Imagine a hot pizza served right out of the oven, with bubbling cheese topped with fresh basil and chili oil, or actually thick strings of bucatini covered in a creamy Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper or maybe a hunk of burrata served on a bed of herbs and olive oil and crunchy garlic bread. The Italians know food, and Toronto is home to some of the best Italian restaurants.
As difficult as it is for you to choose what to order at your favourite Italian restaurant, you can only imagine how difficult this list was for us to put together. Toronto has some fantastic Italian food, both authentic and with foreign twists that come from living in such a diverse and growing city. The following list is not finite but is a hand-selected guide of Italian eateries that range from underrated gems to nationally-renowned establishments. You could approach this as the TasteToronto Italian restaurant bucket list or something to refer to when trying to impress an impending date. Whichever you choose for dinner, you'll be walking away with a full belly, a great wine pairing, and (hopefully) a doggy bag with some leftover risotto for your working lunch tomorrow.
Annabelle Pasta Bar is a lovely and snug two-story pasta bar that offers three daily homemade pasta dishes (along with small plates, great wines, and even better negronis).
1 Austin Terrace
Don Alfonso 1890
Located inside the stunning Casa Loma, Don Alfonso is the North American baby of Michelin Star Chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino, and according to Best Italian Restaurant in the World 2022, the #1 Italian restaurant outside of Italy for the second year in a row. They also won first place for their multi-course prix fixe tasting menu, so I imagine it's worth a try!
122 Geary Ave
Famiglia Baldassarre
Famiglia Baldassarre is a fresh pasta shop that serves a rotating lunch menu between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. from Wednesday to Thursday, and yes it is absolutely necessary to try their traditionally-made pasta in their 10-seater restaurant.
12 Amelia St
F’Amelia
F’Amelia Ristorante is exactly the place you would want to spend a spring evening; located in a cottage with a glass atrium and lovely patio, F'Aemlia serves hearty Northern Italian dishes like their wild mushroom risotto.
75 Portland St
Bar Buca - Portland
If you don't feel like visiting their King Street or 54 Scollard Street location, Bar Buca also makes a pre-order dinner for two for romantic nights in.
1288 Dundas St W
Enoteca Sociale
Eclectic interiors decorated with Persian rugs, exposed brick walls and Roman candles greet your eyes upon arrival at Enoteca Sociale, and scents of their traditional Roman dishes like their carbonara greet your nose.
120 Avenue Rd
Sotto Sotto
Sotto Sotto, a Yorkville staple, now has an upscale Trattoria in Oakville and at one point even had their own signature candles (will it smell like their Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (pictured), we certainly hope so).
1281 Bloor St W
Sugo
Red and white checkered floors and tablecloths house the Italian-American style comfort food that Sugo does like no other; it's almost like being transported to the mythical Italian Nonna's house we all wish we had.
536 Queen St W
Osteria Du
Plant-based Italian food?! We've been waiting for Osteria Du to open and we have not been disappointed. On weekdays you can even get a 4-course menu for $50 ($60 on weekends) and their carciofo pizza (artichoke hearts in a spread of roasted red pepper, garlic and pine nuts) is an unmissable flavour profile.
88 Harbord St
Piano Piano
It's hard to miss the millennial pink building with the painted flowers and the smell of pizza so good you can now actually buy their very own frozen brand.
57 Adelaide St E
Terroni - Adelaide
If you live in Toronto, you can't escape Terroni, and honestly, why would you? With locations on Adelaide, Queen, Yonge, (Los Angeles) and multiple cousin locations like the Sud Forno line, there's a reason why the Italian-food empire is taking over the city (and it might just be their pizza).
101 Portland St
Gusto 101
With multiple locations under the Gusto family, Gusto 101 and Gusto 501, this hospitality group specializes in Southern Italian food with wine on tap. Sitting in a repurposed garage, the industrial accents and amazing food make Gusto 101 one of the most popular Italian eateries in Toronto to go to over and over again.
892 Queen St E
Frankie's Italian
Prefacing this by saying nobody does burrata like Frankie's and they do it DIFFERENT every WEEK! Their little chalkboard has a new approach to their burrata every seven days (as well as weekly specials for everything else), and I've never had one I wouldn't come back for again. Also, the rest of their food and cocktails are perfect, their interiors and back patio are to die for, but their burrata will send you to heaven.
972 College St
Giulietta
Osteria Giulia's glamorous older sister is a collaboration between Chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci. There is nothing you can order that will do you wrong at Giulietta, and its sophisticated interiors make it a great place to try something new like their braised veal cheek ragu (pictured).
