Openings
- Spruce Grove taqueria El Taco Loco is returning to central Edmonton with a second location in the Mercer Warehouse, 10359 104 Street NW. They closed their location in Wîhkwêntôwin back in March due to an issue with the building manager.
- Dessert shop Mellowd opened earlier this month at 10027 167 Street NW.
- Another dessert shop called Sweet Stop also opened in early June at 116, 15277 Castle Down Road.
- Smashburger and pizza shop Idle Kitchen opened back in April inside Big Toy Shop, a motorcycle dealership at 8315 Argyll Road.
- The folks behind Sushi Niwa, which closed in 2024, have returned to open Joon’s in the Rice Howard Place food court.
- Ellerslie is now home to the fifth Amore Pasta location in the Edmonton region, located at 1151 103A Street SW.
- Orbe Restaurant, offering modern Asian cuisine, is opening on July 2 at 13138 137 Avenue NW.
- Chain Aseer Time, offering drinks and sweets, is opening its first Alberta location in Edmonton this fall.
- Chain Marugame Japanese Noodles & Tempura is opening up a location in West Edmonton Mall.
Closures
- PlayWright, located in the Citadel Theatre, has closed after nearly two years, citing “incredibly difficult operating conditions”. Ghostlight, their sister cafe inside the Citadel, remains open.
- After two years, Italian Bakery’s Tesoro has closed their Windermere location. Italian Bakery’s Mercato in St. Albert remains open, as is the Italian Bakery’s flagship Beverly location.
- South Island Pie is closing their 124 Street location after not being able to come to terms with their landlord. Their last day will be July 8, and their pies will continue to be available through Uproot Food Store.
- Warp Speed Bagels, a vendor at Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market, is closing at the end of June. Their last day at the market will be June 27.
- Vegan chain Odd Burger is closing its Mayfield location. Its last day will be June 28. The Ellerslie location remains open.
Local News
- The folks behind Whoanuts shared that they have been too busy running sister business Waffle Bird, so are looking for someone who might want to take up the brand in exchange for a percentage of business.
- Teepee Treats was remarking at how quiet its been at their downtown location, especially during Indigenous People’s Month.
- Can you measure a neighbourhood in ice cream? BILD Edmonton Metro thinks so, as CEO Kalen Anderson puts it, ““They emerge in places with a strong public realm, enough residential density to support local businesses, and streets that invite people to slow down and spend time together. In many ways, ice cream has become a surprisingly effective measure of neighbourhood vitality — not just because people love ice cream but because successful ice cream shops often reflect the presence of complete communities around them.”
- The co-founder of Don’ya Ukraine’s Kitchen won the 2026 Junior Chamber International Creative Young Entrepreneur award. To celebrate, the company is launching a protein pierogi.
- Fu’s Repair Shop has a line of t-shirts and tote bags in collaboration with Uniqlo, available at the West Edmonton Mall location.
- Edify profiled Okie Dokie Smokies.
- Erika Eats Everything reviewed Pampa Brazilian Steakhouse.
- The Summer Block Party series on Rice Howard Way is hosting a People’s Choice Food & Drink Competition from June 20-August 31 in the categories of fries, steak, or spritz. Diners can cast votes at six participating restaurants and be entered to win gift cards.
- Fuss Cupcakes shared the footage of their northside location being robbed in the hopes that someone can identify the culprit.
- Mitsoh, a company that makes snacks based on Indigenous knowledge, is significantly scaling up with investment, with products including bison and beef-based products.
- 7 Summit Snacks, an Edmonton-based company, is among ten women–owned small businesses to receive $10,000 from the Mastercard Small Business Fund.
What I Ate
- At my parents’ suggestion, our family headed back for dinner together at 7-Kitchens. Ellie now asks for the “red pineapple dish” aka their sweet and sour pork.
Sweet and sour pork from 7-Kitchens
Only Here for the Food 