Restaurants to Eat At<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The culinary scene in Little Italy is so much more that pizza and pasta, but of course it’s got that too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The name of the restaurant means both “big brother” and “gangster boss” in Cantonese, inspiring the restaurant’s 1930s Chinatown gangster bar<\/strong> look. However, the crowd you’ll find packing the place, and the food, are undeniably modern<\/strong>. The chef was trained in French cuisine and is now honouring his Chinese roots through the menu while retaining the French influence<\/strong>. If you’re there with a group try the whole fried trout, or their fried winter melon salad and pumpkin dumplings. One more thing: DaiLo is ranked at #15 by Canada’s Top 100 Restaurants<\/strong>, so if you needed one more stamp of approval, there’s no way not to be convinced. dailoto.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If it’s late or you’re short on time, check out LoPan<\/strong><\/a> the dim sum and cocktail bar<\/strong> tucked away upstairs. They serve drinks and snacks until 2 am. dailoto.com\/#lopan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is Little Italy so naturally there’s amazing home-style Italian dining<\/strong> options. Taverniti is a modest and cozy family-owned<\/strong> restaurant, with recipes that have been passed down through generations. They’re all made from scratch<\/strong>, too. They’ve got slices for take-out <\/strong>but if stay for dinner you’ll feel like you’re part of the family watching “Nonna” cook in the back kitchen. tavernitis.ca<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s a couple wildly popular<\/strong> Starving Artist locations around Toronto’s West End, and they serve breakfast all day<\/strong> at all of them. But here’s the catch: everything <\/em>on the menu is served on, beside or in-between waffles<\/strong>. Yep, eggs benny on potato waffles, a waffle BLT, bacon and waffles… and on. They’ve even got dessert waffles, of course. The artists might be starving, but you won’t be after you’re done dining here. starvingartistbar.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For another authentic Italian<\/strong> option, we recommend Il Gatto Nero, a local father and son venture. The name means “The Black Cat,” but this restaurant has been pretty lucky. They’ve been serving authentic Italian meals<\/strong> and embracing customers like family for nearly 60 years<\/strong>, since 1960. Their menu of pizza, pasta and antipasti is pretty affordable<\/strong> too! ilgattonero.ca<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Doma is another French fusion<\/strong> restaurant, this time using Korean ingredients<\/strong> and flavours. It was chosen as Toronto Life’s (second) Best New Restaurant<\/strong> in 2017… and eating here is an experience. Every dish (which can be tried as part of a tasting menu<\/strong>) will surprise you. Tucked away off College on Clinton, Doma is for dining off the beaten path. It brings minimalist<\/strong> comfort and elegance, but also a heftier bill. They’ve also got cocktails designed specifically for the restaurant, continuing the Korean influence onto the drink menu. domatoronto.com<\/a><\/strong> An upscale restaurant that has designed its menu of Canadian comfort food<\/strong> around its wood oven<\/strong>. Naturally, they bake their own unbelievable sourdough. They’ve also got two menus that change seasonally<\/strong>: one for meat-lovers, and one for vegetarians, so everyone can find something to eat. The restaurant is on Palmerston Ave, which is one of the most charming streets in Toronto. In this cozy <\/strong>setting, they serve pink and orange wine by the glass – which you don’t see a lot – as well as a selection of wine the bottle, beer, apple and pear ciders, and cocktails. woodlottoronto.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This section of College Street is perfect for a bar crawl<\/p>\n\n\n\n They’ve got cocktails, craft beer<\/strong>, and a fun party vibe. However, most importantly and best of all: they have games<\/strong> such as bocce ball and shuffle board. You can either reserve a lane, or show up and wait your turn. The unique bar has quickly become a neighbourhood staple. trackandfieldbar.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n They have also recently opened up sister bar Bangarang<\/strong><\/a>, where you can play cornhole<\/strong>, some eccentric tabletop games<\/strong>, or dance! bangarangbar.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n With a different team, one of the owners also runs Pray Tell<\/strong><\/a>, a snack bar<\/strong> that also doubles as a workspace<\/strong>, cafe and lunch spot during the day. praytellbar.