spots serving up tacos, tortas, and salsa verde across Toronto this summer.

Michelin-starred chef Alvin Leung opening new chophouse 'The Leo' in Ontario

VT Hint MasterChef Canada judge Alvin Leung is opening The Leo chophouse.

Michelin-starred chef and MasterChef Canada judge Alvin Leung is bringing a brand-new restaurant concept called The Leo to Ontario.

Two new upscale Indian restaurants expanding in Toronto

Acclaimed Yorkville fine dining spot Adrak is expanding its footprint with two new Toronto locations.

Former vendors speak out on struggles at The Food Alley market

VT Hint The Food Alley

Ex-vendors are opening up about the closures and confusion that plagued the outdoor food market venture, The Food Alley.

Popular Filipino bakery The Night Baker closing College Street location

The beloved cookie shop is closing its flagship College Street location as the owners take a step back.

Caribbean restaurants to visit during Toronto Carnival

A curated list of seven top Caribbean spots in Toronto to grab amazing island food during Carnival celebrations.

New Toronto restaurant Nam 6ix sells out of food on opening day

VT Hint Nam 6ix sold out of food on opening day

The family behind Markham's viral food spots launched their new Toronto restaurant Nam 6ix to massive crowds and immediate sell-outs.

Inventive new cocktail bar celebrating Canadian ingredients coming to Toronto

A brand new cocktail bar putting a unique spotlight on hyper-local Canadian ingredients and flavours is opening its doors in Toronto.

Kiss My Pans and sister spot closing permanently over rising Toronto costs

VT Hint Kiss My Pans

Rising rent, ingredient, and utility costs have forced the team behind popular Toronto spots like Kiss My Pans to shut down permanently.

Chef questions the prominence of bannock as Toronto's defining Indigenous food

A local Indigenous chef is sparking conversation around why bannock has become the default representation of Indigenous cuisine.

Lobster rolls surge in popularity across Toronto restaurants

A guide to the best spots in Toronto currently serving up coast-worthy lobster rolls.

New Thai street food spot opens in Kensington Market

VT Hint Teow Tem Toh

Kensington Market welcomes a brand new restaurant specializing in authentic Thai street food.

Best vegan ice cream in Toronto

A curated list of local spots offering dairy-free frozen treats to help you beat the heat.

Pai Thai expanding to Square One

VT Hint Pai is opening at Square One in Mississauga.

Popular Toronto Thai restaurant Pai is expanding outside the city with a new location at Square One in Mississauga.

Something In The Water Liberty Village closure

The Liberty Village location of Something In The Water brewery has permanently closed.

Blue Jays player Kazuma Okamoto visits local restaurant

Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto was spotted dining at a local Japanese restaurant in Toronto.

New Vietnamese cafe in Cabbagetown

VT Hint The owners of a Cabbagetown snack bar opened a new cafe.

The owners of a popular Cabbagetown Vietnamese snack bar have expanded with a new cafe nearby.

Toronto restaurant crowned best for tacos

VT Hint The restaurant is Inmigrante

A local eatery has been named the city's best for tacos, sparking debate over whether it can maintain the title.

Daddy's Chicken finds new home

After a high-profile eviction, the popular spot Daddy's Chicken is reopening in a new location.

Toronto's newest Portuguese restaurant is hidden in a back alley shipping container

VT Hint Elvira's, a new Portuguese restaurant in a shipping container.

A new Portuguese spot called Elvira's has opened in a unique, tucked-away location.

Barque BBQ and XO Bisous form business partnership

VT Hint Barque BBQ and XO Bisous are sharing space.

Popular barbecue spot Barque and bakery XO Bisous have teamed up to share space and resources.

Banh Mi Nana expanding to Toronto

VT Hint Banh Mi Nana

The popular Ontario-based banh mi shop Banh Mi Nana is opening its first Toronto location.

Best food courts in Toronto

A guide to the city's top food courts that offer a mix of local and international variety.

Costco Canada hot dog consumption statistics

In celebration of National Hot Dog Day, Costco revealed the massive volume of hot dogs sold in Canada last year.

Ice cream shop serving scoops for under 20 cents

VT Hint Scooped by Demetres is offering the deal.

A local ice cream shop is offering deep discounts on scoops this weekend to celebrate National Ice Cream Day.

International frozen yogurt chain Mythos opening in Toronto

VT Hint The chain is named Mythos.

