The Best Italian Hot Tables in Toronto

The best Italian hot tables in Toronto are only open for lunch, and feature menus that are virtually interchangeable whether you find yourself in Scarborough or Mimico. They might be on busy main streets or on cul-de-sacs in industrial parks, but you can be sure to find veal and meatballs, lasagna and pasta, steamed vegetables and sautéed rapini, in pans on the steam table, and available for for either take-out or eating in.

The predictability probably makes the Italian hot table lunch very nearly the ideal of comfort food, especially if you grew up eating it in the spotless kitchen of your - or someone else's - very generous nonna, and it tastes just as good in the depths of winter as on a scorching summer day.

Here are the best Italian hot tables in Toronto.

See also:

The best Italian bakeries in Toronto
The best Italian restaurants in Toronto

Centro Trattoria

The tables fill up fast at this deli on St. Clair’s Corso Italia, so arrive early if you want your pick of the daily specials, and make sure you try the rice ball, which reigns as one of the best in the city. More »

Tommaso's Trattoria

Hidden away on Eastern Avenue on the far side of the Don, Tommaso’s boasts some of the city's best selections from both a hot and cold table, which can be mixed and matched. The homemade sausage with deep-fried fennel is a stellar combination. More »

Tre Mari Bakery

A Corso Italia institution, Tre Mari is famous for its bread, but the hot table is open well into the afternoon. The veal, liberated from its typical presentation in a sandwich, can be enjoyed with a side of rice and rapini. More »

Commisso Bros.

You’ve got to know where to look for this bakery and its unbelievably huge steam table selection, and you'll find it off to the side of Caledonia Road’s home design district. Commisso’s doesn’t bother with the cosmetics (or with seats, really), so you should make sure you know what you want, even if the choices are dizzying. More »

Francesca's Bakery

In among the car dealerships and auto parts stores near Scarborough Town Centre, Francesca’s has too much food for its steam table, lines that begin before noon, and stuffed peppers the size of softballs. In short, it's a must-try for fans of Italian hot tables. More »

Fallingbrook Market

Down by the Bluffs, this relatively new Italian deli is spacious enough for the mommies and their strollers that frequent it, and features a concise hot table featuring tasty, plump gnocchi. More »

Zito's Marketplace

Marlee Village, just by the Allen Expressway, is home to this Italian deli with its adventurous steam table, where favorites like the eggplant parmigiana share space with spinach frittata, and the tripe that the very friendly staff recommend without a bit of hesitation. More »

Agincourt Bakery

Up by the city’s northern edge, this bakery hidden in the corner of a strip mall is home to a huge hot table selection, where you'll find at least three pastas alongside almost a dozen meats and mains, thick muffaletta sandwiches and a full salad bar. More »

SanRemo Bakery

Just by the Mimico GO station, SanRemo’s is a boisterous place at lunchtime. Here, the crowd spills out onto the patio tables on Royal York and the ongoing specialty is an incredible porchetta available for sandwiches, plates and takeout. More »