Cathy MerrittYou know that “they hate to see me coming” meme? That’s me with pasta.
I prefer the classic combination of penne and marinara—simply tangy and rich—but I can’t say no to the creamy carbonara or the nutty pesto with bucatini!
I love making my own pasta dish at home because it allows me to experiment with different pasta and sauce combinations. But I also love checking out pasta dishes in restaurants. It’s like some form of research for me!
So far, here are my fave local restaurants that serve delicious pasta!
Famiglia Baldassarre
– From: famiglia_baldassarre
Address: 122 Geary Ave, The Artisan Factory
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Friday—12 to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16472935395
Famiglia Baldassare is best known for supplying freshly handmade pasta noodles to several restaurants in Toronto. But it also has a menu full of classic and innovative pasta dishes, so I recommend dining here when you can.
I love the Tagliatelle in Blanco. The sauce seems simple at first glance, but it’s so buttery, sharp, and nutty that I can’t get enough of it. My plate is always clean when I order this dish because I practically scrape as much of the sauce as I can!
| Pro Tips: Please keep in mind that even though this spot is open until 5 pm, the menu is only available until 2 pm. Also, keep in mind that they operate on a first-come-first-serve basis—no reservations. I recommend coming here as early as possible to ensure your spot. |
Sugo
– From: sugotoronto
Address: 1281 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—3 pm to 9 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11:30 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14165351717
Sugo looks like a classic American diner in the 1950s, and I’m all for it! Plus, they serve a wide variety of comfort dishes, including pasta, so really, what’s not to love about this place?
I recommend the spaghetti dish if you’re a meat lover. The ragu has veal, pork, and beef, so it’s a savory delight. It’s also tangy and acidic, thanks to all the tomatoes. Then, to top everything off, sprinkle as much parmesan as you want. I’m already drooling writing this sentence!
| Pro Tip: If you like the pasta sauce served here, you can buy a jar of it for only C$13! |
Ascari Enoteca
– From: ascarienoteca
Address: 1111 Queen St E
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14167924157
Ascari Enoteca is a restaurant in Leslieville that exudes a mix of luxurious and rustic vibes. For that reason, it’s one of my favorite spots whenever my family and I are planning a gathering.Â
The agnolotti di ricotta is my go-to order, and it’s also a great choice if you prefer cheesy and creamy pasta. The noodles are stuffed with mascarpone, so every bite is a tangy and cheesy delight. The dish also has scallops and pancetta, adding a symphony of sweet and salty.
| Pro Tip: When the weather is clear, take a seat on the patio area. It’s quiet there and also gets breezy sometimes—the perfect spot to sit back and relax. |
Enoteca Sociale
– From: enotecasociale
Address: 1288 Dundas St W
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday—5 pm to 10 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—5 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14165341200
Enoteca Sociale specializes in Roman cuisine in particular, which means the includes cacio e pepe, one of my favorite pasta dishes ever. Their rendition is classic and traditional, so it tastes perfectly peppery and cheesy.
Another pasta that I really like is the gnocchi pomodoro. This one has a tomato sauce, so it’s tangy and acidic, and thanks to the chili, guanciale, and smoked ricotta, you can taste strong notes of spicy, salty, and smoky as well.
| Pro Tip: Fill out this form if you want to book a private dinner with a group here. |
Gusto 501
– From: brunchbabesto
Address: 501 King St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday—5 pm to 10 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14164775647
Named after the Italian word for “tasty,” Gusto 501 indeed serves tasty dishes.
This place is popular for brunch, but I prefer coming here for dinner because that’s when they serve pasta. I’m quite fond of the paccheri al ragú Genovese, which is incredibly rich and savory. It also has pieces of beef short ribs that are tender and juicy.
Another one I recommend is the orecchiette rapini e salsiccia. It has a nice kick of spice that I like.
| Pro Tip: If you want to book for a large group, you need to fill out this form. |
Trattoria Nervosa
– From: nervosato
Address: 75 Yorkville Ave
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 pm to 10 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
Contact Number: +14169614642
Here’s a fun fact I like to tell people: Gusto 501 and Trattoria Nervosa actually share the same owner. While Gusto 501 is all about modern takes on classic Italian fare, Trattoria Nervosa celebrates the simplicity of home-cooked Southern Italian food.