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n A popular tapas bar<\/strong> in the area. You might get eat at a communal <\/strong>standing table since the place gets so crowded, it’s the perfect way to chat with and meet some new people. That, said, the food is delightful, creative, and they are serious about their drinks<\/strong>. They were voted the Best Bar in Canada<\/strong> in 2018 by Canada’s 100 Best. So, when you go, be sure to pay attention to the spectacular woodwork<\/strong> that encapsulates the bar space. thisisbarraval.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n This bar also has a sister in the area: B<\/strong>ar Isabel<\/strong><\/a>, which is also Spanish inspired. It serves delicious plates and a big selection of craft beer<\/strong> in a venue ripe with old-world charm<\/strong>. It also takes reservations unlike Raval. barisabel.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coq of the Walk restaurant closes, and L’Absinthe Bar opens upstairs<\/strong>. The Bar serves about a dozen of the best absinthes<\/strong> from around the world, as well as some absinthe cocktails. It’s served in the traditional method<\/strong> where the ice-cold drink is dripped on a sugar cube, and can be accompanied by some absinthe flavoured foods. While the quantities of wormwood aren’t enough to make you hallucinate, the drink’s alcohol content of 35-75 percent is sure to give you an experience<\/strong>, and absinthe is said to hit differently from other alcoholic beverages. coqofthewalk.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Squeezed into an unassuming alleyway next to the Royal Cinema, Birreria Volo doesn’t let the size of it’s storefront reflect the scale of their business. The Italian Beer Hall<\/strong> style bar has beers from A-Z<\/strong>. Their menu literally assigns a beer to each letter of the alphabet. This wide selection of local and imported beers and ciders is constantly rotating<\/strong> – and funky. They often feature wild and hard to find ales<\/strong>, so make your way to the bar and see what you can discover. birreriavolo.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Walton is a stylish<\/strong> little nook in the heart of Little Italy with a Parisian feel<\/strong>. During the day they serve coffee<\/strong> and a whole bunch of irresistible pastries<\/strong>, and at night it becomes a cocktail bar<\/strong> that also serves little bites of meat, fish and cheese. Beyond cocktails they’ve got all the usual drink options: beer on tap, in cans, bubbles, wine and more. This place is cozy and comfortable, making it a great place to take a date! thewalton607.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The real Italian roots of the neighbourhood can be seen and tasted from the sidewalk patios of these cafes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sicilian’s, as it’s affectionately known, has been a cornerstone of the Little Italy neighbourhood<\/strong> since 1959. They’re well known for their delightful homemade gelato<\/strong>, and incredible tartufo creations, describing themselves as “the granddaddy of Toronto\u2019s Gelateria world.” You can, stop by for a full meal<\/strong>, or just choose from the multitude of desserts. They even have a breakfast menu. Maybe the best part, though, is their sidewalk patio<\/strong> which seats 72 people in the summer. sicilianicecream.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This one’s more of a grab and go gelato<\/strong> spot. You can wander the streets of Little Italy with your sweet treats, or lounge out on their sidewalk patio<\/strong>… once you’ve picked from the over 60 flavours<\/strong> they have on offer. They also pride themselves on making really good Italian coffee<\/strong> and other Italian-style desserts, making it the perfect place to stop after dinner<\/strong> in the area. dolcegelato.net<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cafe Diplomatico is another one of those spots that just feels like it’s been around forever<\/strong>… an article about Little Italy just isn’t complete without mentioning it. It’s the type of place that if your father grew up here, it was probably his after-school hangout<\/strong>. Now, it’s got one of the most popular patios in the city. The Dip’s got breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night snacks and great coffee, all in an unpretentious<\/strong> and ever-exciting atmosphere. If you can get a spot, it’s probably the best place to watch the World Cup<\/strong>, too. cafediplomatico.ca<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The hubs of arts and culture in Little Italy… stores, venues and more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n A movie theatre<\/strong> and event venue, The Royal is yet another old-timer in this neighbourhood full of history. They’ll have a couple brand-new flicks playing throughout the week, interspersed with special screenings<\/strong> as part of monthly or bi-monthly film series, as well as private events. It’s a great place to catch a film you wouldn’t otherwise get to see on the big screen, or have an alternative theatre experience<\/strong> such as seeing a band and a movie, or even catching a comedy show. theroyal.to<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Here’s a couple good shops to find your next favourite band in Little Italy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soundscapes<\/strong><\/a> is a music store that loves supporting local artists<\/strong>. They’ve got CDs from many independent musicians, as well as bigger names, of course. They sell tickets <\/strong>to hundreds of shows around the city and will host in-store sets<\/strong> too. Check their website for their lists of top sellers and staff picks for some music recommendations, or talk to their knowledgeable staff in store! soundscapesmusic.