1108 St Clair Ave W
CANO Restaurant
CANO specializes in Italian seafood, but they also do brunch and late-night snacks, so you could, theoretically, spend an entire day at CANO eating delicious food.
769 St Clair Ave W
Ferro Bar and Cafe
Ferro specializes in Southern Italian fare, and with the exposed brick walls and cozy, rustic interiors, it almost feels like you could be sitting at a little café in Italy. The restaurant is built around an open kitchen where you can watch them make your wood-fired pizzas. If you're not going to get a pizza, the Slow Braised Wild Boar pasta (pictured) is amazing.
849 Dundas St W
La Palma
Somehow both relaxed and refined, La Palma is a soft oasis in the city with gorgeous interiors, food and cocktails. If you leave La Palma without trying their 100 Layer Lasagna (pictured), you'll have to go back again ASAP.
585 College St
Il Covo
With velvet seating, roman candles and gilded mirrors, Il Covo is both extremely beautiful and extremely delicious. It's hard to choose favourite dishes from Il Covo because they're all amazing, but their Risotto ai Broccoli redefined risotto for me (get the Focaccia Porobellini too).
593 College St
Zitto Zitto Taverna
Newish to the Little Italy restaurant scene, Zitto Zitto likes to keep lowkey, even though their seafood-focused menu makes a big impression! Their Sardine Alla Griglia (grilled sardines served with tomato crostini and aromatic olive oil) is amazing and if you want more bread, their warm rosemary baguette is a need-to as well.
75 Yorkville Ave
Trattoria Nervosa
Dining at Trattoria Nervosa is an experience; it's been sitting in its pretty corner heritage house since 1996 and it offers the comfortable familiarity of a Sicilian trattoria with a fine-dining experience reflective of its Yorkville location. Start with their house-made bread and in-house marinated olives, and then get their Risotto Nervosa which is topped with Barolo braised beef short rib, cooked with local field and porcini mushrooms, and truffle.
595 College St
Sotto Voce Wine & Pasta Bar
Sotto Voce is hard to miss; with its neon blue sign, perfect corner location, and occasional Groupon, it beckons you to come for dinner. Their lasagna is unforgettable and classically made, and if that's not available, the Sicilian Meatballs are a close second.
134 Avenue Rd
Osteria Giulia
With sleek interiors to drool over, it's no question that the food is also drool-worthy. Osteria Giulia is the little sister of Chef Rob Rossi's famous Italian eatery, Giulietta, but she does not pale in comparison! Do not leave without trying their Focaccia di Recco, made in the traditional 12th-century style.
1220 Queen St E
Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant
It's hard to miss the giant nose outside of this Queen Street East building, and the nose is a definite indication of the delicious smells at Gio Rana's. Open since 1989, Gio Rana's has passed the test of time and remains one of Toronto's most beloved Italian eateries. It's a given if you go to Gio Rana's, go for their Sunday dinner feast.
403 Roncesvalles Ave
Sienna’s
A restaurant specializing in "Italian American" comfort food, Sienna's is the perfect restaurant to bring the whole family. Do not leave without a round of mozzarella sticks, the Caesar salad, spaghetti and the NY cheesecake.
1111 Queen St E
Ascari Enoteca
With a location on both the west end and the east end of Toronto, Ascari sandwiches Toronto with excellent Italian food and half-price wine on Tuesdays. With interiors reflective of a rustic wine bar, their food is simple, wholesome and of excellent quality. Pictured above is their "Osso Bucco" braised bone-in veal shank with a soft polenta abruzzese, braised mushrooms, spiced jus and gremolata.
2885 Dundas St W
Nodo Junction
With three locations (and another one coming to Liberty Village soon), Nodo is a thriving chain of eateries with amazing food and a great atmosphere that keep people coming back. Their burrata (sitting over golden beet carpaccio and topped with crushed pistachio and basil oil) and their "Cavolfiore Gratinato," cheesy, breadcrumb-crusted cauliflower pasta, is to die for.
328 Wellington St W
Pizzeria Moretti
Located at the Soho Met Hotel, Pizzeria Moretti combines traditional Italian flavours in an upscale (but informal) setting. Served on their signature Moretti plates, the Caprese di Burrata (burrata, heirloom tomatoes, olives, and figs) and Mac & Cheese (with black truffle paste) are items not to miss.
1214 Dundas St W
Gia
Gia, a plant-forward Dundas St gem, is beautiful and intimate and the perfect place for a date night; exposed white brick wall, low hanging lights, big plants and dusty pink velvet seats define its interiors. Their plant based Pappardelle Bolognese, Charred Leek Risotto and "La Famiglia" mezcal cocktail define its interiors.