I quite like the mafalde al funghi here. It has lots of mushrooms, especially portobello and oyster mushrooms, so it tastes very earthy. Somehow, I find that comforting.
The calamrata con gamberi is a great choice, too. It’s acidic and garlicky, and the shrimp pieces add a subtle sweetness to every bite.
| Pro Tip: You can host a private event here! |
Bar Vendetta
– From: barvendetta
Address: 928 Dundas St W
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—5 pm to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14165518854
Bar Vendetta is a lowkey spot in Toronto that’s perfect for a chill hangout session with friends. The menu changes often because it depends on availability, but you can still trust to find a few pasta options.
I recommend you get the tagliatelle dish. The sauce is cooked with poblano, so it packs quite a punch. There are also bits and pieces of lobster, giving a slight sweetness to the whole dish.
| Pro Tip: This spot allows walk-ins, but since it’s not very spacious, it gets booked pretty quickly. I recommend booking a reservation to secure your spot. |
Osteria Giulia
– From: osteriagiulia
Address: 134 Avenue Rd
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—5 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday—5 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14169648686
If fancy dining is more your style, then you need to stop by Giulia. This place has earned a Michelin star, so you can just expect nothing but greatness here!
What I like about this restaurant is that it pays homage to the seafood-rich traditions of Liguria. Treat yourself to the wonderful lobster risotto. The risotto is creamy and earthy, with subtle sweet notes from the amaranth. The lobster is also sweet and plump. It’s always such a delight to bite into it!
| Pro Tips: This restaurant has a high demand, so you should book a reservation at least 14 days before your preferred date. You can bring your own bottle of wine, but keep in mind that there’s a corkage fee. |
Nodo
– From: nodorestaurant
Address: 794 St Clair Ave W
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—5 pm to 10 pm
- Friday—5 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday—12 pm to 11 pm
- Sunday—12 pm to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16477481559
Don’t come to Nodo if you expect the traditional take on the classic Italian dishes. Instead, come here to experience the chef’s unique interpretations and twists on the food that you’re familiar with.
I’m a big fan of the ravioli dish. The ravioli noodles are stuffed with mascarpone and Parmigiano, so every bite is a creamy and salty explosion. Plus, the sauce is a lemon-butter infusion with red peppercorns, so you can taste buttery and sour flavors with a kick of spice at the end.
| Pro Tips: Host your special event at this restaurant. If you already have a venue, you can hire their catering services instead. |
Atelier Pasta
– From: atelierpastaco
Address: 167 Bathurst St
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 3 am
Contact Number: +14167779311
Have you ever seen those videos on social media where the pasta noodles are cooked on a large parmesan wheel and you feel envious because you want to try this too? Well, with Atelier Pasta, now you can!
I always choose fettuccine made with beets because I like the reddish-pink color on the noodles. For the sauce, I love the basil pesto, and then I have grilled chicken and baby mozzarella for toppings.
The final result is an extremely cheesy pasta that’s also nutty and savory. With all that cheese, this dish isn’t great for the heart, but I don’t care!
| Pro Tip: They offer catering services. If you’re interested, you can send an inquiry to [email protected] or call the restaurant. |
Rasta Pasta
– From: eatrastapasta
Address: 61 Kensington Ave
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday—11 am to 7 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16475014505
Located in Kensington Market Rasta Pasta stands out from the other places I’ve featured on this list because while most are Italian restaurants, this spot actually specializes in Jamaican cuisine. Because of this, you can expect to find that the pasta options here have Jamaican influences.Â
The titular Rasta Pasta is proof of this. This dish has soft fluffy gnocchi that’s cooked in an alfredo or marinara sauce, and then it’s served with ackee and saltfish, Jamaica’s national dish. An unusual combination, but it definitely works!
| Pro Tip: If you want to have this restaurant as the caterer for your event, you need to fill out this form. |
The Old Spaghetti Factory
– From: osfcanada
Address: 54 The Esplanade
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—11:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14168649761
The Old Spaghetti Factory sticks to its old-school theme. Inside, you can find stained glass, antique light fixtures, and vintage artifacts all over the place. It’s quite charming if I do say so myself.
