Large-format Italian food marketplace Eataly will open another Toronto location next year in part of the former Nordstrom space at CF Toronto Eaton Centre. It will be the fourth location for Eataly in Toronto, creating the highest density of Eataly locations in North America.
The CF Toronto Eaton Centre Eataly is expected to occupy part of the main and second levels of the former 223,000 square foot Nordstrom space in the mall — the exact configuration has yet to be revealed, with more information to come. Eataly’s newest location will include several sit-down restaurant concepts as well as grocery, food items and gifts that can be purchased to take home.
It will be Eataly’s fourth location in Toronto and its second downtown — the company opened its first location in the city, spanning about 55,000 square feet, at the Manulife Centre on Bloor Street in November of 2019. Since then the Canadian division of Eataly has struck a multi-location partnership with landlord Cadillac Fairview. In October of 2023, Eataly opened a 25,000 square foot location at CF Sherway Gardens in Toronto, and this week will open its third location in the city, spanning nearly 10,000 square feet, at the CF Shops at Don Mills.
In terms of the number of Eataly locations in one city, Toronto will lead North America with almost as many storefronts as Tokyo (which has five). Eataly has three locations in Manhattan, and six individual storefronts in US markets including Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Las Vegas and San Jose California. Eataly also has about 50 locations in selected global markets including Italy, the UK, Japan, France, Germany, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Korea and Turkey.
Wittington Investments is a partner in Eataly Canada, owning a share of the business. Wittington is owned by the Weston family, and has assets across classes ranging from real estate to retail.
Eataly at CF Shops at Don Mills opened Thursday, featuring a 180-seat restaurant, Eataly Ristorante, with a menu of traditional Italian dishes from Tagliatelle alla Bolognese to authentic Pizza Napoletana. There are several quick service counters including Il Gran Caffè, an all-day coffee bar, and La Salumeria, an exclusive to the store specializing in Focaccia Farcita and panini. The retail offer also includes hundreds of imported and local products, as well as Eataly’s housemade line of prepared, ready-to-eat meals.
According to Eataly’s North American CEO Tommaso Brusò last year, Toronto has been a strong market for the retailer. The Manulife Centre Eataly location is the only one in North America offering three styles of regional pizza, and is the first in North America to host an after-hours Eataly tasting experience.
Toronto is also the first city where Eataly has collaborated with local partners, from chocolatiers to honey producers, to create only-in-Toronto house-made limited-time products.
CF Toronto Eaton Centre has expanded its food and beverage options recently, including the opening of a new 19,000 square foot food hall called Queen’s Cross that is operated by Oliver & Bonacini. Several full-service restaurants can also be found in the mall, as well as various options such as Starbucks (with two new mall locations) and a large food court.
We’ll update this article with more details on Eataly opening in Toronto — sources have also told Retail Insider that Eataly had been negotiating to open in part of the former Nordstrom space in downtown Vancouver at CF Pacific Centre, and we’ll update readers with new details as they emerge.
