Restaurant closing location to the public after less than a year in Toronto

A popular restaurant is closing their second Toronto location to the public after less than a year in business.

Parallel Basta is the second location of celebrated restaurant Parallel, which is known for their tahini, hummus and falafel. It takes up prime space in Kensington Market, where it had seemed destined to succeed and become a fixture of the neighbourhood.

Less than a year after opening their doors there, they’re announcing the location will no longer be accessible to the public as a restaurant.

“Parallel Basta opened its doors on September 2023 in Kensington Market as the little sister of Parallel Geary, offering our beloved signature dishes and other authentic creations inspired by the neighbourhood. Despite all the love, effort and hard work, Parallel Basta didn’t take off the way we predicted, leaving us with a decision to make,” reads a post on Instagram from Parallel.

“Parallel Basta will be closed to the public, and the space will maintain our catering and events kitchen.”

There are around 50 comments on the post bemoaning the loss, with people saying they’re “saddened” and “heartbroken.”

Parallel on Geary is still open for business seven days a week. Parallel Basta in Kensington closed as of May 29.