The Well in downtown Toronto. Photo: The Well

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Following its debut in May 2024, Wellington Market at The Well has unveiled an additional 20,000 square feet of dining and experiential space.

Home to over 50 merchants, Wellington Market said it is an evolved market hall offering a curated mix of restaurants, fresh market fare, and gourmet grab-and-go options. This next phase introduces nine new merchants, extra seating, and a variety of exciting new experiences to this Toronto landmark, it announced on Monday.

“The Well is a dynamic urban hub at the gateway to Toronto’s downtown – where the city’s top tourist attractions meet the vibrant King West neighbourhood,” said Josh Katz, Assistant Vice President of Leasing at RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust.

“The expansion of Wellington Market introduces merchants that further strengthen the market’s position as a standout in Toronto’s culinary landscape. With locally sourced and internationally inspired food, expanded day-to-night dining, cultural programming, and award-winning design, we’re proud to offer a vibrant gathering place where community, culture, and cuisine come together.”

New merchants joining Wellington Market this July include:

• BEAR Steak Sandwiches – Specializing in steak sandwiches, Bear Steak offers a menu focused on bold flavours brought to life by locally sourced ingredients.

• Chen Chen’s Nashville Hot Chicken – Serves Nashville-style hot chicken known for its crispy texture and spicy seasoning.

• KAO KANG by Koh Lipe – A Thai comfort food concept from the Michelin recognized team behind Koh Lipe, offering authentic, soul-satisfying dishes.

• Panda Pancakes – A fun, interactive mini dessert concept offering pillowy bite sized pancakes with customizable toppings.

• The Carvery – Hailing from New Zealand, The Carvery brings traditional English-style roast meat meals and sandwiches to Toronto.

• Canna Cabana – Canna Cabana is as a modern cannabis retailer focused on education, design, and a welcoming experience.

Merchants opening in August include:

• Cheezed – A chef-inspired grab and go grilled cheese concept offering handcrafted sandwiches, soups, sides and signature sauces.

• Lili Foods – Chef-driven kitchen, serving sustainably sourced proteins and markets sides in a quick-serve environment.

• Taline – A Michelin-recognized restaurant serving contemporary Armenian Lebanese cuisine, with a focus on house-made dips, flatbreads, and grilled specialties.

Located at the base of The Well’s Retail Walk, Wellington Market offers a variety of dining options designed for quick visits and relaxed experiences. The market seats up to 900 guests, with tables both indoors, and under The Well’s iconic glass canopy, The Glass, which allows for comfortable Al fresco dining. In the middle of Wellington Market, The Pier bar invites guests to sit, sip, and stroll, with a liquor license that extends across the market and hours that stretch into the evening, explained the Market.

A Recognized Design Destination

Recently awarded Gold in the Restaurant/Casual Dining category at the 2025 International Shop! Association Design Awards, Wellington Market was designed by Giannone Petricone Associates Inc. Architects (GPA). The space features reclaimed wood from the original site, repurposed oil drums as light fixtures, and nods to the area’s shoreline heritage through design elements like The Pier.

More Than a Market: Programming and Purpose

Wellington Market said it extends beyond dining to serve as a dynamic community hub. Its diverse programming, versatile event space, and strong commitment to sustainability create a vibrant and purposeful environment for visitors and merchants alike.

• Community Events –Weekly Night Market DJ Series, monthly puzzle competitions with Snakes N’ Lattes, plus ongoing public chess and trivia nights.

• Event Venue –Wellington Event Venue, a 5,000 sq. ft. space designed by BDP Quadrangle, accommodates 200+ guests for culinary demos, arts events, and corporate bookings.

• Sustainability Initiatives –Partnerships with Second Harvest to fight food insecurity and ChopValue to repurpose used chopsticks into sustainable furniture.

• Innovative Infrastructure –Features deep lake water cooling and hot water distribution systems developed with Enwave Energy Corporation, contributing to The Well’s status as one of Toronto’s most sustainable large-scale developments.

Wellington Market is located at The Well, 486 Front Street, Toronto, and is open seven days a week. The Well attracts approximately 25,000 daily visitors, including around 11,000 residents and employees who live and work onsite. The development features 1.2 million square feet of office space and 320,000 square feet dedicated to retail and food service. It offers 1,700 residential units across six purpose-built rental and condominium buildings, along with one office tower connected to a three-level Retail Walk.

Allied is a leading owner-operator of distinctive urban workspace in Canada’s major cities. Allied’s mission is to provide knowledge-based organizations with a workspace that is sustainable and conducive to human wellness, creativity, connectivity and diversity.

RioCan is one of Canada’s largest real estate investment trusts. RioCan owns, manages and develops retail-focused, mixed-use properties located in prime, high-density transit-oriented areas where Canadians want to shop, live and work. As of March 31, 2025, RioCan’s portfolio is comprised of 177 properties with an aggregate net leasable area of approximately 32 million square feet (at RioCan’s interest).

All photos courtesy of Wellington Market.