The 15 Best Italian Restaurants in Toronto Right Now

When we talk about cuisines in the city, there’s plenty to choose from. French, Greek, and Japanese food are the tip of the iceberg. And we will surely not forget to mention Italian food!

Characterized by its simplicity yet undoubtedly robust flavours, Italian cuisines are always guaranteed to be fresh, delicious, and luxurious looking.

Here in Toronto, there are plenty of restaurants where you can try your favourite Italian dishes like pasta, bread, pizza, salad, and more. With many Italian restaurants opening left and right in the T.O, it’s hard to keep up and identify which one is best.

Luckily, we have compiled a list of top-notch Toronto-based Italian Restaurants you should try right now!

Don’t forget to visit Toronto’s top gelato spots for a sweet ending.

 

1. Don Alfonso 1890

Address: 1 Harbour Square 38th Floor, Toronto, ON M5J 1A6

With its numerous international awards, you must have categorized this stunning establishment, owned by Michelin star Chef Alfonso, under your “special occasion” fine dining list. Interestingly, it also has been branded as this year’s #1 Italian restaurant outside Italy (what not to love about this place?). While you might probably get intimidated by recognitions here and there, you shouldn’t!

The place may be oozing with elegance, but some dishes can surely fit within your budget. For instance, you can always try their spaghetti, tasty Eel gelato, and the most favourite of all, the Wagyu.

Their signature menu would be the highlight of your visit, but you can get the same experience at a much more affordable price by ordering on the A La Carte Menu. Everything is top-grade at Don Alfonso, and it’s for you to find out if they are worth the hype.

 

2. Giulietta

Address: 972 College St, Toronto, ON M6H 1A5

Is the Italian restaurant even Italian without wine, beer, and a cocktail? Started in 2018, Giulietta is owned by Chef Rob Rossi, who promises to deliver an impressive seafood-focused menu and an abundance of authentic Italian beverages. Although the place is relatively new, it has come a long way to being one of the best Italian restaurants.

As you walk into this establishment, you will first notice the aesthetic yet lavish interior and the eye-catching wine bar that makes the place very homey. The atmosphere and upscale setup make the restaurant recommendable for a first date or celebration.

Mark your calendar, book a date, and try their famous dishes like Calamari Fritti, Polpo e Fagioli, Belgioioso Burrata, and much more. For drinks, there are a lot of choices to choose from. You can also head to their Bar and ask for the Bartender’s choice or browse their 8-page wine menu.

 

3. Sugo

Address: 1281 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6H 1N7

Sugo provides an old-school ambiance and it lies in Bloordale Village. It features a traditional interior and its dishes stay true to tried-and-tested authentic Italian dishes, which has helped them achieve huge loyal customers.

You can get a large pasta plate and a massive salad bowl without breaking the bank. Their veal parmigiana sandwich is loaded with cheese and absolutely delicious. It’s worth every penny.

Sugo specializes in sandwiches and pasta, so expect to have more pasta dishes on their menu. They also serve good wine, cocktails, and beers, but the choices are not that many. Take note, though, that they are not open for reservations. There’s a perpetual lineup in the neighbourhood every day, so you better be early if you want your belly filled with good pasta and beer!

If you can manage to walk away from this restaurant with room in your stomach, definitely check out some of the best desserts Toronto has to offer.

 

4. Buca

Address: 604 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1M6 (+more locations)

Tucked away in the busy neighbourhood of King Street, this restaurant, with its vast “Buca” signage, offers Italian-style small bites best paired with wine. Inspired by classic and contemporary cuisines, their massive menu is reminiscent of traditional and modern Italian dishes.

Buca allows its diners to experience a delicious array of Italian flavours without feeling overly stuffed. Unlike other restaurants full of pasta dishes, this place has a massive selection of pizzas that can compete with the best pizzas places in the GTA. From Prosciutto to Pomodorini and Funghi, no flavour will do you any wrong despite being in alien (Italian) terms.

