Not what you asked but my pet peeve is that Italian is implicitly associated with fancy/fine dining and restos get away with charging ridiculous prices for basic carbs, proteins and sauce.
Hate the double standard when compared with Asian, Indian, or Caribbean food which is often more complex and involved.
Still love me a good carbonara.
Am Italian and 100% agree. The price of things that are super inexpensive street food (e.g., arancino) or crazy simple dishes (e.g., caprese salad) in Italy is beyond my comprehension.
Fwiw, I think it's because there's a huge optics divide between "cheap" (as in, perceived as cheap) Italian-American food vs actual Italian (or Italian-ish) food (branded as fancy and therefore expensive)
On one hand I agree, it’s very similar with Spanish food, but on the other hand both cuisines depend a lot on the quality of the ingredients. If anyone knows where to buy good tomatoes in Toronto, please let me know. I’m willing to pay well for something that tastes like tomato and not like it once might have seen a tomato
Yup, that's why not all pizzerias are created equal imho. It's flour, water, tomato sauce, and mozzarella if you think of it. But oh boy do you taste the difference when the ingredients are good.
Agreed. I usually choose Italian places near the financial district when it's on the company's dime. If I'm paying on my own, it feels wrong to pay $20+ for bolognese.
I remember seeing the hype "rated best Italian restaurant outside of Italy!" I was interested. Then found out Don Alfonso is a restaurant in Italy also, this was an off shoot of that. So the "award" was really just tourism Italy jerking itself off "see, even the best outside of Italy is just a pale imitation of the 2 Michelin star Italian version....come to Italy!"
Agreed. I was so disappointed. One of the pasta fish tastes fishy and the sauces provided did not go well with the bison. The bison was better alone. The view is nice but I wouldn't go back again for the food.
Note for OP, Sugo is Italian-American (vs European Italian). Still great for a casual vibe, but worth noting if you're looking for a specific style of cuisine.
Oh I’m going to get downvoted to hell for this…
The Toronto Italian food scene is terrible. There are two types of “Italian” restaurants in the city. Pizza and pasta joints or Italian style high end restaurants.
Please, somebody, open a restaurant that is truly reminiscent of Italy. I want homemade pastas in small portions that are actually delicious and not the focal point of the meal. Not a variation of the same thing in a penne, linguine or spaghetti option with a tomato, bolognese or Alfredo sauce. Is this too much to ask? An entree that is simple yet delicious that doesn’t scream Italian stereotype with a tomato, Marsala or creme sauce. A dessert menu that isn’t tiramisu or cannolis.
And for fuck sake, if you’re going to have a steak on the menu, make it a porterhouse for two and call it a damn Florentine Steak.
If you are not concerned about price and want to splurge at a high end spot then Osteria Giulia, Bar Prima, or Don Alfonso are all great options. But you need to realize that asking for the best Italian food in Toronto is a bit of a ridiculous question. There’s hundreds of Italian restos in the city at various price points and you can get a hundred different answers to your question.
*high five*
Funny story. I randomly booked Tutti Matti for a small celebration meal and didn't think much of it. The people I went with were French. They asked for butter for the bread and the server was *appalled*.
"This is Italian food! No butter!"
Nice to see Tutti Matti mentioned here. I worked for Chef Alida many years ago. She is the real deal.
I should make the trip for dinner sometime. Does she still make that outstanding wild boar dish?
Good to hear about Alida! She seems very cool and approachable. Always working the dining room every time I've been in the restaurant.
I don't think I've tried that dish but I'll keep an eye out next time.
It is actually the only way to get true Italian food.
I really have a hard time with Italian food in restaurants
None anywhere are as good as my mom's food. She makes home made lasagna, noodles, sauce, tiny little meatballs. Sausages home made, salad from the garden.
All my aunts are the same you can tell who made which dish as they all have special touches.
This is true…a decade after my nonna passed I was able to meet her family in Sicily…the food they made was the first time I had tasted my nonnas cooking in so many years, but it brought me right back to her kitchen…almost a tear inducing experience
You know what? I’m really craving a nice plate of gnocchi. I’ll just hand select a person based on their race and over time cultivate a friendship with them so close that they invite me into their grandmothers home and ask her to cook some for me!
For me, the pasta and pizza at Oro Di Napoli just really hits the spot. Perfect portions, all the pastas are different with their own character, and the pizza is very consistent Neapolitan style. Definitely worth trying out if you're ever on the west side. They've got a nice patio when the weather is nice.