The seafood linguine is a must-try. The marinara sauce is rich and creamy, and there are sautéed shrimps and bay scallops tossed in, giving the dish a mild sweetness that takes the dish to a whole new level.
| Pro Tip: If you want to dine with a group, you need to fill out this form to reserve your spot. |
Fusaro’s Italian Kitchen
– From: ce_jo_labonnevie
Address: 147 Spadina Ave.
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11 am to 8:30 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 9 pm
Contact Number: +14162608414
Fusaro’s Italian Kitchen has that snug, rustic atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re dining in the countryside with your loved ones. It’s not a surprise that this place is a popular spot among families.
There’s a great variety of pasta options here. My favorite has to be the Acritano because I love how garlicky the sauce is, and the savoriness of the chicken pairs well with the earthiness of the mushrooms. I’m always licking my lips once I’m done; I can’t waste even one drop of the sauce!
| Pro Tip: You can book their catering services for your event! |
La Vecchia Restaurant Lakeshore
– From: lavecchia_lakeshore
Address: 90 Marine Parade Dr, Etobicoke
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Friday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—10:30 am to 10:30 pm
Contact Number: +14162515999
Dining with a view? That’s exactly what you’ll get with La Vecchia Restaurant. It’s located by the lakeshore, so you can enjoy the sight of Lake Ontario while eating a scrumptious pasta dish!Â
You can’t go wrong with the linguine alla carbonara. It has such a thick, creamy sauce that’s bursting with rich, salty, peppery flavors.
If you don’t eat meat, you should try penne all’arrabbiata, which has homemade bomba peppers and black olives. It has a nice combination of salty and spicy flavors, with a bit of tanginess from the tomato sauce.
| Pro Tip: You can host your special event here—from casual group dinners to fancy weddings! |
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen and Bar
– From: scaddabush
Address: 200 Front St W Unit #G001, Simcoe Place
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—11 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14169793665
Stylish and chill at the same time, Scaddabush is a popular brunch spot in the city. This place is also popular among cheese lovers because the mozzarella is always made fresh in-house.
The lemon-garlic shrimp spaghetti has to be one of my favorites. The sauce perfectly combines sour and garlicky flavors, but you can also taste salty and slightly bitter notes, thanks to the fried capers and baby spinach.
| Pro Tips: Every Wednesday, wine bottles get a 50% discount. To make your event special, you can host it here. Check this page for the different menus you can choose. |
Vagabondo Restobar
– From: vagabondorestobar
Address: 310 Front St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday—4 pm to 11 pm
- Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Friday and Saturday—11:30 am to 12 am
Contact Number: +14168621999
Get the very best of modern Italian fare at Vagabondo Restobar!
The rigatoni alla salsiccia is my go-to order and my ultimate recommendation. It’s spicy enough to excite your taste buds but not to the point where you want to cry. The sauce also has pieces of sausages that are super juicy and savory.
Another one that I really like is the lasagna. It has a generous heaping of mozzarella and parmesan, so every bite is cheesy perfection.
| Pro Tip: Fill out this form to host a private event here. |
Figo Toronto
– From: figotoronto
Address: 295 Adelaide St W, The Pinnacle on Adelaide
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday—11:30 am to 10 pm
- Wednesday—11:30 am to 10:30 pm
- Thursday to Saturday—11:30 am to 11 pm
- Sunday—10:30 am to 10 pm
Contact Number: +16477483446
One thing I really like about Figo is that the setting is so chic and elegant. It makes it a perfect place for a casual brunch with friends or a romantic dinner with a partner.
No matter what occasion I come here for, I always order the bucatini al ragu. It’s a classic pasta dish with a ragu made with Iberico pork, so it tastes rich and nutty. The sauce is also super garlicky and slightly spicy—a combination that I really like.
| Pro Tip: You can host any sort of special event here, be it a birthday party or a bespoke wedding. |