 

5. Levetto

Address: 68 Sudbury St, Toronto, ON M6J 0B6 (+more locations)

It’s pasta and pizza galore in Levetto. This restaurant is the place to be for your affordable Italian food cravings. With its open kitchen concept, dining here feels like you’re in someone’s home kitchen. This cozy restaurant has become locals’ go-to place for good food, wine, and conversation.

Come here for their homemade pasta, pizza, salad, panna cotta, or tiramisu. While they don’t have a long list of drinks, we have to say that their dishes are best consumed with coffee or wine. Sit on their cozy patio to fully enjoy their delicious Italian meals!

 

6. Grazie Ristorante

Address: 2373 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4P 2C8
Address: 9100 Jane St, Concord, ON L4K 0A4

Forget your carb inhibitions for a moment, and treat yourself with some al dente pastas. This popular restaurant has a swoon-worthy portfolio of creamy and tomato sauce-flavoured pasta. Their spaghetti dishes are quite a hype, but if you want healthier pasta, there’s a lot to choose from, such as Basta, Pesaro, Amalian, and more.

But just because pasta here is a hit, it doesn’t mean that their pizza dishes are left behind. So, pizza lovers out there, don’t fret! Pizza flavours and toppings in this restaurant are mouthwatering. Every pizza enthusiast would agree that dough is a huge factor in a delicious pizza – and Grazie Ristorante is far from a disappointment.

Just a reminder: Guests cannot make any substitutions on the ingredients. So, if you’re on a strict vegan diet, this place is not the one for you. However, anyone with allergies can ask the server to omit a particular ingredient.

 

7. Enoteca Sociale

Address: 1288 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1X7

Indulge in a fancy yet hearty meal at Enoteca Sociale. Located at Dundas Street, this fine-dining Italian Restaurant features eclectic interiors, bricked walls, and Roman candles which scream dollar bills. Though you may be fixated on the luxurious Pollo (roasted chicken) or their ever-delicious Pasta Carbonara, don’t leave the place without browsing their bar list.

The Chef’s Bar offers massive wine and cocktail lists, so it’s not difficult to find the ones that will match your mood. But if you’re not a fan of alcoholic drinks, they have an extensive selection of juice, tea, and coffee.

Want to host an exclusive gathering with family or friends? They have private dining with a vast wine cellar offering a more upscale dining experience for up to 14 guests!

 

8. NODO

Address: 2885 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6P 1Y9 (+more locations)

With four open locations (Junction, Hillcrest, Leslieville, and Liberty Village), NODO is probably the default Italian restaurant in Toronto. But do you know that they have only been in Toronto for 6 years? Yes, they become huge in a short time, and their position in downtown Toronto is as al dente as ever.

Over the years, this chain of casual restaurants has taught Torontonians what makes an excellent authentic bowl of pasta. First, it should be made with fresh ingredients; Second, it should not be complicated (homemade if possible); Third, it should not be pretentious and pricey.

Of course, they owe their success to their delicious homemade pasta, perfect pies, delectable appetizers, and savoury desserts. But their famous dishes, you ask? It’s the Rigatoni Bolognese, Pappardelle Duck Ragu, Gnocchi, and Cannoli!

 

9. Gusto 101

Address: 101 Portland St, Toronto, ON M5V 2N3

Featuring a more casual and modern ambiance, Gusto 101’s industrial-style interior is hard to resist, especially if you’re a Gen Z foodie or an influencer who loves sharing their dining experience on the internet. But besides the rustic atmosphere, it’s their food that makes the regulars happy and satisfied.

Located in what used to be an old garage on Portland Street, Gusto 101 has its own take on South Italian food. And what’s good in Southern Italian cuisines? Well, we have a lot to mention, but if you insist, it’s the Mafalde Ai Funghi, Margherita Pizza, Polipo (grilled octopus), Cavolo Nero (kale salad), and the list goes on.

Fun fact: “Gusto (Goo-sto)” means “tasty” in Italian, and they really live up to their name!

 

10. Trattoria Nervosa

Address: 75 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M5R 1B8

Do not scoff at this Italian pizzeria’s size and family-friendly atmosphere because the food here is seriously the best. Trattoria Nervosa offers a chic and chill vibe which is a perfect venue for casual gatherings. Their food is hearty, wholesome, and affordable by downtown standards.

