NewsBite

Toowoomba food scene: what has opened and closed in 2019

The Chronicle takes a look back at some of Toowoomba’s foodie closures and new arrivals of 2019.

IT'S been a big year for business in the Garden City, with some restaurants, cafes and bars setting up shop while others closed their doors for good.

The Chronicle takes a look back at some of the foodie closures and new arrivals of 2019.

This list does not encompass all opened/closed stores.

OPEN: Thai on Ruthven

THAI on Ruthven was opened at The Intersection earlier this year by the owners of Toowoomba Thai in Mt Lofty.

Serving authentic Thai dishes, the restaurant has already become a hit with locals and visitors alike.

CLOSED: Angel Cafe

AFTER more than a decade in service, Toowoomba's beloved Angel Cafe closed its doors in early February.

At that time, the cafe owners took to Facebook, saying the business had been sold.

OPEN: Cafe 63

THE former Angel Cafe site at Southtown Shopping Centre was transformed into Cafe 63, a popular franchise.

The cafe is known for its all-day breakfast with more than 50 items to choose from.

CLOSED: The Florence

THE Duggan St pub was 'temporarily closed" in mid-August, after another of the owner's business ventures was placed in liquidation.

Although it remains closed, there is still no comment on its future.

MJ Kim is the owner of Chimac, a new Korean fried chicken and beer restaurant in Margaret St.
MJ Kim is the owner of Chimac, a new Korean fried chicken and beer restaurant in Margaret St.

OPEN: Chimac

DELICIOUS fried chicken with a side of beer is a popular meal in Korea, and now it's taken off here in Toowoomba too, thanks to new Margaret St restaurant Chimac.

Celebrating its opening in September, the restaurant offers something a little different to the city's food scene.

CLOSED: Bunker Records

THE owners of Bunker Records announced the store's final day of trade in the CBD on June 29.

Started by Kirsty Lee, Alison Gillmore and Carl Larson in 2013, Bunker grew into a destination of choice for vinyl lovers and collectors, as well as a live music and art openings venue.

OPEN: Banter

SHORTLY after the closure of Bunker Records, Banter Coffee Kitchen acquired the 229 Margaret St store.

The social enterprise cafe celebrates the local refugee community while serving a rotating seasonal menu and Duke Coffee Roasters coffee.

CLOSED: Banh Mi

CBD Vietnamese store Banh Mi closed in late October.

Initially meant to reopen, a sign on the door said the store was closed to allow the owner to submit their PhD and "the shortage of staff".

OPEN: Santé Cocktail Bar

Santé Cocktail Bar opened earlier this month, the brainchild of partners Alex Percy and Loic Mouchelin.

It moved into 14 Duggan St, a space formerly occupied by The Chelsea Bar.

CLOSED: Bel Cibo

Bel Cibo at Eastville Toowoomba Shopping Centre closed overnight in April this year.

A notice on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission website said the parent company Tushaan Enterprises Pty Ltd had been placed in liquidation.

OPEN: Bron's Cafe

BRON'S Cafe opened in October at the Medici Centre. with the aim of serving hospital and medical centre patients and staff. The cafe is already bustling, filling a gap in the area after The Pink Peppercorn Cafe closed due to "high rent" in December 2017.

CLOSED: Harajuku Gyoza has closed its Toowoomba restaurant in Walton Stores.
CLOSED: Harajuku Gyoza has closed its Toowoomba restaurant in Walton Stores.

CLOSED: Harajuku Gyoza

ONE of the most popular tenants at Walton Stores dining precinct, Harajuku Gyoza announced its shock closure over social media in January.

A Facebook post from the business cited trading losses as the reason for closure.

OPEN: Ming's Roast

IF you love Chinese dishes, Ming's Roast in Northpoint Shopping centre is the place to visit.

Opening earlier this year, the restaurant specialises in crispy Chinese dishes such as pork belly, barbecue pork, ribs and his signature roast ducks.

CLOSED: Hana Japanese restaurant

THE city's first sushi train and teppanyaki bar Hana Japanese Restaurant closed its doors at its Hume St address in August after eight years of trading.

OPEN: Zambrero

ZAMBRERO sells Mexican dishes, all while donating meals to people in need around the world. it opened up shop at Walton stores in March.

Hola staff member Jordan Kucks (front) and pianist Peter Woods are ready to open the Spanish-style tapas and piano bar in the Walton Stores precinct, Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Picture: Kevin Farmer
Hola staff member Jordan Kucks (front) and pianist Peter Woods are ready to open the Spanish-style tapas and piano bar in the Walton Stores precinct, Tuesday, October 15, 2019. Picture: Kevin Farmer

OPEN: Hola

HOLA, a Spanish tapas-style restaurant and bar, opened at Walton Stores in October, in the space formerly occupied by The Moose.

OPEN: Sweet Talk Coffee

SWEET TALK opened at the Longs Quarter in January and quickly became known for its amazing breakfast meals.

OPEN:Kusina ATPB

KUSINA ATBP closed late last year, and after making some changes to the business model it reopened in May. The original branding focused on Asian grill, but now it is embracing Filipino cuisine. It's still based at 417 Ruthven St.

OPEN: Cafe Guitar

CAFE Guitar brought music to town when it opened on Russell St in April, serving breakfast, lunch and coffee alongside live entertainment.

James St Grocer on Mary cafe manager Jackaline Urquhart. Thursday, 2nd May, 2019.
James St Grocer on Mary cafe manager Jackaline Urquhart. Thursday, 2nd May, 2019.

OPEN: James St Grocer

SPECIALISING in indulgent but healthy breakfasts, brunches and lunches, James St Grocer opened its store to much hype in March.

Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/toowoomba/toowoomba-food-scene-what-has-opened-and-closed-in-2019/news-story/0fd89075dfa03b4f8ff9fa309f440b38