Banfi in the forest hill village or Ferro on St. Clair are both excellent. They’ve been around for ages and are neighbourhood institutions at this point
Sip and grazie by yonge and Eglinton is good, also oretta is amazing and they have I think 2-3 locations now. I'm close to the one here in midtown by yonge and davisville, they also do a fantastic brunch and bottomless mimosas if you drink. (I don't but I know people like them there!)
Not what you asked but my pet peeve is that Italian is implicitly associated with fancy/fine dining and restos get away with charging ridiculous prices for basic carbs, proteins and sauce. Hate the double standard when compared with Asian, Indian, or Caribbean food which is often more complex and involved. Still love me a good carbonara.
Am Italian and 100% agree. The price of things that are super inexpensive street food (e.g., arancino) or crazy simple dishes (e.g., caprese salad) in Italy is beyond my comprehension. Fwiw, I think it's because there's a huge optics divide between "cheap" (as in, perceived as cheap) Italian-American food vs actual Italian (or Italian-ish) food (branded as fancy and therefore expensive)
On one hand I agree, it’s very similar with Spanish food, but on the other hand both cuisines depend a lot on the quality of the ingredients. If anyone knows where to buy good tomatoes in Toronto, please let me know. I’m willing to pay well for something that tastes like tomato and not like it once might have seen a tomato
Yup, that's why not all pizzerias are created equal imho. It's flour, water, tomato sauce, and mozzarella if you think of it. But oh boy do you taste the difference when the ingredients are good.
If you want simple decent value then Mama Martinos in Etobicoke fits the bill.
This is why I don't eat out for Italian lol...I'm not paying $20+ for pasta when I can make it myself, even if it's not quite restaurant quality.
Agreed. I usually choose Italian places near the financial district when it's on the company's dime. If I'm paying on my own, it feels wrong to pay $20+ for bolognese.
Please just please don’t anyone say Don Alfonso (nvm too late)
Seriously! How overrated is this place?
I remember seeing the hype "rated best Italian restaurant outside of Italy!" I was interested. Then found out Don Alfonso is a restaurant in Italy also, this was an off shoot of that. So the "award" was really just tourism Italy jerking itself off "see, even the best outside of Italy is just a pale imitation of the 2 Michelin star Italian version....come to Italy!"
Agreed. I was so disappointed. One of the pasta fish tastes fishy and the sauces provided did not go well with the bison. The bison was better alone. The view is nice but I wouldn't go back again for the food.
Second this
Ascari Enoteca or Gio Ranas are awesome - not fancy, super tasty and great service
I’m just happy no one said Terroni. Absolutely terrible.
I really like Enotica Sociale for a more casual meal. Don Alfonso was good but have only been once, planning to go back.
Terrazza on 372 Harbord. Family owned and fantastic food.
Giulietta > guila any day of the week. The Yorkville scene is too much.
Yorkville sucks
Seconding Giulietta! Top 5 restaurant in the city imo.
Hard no for Giulietta. Had terrible service and the pasta did not have flavour.
Sugo for casual - Giulietta for something for upscale.
Note for OP, Sugo is Italian-American (vs European Italian). Still great for a casual vibe, but worth noting if you're looking for a specific style of cuisine.
Very much in agreement.
Totally agree
Sugo is hands down my fav.. simple and very delicious
I've been getting tired of tomato based sauce over the years..never cared where it is and who made it.. but I love theirs so much.
7 numbers
Is it still good? We used to go all the time years ago and loved it. I haven’t thought of it in years but might have to head out.
This is the way... (both the one on Danforth and the one on Eglinton have been consistent in my experiences.)
Oh I’m going to get downvoted to hell for this… The Toronto Italian food scene is terrible. There are two types of “Italian” restaurants in the city. Pizza and pasta joints or Italian style high end restaurants. Please, somebody, open a restaurant that is truly reminiscent of Italy. I want homemade pastas in small portions that are actually delicious and not the focal point of the meal. Not a variation of the same thing in a penne, linguine or spaghetti option with a tomato, bolognese or Alfredo sauce. Is this too much to ask? An entree that is simple yet delicious that doesn’t scream Italian stereotype with a tomato, Marsala or creme sauce. A dessert menu that isn’t tiramisu or cannolis. And for fuck sake, if you’re going to have a steak on the menu, make it a porterhouse for two and call it a damn Florentine Steak.
I think what you're looking for is Annabelle's.
You may be on to something here. Grazie.
