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The Best Italian Restaurants in Toronto

From a Michelin-starred Little Italy dining room to a Leslieville neighborhood trattoria, the Italian tables worth booking.

By Dim Hour · Updated 2026-06-27 · 6 verified picks

DaNico, in Little Italy, carries a Michelin 1 Star (2024, 2025) alongside a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, which makes it the clearest answer to where Toronto's Italian cooking reaches its top end. It anchors a list that runs from that fine-dining room down to a neighborhood trattoria, so the right pick depends on the night you're planning.

Italian food is woven through Toronto, with Little Italy on College Street the historic core and newer rooms scattered into The Annex, Leslieville, and the St. Lawrence Market area. The city's Michelin guide has recognized several of these kitchens, and the range is wide: white-tablecloth tasting menus, a marble-and-steak Italian steakhouse, and casual spots where a reservation isn't always required.

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The Picks
1

DaNico

Italian · Little Italy · Dim Hour 94
🏆 Michelin 1 Star (2024, 2025) · Wine Spectator Award of Excellence

DaNico sits at the top of Toronto's Italian scene, holding a Michelin 1 Star (2024, 2025) and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. It's a Little Italy room at the $$$$ tier, booked through OpenTable, and the choice when the occasion warrants the city's most decorated Italian cooking.

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2

Sammarco

Italian Steakhouse · St. Lawrence Market · Dim Hour 94
🏆 Michelin Guide

Sammarco is an Italian steakhouse near St. Lawrence Market, recognized in the Michelin Guide. It pairs the Italian table with a steakhouse format at the $$$$ tier. Reserve through OpenTable.

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3

Giulietta

Italian · Little Italy · Dim Hour 92
🏆 Michelin Guide

Giulietta is a Little Italy dining room in the Michelin Guide, working at the $$$ price point. It's a strong middle ground between DaNico's fine-dining ceiling and the city's more casual trattorias. Book through OpenTable.

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4

Occhiolino

Italian · Little Italy · Dim Hour 89
🏆 Toronto Life Best New Restaurants 2025 (Top 20)

Occhiolino landed on Toronto Life's Best New Restaurants 2025 (Top 20), a marker of the kitchen's recent form. It's a Little Italy spot at the $$$ tier and one of the few here that books through Resy rather than OpenTable.

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5

Piano Piano

Italian · The Annex · Dim Hour 86

Piano Piano brings its Italian cooking to The Annex at the $$$ tier, an option north of the College Street core. It takes reservations through OpenTable and suits a relaxed sit-down dinner.

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6

Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant

Italian · Leslieville · $$ · Dim Hour 88

Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant is a Leslieville fixture serving Italian at a more approachable $$ price point. There's no online reservation system, so it leans walk-in and neighborhood-regular rather than special-occasion.

📍 1220 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4M 1L7, Canada Full listing on Dim Hour →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Italian restaurant in Toronto?
The top Italian picks in Toronto include DaNico, Sammarco, Giulietta. Each is scored and verified by Dim Hour; see the full ranked list with signature dishes above.
Which Toronto Italian restaurants have a Michelin Star?
DaNico holds a Michelin 1 Star (2024, 2025) — the only starred Italian room on this list. Sammarco and Giulietta are recognized in the Michelin Guide as well, though without a star.
Where should I go for Italian fine dining in Toronto?
DaNico sits at the $$$$ tier in Little Italy and carries a Michelin 1 Star plus a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Sammarco, also $$$$, pairs the Italian table with a steakhouse format near St. Lawrence Market.
What is the best Italian restaurant in Little Italy?
Little Italy on College Street holds several of the city's best: DaNico (Michelin 1 Star), Giulietta (Michelin Guide), and Occhiolino (Toronto Life Best New Restaurants 2025).
Which Toronto Italian restaurant is best for a special occasion?
For a marquee night, DaNico is the most decorated option at $$$$. If you want a steakhouse angle, Sammarco works at the same price tier and is in the Michelin Guide.
Are there more affordable Italian options in Toronto?
Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant in Leslieville sits at the $$ tier, the most approachable price on this list. Piano Piano in The Annex and Giulietta in Little Italy land at $$$.
Which new Italian restaurant in Toronto is worth trying?
Occhiolino made Toronto Life's Best New Restaurants 2025 (Top 20). It's a $$$ Little Italy spot that books through Resy.
Do I need a reservation for these Toronto Italian restaurants?
Most take bookings: DaNico, Sammarco, Giulietta, and Piano Piano use OpenTable, while Occhiolino uses Resy. Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant has no online reservation system and leans walk-in.
What Italian restaurants in Toronto are good outside Little Italy?
Piano Piano brings Italian cooking to The Annex, Gio Rana's Really Really Nice Restaurant is a Leslieville fixture, and Sammarco sits near St. Lawrence Market — all away from the College Street core.
Where can I find an Italian steakhouse in Toronto?
Sammarco is an Italian steakhouse near St. Lawrence Market, recognized in the Michelin Guide and priced at $$$$.
How many Toronto restaurants does Dim Hour cover?
Dim Hour tracks 436+ Toronto restaurants and bars, including the Italian rooms ranked here from Little Italy fine dining to neighborhood trattorias.
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Dim Hour scores every restaurant on food, service, ambiance, and value, and verifies every listing. This guide is updated as the catalog changes. Explore all Toronto restaurants →