Chez Wa, a wine bar and supper club known for pairing Asian cuisine with wine and sake, is preparing to open its first permanent location in Toronto at 617 College Street.
The company’s first brick-and-mortar will be located in Little Italy, with an opening date set for March 18, though the timeline may shift, according to BlogTO. Founded by Tia Zhang, Chez Wa began as a pop-up concept before evolving into a full-time brick-and-mortar operation. Zhang partnered with Kevin Guo in early 2025 as the brand prepared for its next phase.
Over the past year, Chez Wa has become known for its collaborative pop-ups with local chefs and food creators. Past collaborators include Uzma Ahmed, Ali Amarshi of Rakabi and Night Saloon, and Chef Eddie Ling. During daytime hours at these pop-ups, the concept also functioned as a bottle shop. The selection focused on natural wines and sakes from smaller producers.
The permanent Little Italy location will operate exclusively as Chez Wa, rather than as a shared space. The interior design incorporates dark walnut wood, stainless steel surfaces, and a large round table positioned near the front window. An open kitchen layout removes separation between the front and back of house, creating a more connected service flow.
During the day, the space will continue to function as a bottle shop, carrying wines and sakes chosen for cultural relevance rather than label recognition. The bottle list prioritizes small producers and lesser-known regions. Chevonne Hsueh, a core team member, oversees branding and marketing for the project. Visual elements, including the frog mascot holding a wine glass, were designed by Zhang and reflect Chez Wa’s playful yet intentional identity.
