15+ Best Italian Pasta Restaurants in Downtown Toronto you Must Try

Sarah Wang
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15+ Best Italian Past Restaurants in Downtown Toronto
Photo via Eataly

If you’re a pasta aficionado, downtown Toronto is a culinary paradise just waiting to be explored! With its vibrant mix of cultures and flavors, the city boasts an impressive array of pasta restaurants that cater to every craving—from classic Italian trattorias to innovative modern kitchens. In this blog post, we’ll take you on a delicious journey through some of the best spots in the heart of the city, where handmade noodles and rich, savory sauces take center stage. Whether you’re in the mood for comforting classics or adventurous twists, downtown Toronto has something to satisfy every pasta lover’s palate. Let’s dive in and discover where to find the most delectable dishes that will keep you coming back for more!

1. Grazie Ristorante

For over 30 years, Grazie has been a beloved family-owned Italian gem in Midtown, with an additional location in Vaughan. The restaurant’s cozy trattoria vibe invites diners to relax and enjoy their meals in a warm, rustic atmosphere that encourages repeat visits. The extensive pasta menu, thoughtfully organized by sauce type, offers something for everyone, alongside delectable pizzas and hearty mains like their roasted chicken. A highlight of the menu is the Basta, featuring creamy spinach linguine paired with succulent butterflied shrimp—a truly delightful dish. With classic cocktails and a selection of wines by the glass all priced under $15, Grazie stands out as an affordable treasure in the city’s dining scene.

  • When: 12pm-10pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: (Multiple locations) Midtown location- 2373 Yonge St, Toronto
  • Website: www.grazie.ca/
  • Phone number: Midtown location- (416) 488 0822

2. CIBO Wine Bar

CIBO Wine Bar brings a touch of authentic rustic Italian charm to Toronto’s King West, making it a must-visit destination. Operated by the Liberty Entertainment Group, this restaurant serves up traditional dishes in a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The menu offers a delightful mix of classic Italian favorites and modern twists, all set against a backdrop of stone and glass walls, rustic wood details, and exposed brick. Ideal for both casual dining and special celebrations, CIBO’s highlights include the Lamb Pappardelle, slow-braised for 12 hours in a rich ragu and topped with fresh pecorino. Pizza lovers will also appreciate the Gorgonzola, featuring imported Gorgonzola, walnuts, pears, and a drizzle of honey, which stands out alongside the classic Margherita.

  • When: 11:30am- 12:00am (7 days a week)
  • Where: (Multiple locations) Downtown Location– 522 King St W, Toronto
  • Website: www.cibo.menu/toronto-summerlicious
  • Phone number: Downtown Location– (416) 504 3939

3. Gusto 101

Set in a transformed auto body shop, this lively yet relaxed restaurant features an upstairs retractable skylight that fills the space with sunlight and fresh air during the warmer months. The inviting patio out front adds to its charm. A must-try is the Mafalde ai Funghi, a local favorite known for its long, frilly noodles drenched in a rich truffle cream sauce that has captured the attention of Instagram. While this indulgent dish is certainly tempting, Gusto 101 also offers an enticing array of pastas and pizzas, paired perfectly with budget-friendly Italian wines and creative craft cocktails for a delightful dining experience.

  • When: 11:45am-11pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: 101 Portland St, Toronto
  • Website: gusto101.com
  • Phone number: (416) 504 9669

4. Stelvio

Tucked away on Dundas West, this hidden gem presents a one-of-a-kind approach to Italian cuisine that’s hard to find elsewhere in the city. Stelvio celebrates the traditional flavors of Lombardy, a northern Italian region known for its hearty fare. Highlights from the menu include Pizzoccheri Di Teglio, a delectable buckwheat pasta enveloped in a rich three-cheese sauce, complemented by cabbage and potatoes. Kick off your dining experience with sciatt, crispy buckwheat fritters filled with gooey cheese. Be sure to share the impressive Orecchia Di Elefante, Milan’s renowned breaded pork cutlet. While the cocktails are superb, it’s the selection of Italian wines that truly stands out.

