Best of Toronto
The Best Italian Restaurants in Toronto
The best Italian restaurants in Toronto are about more than hastily assembled pizzas and pastas. These are places where one gets an appreciation for what results when local chefs adhere to cooking techniques passed down through generations, often via that matriarchal and nostalgic figure that oversees the idealized Italian kitchen — the nonna.
In a social sense, I suspect our communal love for Italian fare originated in the wave of post-war Italian immigration Toronto experienced in the 1950s. More than half a century later, the city's Italian roots — in both a cultural and a culinary capacity — run deep, with Italian eateries in virtually every neighbourhood.
That's not to say, however, that they're all good or even remotely authentic. And yet as Toronto's restaurant scene continues to mature, a more rustic take on Italian fare has taken hold, one that sees talented chefs tone back the flare in favour of honest, old-school food preparation. This attitude is what good Italian is all about.
Here are the best Italian restaurants in Toronto.
Lead image features photos from amandachong, Angie Wong
See also:
The Best Pizza in Toronto
The Best Pizza Slice in Toronto
Note: This list was previously published in April 2009. Comments made up until December 7th, 2011 are in reference to the old list. We've purposely kept the archived comments here because we believe they (mostly) add value to this topic. If you don't want to have to wade through all of them, simply hit the "sort by newest first" link at the top of the thread.
Enoteca Sociale
Enoteca Sociale understands better than most that simplicity isn't a bad thing. Rustic Italian fare is often more satisfying than more polished offerings, a point underscored by one bite of a three or four ingredient pasta on the menu here. But it's also about more than that, too. Be it the locally sourced meats, the on-site cheese cave, or the superb wine list, Enoteca Sociale has Italian down pat, and Toronto has taken note. More »
Buca
Buca may not be that easy to find on one's first visit, but something about that just makes sense. It's as if one should have to work just a little bit to reap what's on offer once you arrive. As is the case with other high-ranking restaurants on the list, the focus isn't on fancy so much as honest. Everything is housemade (bread, pasta, cured meats, etc.) and everything is so very good. Meat-eaters must try the sausages. More »
Pizzeria Libretto
Offering delicious and authentic Neapolitan pizza flash-cooked in a 900 degree wood oven, this is Toronto's best-loved pizzeria. While the non-pizza menu options might not be that extensive, staples like buttermilk calamari and beef carpaccio keep the regulars (and there are a lot of them) coming back. Add to that locally sourced meats and cheeses, seasonal specials, and a well priced/selected wine list, and the only thing to complain about is the wait times (the new Danforth location does, however, take reservations). More »
Terroni
The detractors cite a lack of authenticity and whine about the rigid no substitutions policy, but the dining rooms at the various Terroni outposts around town are always full. With thin-crust pizza that rivals Libretto's, simple and well-executed pastas, and a variety of mains offered daily, Terroni has long been the city's go to for no-fuss Italian. The wine list gets points for its overall range and by-the-glass options. More »
Campagnolo
The warm and wood-filled dining room can feel like an escape from the city if you avoid casting your eyes toward Dundas West. But even if you do, should you have a bit of Chef Craig Harding's take on homestyle Italian cooking on your tongue, it'll still feel like you've been transported to the old country in some small way. The menu changes constantly, but a few staples tend to reappear like the positively divine ragout of wild boar, tripe and spare rib. It will nourish your soul, especially in the midst of a cold Toronto winter. More »
Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant
Also known as "the Nose" (after its giant paper-mache nose in place of a sign), this casual, kitchy and unpretentious Leslieville eatery is another specialist in Southern Italian fare. Excellent pasta (especially the gnocchi) and well-priced mains ensures a vibrant, if loud, atmosphere. The wine is cheap enough to encourage going a bit overboard - a plus in my books. More »
7 Numbers
Located on the Danforth and at Eglinton and Avenue, both offer up classic Italian dishes, no-fuss plating and boisterous dining rooms. Reasonably priced all around, one of the fixed price menu options is generally my selection. The "homecooked" food comes courtesy of Mama Rosa, the lovable matriarch who long ago opened 7 Numbers after years of bringing diners in droves to Gio Rana’s. More »
Mistura
Chef Massimo Capra of Restaurant Makeover fame offers what many consider to be the best fine Italian cuisine in the city. Always prepared using traditional cooking methods, authenticity and quality is on obvious display here. No one would mistake it for cheap or even all that rustic (save for a dish here or there), but if fine Italian is your thing, this just might be the local pinnacle. More »
Via Allegro
While the massive and award wining wine list is a draw, it wouldn't be worth much without great food to match. No slouch in this department either, this Etobicoke restaurant offers an extensive menu that ranges from the most simple of pastas to what some would argue are the city's best veal chops. Not rigidly traditional - nor cheap - Via Allegro nevertheless remains one of the premier options for Italian cuisine in the city. More »
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www.fusaros.com
147 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, ON M5V 2L7
(416) 260-8414
I like it when these "Best of Lists" go east of Yonge Street.
