Agora, a Greek grab-and-go restaurant known for its pita, kebabs, dips, and seasonal fare, is preparing to open a second location in Yorkville, in a newly renovated space with a back patio.
The company’s second location follows the success of its original Queen Street West restaurant, which opened in 2018 across from Trinity Bellwoods Park, according to Toronto Life. Owner Thanos Tripi says the Yorkville restaurant replaces a barbecue-themed pop-up the team previously operated on Scollard Street during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a fire across the street destroyed several buildings and affected nearby businesses, the owners decided to move forward with a second Agora instead. While an exact opening date has not been announced, the restaurant is expected to welcome customers by the end of the summer with breakfast, lunch, and dinner service.
Agora is part of Mamakas Food Group, the team behind Mamakas Taverna and Bar Koukla. Tripi told Toronto Life that Agora was always intended to become a multi-location quick-service concept, and that the Yorkville restaurant is designed with future growth in mind. Unlike the Queen West location, which relies on nearby park space for seating, the new restaurant will offer approximately 40 seats, including a backyard patio the owner calls the “secret garden.” The owners hope this format can serve as a model for future locations across Toronto.
The original Agora built its reputation by serving Greek grab-and-go meals made with many of the same high-quality ingredients used at Mamakas Taverna. According to the company’s website, the concept focuses on house-made pita and dips, fresh seasonal salads, signature souvlaki, and Greek sweets. The Yorkville location also arrives as the company continues to expand its footprint. What Now previously reported on Mamakas Food Group’s plans to open a new Mamakas location in Summerhill, which is expected to debut next year.
The Yorkville menu will feature grilled chicken, Mamakas dips, prepared take-home meals such as pastitsio, salads, tiropita, and other seasonal Greek dishes. Customers can also expect a larger coffee program than the original location, including espresso-based drinks, as well as baked pita, sourdough bread, Greek-style pastries, Greek soft drinks, wine, and beer.