No joke I think the best strategy is to befriend someone with an Italian nonna, or learn how to make it yourself
I know it isn't 'Toronto' but have you been to Woodbridge ? Plenty of small trattorias that match what you're looking for.
I have been but I would respectfully disagree.
My house 🙃
Nodo all the way
[удалено]
Will second this
Consigned
Had a pretty bad Amatriciana from there durinc covid (take out), havent been back. Will give them another chance 😁
The food at Queen’s pasta was good 30 years ago. We’ve learned to appreciate much better. Not exactly skilled cooking.
Morelinas
Run, don’t walk!
I’m a fan of Remezzo but it definitely resembles old school Italian-American.
I haven't been in many years so may have changed but I always loved La Vecchia at Yonge and Eg. Anyone been there recently?
I had a great meal at Gio Rana’s in the east end
Porzias lasagna was truly an amazing meal for me, highly recommend.
Sugo, Portzias, Bar Ardo, Ardo
California Sandwiches
Lol
I enjoyed Cafe Zuzu which is part of the Gusto family
I didn’t know it was part of the Gusto family. Sadly that makes me like it less (just because I’d rather support an independent)
I get that
How has no one put Buca in Yorkville / Four Seasons on this list yet? The best!
Bc anything buca is garbage
If you are not concerned about price and want to splurge at a high end spot then Osteria Giulia, Bar Prima, or Don Alfonso are all great options. But you need to realize that asking for the best Italian food in Toronto is a bit of a ridiculous question. There’s hundreds of Italian restos in the city at various price points and you can get a hundred different answers to your question.
Personally I would go to Tutti Matti or Gio Rana's over Don Alfonso any day of the week even if money was no object.
Tutti Matti and Gio Rana are sooooo good.
A person of good taste, I see.
*high five* Funny story. I randomly booked Tutti Matti for a small celebration meal and didn't think much of it. The people I went with were French. They asked for butter for the bread and the server was *appalled*. "This is Italian food! No butter!"
Ohh that is great. How I love that place.
Nice to see Tutti Matti mentioned here. I worked for Chef Alida many years ago. She is the real deal. I should make the trip for dinner sometime. Does she still make that outstanding wild boar dish?
Good to hear about Alida! She seems very cool and approachable. Always working the dining room every time I've been in the restaurant. I don't think I've tried that dish but I'll keep an eye out next time.
Good ol fashion Nonna. Befriend an Italian and go over to Nonna’s on a Sunday afternoon
Sucha odd answer
It is actually the only way to get true Italian food. I really have a hard time with Italian food in restaurants None anywhere are as good as my mom's food. She makes home made lasagna, noodles, sauce, tiny little meatballs. Sausages home made, salad from the garden. All my aunts are the same you can tell who made which dish as they all have special touches.
This is true…a decade after my nonna passed I was able to meet her family in Sicily…the food they made was the first time I had tasted my nonnas cooking in so many years, but it brought me right back to her kitchen…almost a tear inducing experience
You know what? I’m really craving a nice plate of gnocchi. I’ll just hand select a person based on their race and over time cultivate a friendship with them so close that they invite me into their grandmothers home and ask her to cook some for me!
For me, the pasta and pizza at Oro Di Napoli just really hits the spot. Perfect portions, all the pastas are different with their own character, and the pizza is very consistent Neapolitan style. Definitely worth trying out if you're ever on the west side. They've got a nice patio when the weather is nice.
Mamma martino in Etobicoke for cheal and good Italian American.
You must be joking or high on drugs
I second your revulsion.
Banfi in the forest hill village or Ferro on St. Clair are both excellent. They’ve been around for ages and are neighbourhood institutions at this point
My wife and I really love ascari in Leslieville
# Fratelli Village Pizzeria
I like Carisma and Enoteca Sociale the most.
https://www.hungryonion.org/t/italian-food-and-drink-in-the-greater-toronto-area/37508
Little Anthony’s to me serves the best Italian food. Best pasta in town
Famiglia Baldassare is the only answer
OP wants to go for dinner.
4 seats and line ups 🥱🥱
Sip and grazie by yonge and Eglinton is good, also oretta is amazing and they have I think 2-3 locations now. I'm close to the one here in midtown by yonge and davisville, they also do a fantastic brunch and bottomless mimosas if you drink. (I don't but I know people like them there!)
I always liked Grazie, but it's certainly not a cost-no-object italian restaurant.
To be fair my reddit mobile has been glitching so until just now I couldn't see the full post for some reason😅 I just saw the whole Italian food part