40 Best Italian Restaurants near Thorold

“Went in for a quick dinner after arriving at the hotel, I was greeted and seated quickly. I had Tanya as my server and she was amazing! She gave a great recommendation on what to try and she was spot on with how good the French Dip was! She was a pleasure and delight to chat with! Thank you so much for such great service Tanya!“

“Everyone was extremely accommodating when we constantly changed our reservation. A big thanks. The service was very pleasant throughout our dinner. We were a party of six. The food was only ok this time; one of the guest had to return their dish and mine along with my wife’s was only so so this time (pasta wasn’t tasting fresh and the sauce was runny). The calamari in the appetizer didn’t taste fresh, either. On a positive note, they did serve each birthday person a complimentary sorbet. Thank you.“

“Amazing food - fresh ingredients, prepared from scratch, tastes like something you'd expect from an Italian countryside village. I understand at least some of the meats are from the local farmer's market.Owner and all staff are very friendly. Treated us like a guest in their own home.The atmosphere is very warm and rustic - everywhere you look has something else neat to gaze at.We found this place for a late brunch and loved it so much we came back the next day.This place is certainly a hidden gem. Would definitely recommend!Its cash only but there is an ATM on site. You dont need much, most dishes are around $10-15.“

“The waitress, Saphira was amazing. Friendly, efficient and very helpful. Needing to find food to suit my diet she helped me choose the exact combination from the breakfast menu, great that they serve breakfast all day.The food was well prepared and delicious with just the right serving size. To find a restaurant that caters for my needs is truly amazing, so you can be sure I will return to try more of their dishes.Thankyou for a lovely meal and such friendly, welcoming service.Vegetarian options: Many vegetarian and vegan options. I also need low sodium food so was easily able to use avacado alternate to my breakfast muffin order.Dietary restrictions: Many options for both vegan and vegetarian food.“

“After an unforgettable experience witnessing a total eclipse in Hamilton, where we sought clearer skies, we returned to Niagara Falls for a family dinner at Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria. This restaurant is a gem, offering authentic Italian cuisine in an ambiance that stands out from the typical tourist-oriented eateries in the area.We were warmly greeted by Anthony, who I believe is the manager. He crafted “Sicilian Manhattans” for us, super smooth—while we were waiting for our table. We had Insalata Rucola and Focaccia with Honey Ricotta for appetizers. We then enjoyed our Napolitno style pizzas—Americana and Funghi—and enjoyed Mafalda Funghi pasta. For the desserts we enjoyed classic Italian gelato, tiramisu, and cannoli. Every dish was full of flavor and aroma. Service was fast and attentive.Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria is out of league of the typical dining offerings in Niagara Falls, providing a fine dining experience.“

“From the moment we entered the front door we were greeted friendly smiles. The service very good, with just the right amount of attention without interrupting the enjoyment of our evening.The food was great, we started with polenta, crispy on the outside and melt in you mouth soft on the inside and the grilled octopus was one of my fav dishes of the night.For our mains, the lamb was cooked to perfection and a nice size serving. The ravioli was also very nice, cooked perfect with a very homade feel.Our deserts were the topper to the dinner, I would highly recommend the cannoli.Overall we had a great meal and a fun evening.“

“We were looking for a place for our anniversary dinner this evening, called Matteo’s on the recommendation of a friend. Kind of last minute due to circumstance, but they were able to fit us in. The restaurant is small but cozy, the service was wonderful and the food was fantastic! We had the Chicken Parmesan and the Penne Pollo, the chicken parm was moist on the inside and crispy outside, the pasta was made fresh and that curried cream sauce on the penne pollo was so delicious that we asked for more bread to soak up and enjoy the goodness! I think this is our new favourite special dinner spot. If you haven’t tried it yet you don’t know what you are missing!“

“The restaurant and Carrie are so welcoming. I had a chocolate gelato while waiting for my freshly made panini. It was delicious and such a lovely treat on this hot day. I also had a delicious hazelnut iced latte. Then I had the most delicious veal parm panini, with extra sauce for dipping. I'd have drank the rest of the sauce if I was home alone! I finally got to try one of their delicious canolis too.“

“We had an amazing evening at Twisted Vine. Instead of eating at a touristy restaurant on the NOTL main street, we ventured ten minutes down the road to Virgil. Truly authentic Italian from an Italian chef. 10/10 for food and wine. Service was great and attentive. Take the trip to Virgil.“