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Neurotica Records<\/strong><\/a> is a record store born from a passion for music. The records are curated<\/strong> and selected by the store’s owner and feel like they’re his own collection, which he did initially put in as stock. The store also offers recording studio services<\/strong>, as well as in-house mastering and analog-to-digital transferring. You also can buy CDs, cassettes, DVDs and more, so there’s no excuse for any music lover<\/strong> not to stop by here. neurotica.ca<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n A gallery that’ll never feel stuffy – they’re known for putting on zany and larger than life art shows<\/strong> and exhibitions. They’ve got a roster of local artists brimming with creativity<\/strong>, and also host other types of events<\/strong> too. From drag performances, to concerts, to screenings, to rubber chicken themed music video recording parties… there’s always something extraordinary going on<\/strong> at Super Wonder Gallery. Check out their events calendar! superwondergallery.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Italian Walk of Fame is a series of about 25 stars<\/strong> in the pavement of College Street, honouring prominent Italians<\/strong> in a variety of fields such as business, science, art, film, theatre, finance, medicine, literature, architecture, religion and politics. Though the stars are there permanently, there haven’t been any new inductees into the Walk since 2014. ![\"interior](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/dailo-little-italy-toronto.jpg\")
<\/a>1. DaiLo<\/a> + LoPan<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
2. Trattoria Taverniti<\/a> <\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
![\"starving](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/starving-artist-little-italy-toronto-1024x820.jpg\")
<\/a>3. Starving Artist<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
4. Il Gatto Nero<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
![\"doma](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/doma-little-italy-toronto-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>5. Doma<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Woodlot<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Bars to Drink At<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"track](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/track-and-field-little-italy-toronto.jpg\")
<\/a>7. Track & Field<\/a> (and sisters)<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
![\"bar](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/bar-raval-little-italy-toronto-1-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>8. Bar Raval<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
9. L’Absinthe Bar<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
![\"birreria](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/birreria-volo-little-italy-toronto-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>10. Birreria Volo<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
11. The Walton<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Cafes to People Watch At<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"desert](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/sicilian-sidewalk-cafe-little-italy-toronto-1-1024x633.jpg\")
<\/a>12. Sicilian Sidewalk Cafe<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
13. Dolce Gelato E Cafe<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
![\"brazil](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/cafe-diplomatico-little-italy-toronto-1-1024x680.jpg\")
<\/a>14. Caf\u00e9 Diplomatico<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
Places to Get Cultured At<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"the](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/the-royal-cinema-little-italy-toronto.jpg\")
<\/a>15. The Royal Cinema<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
16. Local Music<\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
![\"super](\"https:\/\/localfoodtours.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/10\/super-wonder-gallery-little-italy-toronto-2.jpg\")
<\/a>17. Super Wonder Gallery<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n
18. Italian Walk of Fame<\/a><\/strong><\/h6>\n\n\n\n