  • When: 5pm-10 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
  • Where: 791 Dundas St W, Toronto
  • Website: stelviotoronto.ca
  • Phone number: (416) 368 4567

5. Famiglia Baldassarre

You’ll discover some of the freshest and most authentic pasta in the city at Famiglia Baldassarre. This cozy pasta factory draws in large crowds, offering melt-in-your-mouth plates of ravioli, tagliatelle, and spaghettoni. The menu, displayed on a small chalkboard, changes daily, so be sure to check their Instagram for the latest offerings. Don’t forget to grab some butter, wine, bread, and other goodies from their grocery section as you leave! Baldassarre offers a rotating menu of flavorful pasta dishes, complimentary slices of Italian white bread, and sides like parma ham or seasonal vegetables. Their cavatelli Pugliese, available with rapini and pecorino or a rich house-made sausage sauce, showcases why he’s the go-to source for fresh pasta in Toronto.

  • When: 12pm-5 pm (Tuesday to Friday)
  • Where: The Artisan Factory- 122 Geary Ave, Toronto
  • Website: www.famigliabaldassarre.com/
  • Phone number: (647) 293 5395

6. Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar

Scaddabush offers a diverse menu of comforting Italian dishes meant for sharing, with many options available in a “social size” for a family-style experience. A highlight for the reviewer was the daily-made, hand-pulled fresh mozzarella—an absolute must-try. Another standout was the Pesto Pollo, the restaurant’s most popular dish, featuring fresh fettuccine with a perfect chew and a delicious basil pesto cream sauce. Another house favorite, the Butcher Pizza, is also delightful, a meat-lover’s pizza loaded with bacon, sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, red onions, and a rich San Marzano tomato sauce. Instead of the classic round shape, it was served as a delicious flatbread.

  • When: 11pm- 11pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: Simcoe Place- 200 Front St W Unit #G001
  • Website: scaddabush.com/
  • Phone number:  (416) 979 3665

7. Viaggio

Located in a historic building at the intersection of Dundas and Lansdowne, chef Jon Vettraino has been creating a unique menu of authentic dishes since 2019. From octopus and zucchini flowers to agnolotti and tiramisu pancakes, each offering is a delight. However, no visit is complete without savoring Viaggio’s exceptional pizzas. The Mortadella with Burrata is a standout choice that consistently wins over diners.

  • When: 5pm- 10:30pm (Wed-Sun)
  • Where: 1727 Dundas St W, Toronto
  • Website: viaggiorestaurant.ca/
  • Phone number: (416) 519 8165

8. Figo

Figo exudes an elegant and welcoming ambiance typical of Toronto’s finest dining establishments. The bright, airy space is highlighted by striking white columns and exquisite marble ceilings. Dishes like the ’nduja-filled clams in white wine burst with vibrant flavors and textures, while the seafood stew is a rich blend of ocean delights in a savory tomato broth. Don’t miss the zucchini fritti, a fan favorite that beautifully balances wild honey, lemon crema, and fragrant black pepper.Be sure to finish your meal with one of their meticulously crafted dessert cocktails!

  • When: 11:30am- 10pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: 295 Adelaide St W, Toronto
  • Website: figotoronto.com
  • Phone number: (647) 748 3446

9. Mattachioni

For a laid-back dining experience, Mattachioni is a must-visit. This bodega-style Italian eatery in Toronto focuses on fresh pasta and delicious sandwiches. Although located outside Little Italy, this beloved spot feels right at home among the city’s Italian offerings. Be sure to sample the porchetta panini, featuring tender, slow-roasted Ontario pork and herbs on freshly baked bread. The boccadasse pizza is another fantastic option that shouldn’t be missed.

  • When: 9am- 9pm (7 days a week with exceptions based on location)
  • Where: (Multiple locations)
    • WEST: 1617 Dupont St, Toronto
    • EAST: 1501 Gerrard St E, Toronto
  • Website: www.mattachioni.com/
  • Phone number:
    • WEST: 416-519 1010
    • EAST: 416-466 1111

10. Tutti Matti

Chef Alida Solomon has brought a taste of Tuscany to downtown Toronto with her handcrafted pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and regional delicacies like venison and wild boar. After six years perfecting her craft in Tuscan kitchens, she opened Tutti Matti in 2002. The menu showcases seasonal ingredients while paying tribute to classic dishes such as costine di manzo—a comforting preparation of short ribs braised in beer, oranges, honey, and rosemary, available throughout the year. Focusing on high-quality ingredients, the menu features simple yet exquisite dishes that celebrate Ontario’s seasonal bounty.