“Fantastic place to enjoy a delicious meal. Cafe Amore has now risen to the top of my list of favourite restaurants. The first time I was there it was a summer dinner outside. I experienced the Black and Blue pasta. Simply delectable. Last night we returned for an early Valentine’s Day dinner. This time I could not resist the Steak Gorgonzola. So incredibly decadent, so delicious. My wife had the Penne Alfredo with Lobster and Crab. Also a beautifully presented dish that was delicious. The Caesar salad is definitely worth the upgrade too. Cozy and warm dining experience with a great staff. We are looking forward to coming back soon. There’s just too many delicious options on that menu. See you soon!“

“Visited on a Wednesday night in April. My wife and I ordered the Calamari and Shrimp Diavolo as a shareable app. It was too much for the two of us and is likely best suited for three to four guests. It definitely needed more heat to be worthy of its name. The fettuccine bolognese was excellent with a nice balance between spice, noodles and sauce. Our server was polite, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The restaurant is nicely decorated with exposed brick and a nice brick archway along the ceiling. The location is a very short walk from the top of Clifton Hill. Pay parking only. Cost for app, two mains and a bottle of Italian wine was reasonable for the area at around $100 pre tax and gratuity. Recommended.“

“We were vacationing and asked one of the hotel staff members about a good local restaurant (not chain) and he recommended Zappi's. The food did not disappoint! it was amazing! the BBQ chicken pizza was different than what I am used to (American BBQ sauce, thick, tangy) and it was hands down the best BBQ chicken pizza I have ever had.“

“I heard through others that CC Dugout had fantastic food.We went and their eggplant parmesan was the best I have ever had.My husband had a delicious philly steak.Great portions and delicious food. The staff was friendly and offered great service.The chef Noel even came out and talked to the customers We will definitely be going back.“

“We booked the Barrel Room for my Dad's 80th Birthday. Janine was easy to work with, and our servers were incredibly helpful. The guests commented on how much they loved the atmosphere of the room - but the food took centre stage! Personally, I highly recommend the mushroom ravioli in the rose sauce. Mmmm.“

“The food was pretty good. The Ceasar salad was incredible. The service was not great. We felt pressured the moment we sat down to order the "Date Night" special. When we didn't order that or alcohol, the waitress got real snooty. Wouldn't recommend it.“

“We had the buffalo wings and they were delicious!! Huge wings and crispy despite a healthy amount of sauce. But not too much sauce just the right amount. The flavour of the sauce was excellent, spicy and flavourful without burning your face off. Even the blue cheese dressing was wonderful, strong flavour that held up against the spicy buffalo sauce. We can’t wait to try the other things on the menu. Best buffalo wings ever!! Thanks again!!“

“Delicious Dining Experience at Bravo. My recent visit to Bravo was an absolute delight. From the warm greeting upon arrival to the impeccable service throughout the meal, every aspect of the experience was superb. The ambiance was charming, the food was outstanding, and the wine selection was impeccable. Loved the pizza and the attentive staff made sure every need was met. Bravo truly offers a taste love in every dish, and I highly recommend it for anyone seeking an unforgettable dining experience in niagara.“

“We had the pleasure of experiencing the food here last night. Did the take out. And after a half hour drive home..the entire meal was still PERFECT!! And the amount you get is quite a bit to boot. Delicous!!! This is a must try if in Port Dalhousie. Wow!! “

“Wow! First time ordering pizza. Gorgeous. Nice thin crust and nice and crunchy! Not short on toppings(bacon,mushroom,pepperoni)nice tomato sauce, fresh tasting. Loved it. Will be trying alot more from this little gem. Thanks Mario! You've made some new loyal customers!“

“Ordered the pasta with 8 meatballs and 2 chicken parms for pick up.Came in a foil tray with a lid (easy to warm up in the oven and to carry to the car).It was perfect temp at pick up! Pasta was perfectly cooked, sauce was proportioned as well! Gave 3 star for atmosphere only because there's no indoor seating.... and didn't get to experience a busy time. Pick up and go!The chicken parm was smothered in cheese and cooked perfectly and the meatballs were packed with flavour.I have had other pasta/ meatball meals from other local places and this place didn't disappoint.“

