Little Italy, Toronto Neighbourhood Guide: A Taste of Italy

Bending along College Street from Bathurst Street to Dovercourt, bounded by Harbord Street to the north and Dundas Street to the south, you’ll find the trendy neighbourhood of Little Italy. Commonly referred to as College Street West, this district is centred on a restaurant/bar/shopping strip along College Street in downtown Toronto.

This historic Toronto neighbourhood is home to the largest Italian community outside of Italy; however, it is not an exclusively Italian neighbourhood as its name would suggest. The area is ethnically diverse, with a significant Latin-Canadian and Portuguese-Canadian community. Today, Little Italy‘s Italian and Portuguese residents are welcoming new neighbours from around the world to what is now considered one of Toronto’s most multicultural areas.

During the 1920s, College Street’s “Little Italy” became recognized as the residential and commercial centre of Toronto’s Italian community. After the Second World War, Canada relaxed its immigration policy, triggering a massive influx of Italian immigrants to Toronto, many of which bought properties from the previous generation of Italian immigrants.

By the 1960s, during Toronto’s boom years, many of Little Italy’s residents moved to St. Clair Avenue West (which became Corso Italia) or more distant suburbs such as Woodbridge. Eventually, a mix of cultures would begin moving into the area, including Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese families.

In 1985, the local business association on College Street officially adopted the Little Italy name to recognize the role this neighbourhood has played as the starting point for Italians in Toronto.

Much of the architecture in Little Italy is made up of beautiful Victorian-era houses built mostly between 1840 and 1910. Walking along Palmerston Boulevard, you’ll find Edwardian mansions with ornate iron street lamps. There are also many two-storey houses with gable roofs and huge bay windows on tree-lined streets.

The Roman Catholic church of Saint Francis of Assisi, on the west side of Little Italy, has a Gothic-revival architectural style and 21 large stained glass clerestory windows.

Little Italy is home to many one-of-a-kind spaces where you can enjoy local art exhibits, live music, movie screenings, and more. The area is an ever-changing collection of top-notch restaurants, sidewalk cafés, live music, and Latin-dancing opportunities, all within walking distance.

Portuguese and Italian communities lend a flair to the cultural life here, with streets closed regularly for processions, festivals, and coveted sports events like the World Cup/European Cup.

The Italian Walk of Fame is located on the north side of College Street and you can also find lots of murals throughout the area.  The nightclub El Convento Rico and Lily Lounge are popular destinations for nightlife. 

Little Italy offers many great locally owned shops and boutiques to check out. Stock up on everyday necessities, hardware, and pet supplies, or find something special at one of the many unique stores that dot the street.

The Little Italy shopping district on College Street, between Shaw Street and Euclid Avenue, features tasty Italian restaurants and bakeries. The Portugal Village shopping district on Dundas Street includes fresh fruit-and-vegetable markets, delectable bakeries, as well as seafood restaurants, and cafés that feature mouth-watering Portuguese cuisine.

As one might expect, Little Italy is home to some of the city’s best dining options, from Bar Raval to Café Diplomatico.

Bitondo Pizzeria, where you can taste a delicious Italian pizza or panzerotti, has been in the neighbourhood since the 1970s. Café Diplomatico dates back over 50 years and is a popular place for Italians and locals to gather on the patio to have a coffee, biscotti, or gelato.

Bar Isabel is a Spanish-influenced restaurant with authentic cuisine and an old European style. It also offers a range of craft beers, wine, and cocktails. Alternatively, you can head to Bar Raval for delightful food and great drinks.

There are numerous nearby parks that complement the tree-lined streets of Little Italy. George Ben Park is a quiet rectangular area with a small playground. Fred Hamilton Playground is a more extensive park with bocce courts — a legacy of Italian immigrants. It also has a wading pool and a beautiful wildflower garden.

Nearby Christie Pits Park has rolling hills, while the spacious Trinity-Bellwoods Park features a tennis court and skating rink.

For residents who enjoy staying active, there are plenty of opportunities for recreational activities. The West End YMCA at 931 College Street, for instance, includes a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and community meeting rooms.

The First Portuguese Canadian Cultural Centre at 722 College Street has lecture halls, a games room, a bar, meeting rooms, and a restaurant. Evening programs range from performances of Fado music to dances.

GoodLife Fitness Toronto College and Euclid is a small gym at the heart of the Little Italy neighbourhood. It offers personal and team training, TRX, cardio classes, strength-training classes, and mind and body classes.

Little Italy is well served by regular bus routes on Ossington Avenue and streetcar service on College, Dundas, and Bathurst Streets. The area is also quite walkable, with most necessities nearby.

For residents who prefer to drive, the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard are within reach in about 10 minutes.

Little Italy brings a European cultural flair to downtown Toronto. Here, traditional Italian, Portuguese, or Vietnamese residents mingle with young professionals in subdivided Victorian homes. The neighbourhood is lined with exceptional cafés, restaurants, and bars with a number of green spaces throughout.

The area is perfect for young families and singles looking to stay in the heart of the city within quiet residential streets.