The Bar Raval Team Introduces Casa Rubia’s Spanish Wood-Fired Menu in Little Italy
Toronto’s Little Italy has welcomed a new Spanish-inspired restaurant from the team behind Bar Raval. Casa Rubia announced its opening for September 29, 2026, at 293 Palmerston Avenue, taking over the former Martine’s Wine Bar space.
The restaurant is led by Grant van Gameren, Hailey Burke and chef Zach Smith. Unlike Bar Raval’s standing-room tapas experience, Casa Rubia offers a sit-down dining experience with larger dishes inspired by northern Spain and its Atlantic coast.
From Martine’s Wine Bar to Casa Rubia
Casa Rubia brings a new dining concept to the space previously occupied by Martine’s Wine Bar, located behind Bar Raval.
Chef Zach Smith previously worked at Bar Raval before moving to St. Catharines, where he helped open Fat Rabbit and Bar Les Incompetents. He later returned to Toronto to work with the Bar Raval team.
The restaurant takes its name from Rubia Gallega, a cattle breed native to Galicia, Spain. The region’s food traditions are a major influence on Casa Rubia’s menu.
What’s on the Menu at Casa Rubia?
Wood-fired cooking is a major focus at Casa Rubia, with dishes highlighting the flavours of northern Spain.
The menu features whole roasted turbot, wood-fired suckling pig and cuts of Rubia Gallega beef imported from Galicia.
Seafood options include langoustine, smoked tuna carpaccio and fideo served with cockles. Guests can also try bone marrow paired with grilled scallops and sea urchin.
The kitchen combines Spanish ingredients with seasonal products, offering a variety of dishes designed for sharing.
Spanish Wines and a Relaxed Dining Experience
Hailey Burke oversees the cocktail program, which includes classic drinks such as Martinis, Negronis and Sidecars, along with Spanish vermouth and aperitifs.
Wine director Lexi Wolkowski has developed a selection of wines, including bottles from Spain and other European wine regions, to complement the menu.
Inside, Casa Rubia offers approximately 50 seats across its main dining area and mezzanine. A 20-seat patio provides additional seating outside.
The restaurant combines familiar design elements from the former Martine’s Wine Bar with a new dining experience focused on Spanish-inspired cooking.
For visitors familiar with Bar Raval, Casa Rubia offers another way to enjoy the team’s food and drinks, this time with seated service and larger plates.
- Location: 293 Palmerston Ave, Toronto
- Website: https://www.thisiscasarubia.com/
- Instagram: @casa__rubia
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