What are the best Italian restaurants in Toronto (and what are their best dishes)?
rom delectable pasta dishes to mouth watering pizzas, Toronto offers an impressive array of Italian eateries - stretching from the charming Beaches to High Park.
These restaurants cater to every Italian-food craving, but what should you be ordering from their vast menus? Imagine savoring a steaming pizza fresh from the oven, adorned with melting cheese, aromatic basil, and a drizzle of chili oil.
Visualize indulging in al dente bucatini adorned with a luscious Parmesan and freshly cracked pepper sauce, or delighting in creamy burrata served atop a fragrant bed of herbs, olive oil, and crispy garlic bread— here’s your go-to guide to finding it.
Discover the best dishes in Toronto and more with the dish rating app Wadju. Simply download the app on the either App Store or with Google Play, and start exploring.
The best Italian restaurants in Toronto!
What Wadjers are saying: Terroni has been a staple of Toronto’s West Queen West neighborhood since 1992, offering classic pizzas and pasta in an inviting, bustling atmosphere with charming nooks, a delightful summer patio, and authentic, homemade dishes.
Wadju need to eat there: Be sure to try Terroni’s Don Corrado pizza, a hearty delight topped with fingerling potatoes, housemade spicy sausage, gorgonzola, mozzarella, and rosemary. The Santo Stefano pizza is also a delight, featuring premium ingredients such as prosciutto di parma and mozzarella di bufula, both prepared fresh in their in-house bakery.
What Wadjers are saying: Osteria Giulia offers a refined coastal Italian dining experience in a sleek yet welcoming setting, showcasing a mature menu that draws inspiration from the Ligurian region.
Wadju need to eat there: Don’t miss the opportunity to savor the focaccia di Recco – a Ligurian flatbread filled with stracchino cheese. The exquisite vitello tonnato is another standout dish that pairs lightly-seared veal carpaccio with white albacore tuna mayo and capers.
What Wadjers are saying: Mattachioni is a casual Italian bakery, bodega, and pizzeria nestled in Toronto’s Junction Triangle, offering a selection of house-made bread, delectable paninis, and wood-fired pizzas; all served in a laid-back eatery that complements the neighborhood’s burgeoning food scene.
Wadju need to eat there: Their wood-fired pizzas are a must-try, particularly the Carlo & Giulia topped with fresh mozzarella, taleggio, cacciatore salami, olives, and basil, all on naturally leavened sourdough crust.
What Wadjers are saying: The boxing-themed Italian eatery, Sugo, pays homage to classic red sauce joints and offers a daytime spot to enjoy quality Italian fare like veal sandwiches, fresh mozzarella, and classic pasta dishes.
Wadju need to eat there: At Sugo, be sure to savor the veal sandwich, stuffed peppers, and get the boozy tiramisu for dessert to round out a truly satisfying Italian lunch experience.
What Wadjers are saying: La Palma seamlessly blends a California cool vibe with Italian cooking, serving up classics like a mouthwatering 100-layer lasagna and wood-grilled meats in a chic, artistic setting.
Wadju need to eat there: Don’t miss La Palma’s 100-layer lasagna, delivering crispy corners on every layer. The melt-in-your-mouth oxtail gnocchi is another standout, both showcasing Chef Craig Harding’s culinary finesse.
What Wadjers are saying: Ardo, led by Chef Roberto Marotta, offers a delightful Southern Italian dining experience with a focus on fresh seafood and family-inspired dishes. The sunny ambiance of the restaurant is complemented by an open kitchen to give you a look into the magic Chef Marotta is creating.
Wadju need to eat there: Order the polpo to start, a plate of tenderly braised and crisply grilled octopus tentacles with a bold vegetable caponata. For the main course, the Ciliegino pizza features a light, puffy crust topped generously with semi-dried cherry tomatoes, artichokes, arugula, and shaved ragusano cheese over a fior di latte base.
What Wadjers are saying: This beloved Italian restaurant is where you can savor some of Toronto’s finest house-made pasta and salumi. Enoteca Sociale features a four-seat, reservation-only chef’s bar and a tantalizing menu, accompanied by an impressive selection of wines and delectable after-dinner treats like homemade cannoli.
Wadju need to eat there: For a memorable dining experience at Enoteca Sociale, don’t miss their house-made pasta, especially the classic cacio e pepe and the savory amatriciana, plus a delightful cannoli for dessert.
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