The Best Calzone (Panzerotti) in Toronto

The best calzone in Toronto is subject to much variation. It takes a great sauce, a hearty dough, and some fresh cheese to start, but then a myriad of variables are thrown into the calzone equation. The restaurants on this list capitalize in most or all respects, offering the greatest variety of extra toppings (at reasonable prices, one should hope), stretching the pocket to the greatest conceivable size (watch out, waistline), and opting for the best method of preparation.

While some might say the true calzone is the grasp-your-heart deep-fried version (often referred to as panzerotti), many of the Toronto restaurants here have proved that baked (and even, whole-wheat!) can be just as good. Prices vary widely but the concept is still the same — fill it up, fold it over, and make it much too large for any reasonable, diet-conscious human being. Of course, that's what makes them so good.

Here is where to find the best calzone in Toronto.

See also:

The Best Pizza Slice in Toronto
The Best Italian Restaurants in Toronto

Frank’s Pizza House

Frank’s Pizza House is just about as good as they come. Right in Corsa Italia, this restaurant makes its calzone obtrusively huge (rightfully so), overstuffed with gooey goodness in complete disregard for its white tablecloths, and available either baked or fried. For take-out or delivery, a calzone with cheese and sauce is $6.00 and additional toppings can be thrown in for $0.75 each. More »

The Big Slice (St. Clair West)

They might correct you if you order a calzone here (“you mean panzerotto?”) but only fools let semantics get in the way of deliciousness. Hungry, hungry fools. Another Corsa Italia joint, the panzerotto here is among the cheapest of the best in Toronto, priced at just $5 for basic sauce and cheese, with the option of extra toppings for $0.50 each. More »

King Slice

While King Slice is so often lauded for its humungous slices, its baked calzones have garnered their own faithful following. Calzones can be customized starting with a cheese and tomato sauce base ($7.00) and additional toppings ($1.00), though customers are likely better off opting for one of the calzone specialties ($10.00) including the four-cheese Al Formaggi or the Cacciatore with chicken, mushrooms, peppers, and onion. More »

Vinny Massimo’s

Another spot where the slices usually hog all of the attention, even while the calzones bake in their homemade garlic parsley oil goodness. A bigger, stuffed version of Vinny Massimo’s famous Garlic Knutz, the calzones come in a handful of specialty varieties include Meat Lover’s, Diavola, and Rustica, or else can be customized starting at $6.00 each. More »

Bitondo’s

Like The Big Slice, Bitondo’s makes panzerotti, not calzones (although I’m sure some will argue that there’s little to no difference). Whatever you call it, the sized-for-two pocket comes stuffed with mounds of mozzarella cheese, packed with rich tomato sauce, and deep-fried from a perfect golden brown shell. If you make it through, you’ll probably lie on the couch for two days, then probably start to crave another. $6+ More »

Terrazza

The calzones are a little pricier here (starting at $12 for a make-your-own) but the topping options are much more interesting than run-of-the-mill pepperoni or mushrooms. Albeit, for $1 each, you can opt to add in options such as prosciutto, pine nuts, goat cheese, or pancetta. Customers can also order specialty creations off the menu, which range in price from about $12 to $19. More »

Il Sogno

Quality calzone exists north of St. Clair and Il Sogno offers the proof. While the restaurant doesn’t offers a lot of room for that post-calzone unbutton and stretch, it does make a serious pizza pocket in several signature varieties. Nonno’s Fave (aptly named “Nonno’s Fave”) is stuffed with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and anchovies, ringing in at the mode price of $12.00. More »

Albany Pizza

Not sure if this is how they do them in New York, but Brockton Village residents swear by the panzerotti at Albany Pizza. Starting at about $6.00 for basic sauce and cheese, cheese-lovers can opt to double up for an extra buck, or else add in extra toppings for $0.75-$0.95. The sauce makes all the difference. More »

Ciao Wine Bar

Calzones are suddenly upscale with restaurants like Ciao Wine Bar in the best-of running. The Yorkville hotspot offers the option of whole-wheat dough for its baked calzones, which come in roasted veggie and Italian sausage varieties. These calzones are priced at a not-totally-atrocious $16.00 each. More »