15+ Best Italian Restaurants in Downtown Toronto You Have to Try
If you’re on the hunt for a taste of Italy right in the heart of Toronto, you’re in for a treat! The city boasts a diverse array of Italian restaurants that cater to every craving, from classic pasta dishes to innovative takes on beloved favorites. Whether you’re a fan of cozy, family-run trattorias or upscale dining experiences, Toronto has it all. Join us as we explore some of the best spots that showcase the artistry and passion behind Italian cuisine, highlighting the dishes, ambiance, and stories that make each restaurant unique. Get ready to indulge in a culinary adventure that celebrates the rich flavors of Italy! Buon appetito!
1. CIBO Wine Bar
CIBO Wine Bar infuses Toronto’s King West with authentic rustic Italian charm, making it a must-visit spot. Run by the Liberty Entertainment Group, this eatery offers traditional dishes in a warm and inviting setting. The menu features both classic Italian options and contemporary favorites, all within a beautifully designed space of stone and glass walls, rustic wood accents, and exposed brick. Perfect for casual meals or special occasions, CIBO’s standout dishes include the Lamb Pappardelle, braised for 12 hours in a rich ragu and finished with fresh pecorino. For pizza enthusiasts, the Gorgonzola—topped with imported Gorgonzola, walnuts, pears, and a drizzle of honey—competes beautifully with 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
2. Piano Piano
Since 2016, Victor Barry has been captivating diners with his delicious pizzas and pastas at his Harbord Street location. Last year, Piano Piano expanded with a fourth downtown outpost, showcasing a menu filled with Italian comfort food classics. Don’t miss the blistered thin-crust pizzas like the Bitters, topped with dandelion greens and fior di latte, or the earthy mushroom cavatelli infused with truffle. The standout wood-fired pizzas offer smoky flavors, fresh toppings, and a perfectly crispy yet chewy crust. Plus, if you can’t dine in, you can grab frozen versions of their pizzas at grocery stores nationwide.
- 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
3. Grazie Ristorante
For over 30 years, this charming, family-owned Italian restaurant has been serving up authentic dishes in Midtown, with a second location in Vaughan. Designed to resemble a cozy trattoria, Grazie welcomes guests into its warm, rustic setting, making it easy to linger and return again and again. The extensive pasta menu, organized by sauce type, caters to all tastes, while also offering delicious pizzas and hearty mains like roasted chicken. One standout dish is the Basta, featuring creamy spinach linguine paired with butterflied shrimp for a delightful dining experience. Plus, classic cocktails and wines by the glass are all priced under $15, making this an affordable gem.
- 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
4. Giulietta
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
5. Sugo And Bar Sugo
You don’t need to break the bank for your pasta cravings! If your group can’t decide between pasta and pizza, don’t worry; just pop next door to Sugo. True to its name, which means “sauce” in Italian, this place puts sauce front and center, ensuring a delicious experience no matter which dish you choose at either restaurant. Settle into a table draped with a red checkered tablecloth in a relaxed atmosphere that feels like a step back in time. Be sure to try the massive meatball alongside a generous serving of spaghetti.
- When: (Hours vary)
- Where:
- Sugo: 1281 Bloor St W, Toronto
- Bar Sugo: 1279 Bloor St W, Toronto
- Website:
- Sugo: sugotoronto.com/
- Bar Sugo: bar.sugotoronto.com/
- Phone number:
- Sugo: (416) 535 1717
- Bar Sugo: (416) 792 1279
6. Don Alfonso
Don Alfonso 1890 has not only maintained its Michelin star for two consecutive years but was also named the Best Italian Restaurant in the World (outside of Italy) by 50 Top Italy in 2023. Beyond its impressive accolades, this elegant restaurant, perched atop The Westin Hotel, stands out as one of Toronto’s top destinations for an unforgettable dining experience. The lavish menu is inspired by Southern Italy that truly embodies culinary artistry. The exquisite wagyu carpaccio is adorned with balsamic caviar and Piedmont hazelnuts, while the succulent suckling pig features a rich honey and chili glaze that adds a tantalizing kick.
- When: 5pm-11pm (Tuesday- Sunday)
- Where: The Westin Harbour Castle: 1 Harbour Square 38th Floor, Toronto
- Website: www.donalfonsotoronto.com/
- Phone number: (416) 214 5888
7. La Palma
In this bright, all-white dining space, the Cal-Ital cuisine bursts with seasonal vibrancy. Must-try dishes include crispy, deep-fried zucchini blossoms filled with ricotta. The menu also features flatbread pizzas topped with treviso, taleggio, and figs. For a heartier option, the “100-layer” lasagna, with its rich layers of noodles, béchamel, bolognese, and bubbling mozzarella, is a standout. While the lasagna often steals the spotlight, we also enjoy enticing appetizers like tuna crudo and whipped ricotta toast, along with a selection of grilled mains. Their cocktail program is consistently impressive, offering a curated list of original drinks that linger in our minds long after our visit. The only question remains: do the drinks taste better in the coastal dining room, the chic upstairs lounge, or on the inviting rooftop patio?
