Diners' Choice: Contemporary Italian restaurants in Toronto / Ontario

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary Italian cuisine in Toronto / Ontario? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Valley Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2270)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Italian

St. Catharines

About the restaurant

The Valley Restaurant brings a European feel to Niagara dining. Tucked away on a quiet street in north St. Catharines close to Niagara-on-the-Lake this trattoria style restaurant serves homemade Italian inspired cuisine. Everything is made in house from the fresh baked bread, fresh pastas and sauces, gelato and incredible desserts. The menu includes veal, seafood, steak, a variety of pasta dishes including gnocchi, lasagne, ravioli. There is a full cocktail menu and fabulous wine list including local and imported selections. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with a large fireplace, intimate tables, white linen tablecloths and impeccable service.

Top review

Doug

Dined 7 days ago

Great atmosphere Very knowledgable wait staff Incredible food

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La Cucina - Kitchener

4.8

4.8 (514)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

Kitchener

About the restaurant

La Cucina is a NEW authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant in the heart of downtown Kitchener. Although a new location, the owners are not new to Italian food. With strong Italian roots, a passion to create authentic Italian food and a love of quality and fresh ingredients, La Cucina Pizzeria will soon be your favourite spot to eat and hang-out. The irresistible aromas from our custom-built Malagutti pizza oven will draw you in, and the delicious dishes that emerge from it will keep you coming back for more. Malagutti has been creating these refractory stone culinary masterpieces for over four decades. You will be able to see your pizza or calzone cooked right before your eyes.

The Pizzeria will be serving more than just pizza slices: our menu includes antipasti, homemade pastas, paninis, and larger dishes like Veal Parmigiana and Porchetta.

Dine with us at La Cucina and fall in love with Italian food all over again.

Top review

Anne

Dined on May 31, 2025

My favourite for authentic Italian food. I have never had a meal I didn’t rave about. The bruschetta is perfect. The tiramisu is the best I’ve ever had. The pastas are always fresh and flavourful. The pizza is something I dream about. Everything is fresh and homemade just like your nonna makes in Italy.

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Friday & Saturday Aperol Spritz

La Cucina Pizzeria - Guelph

4.8

4.8 (549)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Italian

Guelph

About the restaurant

TRAVEL ITALY THROUGH TASTE...
La Cucina is a NEW authentic Italian restaurant and pizzeria in the heart of downtown GUELPH.
Our chef Francesco Monaco has a passion for creating authentic Italian dishes using only high quality and fresh ingredients.
La Cucina Pizzeria will soon be your favorite spot to eat and hang out. The irresistible aromas from our custom-built Malagutti pizza oven will draw you in, and the delicious dishes that emerge from it will keep you coming back for more.
The Pizzeria will be serving more than just pizza: our menu includes antipasti, homemade pasta, and delicious main courses.
With wine and beer to compliment your fare, this will be a nice place to spend dinner with family or a night out with friends.

Top review

Lana

Dined 6 days ago

Love it here. Had an early Father's Day dinner with our two teenage boys. Our server Michael is THE BEST!

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4.8

4.8 (420)

CAN$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

London

About the restaurant

TRAVEL ITALY THROUGH TASTE...
La Cucina is a NEW authentic Italian pizzeria and restaurant in the heart of downtown LONDON. Although a new location, the owners are not new to Italian food. With strong Italian roots, a passion to create authentic Italian food and a love of quality and fresh ingredients, La Cucina Pizzeria will soon be your favourite spot to eat and hang-out. The irresistible aromas from our custom-built Malagutti pizza oven will draw you in, and the delicious dishes that emerge from it will keep you coming back for more. Malagutti has been creating these refractory stone culinary masterpieces for over four decades. You will be able to see your pizza or calzone cooked right before your eyes.

Top review

Debbie

Dined on May 29, 2025

It was our first time at La Cucina and I would highly recommend. It’s exactly what London needs in an Italian restaurant. The food, service and ambience was perfect! Will definitely be back!

HEIST Restaurant + Wine Club

4.7

4.7 (861)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Italian

Kingston

About the restaurant

Enjoy exceptional food prepared using local, seasonal ingredients + a curated wine and cocktail list in a vibrant downtown atmosphere.

Located on the corner of Brock and Wellington streets, just steps from the shops and entertainment of Downtown Kingston with a seasonal patio for al fresco dining. A place to plan, to meet and to mingle, HEIST offers its clientele a chance to ‘steal the moment’ of fun and provide an escape from the mundane within its beautifully designed setting.

Top review

Jim

Dined 2 days ago

We were extremely pleased with all aspects of our dinner at Heist. Friendly and knowledgeable staff, lovely atmosphere, an excellent menu and very well prepared and tasty dishes. The nature of this restaurant translates to a bit more pricey of an experience, however, the quality in all respects make it well worthwhile. We split an arrancino appetizer (turned out to be the right idea) and it was superb. We each had a main course - gnocchi with garlic cream sauce and chicken parmesan. Both were outstanding and very healthy portions - we took some home. The gnocchi were pillowy soft and the cream sauce wonderful. The chicken parm was perfectly prepared and very large, particularly as it came with some pasta. We split a very nice red from Portugal - the least expensive bottle on the menu but an excellent wine for dinner. All in all, we could find no fault with our dinner and will return.

