Two Toronto spots named among the best Italian restaurants in the world

Two Toronto restaurants just won a prestigious award of excellence that recognizes the best purveyors of Italian cuisine worldwide.

The Michelin Guide and World's 50 Best tend to hog the spotlight when it comes to the most sought-after distinctions for restaurants around the world, but, for different categories of restaurants, there are specific awards that mean just as much.

For Italian restaurants and chefs, earning the distinction of tre forchette (three forks) from Rome-based food publication Gambero Rosso is one such distinction. Following the unveiling of the 2026 Top Italian Restaurants Guide, two restaurants in Toronto can now say they're part of the three forks club.

To anyone who keeps up with the city's award-winning restaurants, the recipients will come as little surprise.

The teams behind Cibo Wine Bar, Don Alfonso and DaNico celebrate their wins. Image courtesy of Liberty Entertainment Group.

First to make the cut was Little Italy's DaNico. The lovechild of the city's esteemed Liberty Entertainment Group and Michelin-starred chef Daniele Corona, the restaurant has been immersed in an ocean of acclaim for as long as it's existed, among the select ventures in the city to boast one Michelin star.

A fellow member of the one-star club, the Westin Harbour Castle's Don Alfonso 1890 also earned three forks on Gambero Rosso's 2026 Italian guide, the second of only two Toronto restaurants to make the cut.

If you're wondering why your personal favourite local Italian joint didn't make the cut, fear not: the publication exclusively evaluates fine dining establishments, which is why the likes of Famiglia Baldassare and Giulietta didn't make it.

But, hey, with North America's 50 Best Restaurants set to be unveiled on May 28 and the 2026 Toronto Michelin Guide slated for reveal on Sept. 22, there's plenty of time for every deserving restaurant in the city to get a slice of the pie. The pizza pie, that is.