nye 2020 takeout toronto

Toronto restaurants struggled with huge demand for takeout on New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve saw a number of Toronto businesses slammed with takeout orders, leaving some unable to fulfill all their orders on the night of December 31. 

Stay-in celebrations were how the vast majority of people in Toronto chose to ring in 2021 last week. But as the masses waited for their deliveries or pick-ups, some kitchens across Toronto struggled to meet the demand.

Sushi appeared to be a popular fall-back for people staying in last Thursday. However, a number of Kibo locations across the city saw their stores piled high with takeout boxes ready for delivery or pickup, as pictured above at their Leslieville location.

new years eve torontoIf you ordered NYE takeout from Planta on Queen, there's a chance you spent over an hour outside the restaurant waiting for an order that never arrived, according to some unhappy customers who say delivery orders were prioritized over pick-ups. 

Other business who failed to materialize meals include J San Sushi Bar on Jarvis Street, who is now offering complimentary sushi and rolls as "a token of appreciation and apology" to anyone who didn't receive their NYE meal. 

"Please accept our sincerest apology once again to our customers [who] had the order delayed that cause any inconveniences on New Years Eve," said the restaurant in an Instagram post

August 8, the AYCE dim sum and sushi restaurant on Spadina, was also overwhelmed with orders made on December 31. 

"We are sorry!" said the business on Instagram. "August 8 would like to apologize for the frustrations that were caused due to poorly managed operations on New Year's Eve." 

They added: "With the COVID-19 pandemic still having a huge impact on the economy, we are incredibly grateful that we still have so much support from ourcustomers.

"Due to the high influx of takeout and preorders yesterday, many orders were delayed to much longer times. We understand the disappointment and frustrations that many customers felt and we are deeply sorry for dropping the ball." 

Lead photo by

blogTO Staff


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Eat & Drink

Closure of Toronto restaurant after 70 years signals change for neighbourhood

Toronto neighbourhood getting much-needed grocery store after years of vacancy

Toronto store known for its fresh seafood announces sudden closure

Canadians call out Loblaw in the latest case of alleged grocery shrinkflation

Toronto restaurant named after its street and address is moving

Toronto restaurant exits high-profile new food hall

Here's when Toronto's new Shake Shack location will open

Major Canadian companies allegedly involved in vast 'potato cartel'