The owner could have made the place bigger and flashier because they have a huge fan base but judging their happy guests, you’ll realize that food matters more than interiors. This establishment makes food approachable, with pizza as the best seller. They mainly offer red (tomato-sauce flavoured) pizza finished with their own organic virgin oil.

As for pasta and desserts, unfortunately, they don’t have wide varieties, but you can always find something that will make your day. Risotto Nervosa (braised beef pasta), lasagna, and gelato are crowd favourites.

 

11. Ascari

Address: 1111 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1K7
Address: 620 King St W, Toronto, ON M5V 1M5

The menu in Ascari is straightforward, but they are served and taste incredibly well, making it worth your return. Guests love the friendly setup of the place – rustic interior, open kitchen, and a fancy wine bar which makes everything very Italian.

Ascari is known for its wine and pasta dishes. Their carbonara is so divine that you can tell how significantly committed they are to serving quality food. Their desserts are also good, especially if you’ve just had a glass of wine.

Unlike other restaurants, Ascari takes reservations. They have a friendly website where you can make reservations on your desired spot. The downside is that they don’t have delivery or takeout options.

 

12. Stelvio

Address: 791 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1V2

Like their traditional authentic cuisines from Valtellina (Northern Italy), this establishment is frozen in time, precisely what the owners and guests want. The place may look small on the outside, but they are surprisingly spacious and you can bring a huge group inside.

Stelvio is not your typical Italian restaurant. Featuring northern Italian cuisines, the restaurant is committed to offering underrated comfort winter food that feels like home. Diners seem to love their homemade Gnocchi and Pizzoccheri Di Teglio. While others come here for the meat dishes available on their Taglieri menu.

 

13. Carisma

Address: 15 Toronto St, Toronto, ON M5C 2E3

If you’re a fan of Il Mulino and Baloro, then you would love Carisma. Opened by the same owners, Spouses Margi and Michael Pagliaro, this family-owned business is tagged as the most elegant Italian restaurant in Toronto by CTV News.

The place is cozy and chic, making them the most favoured venue for first dates and marriage proposals. They were first located in King Street East but are now relocated to 15 Toronto Street.

Once you hop into this luxurious Italian fine dining restaurant, order a dish you could not find just anywhere, such as the Insalata Carisma (appetizer), Pappardelle (wild boar ragu pasta), Calamarata (mixed seafood spicy pasta), and more. Complete your meal by choosing from their extensive cocktail and wine menus, which may sound lavish but very affordable.

 

14. Gio Rana’s Really, Really Nice

Address: 1220 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1L7

Is it truly nice in Gio Rana’s? For sure! Their name might not be the typical Italian restaurant you are accustomed to, but it sets them apart from the others. They have a great sense of humour and are fond of making fun of themselves – isn’t it evident from the colossal nose welcoming guests above the front door?

Also known as “The Nose,” the place is a home for fresh Italian meat dishes. They’re known for serving great pasta, but you should not miss out on their signature dishes like Braised Veal Osso Buco, Grilled Calamari, Giant Meatballs, and the like.

After indulging in their delicious dessert from their dolce menu, you will surely leave the place feeling happy and full. With many emerging Italian restaurants nowadays, we say this is the best place to bring that special someone to be dined and wined.

 

15. Famiglia Baldassarre

Address: 122 Geary Ave, Toronto, ON M6H 4H1

Loyal customers of Famiglia Baldassarre often comment on how this pasta shop makes one feel a celebration of the timeless appeal of homecooked Italian pasta. This establishment is more of a pasta factory than a restaurant. The open kitchen area is always full of people who want to be entertained by employees’ pasta-making activities or like to buy wholesale pasta to cook at home.

Straight off from the pasta production table, you can order notable highlights like Tagliatelle Al Ragu, Cacio E Pepe, and Perciatellie a La Matriciana. However, you can only enjoy these during lunchtime. They are also not open for reservation, so come early because they are mostly crowded, even on weekdays!