Tuesday, August 6, 2024
reading time: 4 minutes
Nobu Hospitality, best known for its visionary founders Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meyer Tepper, today opened its first restaurant in Canada, Nobu Toronto. Located at 25 Mercer Street in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district, adjacent to the Toronto International Film Festival, the new venue sets the standard in global interior design, offering an unparalleled hospitality experience. Marking the 56th addition to its global portfolio and celebrating 30 years of excellence, Nobu Toronto is now accepting online dinner reservations for its upstairs restaurant and welcomes guests to the street-level Nobu Bar for dining between 5pm and 10pm, featuring a selection of Nobu-style light dishes.
The menu at Nobu Toronto showcases Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature Japanese dishes, such as Black Cod with Miso and Yellow Cod with Chili, alongside local innovations and vibrant cocktails that reflect Toronto’s dynamic food culture. Executive Chef Alex Tzatzos presents exciting new offerings such as Grilled Lamb with Hacho Miso and Chilean Seabass with Red Chili Miso. The bar serves classic and new cocktails including the Lychee and Elderflower Martini and the Toronto-inspired Hinode 1942.
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa expressed his excitement about opening a branch in Toronto, a city known for its cultural diversity and rich cuisine. He emphasized Nobu Toronto’s unique position in the city’s multicultural vibrancy and commitment to providing genuine hospitality, which stems from the Japanese concept of Kokoro.
Designed by Toronto-based Studio Munge, the restaurant’s interior blends Japanese aesthetics with Canadian craftsmanship, creating a multi-sensory environment across the 10,000-square-foot, 280-seat space. Not only does the design raise the bar for Canadian dining aesthetics, it also provides a dynamic, immersive experience that embodies the essence of Nobu’s philosophy. As Nobu continues to expand in Canada, anticipation is building for the associated hotel, set to open in spring 2025.
“As we open our doors today, we are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work our team has demonstrated over the past few months. We have meticulously completed every detail to ensure that Nobu Toronto delivers exceptional culinary offerings on par with the world’s leading dining experiences.” Nobu Hotel Toronto’s general manager says, Benoit Prettier, “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 world. With today’s restaurant opening and the upcoming opening of Nobu Hotel, there is palpable anticipation surrounding our Canadian debut. This is truly an important day for Toronto.”
Upon entering Nobu Toronto, guests are transported on a sensory journey of discovery through uniquely designed areas that combine subtle storytelling with exceptional craftsmanship, each setting the backdrop for the culinary journey ahead. These spaces include:
Nobu Bar (Ground Level): Nobu Toronto welcomes guests as they enter the restaurant to the intimate yet spacious setting of the Nobu Bar & Lounge, which seats 57 people. The area is dominated by a stunning 28-foot-tall Lasvit bronze chandelier that cascades down from the lower level, mimicking the elegant folds of a Japanese kimono. Handcrafted Japanese Kawara ceiling tiles add a warm touch to the columns, enhancing the two-story soaring space.
Restaurant Bar & Outdoor Terrace (Mezzanine): Ascending to the main dining area, guests are greeted by a 20-seat sake bar, adjacent to an outdoor terrace designed to evoke a tranquil urban Japanese garden. The bar area pays homage to the famous Japanese artwork The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai, featuring a blue and white colour scheme that is accentuated by the striking blue storm stone and the beautifully curved finish of the hand-applied plaster on the ceiling.
Nobu Restaurant (Level 2): After passing through the wave-themed corridor, guests arrive at the stunning main dining room, designed in the style of a Japanese courtyard in blond ash wood with 140 seats, including a private tasting room in dark cherry wood that seats ten. Circular wood beams with detailed Japanese joinery surround a ceramic artwork and pendant light designed by Canadian artist Andrea Braisco, which symbolizes the Japanese ginkgo tree—a sign of peace, hope and endurance. The room is completed with circular seating connected by four prominent columns.
Sushi Bar (Level 2): At the 11-seat sushi bar, guests can witness the culinary team’s expertise firsthand and interact with sushi chefs.
Private Dining Room (2nd Level): This 22-seat room is cleverly located behind a massive chandelier. Encased in bronze-tinted glass panels, it offers a secluded and inviting view of the ground floor bar, creating an exciting, 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 and working hours
Nobu Restaurant
work hours:
- from Sunday to Thursday: 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
- Friday Saturday: 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Dinner reservations at Nobu can be made up to one month in advance, either through the official website or by calling +1 (437) 887-1209 daily from 10:00 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Nobu Bar
work hours:
- from Sunday to Thursday: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
- Friday Saturday: 5:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Located on street level below the restaurant, Nobu Bar welcomes guests who come on foot from 5 pm Daily. A selection of Nobu-style light dishes are served until 10 pm
