The food scene in our area is constantly evolving, and we are thrilled to welcome several fabulous new restaurants. Here are a few to sample. Pay them a visit!
BAR ORIGIN
399 Elizabeth Street, Burlington | barorigin.ca
Bar origin opened in Downtown Burlington this summer, the latest venture of acclaimed chef and longtime Master Chef Canada judge Claudio Aprile. Origin originally opened in Toronto in 2010, and was quickly named the # 1 restaurant in the city. The new restaurant in Burlington has an evolved menu and a vibrant new space. For this venture, chef Claudio has partnered with Maria and Chris Pagonis, a husband-and-wife team who bring decades of entrepreneurial experience, hospitality leadership and community involvement to downtown Burlington. The restaurant will offer all day dining, with salads, sandwiches, charcuterie and coffee by day, and a sophisticated restaurant at night with 20-plus dishes designed for sharing, alongside classic cocktails and a curated global wine list.
CENTRO ON THE SQUARE
210 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville | centroonthesquare.ca
Centro on the Square opened this summer in the heart of Downtown Oakville in the space formerly occupied by Hexagon. The new restaurant offers an elevated fine dining experience in an atmosphere of elegance and refined luxury. Their menu features dishes from around the world using only the finest high-quality seasonal ingredients, coupled with original cocktails and an extensive international wine list. Centro invites guests to come together for a delicious meal, and to celebrate life, culinary excellence, and incredible hospitality.
MAI CAPHE
353 Brant Street, Burlington | maicaphe.ca
Mai CaPhe opened this summer on the 2nd floor of the building where owner and founder Deanna grew up in Downtown Burlington. The businesses on the main floor, Lugano Pizza and La Viva Hair salon, have been operated by her family for years. After her dad died in 2022, Deanna decided to visit Vietnam to reconnect with her roots, and she discovered the joy of Vietnamese coffee. Coffee in Vietnam is more than a drink – it’s an experience, encouraging you to take time to slow down, connect, and enjoy the moment. It inspired her to create a space back home to share Vietnamese culture in a way that’s bold and deeply rooted in tradition. You can also enjoy banh mi, savoury bites and desserts with your coffee!
CAFÉ PANCHITA
94 George Street, Oakville| cafepanchita.ca
Café Panchita opened at the beginning of the summer in the heart of downtown Oakville, downstairs in Towne Square. The café is the latest venture of chef Humberto Sanchez, who was born in Venezuela and has over 20 years of experience in restaurants around the world including Spain, Italy, France, Peru and Florida. Café Panchita is the best place to start your day or take a lunch break. The menu features an exciting selection of Latin American style eggs all day, omelettes, tostadas as well as burger and chicken lunch options. While there, be sure to pick up a pastry or a loaf of their handcrafted sourdough bread, baked daily in house! Stay tuned for news of Catalina, their Spanish restaurant opening soon upstairs!
BUDAPEST BAKESHOP
447 Brant Street, Burlington | budapestbakeshop.com
Budapest Bakeshop first opened in Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2019, and was so successful that founders Todd and Anett recently decided to expand, first to Port Dalhousie and now Burlington. The Burlington location is owned by Scott & Kim Gauld, who are originally from Burlington and watched the successful Niagara bakery grow and expand, and decided to bring it back home. Budapest Bakeshop bakes chimney cakes, a classic Hungarian delicacy. Imagine bread, a pretzel, a croissant and a doughnut all rolled into one, hand-rolled, and baked fresh in electric rotisserie-style ovens every day. With an extensive array of sweet and savoury options, there is something for everyone, sweet enough for breakfast, savoury and bold enough for lunch or dinner.
PII NONG THAI
266 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville | piinongthai.com
This restaurant is so new that it is currently operating as a “soft opening,” with a grand opening date to be announced soon. Pii Nong Thai offers a unique 3-in-1 Thai experience at their flagship location at Yonge and Lawrence in Toronto: Restaurant, Market and Massage, all under one roof. The restaurant was named one of Toronto Life’s best new restaurants for 2025!
Founder and Chef Pii Nong grew up in Bangkok selling street food with her mom. With the foundation of those recipes passed down from her mother, she creates dishes that bring the vibrant essence of Thailand to every bite. Guests will also be able to explore the Thai Market at the front of the restaurant, featuring imported snacks, drinks, and specialty products from Thailand. The Thai massage component is also planned for Oakville in the future.