7 of the biggest restaurant openings from Whitby to Oshawa in 2024
Published December 28, 2024 at 12:24 pm
For those craving familiar comfort foods and decadent desserts or are seeking to explore bold and creative fusion of flavours, 2024 brought a delicious array of new options to the Durham Region. Spanning Whitby to Oshawa, these standout restaurant openings served everything from Michelin-star dishes to irresistible sweet treats.
Market at 70 King
Located in downtown Oshawa, the Market at 70 King opened this past summer as a vibrant food hall, offering globally inspired dishes and a chic cocktail experience. Situated within the historic Genosha Hotel building at 70 King St. E., the venue features over six restaurants and the Lobby Bar, making it a go-to destination for food lovers.
Vendor highlights include Bao Mamma, which serves Filipino and Asian-inspired dishes; Philipp’n Italian, which blends Italian classics with Filipino flavours; and Tastonia Kitchen, which specializes in plant-based bowls and salads. Additional offerings range from Zaps Polish Street Food to Church’s Texas Chicken, ensuring a diverse culinary experience.
Housed in a restored 85-year-old building, the Market combines its rich history with modern elegance, featuring arched windows, a skylight and banquette seating.
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Crumbl Cookies
The world’s fastest-growing cookie franchise, Crumbl Cookies, has opened its first Durham Region location at Rio Can Annex in Ajax (near Harwood Avenue and Kingston Road).
Founded in 2017 by cousins Jason McGowan and Sawyer Hemsley, Crumbl began with the goal of perfecting the chocolate chip cookie. Today, the franchise boasts over 1,000 locations worldwide, including spots in Mississauga, Niagara Falls and Toronto.
Crumbl offers a weekly rotating menu featuring delicious options like Oatmeal Skillet Cookie, Pink Velvet Cookie, Mint Mallow Sandwich, Lemon Cheesecake, Churro and Classic Peanut Butter. Each cookie is served in Crumbl’s signature pink box and prepared in an open-concept kitchen that lets customers watch the baking process.
The Ajax bakery also offers catering and delivery services, making it a sweet new addition to the Durham region.
Sweetheart Cafe
Sweetheart Cafe, a cozy boutique spot in Ajax, opened its doors on June 6 at 65 Kingston Rd. E., sharing its space with Chainsmoker, a halal BBQ joint. Adorned with heart-shaped and rose-themed murals, the cafe offers a warm and inviting atmosphere perfect for a quick bite or a relaxing coffee break.
The menu caters to all-day cravings, from hearty breakfasts like waffles, French toast, and eggs to lunch options such as grilled cheese and tuna sandwiches. Dessert lovers can indulge in mini cakes, including tiramisu, red velvet, and pistachio, as well as butter croissants and classic butter tarts. Beverages include cappuccinos, lattes, masala teas and London fogs.
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Chica’s Chicken
Chica’s Chicken, a Michelin Bib Gourmand-winning Nashville hot chicken spot, opened its newest location in Whitby on November 2, 2024. Situated at 300 Dundas St. E., Unit 1, just steps from the town’s bustling four corners, this family-owned joint brings its signature bold flavors and Ontario-raised, grain-fed, hormone-free halal chicken to Durham Region.
Known for its fiery spice blends featuring Carolina Reapers and Ghost Peppers, Chica’s Chicken offers an array of mouthwatering options. Menu highlights include Nashville-spiced sandwiches like the OG, Sweet Heat, Crispy Buffalo, Jalapeno Popper, and Hot Honey. Guests can also enjoy wings, bites, chicken pieces, and a variety of sides.
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Wow! Wing House
Fast-growing franchise Wow! Wing House has expanded to Oshawa, opening its newest location at 767 Taunton Rd. E.
Known for its impressive selection of 123 wing flavour combinations, Wow! Wing House offers options ranging from Honey Garlic and Buffalo Teriyaki to Tai Domi, Creamy Cajun and Brown-Eyed Blonde. Guests can also enjoy dry-rubbed wings with 28 different rubs and sprinkles.
A standout menu item is the Jaffna Fries, inspired by founder Van Thevan’s Tamil roots. These fries are topped with chillies, onions, ranch dressing, and roasted garlic. Beyond wings, the menu includes burgers, salads, wraps, crispy bites, quesadillas and kids’ specials.
Frenzy Fusion Restaurant
Located in the heart of downtown Oshawa at 7 Simcoe St. S., Frenzy Fusion Restaurant offers a diverse menu that blends Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian-inspired flavours. This inviting spot is perfect for dine-in or late-night takeout, staying open daily from 11 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
Menu highlights include signature platters like the Frenzy Chicken, customizable with rice, quinoa, or fries, and wraps like the Tandoori, featuring tender chicken and a tangy crunch of pickled turnips. For dessert, options like tiramisu and red velvet cake slices are popular choices, sourced fresh daily from a Scarborough bakery.
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Rajdhani Sweets
Part of a well-known chain with locations across the GTHA, Rajdhani Sweets opened its latest location in the bustling plaza at 1295 Ritson Rd. N. in Oshawa, adjacent to the Metro grocery store. The restaurant offers a wide array of authentic Indian dishes and sweets, bringing a taste of tradition to the Durham region.
The menu features popular snacks like samosa chana, chat papri, and pani puri, alongside South Indian options such as idli sambar and masala dosa. Bread lovers can enjoy a variety of naan, paratha, and makki roti saag, while main course highlights include biryani, chana bhatura, and other flavorful vegetarian dishes.
For dessert, patrons can savour treats like gulab jamun, ras malai, and kulfi faluda, as well as an assortment of traditional sweets sold by the pound in signature boxes near the restaurant’s entrance.
—With files from Glenn Hendry and Suzanna Dutt
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