Spa and patio in the works for popular Toronto restaurant’s first GTA location

A dark cloud has loomed over the restaurant world since the pandemic, with stark headlines about ongoing and anticipated closures popping up in print and online at an alarming clip. 

While times aren’t easy for anyone (and hospitality businesses in particular are feeling the brunt of a struggling economy coupled with high food prices), one growing concept is taking the leap and bringing its one-of-a-kind restaurant/market/spa concept to a whole new municipality. 

Pii Nong, the Thai food powerhouse that’s been earning accolades since opening its flagship location in Toronto’s mid-town neighbourhood in 2024, recently announced plans to open its first GTA location in Oakville. 

“It’s always been on my bucket list,” Tom Ha, co-owner of Pii Nong, tells INsauga.com when asked why Oakville was picked to be the site of the growing brand’s first non-Toronto outpost. 

With Pii Nong’s new location slated to open sometime in May (most likely after Mother’s Day), construction is well underway at 266 Lakeshore Rd. E., a spot conveniently located right in the town’s picturesque downtown core. 

The newest location is coming less than two years after the much-anticipated opening of Pii Nong’s flagship Yonge and Lawrence location. Prior to that, the restaurant operated out of a smaller space on Bayview Avenue in Leaside, a location the team has since transformed into Chon Modern Thai Cuisine.

Since opening the Midtown resto, head chef and co-owner Pii “Nana” Nong has earned praise for her street food-inspired offerings. 

Ha, who splits his time between Pii Nong and the rejuvenated Saigon Star–a near-historic Richmond Hill mainstay that underwent a substantial makeover after serving customers for more than four decades–previously told INsauga.com that the flagship was created following conversations about opening “something so insane, so crazy, so big that people would be like, ‘Are you sure you can pull this off?’” 

With the opening date of the latest location looming, Ha and Jacky Yoh, marketing director with SEA Hospitality Group Inc., are sharing a few more details about the 6,000-7,000-square-foot resto–including the future inclusion of Lamai Thai Massage and a market. 

“The market was always the plan. With massage, we’re gaining more progress and momentum there. We have every intention to push through with the massages and we look forward to offering services there,” Ha says. 

Thai Lamai massage, offered at Pii Nong’s midtown restaurant, became so popular that sessions sold out immediately after launch. While an exact opening date for the massage portion of the restaurant has not yet been confirmed, Ha and Yoh expect it to open before the end of the year. 

As for what else will set the new suburban location apart, Yoh says the downtown Oakville resto will boast a patio. 

“We do have an outdoor patio space that’s unique to Oakville. Even the flagship in Toronto does not have one,” Yoh says, adding that the patio will be able to accommodate up to 40 guests.

“Because it’s right by the waterfront, people in Oakville like to dine outside when the weather is great. Like in Thailand, we hope to bring those sunny vibes too. This is a big differentiator between our two locations. It lets people have a different type of environment.” 

Once complete, the restaurant is expected to offer about 120 seats, along with a private dining room for up to 20 guests. 

As for food, Ha says Chef Nong will be on site at the Oakville location frequently once it opens, along with her son, who has been toiling in the kitchen with her for some time. The newest location will offer staples familiar to Pii Nong diners, including pad Thai, pad kee mao, pad see ew and khao soi, as well as unique offerings such as Thai pong karee crab, soft shell crab curry, basil chili paste clams and a crying tiger speak made with beef tenderloin soaked in a sweet oyster sauce marinade and served with sticky rice and cilantro. 

The new restaurant will also offer its signature Instagram-worthy teddy bear drinks (available in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties), made with either mango juice or milk tea and served with endearing frozen teddies. 

Ha says customers can expect some new dishes, as well as multiple Halal options. 

“It’ll be the same staples on the menu, same thought and love behind each dish. There will be more seafood focus and we plan to have a very nice wine list as well. We’re working closely with wineries and consignments to have some really good pairings,” Ha says. 

Ultimately, the pair is excited to bring their unique concept west. 

“I met my girlfriend five years ago and explored Oakville, and I love the town, and it’s always been on my bucket list,” Ha says. 

“Oakville has a small town vibe, but it’s busy, and a lot of young families are out there, and it’s by the water. We’ve had our eyes on Oakville for a long time, but now we have the right team and we felt it was the right time to pull the trigger. There’s no better location.”