  • When: Hours vary (Tues to Sat)
  • Where: 364 Adelaide St W, Toronto
  • Website: tuttimatti.com
  • Phone number: (416) 597 8839

11. Piano Piano

Piano Piano Italian pasta Restaurant Downtown Toronto
Photo via pianopianotherestaurant.com

Since 2016, Victor Barry has been delighting diners with his exceptional pizzas and pastas at his Harbord Street location. Last year, Piano Piano expanded to include a fourth downtown spot, featuring a menu brimming with Italian comfort food classics. Be sure to try the blistered thin-crust pizzas, like the Bitters, topped with dandelion greens and fior di latte, or indulge in the earthy mushroom cavatelli enriched with truffle. The standout wood-fired pizzas are renowned for their smoky flavors, fresh toppings, and a perfectly crispy yet chewy crust. And if you can’t enjoy a meal on-site, you can pick up frozen versions of their pizzas at grocery stores across the country.

  • When: 12pm-10pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: (Multiple locations) Harbord location- 88 Harbord St, Toronto
  • Website: www.pianopianotherestaurant.com/
  • Phone number: Harbord location– (416) 929 7788

12. Giulietta

Giulietta Italian pasta Restaurant Downtown Toronto
Photo via Toronto Life

At his new Italian restaurant, 35-year-old chef Rob Rossi (Bestellen) is overflowing with clientele. His culinary creations feature a tangle of cacio e pepe pulsing with Kampot black pepper; a lightly sauced white pizza topped with lardo, smoked scamorza and Sicilian pistachios on a paper-thin crust; and a stew of braised goat over polenta that’s primed to become one of the city’s best winter dishes all too soon. The Red Fife tiramisù is a convincing argument that growing up shouldn’t have to mean skipping dessert.

  • When: 5pm-10pm (Mon to Sat)
  • Where: 972 College St, Toronto
  • Website: giu.ca/
  • Phone number: (416) 964-0606

13. Sugo And Bar Sugo

Satisfying your pasta cravings doesn’t have to be expensive! If your group is torn between pasta and pizza, just head next door to Sugo. True to its name, which means “sauce” in Italian, this eatery places a strong emphasis on flavorful sauces, guaranteeing a delightful meal whether you choose dishes from Sugo or the neighboring restaurant. Enjoy the laid-back ambiance at a table adorned with a classic red checkered tablecloth, transporting you to a simpler time. Don’t miss out on the enormous meatball served with a hearty portion of spaghetti—it’s a must-try!

  • When: (Hours vary)
  • Where:
    • Sugo: 1281 Bloor St W, Toronto
    • Bar Sugo: 1279 Bloor St W, Toronto
  • Website:
  • Phone number:
    • Sugo: (416) 535 1717
    • Bar Sugo: (416) 792 1279

14. Bar Vendetta

When it comes to Italian dining in Toronto, Bar Vendetta sets the standard with its vibrant retro décor. The space is alive with warm oranges, reds, and browns, enhanced by creative murals and decals that give it an inviting and nostalgic feel. This delightful restaurant and wine bar offers fresh Italian comfort food in a charming retro 70s-style ambiance, making it the perfect spot to unwind after a long day. Bar Vendetta truly shines as a neighborhood favorite among the restaurants in Little Italy, Toronto. Begin your meal with the hearty meatballs served generously atop a rich tomato sauce. For pasta lovers, both the rigatoni verde and the tagliatelle primavera are excellent choices that you won’t want to miss.

  • When: 5pm- 10:30 pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: 928 Dundas St W, Toronto
  • Website: www.barvendetta.com/
  • Phone number: (416) 551 8854

15. F’Amelia

This beloved restaurant consistently delights with its creative dishes while embracing the Italian ethos of simplicity. The appetizers shine, featuring smoky grilled radicchio that complements a delightful fig salad, along with crispy, battered calamari drizzled with vibrant pesto. Chef Viren Dhakate puts a fresh spin on the classic carbonara—one of Italy’s iconic dishes—by using handmade tagliatelle instead of spaghetti and incorporating crispy prosciutto, sautéed red onions, and spinach. On pleasant days, the charming streetside patio offers the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine and soak in the neighborhood’s ambiance.

  • When: 5pm- 10pm (7 days a week)
  • Where: 12 Amelia St, Toronto
  • Website: famelia.com
  • Phone number: (416) 323 0666

References:

Sarah writes for Hungry 416, your go-to for the latest in Toronto’s food, entertainment, and travel scene. Her writing mainly focuses on trending events, hotspots, and festivals happening in the city.

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