Imagine a hot pizza served right out of the oven, with bubbling cheese topped with fresh basil and chili oil, or actually thick strings of bucatini covered in a creamy Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper or maybe a hunk of burrata served on a bed of herbs and olive oil and crunchy garlic bread. The Italians know food, and Toronto is home to some of the best Italian restaurants.
As difficult as it is for you to choose what to order at your favourite Italian restaurant, you can only imagine how difficult this list was for us to put together. Toronto has some fantastic Italian food, both authentic and with foreign twists that come from living in such a diverse and growing city. The following list is not finite but is a hand-selected guide of Italian eateries that range from underrated gems to nationally-renowned establishments. You could approach this as the TasteToronto Italian restaurant bucket list or something to refer to when trying to impress an impending date. Whichever you choose for dinner, you'll be walking away with a full belly, a great wine pairing, and (hopefully) a doggy bag with some leftover risotto for your working lunch tomorrow.
Annabelle Pasta Bar
Annabelle Pasta Bar is a lovely and snug two-story pasta bar that offers three daily homemade pasta dishes (along with small plates, great wines, and even better negronis).
1 Austin Terrace
Don Alfonso 1890
Located inside the stunning Casa Loma, Don Alfonso is the North American baby of Michelin Star Chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino, and according to Best Italian Restaurant in the World 2022, the #1 Italian restaurant outside of Italy for the second year in a row. They also won first place for their multi-course prix fixe tasting menu, so I imagine it's worth a try!
122 Geary Ave
Famiglia Baldassarre
Famiglia Baldassarre is a fresh pasta shop that serves a rotating lunch menu between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. from Wednesday to Thursday, and yes it is absolutely necessary to try their traditionally-made pasta in their 10-seater restaurant.
12 Amelia St
F’Amelia
F’Amelia Ristorante is exactly the place you would want to spend a spring evening; located in a cottage with a glass atrium and lovely patio, F'Aemlia serves hearty Northern Italian dishes like their wild mushroom risotto.
75 Portland St
Bar Buca - Portland
If you don't feel like visiting their King Street or 54 Scollard Street location, Bar Buca also makes a pre-order dinner for two for romantic nights in.
1288 Dundas St W
Enoteca Sociale
Eclectic interiors decorated with Persian rugs, exposed brick walls and Roman candles greet your eyes upon arrival at Enoteca Sociale, and scents of their traditional Roman dishes like their carbonara greet your nose.
120 Avenue Rd
Sotto Sotto
Sotto Sotto, a Yorkville staple, now has an upscale Trattoria in Oakville and at one point even had their own signature candles (will it smell like their Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (pictured), we certainly hope so).
1281 Bloor St W
Sugo
Red and white checkered floors and tablecloths house the Italian-American style comfort food that Sugo does like no other; it's almost like being transported to the mythical Italian Nonna's house we all wish we had.
536 Queen St W
Osteria Du
Plant-based Italian food?! We've been waiting for Osteria Du to open and we have not been disappointed. On weekdays you can even get a 4-course menu for $50 ($60 on weekends) and their carciofo pizza (artichoke hearts in a spread of roasted red pepper, garlic and pine nuts) is an unmissable flavour profile.
88 Harbord St
Piano Piano
It's hard to miss the millennial pink building with the painted flowers and the smell of pizza so good you can now actually buy their very own frozen brand.
57 Adelaide St E
Terroni - Adelaide
If you live in Toronto, you can't escape Terroni, and honestly, why would you? With locations on Adelaide, Queen, Yonge, (Los Angeles) and multiple cousin locations like the Sud Forno line, there's a reason why the Italian-food empire is taking over the city (and it might just be their pizza).
101 Portland St
Gusto 101
With multiple locations under the Gusto family, Gusto 101 and Gusto 501, this hospitality group specializes in Southern Italian food with wine on tap. Sitting in a repurposed garage, the industrial accents and amazing food make Gusto 101 one of the most popular Italian eateries in Toronto to go to over and over again.
892 Queen St E
Frankie's Italian
Prefacing this by saying nobody does burrata like Frankie's and they do it DIFFERENT every WEEK! Their little chalkboard has a new approach to their burrata every seven days (as well as weekly specials for everything else), and I've never had one I wouldn't come back for again. Also, the rest of their food and cocktails are perfect, their interiors and back patio are to die for, but their burrata will send you to heaven.
972 College St
Giulietta
Osteria Giulia's glamorous older sister is a collaboration between Chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci. There is nothing you can order that will do you wrong at Giulietta, and its sophisticated interiors make it a great place to try something new like their braised veal cheek ragu (pictured).
