The best Italian pizzerias and restaurants Toronto

A relatively new addition to Toronto's food scene (late 2021), it is the brainchild of popular chef Rob Rossi, who also owns the renowned Giulietta on College Street. This osteria concocts typical northern Italian cuisine and was awarded a Michelin star in 2022, a testament to the quality of the ingredients and dishes on the menu. The menu features seafood, a tradition rooted in the Liguria region. Mention should also be made of the superb minimalist design of the premises, a creation by Guido Costantino.

The careful decoration of a top-of-the-range trattoria, flawless Italian cuisine, and a location in the heart of life in the Queen West district (or West Queen West, depending on where you draw the line). The regulars meet there for an aperitif, around a pizza or fried squid. In the summer, the terrace is one of the most pleasant green spaces in Toronto. The Terroni Group owns several restaurants in town, as well as bakeries, a delicatessen, a bar, a wine agency, an online terroir shop, etc.

Opened some 20 years ago by chef/owner Alida Solomon, who has received numerous awards over the years, Tutti Matti offers tasty Tuscan cuisine based on fresh products and homemade recipes. Pasta and bread are made on site daily and the team also makes its own cold cuts. We like to be able to assist in the preparation of our dishes, the kitchen occupying a part of the room. A beautiful address to plunge in the heart of the Tuscan family cooking.

Sud Forno is part of the famous Terroni chain of Italian restaurants, which has several locations in Toronto and California. In a historic building, the space here is split in two. Downstairs, there are several "Italian-style" counters selling small dishes to nibble on or take away. In the back, a bakery offers bread and pastries. Upstairs, a superb restaurant welcomes customers who want to take their time. A beautiful address that won't break the bank!

Another address of the famous Terroni Group, Spaccio West occupies a large space in the heart of one of the city's oldest factories (where Drake Commissary used to be before it closed). It's a market full of prepared foods and gourmet products, a wine store with a private import service, and a restaurant where you can enjoy homemade Italian specialties, especially the fresh pizzas and pastas that draw crowds. Another branch in the Corktown area.

One of the Financial District's hottest spots, Jump offers a decidedly urban atmosphere with a lovely New York-style bar. Chef de cuisine Matthew Cooper and his brigade concoct tasty dishes with a clear preference for fresh meats and pastas. The winning combination: North American cuisine with Italian influences. The wine cellar also has some nice surprises in store, not to mention a vast selection of whiskies, bourbons and scotches. Bonus: an interior courtyard to enjoy the sunny days.

Chef Rob Rossi's table has distinguished itself since its opening by ranking 5th among the best new restaurants in 2018 according to Air Canada enRoute. A hot start! Together with his partner David Minicucci, the chef has created a simple yet effective menu, highlighting the sweet flavours of Italy. Everyone agrees that pasta is a must, just like pizza with its tasty homemade dough. In a group (8-10 people), we suggest the chef's menu, which comes in 5 courses. Bonus: an exhaustive wine list.

Italian cuisine revisited, and especially a terrace overlooking the Yorkville neighborhood and its small Victorian houses. At night, the illuminated street is a pleasure to watch. But Trattoria Nervosa is also a place recommended for a good pasta lunch on a shopping day (gluten-free option available on request) or to enjoy a pizza prepared according to the rules of art. Don't leave without trying one of the delicious desserts, such as panna cotta, cannoli or homemade gelato.

The Cibo Wine Bar in the upscale Yorkville district blends the atmosphere of a wine bar and a traditional Italian restaurant. The different levels combine modern design with a chic industrial style and a rustic ambience, and the whole is magnificent. The basement is a cellar with a decoration resolutely turned towards wine, while the mezzanine offers a warmer atmosphere. Speaking of wines, you should know that there are some 2,500 bottles of wine in the cellar. Enough to delight amateurs! On the plate, all the great classics of Italian cuisine.

Wynona, it is a trendy Italian restaurant a little in the east of East Chinatown. During our visit, we heard about it more than once! This restaurant of chef-owner Jeffrey Bovis highlights seasonal and Canadian products such as smoked swordfish from Nova Scotia and wood duck from Ontario. Virtually everything is made in-house, such as fresh pasta, sauces, etc. The selection of wines, some of which are organic and natural, will make many smile. Mention should be made of the beautiful interior design, designed by the chef himself.

The first Buca opened in 2009 on King West Street. Critically acclaimed since its opening, especially for its house-made charcuterie, its little brother in Yorkville is in the same vein but with a penchant for seafood. In fact, you should definitely try their seafood charcuterie, all made on site. The great classics like pasta and pizza are still very popular, not to mention the tasty grilled meats. Buca has a^3rd location in Toronto, which is more of a coffee bar (temporarily closed at the time of writing).

First of all, Aria Ristorante is a breathtaking decor where white dominates, with two huge walls entirely made of glass and a ceiling that reaches more than 10 meters high. Then comes the plate in which is presented an authentic Italian cuisine with a beautiful contemporary touch. The glass follows the same logic with several vintages imported from Italy. Located a stone's throw from Scotiabank Arena and Maple Leaf Square, it's a great place for an aperitif with a dish to share or a meal before a show.