My favorite is Positano on Mt Pleasant. Nice and homey with great food. Grano on Yonge is a second.
Restorante Zafferano in Woodbridge is amazing
http://www.zafferano.ca/
Do not expect cheap this dish was $32 however its worth it.
To top it off they have a wine list that reads like the bible and the worlds most extensive whisky collection.
Since it was our special day they also gave us a couple glasses of prosecco on the house.
A great night.
and I am going to ask why La Bruschetta, Marcello's and Ferro were left out?
Like Italo-foodies above, missed the boat on not including Marcello's (College St.), as well as La Fenice (King St. W)! Best papardelle in the city!
www.lilbaci.com
892 Queen Street East Toronto, ON M4M 1J2
(416) 465-4888
Also, for a real Italian experience, Bar Salumi should be included on this list. It most closely resembles what you would get during "happy hour" in an Italian bar (but obviously at a higher price point).
That being said where the f is mercatto? I don't understand how it could be missed
"can i get some tomato sauce for this calamari"
"no, no u cant, its not how italians eat it"
"but....ummm ok then"
the jig is up TERRONI!
Some good restos here, particularly Buca. Agree with some of the commenters that Terroni and Pizza Libretto are overrated.
Readers should consider F'Amelia which recently opened in Cabbagetown. Great casual atmosphere and fantastic Italian food including pizzas that rival or surpass Pizza Libretto.
Its interesting that not a single place is in Little Italy or Corsa Italia...
I have to strongly disagree with anyone who says that Pizzeria Libretto is any good. The last time I was there the server treated us as if we didn't exist (which would be ok if the food was decent) but the food was TERRIBLE. After being impressed the first time, the other times we ended up with a soggy mess of a pizza, with hair thin crust that couldn't even be folded.
I know this was done by a poll, and this isn't a problem for this webiste, but there is a proliferation of restaurants who are being supported by other online/print publications for no other reason than those publications have deemed them "cool".
Pizzeria Libretto falls into this category, in addition to The Stockyards, and several others. It is frustrating to me when restaurants that provide an excellent overall experience aren't considered the "best" because they aren't deemed "cool". The evidence is in the plethora of older posts above.
Banfi
Ferro
Marinella
Marcello's
L'Unita
Buca
Il Mulino
Vertical
Terroni doesn't even come close...and it's a chain!
And still mindless idiots lineup in blizzards and rainstorms to be treated like crap by the staff for a pizza that turns into a soggy puddle.
Positano on Mt Pleasant is the best. Cozy and authentic.
Camerini's should be on here too, best grilled calamari I have ever eaten
Check it out, I promise it is worth coming downtown for.
www.vecchiofrak.com
should be on the list. Great food, great service.
European Food Delivered to Your Door
Are you tired of eating out, spending so much money eating unhealthy food? Filling your body with food that will hurt your health and obviously its hurting your wallet
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You will be saving money, eating healthy and no more worries about cooking and cleaning up. No waiting for the pizza delivery boy or staying in line ups for take out food and no more tipping the waiter.
We will deliver to you our fresh home cooked food every day of the week. At the moment we are only delivering in downtown Toronto area but we are offering pick up services at our location at Yonge and Bloor.
The cost for a weekly meal plan is $24.99 a day for a full diner : a tasty appetizer or soup and a delicious home cooked main course.
Also once a week we will send you with your meal one of our freshly home made desserts, free of charge. Let us surprise you with our delicious dessert!
All meals are prepared in the same day as they are delivered to you so everything is very fresh .
Cooking in Toronto
Best Italian food I've had in this city. Their pastas are truly incomparable. All flavours on point. Highly recommend it.
Food is average at best, service is horrible. Waiters never came back to our table to take our dessert order after we'd asked for a menu. They ignored us and spent time chatting with each other and drinking at the bar with another patron while we were trying to get their attention to get the bill and pay. Overall a pretty disappointing experience. Save your money and go elsewhere.
OLIVE GARDEN WAS BETTER