What's New Near Sankofa Square: Downtown Toronto's Hottest New Spots
The intersection of Yonge and Dundas, now officially Sankofa Square, is one of the most dynamic corners in Toronto. Here is what is new and changing in the neighbourhood.
New Restaurants and Food
Marugame Udon — 494 Yonge Street
A world-famous Japanese udon chain with over 1,000 locations globally is opening its first Toronto location. Freshly made udon noodles prepared teppan-style in front of customers. A major addition to the Yonge Street food corridor.
Ema-Datsi Bhutanese Cuisine — 335 Yonge Street
Toronto's first Bhutanese food kiosk at the World Food Market, just steps north of Sankofa Square. Family-owned and operated, serving fiery chilli-cheese dishes, home-made curries, and slow-simmered meats. A genuinely unique culinary addition.
KaleMart24 — 601-603 Yonge Street (Opening June 2026)
Montreal's health-focused 24/7 convenience store is opening its first Toronto location in a beautiful four-storey red-brick heritage building. Fresh grab-and-go meals, healthy snacks, and technology-enabled checkout.
More Nearby Eats
Muji Coffee (20 Dundas St. W.) serves robot-prepared coffee. Afro's Pizza (107 Mutual St.) went viral after a Keith Lee review. Hailed Coffee (44 Gerrard St. W.) brings Middle Eastern artisanal coffee. Coti Coffee (374 Yonge St.) starts at $0.99.
What's Happening at the Square
Sankofa Square has 172 event days confirmed for 2026, exceeding all of 2025 by 25%. The renamed square (Sankofa is an Akan word meaning "to go back and get it") is bouncing back after a difficult 2025 that saw revenue drop $700,000 amid protests and reduced U.S. brand activations.
Current and upcoming events include:
- OCAD University Black History Month Exhibition (all February) — Digital artworks on five screens
- ILLUMINITE (Feb 13 - Mar 8) — Light installations as part of the larger Downtown Yonge festival
- Lunchtime programming, markets, movie nights, and soccer activations throughout 2026
Ontario Line Construction
The biggest change coming to the area is the Ontario Line subway, a 15.6-kilometre line that will run from Exhibition Place through downtown to Don Mills Road with 15 new stations. Construction is actively underway with support-of-excavation and piling work. Estimated completion: 2031. The new Queen Station interchange will be steps from Sankofa Square.
Development Watch
- Concord Sky (391 Yonge St.) — 1,100-unit residential tower completing in 2026
- Pinnacle One Yonge SkyTower — 220-room hotel and 950+ residences opening fall 2026
- Elektra Condos (218 Dundas St. E.) — Cancelled due to insufficient buyers, reflecting condo market challenges
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