Legendary old Toronto restaurant reopening this summer in Burlington

A restaurant that once made major waves in downtown Toronto and was part of the earlier career of a celebrity chef is now reopening in Burlington.

Bar Origin was once part of Toronto’s bustling King Street, but it closed its doors in the city long ago. Now, the restaurant is being revived, with new life breathed into the concept for its reopening in Burlington.

Bar Origin debuted in Toronto all the way back in 2010, and now the new Origin will be a reimagining of the original restaurant, driven by a menu that centres around shared plates.

Beloved signature dishes making a return will include crispy calamari with caramelized peanut sauce, duck pancakes with sesame brittle and pickled cucumber, burrata with spice-poached pear and truffle honey, and finally, the restaurant’s iconic spicy Japanese hand rolls.

Bar Origin’s new restaurant space in Burlington will accommodate 80 guests indoors, with an additional 20-seat cocktail lounge and a 30-seat patio.

The restaurant was the brainchild of celeb chef Claudio Aprile, who, in addition to his sterling career as a chef, is now known for his appearances on television programs such as MasterChef Canada. He also serves as Culinary Director for Evolv Group, overseeing concepts including Via Allegro Ristorante, Di Mario’s Trattoria, and Mademoiselle Raw Bar + Grill.

“For me, Bar Origin encapsulates my entire career,” says Aprile in a press release. “It’s a diary of my culinary experiences, my travels, and my appreciation for bringing people together at the table. This is the right moment to bring it back – not just for those who remember it, but for a new generation to experience it.”

People have been reacting to the news of Bar Origin reopening in Burlington on social media, with many making excited comments about the new restaurant on Instagram.

“As a weekly regular at the original Origin, this is the BEST NEWS ever,” one person commented on an Instagram post announcing the new opening. Another person wrote in an Instagram comment, “Omg this is incredible news…so so so happy to hear this!”

Others also shared their excitement.

“When Origin first opened, it introduced something entirely new,” Aprile said. “Everything was handmade, the menu was highly creative, and the atmosphere was electric. That spirit is still at the heart of Bar Origin, but it’s grown, just as I have.”

Bar Origin is slated to open at 399 Elizabeth St. in Burlington around June 2026.