18 editor picks across Canada.
18 italian restaurants worth the trip across Canada, editor-ranked. All cuisines in Canada.
Ask for Luigi is a casual Italian restaurant at 305 Alexander Street, specializing in fresh handmade pasta served family style, with brunch, lunch and dinner.
OrderBigoli nero with frutti di mare and lemon butter, or Luigi's meatballs.
Savio Volpe is an Italian osteria at 615 Kingsway, with handmade pasta every day and a wood-fired grill and rotisserie, open nightly from 5pm.
OrderHandmade pasta, such as the pappardelle with lamb bolognese or the agnolotti del plin.
TipOnline reservations are for parties of 1 to 6; for 7 or more, call 604-428-0072.
Savio Volpe is an Italian osteria at 615 Kingsway, with handmade pasta every day and a wood-fired grill and rotisserie, open nightly from 5pm.
OrderHandmade pasta, such as the pappardelle with lamb bolognese or the agnolotti del plin.
TipOnline reservations are for parties of 1 to 6; for 7 or more, call 604-428-0072.
Ask for Luigi is a casual Italian restaurant at 305 Alexander Street, specializing in fresh handmade pasta served family style, with brunch, lunch and dinner.
OrderBigoli nero with frutti di mare and lemon butter, or Luigi's meatballs.
Nora Gray, serving Italian cooking, is at 1391 Rue Saint-Jacques.
Pasta Bar is a family-style Italian restaurant founded in 1989 on Chabanel Street, preparing fresh meats, fish, salads and traditional pasta dishes every day.
OrderMeat Lasagna with homemade meat sauce, topped with mozzarella and parmesan.
TipOpen Monday to Friday from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and closed on the weekends; call (514) 389-3888 to reserve.
Buca King West has run modern Italian on the King strip since 2009, chef Rob Gentile's pastas and house-cured salumi in a converted laneway warehouse.
OrderThe salumi board and a long pasta from the seasonal list.
TipSister Bar Buca next door at 604 King is the walk-in spritz counter. The full dining room books well ahead Friday and Saturday.
Sotto Sotto on Avenue Road has run Roman-style Italian below street level in Yorkville since 1993, chef Massimo Renzi's fresh pasta in an exposed-brick room.
OrderA handmade pasta of the day and the veal piccata.
TipDrake's photo hangs on the wall and he eats here. Book ahead; the room seats 50 tightly.
Osteria Giulia on Avenue Road is chef Rob Rossi's Ligurian-leaning pasta and seafood room, Michelin star 2022 through 2025, Canada's 100 Best #17.
Buca Yorkville in the Four Seasons hotel is the King Street Food Co.'s northern outpost since 2014, chef Rob Gentile's pasta and crudo plus a wine bar.
OrderA handmade pasta and a wood-fired Roman-style pizza.
TipSister to Buca King West. Reservations on OpenTable; the courtyard entry on Yorkville Avenue.
Don Alfonso 1890 atop the Westin Harbour Castle is the North American outpost of the Iaccarino family's Amalfi restaurant, Michelin one-star since 2022.
Lupo is an Italian restaurant and vinoteca at 869 Hamilton Street in Yaletown, with chef Julio Gonzalez Perini, open every day for dinner from 5pm.
OrderTagliatelle nero with Canadian lobster, garlic and tomato.
TipEverything is made in-house, from hand-rolled breadsticks to freshly ground sausage and pasta dough.
Elena is an Italian restaurant at 5090 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest; its website lists salad, pizza, wine, a cookbook and gift certificates for dine-in or take-out.
Impasto is a rustic, authentic Italian restaurant at 48 Rue Dante, opened by chef Michele Forgione with Stefano, with lunch Tuesday to Friday.
TipThe whole restaurant can be reserved for a private event; contact them by email for the options.
Moccione is an Italian restaurant at 7495 Rue Saint-Denis; chef-owner Luca Cianciulli's menu includes house-made pastas among the house specialties.
OrderCasarecce with rapini, sausage and tangy pecorino, or the crispy arancini with a gooey cheese center.
TipBegin with the olive oil-infused negroni, a cocktail that whets the appetite before the menu.
Le Serpent opened on 23 December 2013 in Griffintown, in the Fonderie Darling, with a menu of strong Italian accents in a contemporary brasserie spirit.
OrderThe venison haunch with smoked celery root and cranberry remoulade, a real house classic.
TipThe whole restaurant can be reserved exclusively under certain conditions, and groups of various sizes are received.
Pizzeria Napoletana, the first pizzeria in Montréal since 1948, is a landmark eatery in little Italy at 189 Rue Dante, with wines in private import.
TipReservations are taken only by phone, every day, and only for groups of 6 or more.
Cafe Diplomatico on College Street is Little Italy's reference patio room since 1968, wood-fired pizza and veal sandwiches with the city's longest-running.
OrderThe veal sandwich and an espresso at the patio bar.
TipPatio seats fill by 18:00 in summer. Inside booths take walk-ins year-round; the espresso bar opens at 09:00.
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