- When: (Hours vary) (7 days a week)
- Where: 849 Dundas St W, Toronto
- Website: lapalma.ca
- Phone number: (416) 368 4567
8. Gusto 101
This lively yet laid-back restaurant is housed in a repurposed auto body shop, featuring a retractable skylight upstairs that floods the space with sunlight and fresh air during warmer months. There’s even a cozy patio out front. The Mafalde ai Funghi is a local favorite, with its long, frilly noodles bathed in a luxurious truffle cream sauce that has become Instagram-famous. While it’s hard to resist this decadent dish, Gusto 101 also offers a variety of delightful pastas and pizzas, complemented by affordable Italian wines and inventive craft cocktails.
- When: 11:45am-11pm (7 days a week)
- Where: 101 Portland St, Toronto
- Website: gusto101.com
- Phone number: (416) 504 9669
9. Viaggio
Located in a historic building at the corner of Dundas and Lansdowne, chef Jon Vettraino has been crafting an inventive menu of authentic dishes since 2019. From octopus and zucchini flowers to agnolotti and tiramisu pancakes, everything here is a delight, but you can’t leave without indulging in Viaggio’s incredible pizzas.The Mortadella with Burrata stands out as a top contender—always a crowd-pleaser.
- When: 5pm- 10:30pm (Wed-Sun)
- Where: 1727 Dundas St W, Toronto
- Website: viaggiorestaurant.ca/
- Phone number: (416) 519 8165
10. F’Amelia
This cherished restaurant continues to impress with its inventive dishes while staying true to the Italian principle of simplicity. The appetizers are outstanding, featuring smoky grilled radicchio that enhances a delicious fig salad, and battered, grilled calamari drizzled with pesto. Chef Viren Dhakate presents a fresh twist on the classic carbonara—one of Italy’s most revered dishes—by using handmade tagliatelle instead of spaghetti and adding crispy prosciutto, sautéed red onion, and spinach. When the weather is nice, the inviting streetside patio is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass of wine and soak up the charm of the neighborhood.
- When: 5pm- 10pm (7 days a week)
- Where: 12 Amelia St, Toronto
- Website: famelia.com
- Phone number: (416) 323 0666
11. Stelvio
Located on Dundas West, this hidden gem offers a unique take on Italian cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Stelvio specializes in the traditional flavors of Lombardy in northern Italy, featuring hearty dishes typical of this mountainous region. The menu includes Pizzoccheri Di Teglio, a delicious buckwheat pasta smothered in a rich three-cheese sauce, paired with cabbage and potatoes. Start your meal with sciatt, crispy buckwheat fritters that burst with cheesy goodness. Don’t miss sharing the impressive Orecchia Di Elefante, Milan’s iconic breaded pork cutlet. While the cocktails are excellent, the Italian wine selection truly steals the show.
- When: 5pm-10 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Where: 791 Dundas St W, Toronto
- Website: stelviotoronto.ca
- Phone number: (416) 546 6727
12. Figo
Figo boasts an elegant and inviting atmosphere, characteristic of many top-tier Toronto restaurants. The space is bright and airy, featuring striking white columns and stunning marble ceilings. Dishes like ’nduja-filled clams in white wine offer vibrant flavors and textures, while the seafood stew brims with a medley of ocean treasures, complemented by a tomato broth. Try the zucchini fritti, a crowd favorite that perfectly balances wild honey, lemon crema, and aromatic black pepper. For pizza enthusiasts, the margherita is a must-try, and be sure to round off your meal with one of their expertly 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
13. Mattachioni
For a more casual dining experience, don’t miss Mattachioni. This bodega-style Italian eatery in Toronto is known for its fresh pasta dishes and delightful sandwiches. The vibe is bright and inviting, featuring polished wooden tables and vibrant, retro-inspired ceiling decor. Even though it’s situated outside of Little Italy, this beloved spot makes you feel right at home with the local community. Be sure to order the porchetta panini, a sumptuous creation with Ontario slow-roasted pork and herbs nestled in house-baked bread. The boccadasse pizza is another fantastic option that’s not to be missed.
- When: 9am- 9pm (7 days a week)
- Where: 1617 Dupont St, Toronto
- Website: www.mattachioni.com/
- Phone number: (416) 519 1010
14. Tutti Matti
Chef Alida Solomon has infused the spirit of Tuscany into downtown with her handmade pasta, wood-fired pizzas, and regional specialties like venison and wild boar. After spending six years honing her skills in Tuscan kitchens, Solomon returned to Toronto to establish Tutti Matti in 2002. The menu highlights seasonal produce while also honoring beloved staples like the costine di manzo—a comforting dish of short ribs braised in beer, oranges, honey, and rosemary, available year-round. The menu emphasizes quality ingredients to craft simple yet exquisite dishes that highlight Ontario’s seasonal produce.
- When: Hours vary (Tues to Sat)
- Where: 364 Adelaide St W, Toronto
- Website: https://tuttimatti.com/
- Phone number: (416) 597 8839
15. 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
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