1108 St Clair Ave W
CANO Restaurant
CANO specializes in Italian seafood, but they also do brunch and late-night snacks, so you could, theoretically, spend an entire day at CANO eating delicious food.
769 St Clair Ave W
Ferro Bar and Cafe
Ferro specializes in Southern Italian fare, and with the exposed brick walls and cozy, rustic interiors, it almost feels like you could be sitting at a little café in Italy. The restaurant is built around an open kitchen where you can watch them make your wood-fired pizzas. If you're not going to get a pizza, the Slow Braised Wild Boar pasta (pictured) is amazing.
849 Dundas St W
La Palma
Somehow both relaxed and refined, La Palma is a soft oasis in the city with gorgeous interiors, food and cocktails. If you leave La Palma without trying their 100 Layer Lasagna (pictured), you'll have to go back again ASAP.
585 College St
Il Covo
With velvet seating, roman candles and gilded mirrors, Il Covo is both extremely beautiful and extremely delicious. It's hard to choose favourite dishes from Il Covo because they're all amazing, but their Risotto ai Broccoli redefined risotto for me (get the Focaccia Porobellini too).
593 College St
Zitto Zitto Taverna
Newish to the Little Italy restaurant scene, Zitto Zitto likes to keep lowkey, even though their seafood-focused menu makes a big impression! Their Sardine Alla Griglia (grilled sardines served with tomato crostini and aromatic olive oil) is amazing and if you want more bread, their warm rosemary baguette is a need-to as well.
75 Yorkville Ave
Trattoria Nervosa
Dining at Trattoria Nervosa is an experience; it's been sitting in its pretty corner heritage house since 1996 and it offers the comfortable familiarity of a Sicilian trattoria with a fine-dining experience reflective of its Yorkville location. Start with their house-made bread and in-house marinated olives, and then get their Risotto Nervosa which is topped with Barolo braised beef short rib, cooked with local field and porcini mushrooms, and truffle.
595 College St
Sotto Voce Wine & Pasta Bar
Sotto Voce is hard to miss; with its neon blue sign, perfect corner location, and occasional Groupon, it beckons you to come for dinner. Their lasagna is unforgettable and classically made, and if that's not available, the Sicilian Meatballs are a close second.
134 Avenue Rd
Osteria Giulia
With sleek interiors to drool over, it's no question that the food is also drool-worthy. Osteria Giulia is the little sister of Chef Rob Rossi's famous Italian eatery, Giulietta, but she does not pale in comparison! Do not leave without trying their Focaccia di Recco, made in the traditional 12th-century style.
1220 Queen St E
Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant
It's hard to miss the giant nose outside of this Queen Street East building, and the nose is a definite indication of the delicious smells at Gio Rana's. Open since 1989, Gio Rana's has passed the test of time and remains one of Toronto's most beloved Italian eateries. It's a given if you go to Gio Rana's, go for their Sunday dinner feast.
403 Roncesvalles Ave
Sienna’s
A restaurant specializing in "Italian American" comfort food, Sienna's is the perfect restaurant to bring the whole family. Do not leave without a round of mozzarella sticks, the Caesar salad, spaghetti and the NY cheesecake.
1111 Queen St E
Ascari Enoteca
With a location on both the west end and the east end of Toronto, Ascari sandwiches Toronto with excellent Italian food and half-price wine on Tuesdays. With interiors reflective of a rustic wine bar, their food is simple, wholesome and of excellent quality. Pictured above is their "Osso Bucco" braised bone-in veal shank with a soft polenta abruzzese, braised mushrooms, spiced jus and gremolata.
2885 Dundas St W
Nodo Junction
With three locations (and another one coming to Liberty Village soon), Nodo is a thriving chain of eateries with amazing food and a great atmosphere that keep people coming back. Their burrata (sitting over golden beet carpaccio and topped with crushed pistachio and basil oil) and their "Cavolfiore Gratinato," cheesy, breadcrumb-crusted cauliflower pasta, is to die for.
328 Wellington St W
Pizzeria Moretti
Located at the Soho Met Hotel, Pizzeria Moretti combines traditional Italian flavours in an upscale (but informal) setting. Served on their signature Moretti plates, the Caprese di Burrata (burrata, heirloom tomatoes, olives, and figs) and Mac & Cheese (with black truffle paste) are items not to miss.
1214 Dundas St W
Gia
Gia, a plant-forward Dundas St gem, is beautiful and intimate and the perfect place for a date night; exposed white brick wall, low hanging lights, big plants and dusty pink velvet seats define its interiors. Their plant based Pappardelle Bolognese, Charred Leek Risotto and "La Famiglia" mezcal cocktail define its interiors.
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