The popular international frozen yogurt brand Mythos is expanding into Canada with its first Toronto storefront.

Famiglia Baldassarre closing its doors

VT Hint Famiglia Baldassarre

The beloved Geary Avenue pasta institution Famiglia Baldassarre is shutting down its public-facing operations.

Michelin-rated Korean restaurant opening in Toronto

VT Hint Gebang Sikdang

Seoul's Michelin-recognized Gebang Sikdang is opening its first Canadian outpost in Toronto this week.

New Taco Bell location in Toronto

A new Taco Bell is set to open at the base of a condo building in a neighbourhood already saturated with fast-food options.

Benny Blanco praises Toronto steakhouse

VT Hint The steakhouse is Barberian's.

The record producer gave a glowing review to a local steakhouse during his recent visit to the city.

New ice cream and gelato shops opening across Toronto

The city is seeing a wave of new frozen dessert spots opening just in time for the summer heat.

Canada's first build-your-own pho restaurant opening in Toronto

A new 'pho-potle' concept is coming to Toronto, offering customizable bowls for the first time in Canada.

Viral Costco grilled chipotle chicken arrives in Canada

VT Hint The viral item is grilled chipotle chicken.

The viral grilled chipotle chicken product from Costco U.S. has officially launched at Canadian locations.

Feastie food festival returning to Toronto this August

VT Hint The festival is called Feastie.

The third annual Feastie food festival is set to return to Toronto this August.

Chotto Matte's unique Japanese-Peruvian fusion

A look at the unique Nikkei culinary experience offered at downtown Toronto's Chotto Matte.

Toronto's hottest new restaurants for July 2026

A curated list of the latest dining spots making waves across the city this month.

Sunny's Chinese summer barbecue dinner series

Sunny's Chinese is collaborating with local barbecue experts for a unique summer dinner series.

Toronto burger restaurant launches omakase experience

VT Hint A Toronto burger restaurant is serving a secret burger omakase menu.

A local burger joint is experimenting with a Japanese-inspired tasting menu format.

Electric Bill bar announces permanent closure

The popular Australia-themed bar Electric Bill on Ossington Avenue is shutting down, citing unviable operating costs.

PG Clucks closing all locations

The popular fried chicken spot is shutting down after a decade, citing a refusal to raise prices.

Uncle Pete's sandwich shop reopening at Track & Field

VT Hint Uncle Pete's is returning at Track & Field.

After closing earlier this year, the popular sandwich shop is returning for a pop-up at Track & Field.

Olive Garden opens in Vaughan Mills

The first GTA location of the popular American chain Olive Garden has officially opened at Vaughan Mills.

Best late-night Chinese food in Toronto

A curated list of top spots for late-night Chinese dining across the city.

Two burger chains opening at same intersection

VT Hint The article does not specify the intersection.

A new burger rivalry is heating up as two high-profile chains prepare to open doors right next to each other.

Backlash over Postnup Pub branding

VT Hint The new pub is called Postnup Pub.

Locals are criticizing the branding of Postnup Pub, which is replacing the long-standing Duke of Kent.

National French Fry Day deals in Toronto

A guide to the best spots in Toronto to celebrate National French Fry Day this July 10.

Toronto food influencer Marcello Eats opening a restaurant

VT Hint The influencer is Marcello Eats.

Popular local food influencer Marcello Eats is transitioning from social media to the physical restaurant industry.

New ice cream shop opens near Christie Pits Park

VT Hint The shop is called Brokn Milk.

A new ice cream shop called Brokn Milk has opened across from Christie Pits Park.

Toronto Metro store closing and transforming into Food Basics

The Metro location at 20 Church Ave. in North York will close on August 13 to reopen as a Food Basics.

Ottawa's Shawarma Palace opening in Toronto

The beloved Ottawa-based shawarma chain is officially expanding to Toronto this fall.

Iconic Indian restaurant space replaced by new venture

VT Hint The former Bombay Palace is now Rikki Tikki

The former Bombay Palace location has been reclaimed by a new restaurant venture.

New bar opens on Ossington strip

VT Hint The new bar is called Don't Tell

A new bar called 'Don't Tell' has opened on the Ossington strip.

McEwan gourmet grocery store opening at Bayview Village

VT Hint McEwan is opening at Bayview Village

Gourmet grocer McEwan is expanding with a new location at Bayview Village mall.