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4.7

4.7 (2435)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Italian

Harbourfront

About the restaurant

The City’s most internationally acclaimed restaurant, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto has been awarded a Michelin Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide – Toronto 2022. Created in partnership with hospitality icon Nick Di Donato of the Liberty Entertainment Group, Don Alfonso 1890 Toronto is the only North American location of world-renowned Michelin Star Chefs Alfonso and Ernesto Iaccarino’s Don Alfonso 1890. Sitting atop the iconic Westin Harbour Castle, on the edge of Lake Ontario, the spacious new location on the 38th floor, offers stunning views of the city skyline and Toronto’s harbor. Showcasing the incredible cuisine of Michelin Star Chefs Ernesto & Alfonso Iaccarino and the wonderful fresh flavors of the Amalfi coast, Don Alfonso 1890’s cuisine is characterized by its modernity, Mediterranean flare and the exceptional quality of the raw materials used.

Top review

Anderson

Dined 1 day ago

I went with my wife and my 2 year old baby. Everything was wonderful

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4.7

4.7 (261)

CAN$51 and over

Contemporary Italian

Vaughan

About the restaurant

Modern Italian Dining, Rooted in Tradition

Buca Vaughan was born out of a deep reverence for Italy's rich and varied regional culinary traditions, as well as an unwavering commitment to upholding the highest benchmarks of quality, culture, and design. We adhere to these principles by exclusively sourcing the finest, seasonally available ingredients from select purveyors and local farmers. Our enduring love for Italian culture fuels our dedication and passion in every dish we prepare.

Moreover, in a nod to our heritage, we have merged the beloved concepts of Buca King and Buca Yorkville. This union offers our guests an even more extensive and diverse culinary journey, celebrating Italy's timeless flavors and traditions.

Top review

Angel

Dined on May 31, 2025

Took my husband to dinner for his birthday. Love the valet offered for patrons and the hostess had a warm greeting for us. The space is beautiful, calm and classy. Our server was Candace and she was the most courteous and attentive individual I have been served by. We ordered the olives and nodini to start, served fresh, warm and full of flavour. Our mains were the patate pizza and the mafaldine pasta. The pizza dough tastes just like it does in Italy, light, fluffy and crunchy and the perfect amount of saltiness to the white pizza. The mafaldine pasta was amazing, our server said it is the most popular dish and I completely understand why. The lamb is buttery and perfect with the pasta. When we ordered the pizzelle for dessert, they were kind enough to put a birthday candle on the plate to celebrate. When we asked for the bill, our server took the valet ticket so the car could be pulled up and ready when we got outside. The cherry on top was the server giving us a box of fresh pasta with all the ingredients to make cacio e pepe at home for two! It was definitely a happy birthday, thank you Buca Vaughan!

Piano Piano Mount Pleasant

4.7

4.7 (91)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Italian

Yonge–Eglinton

About the restaurant

PIANO PIANO is the Italian restaurant you always wished was just around the corner.

Sophisticated and fun, PIANO PIANO serves deeply satisfying food that comes in just the right size. The menu features traditional Italian fare that’s been elevated to its most delicious self. If there’s a common thread that runs through PIANO PIANO, it’s a deep-seated soulfulness and sensuality that’s at once warm, welcoming and just plain fun.

Top review

Maria

Dined 5 days ago

Abi went “above & beyond” to accommodate us! His service & attention to detail was 5 star! This was our first time at your location and we will definitely return again. Abi made our experience perfect. Thank you to Abi & the staff.

Piano Piano Oakville

4.5

4.5 (133)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Italian

Oakville

About the restaurant

PIANO PIANO is the Italian restaurant you always wished was just around the corner. Sophisticated and fun, PIANO PIANO serves deeply satisfying food that comes in just the right size. The menu features traditional Italian fare that’s been elevated to its most delicious self. If there’s a common thread that runs through PIANO PIANO, it’s a deep-seated soulfulness and sensuality that’s at once warm, welcoming and just plain fun.

Top review

MelaniVIP

Dined 6 days ago

It was a great experience staff were very nice and good was amazing

Piano Piano Colborne

4.6

4.6 (208)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Contemporary Italian

St. Lawrence Market

About the restaurant

PIANO PIANO is the Italian restaurant you always wished was just around the corner. Sophisticated and fun, PIANO PIANO serves deeply satisfying food that comes in just the right size. The menu features traditional Italian fare that’s been elevated to its most delicious self. If there’s a common thread that runs through PIANO PIANO, it’s a deep-seated soulfulness and sensuality that’s at once warm, welcoming and just plain fun.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great food and vibe. Upstairs is more noisy than downstairs.

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