Nobu Toronto Opens: A New Culinary Landmark In Canada’s Entertainment District – Travel And Tour World

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Nobu Hospitality, celebrated for its distinguished founders Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro, and Meir Teper, today unveils its first establishment in Canada, Nobu Toronto. Situated at 25 Mercer St. in the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District, near the Toronto International Film Festival, this new venue sets a benchmark in global interior design, offering an unparalleled hospitality experience. Nobu Toronto, marking the 56th addition to its global portfolio and commemorating 30 years of excellence, is now accepting online dinner reservations for its upstairs restaurant and welcomes guests at Nobu Bar on the street level for walk-in dining between 5pm and 10pm, featuring a selection of lighter Nobu-Style fare.

The menu at Nobu Toronto showcases an array of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s iconic Japanese dishes, like black cod miso and yellowtail jalapeño, alongside local innovations and vibrant cocktails reflective of Toronto’s dynamic food culture. Executive Chef Alex Tzatzos introduces exciting new offerings such as grilled lamb rack with hacho miso and Chilean sea bass with red jalapeno miso. The bar shakes up classic and new cocktails including the lychee and elderflower martini and the Toronto-inspired 1942 Hinode.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa expressed his enthusiasm about launching in Toronto, a city known for its cultural diversity and culinary richness. He emphasized the unique positioning of Nobu Toronto amidst the city’s multicultural vibrancy and the commitment to delivering heartfelt hospitality, rooted in the Japanese concept of Kokoro.

The restaurant’s interior, crafted by Toronto-based Studio Munge, blends Japanese aesthetics with Canadian craftsmanship, creating a multisensory environment across its 10,000 square feet and 280 seats. This design not only raises the bar for restaurant aesthetics in Canada but also provides a dynamic, immersive experience that captures the essence of Nobu’s ethos. As Nobu continues to expand in Canada, anticipation is growing for the associated hotel, slated to open in Spring 2025.

“As we open our doors today, we are immensely proud of the dedication and hard work our team has shown over the past few months. We have meticulously finalized every detail to ensure that Nobu Toronto delivers an exceptional culinary offering on par with the world’s leading dining experiences”, says General Manager of Nobu Hotel Toronto, Benoit Pretet, “Our dynamic team has been eager to begin service and extend a warm welcome to both new guests and patrons who have enjoyed Nobu around the globe. With the restaurant debuting today and the upcoming opening of the Nobu Hotel, there is palpable anticipation surrounding our debut in Canada. It’s truly a momentous day for Toronto.”

Upon stepping into Nobu Toronto, visitors are transported on a sensory exploration through uniquely designed areas that merge meticulous storytelling with exceptional craftsmanship, each setting the backdrop for an upcoming culinary voyage. These spaces include:

Nobu Bar (ground level): Guests entering Nobu Toronto are welcomed into the expansive yet intimate ambiance of Nobu’s bar and lounge, which seats 57. The area is dominated by a striking 28-foot bronze chainmail Lasvit chandelier that cascades from the mezzanine, mimicking the graceful folds of a Japanese kimono. Handcrafted Kawara Japanese roof tiles add a warm touch to the pillars, enhancing the two-story high space.

Restaurant Bar & Outdoor Terrace (mezzanine level): Advancing upstairs toward the main dining area, visitors encounter a 20-seat sake bar, adjacent to an outdoor terrace designed to evoke serene urban Japanese gardens. The bar area celebrates the iconic Japanese artwork “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Katsushika Hokusai, featuring a blue and white color scheme manifested in striking Blue Tempest stone and a beautifully curved hand-applied plaster finish on the ceiling.

Nobu Restaurant (second level): Continuing through the wave-themed passage, guests arrive at the stunning main dining room, styled as a blonde elm Japanese courtyard with 140 seats, including a private tasting room set in dark cherry wood for 10. Circular timber beams with detailed Japanese joinery encircle a suspended light and porcelain art piece by Canadian ceramic artist Andrea Braescu, symbolizing a Japanese ginkgo tree—a mark of peace, hope, and endurance. The room is completed with circular banquettes, connected by four prominent columns.

Sushi Bar (second level): At the 11-seat sushi bar, guests can witness the culinary team’s expertise firsthand and interact with the sushi chefs.

Private Dining Room (second level): An intimate 22-seat private dining area is cleverly positioned behind the sweeping chandelier. Encased in bronze-tinted glass panels, this room provides a secluded yet engaging overlook of the ground level bar, offering a dramatic gallery-like experience.

WORLD-RENOWNED LUXURY LIFESTYLE GROUP, NOBU HOSPITALITY, OPENS ITS FIRST CANADIAN LOCATION, NOBU TORONTO, AND IS NOW ACCEPTING RESERVATIONS (CNW Group/Nobu Toronto)

RESERVATIONS & OPERATING HOURS

Nobu Restaurant
Operating Hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM

Dinner reservations at Nobu Restaurant can be secured up to one month in advance, either through the official website or by calling +1 (437) 887-1209 from 10:00 AM to 9:15 PM daily.

Nobu Bar
Operating Hours:

• Sunday to Thursday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM

Located at street level beneath the restaurant, Nobu Bar welcomes walk-in guests starting at 5 PM daily. A selection of lighter Nobu-Style dishes is offered until 10 PM.