“We had dinner here last week on a short trip to Niagara. Made reservations for the 4 of us which I would recommend you do.It was not super busy and we got a nice table that was quiet and comfortable. Our server Zach was exceptional. He is personable, attentive and efficient. The Italian food here is served 'family' style. So you pay one price and you get a set menu delivered to your table in large dishes to share and you can have more of anything you like. It also included a welcome glass of prosecco (Italian champagne) and we also got 2 bottles of wine included in our meal.The food started with fresh bread which was excellent. We did order more of that. It was followed by an antipasto dish with a tasty assortment of meats, cheeses and grilled veggies. All were very tasty. That was followed by three different pastas and a server offered meatballs to each of us. One had seafood, the other a creamy alfredo sauce with truffles/mushrooms and the third was a pasta in marinara sauce. They were all amazing and we agreed it was some of the best pasta we had ever tasted. The meatballs were also excellent covered in a delightful marinara sauce. I really enjoyed all the pastas and the meatballs. That course was followed by roast chicken, steak, salmon and salad. I thought all the meats were delicious and we did not order more as it was enough for all of us.Desserts were then served. It was a tiramisu and a raspberry meringue dessert. Both were excellent. They also give each guest a little box of delicious bakery quality cookies to take home which was a nice touch. I had them later at the hotel and they were delicious.It was a reasonable price for the quality and quantity of food that was served and the fact it included wine. When we got the bill we did notice the notorious 'niagara tourist tax' was added. We asked our server if he could remove it from the bill and he did. We were grateful. So note to anyone planning to travel to Niagara, this so-called 'tax' is not supposed to be mandatory and can usually be taken off the bill if you ask.The reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the following reason. We asked if we could take the leftovers home. One dish in particular, the creamy truffle pasta, had plenty left as my son does not like alfredo sauce or mushrooms. Our server said they do not allow you to take home leftovers as he stated it's like a 'buffet'. I did not really see why that was the case. The food was just going to be thrown into the garbage so seems like quite a waste. It would be different if you ordered extra dishes to take home and maybe that's what they are trying to prevent. But we were at a Disney restaurant a while back that served in a similar style and they let you take home anything you did not finish from the original dishes served. I agreed with that policy and maybe Corso could adopt a similar policy.Besides that issue, overall it was an exceptional dining experience which is rare for this tourist destination. Savoury, authentic Italian food, top notch service, cozy atmosphere and reasonable price. I would highly recommend Corso and we would definitely return if we were ever back in the Niagara region.“

“My husband and I have been after a quality latte since moving here from the UK a couple months ago. He was so impressed at how strong and delicious his drink was. Such a lovely welcome from the owner too. We will definitely be coming back! :)“

“We have been here a few times and always enjoyed our meals.The last time we went,I ordered a salad which was supposed to have cherry tomatoes and the gnocchi gorgonzola which was also supposed to have cherry tomatoes.Neither dishes had cherry but had grape tomatoes which I personally didn't like,never have liked and it totally changed the taste of the gnocchi dish.This swap may be because grape tomatoes are cheaper than cherry tomatoes but I feel you should then either change the menu to reflect your changes or go back to actually using the superior tasting ? ? cherry tomatoes.“

“The best example of fine Italian dining on this side of the border. It was busy, but well worth the wait. Bread was fresh, tasty and aromatic. Mushroom soup was creamy smooth, with excellent taste and very satisfying. Gnocchi were out of this world- so soft and creamy, they melted in your mouth with a hint of earthy truffle giving you satisfaction beyond this world, definitely a must. Risotto was excellent with perfectly cooked scallops and rice complementing each other. Martini were right on the spot. Deserts included tiramisu, crème brûlées and chocolate mousse were outstandingWe definitely recommend this place for anyone who is looking for excellent dining to satisfy a discriminating palate. Buon appetito“

“Our welcome and service throughout our meal was excellent. I had pretty high hopes when I saw the menu but I confess I was a little disappointed. My pizza was undercooked and the dough was raw in the middle, I got really bloated afterwards. My wife's food was great though and she was really happy. Definitely would recommend the focaccia - although it's not an authentic focaccia it is still very delicious.“

“This is my new favourite Italian. So intimate and the loveliest, loveliest people. When we were there the usual server was on vacation so we had the pleasure of a sister of the chef. There were three siblings between the kitchen and serving and all seemed so lovely. The pasta was the freshest I’ve ever had and the pasta sauce was incredible. We were a party of four and we all walked out so incredibly happy with the people and the food. I can’t wait to go back.“

“Right off the bat we were warmly welcomed and promptly seated. We had a fantastic, hilarious server Jacob who kept us laughing and even helped with my macros! It was obvious the staff enjoyed working here and it was a great vibe with delicious food!! I was actually blown away how tasty my kale salad was.. Thanks guys!“

“I had the opportunity to dine at papas grill and I loved it I loved everything about it . the food was absolutely authentic and delicious . the owner was as sweet as can be .I would 100% reccomend this little gem of a restaurant to everyone it's amazing“

“Great, real food and prices. Tried for the first time tonight, but we'll be back. Had his homemade hot sauce with the shrimp roti and it was flavourful. My wife had the curried chicken and enjoyed it as well. Generous portions as we both have lunch for tomorrow. Very friendly owner.“

“UpdateThe first time was a disaster. However, I believe the staff was still adjusting to the online orders as opposed to walk-ins. Nevertheless, during our recent visits, we noticed significant improvements in the service, and the staff was friendly. Also, the food quality remains pretty good!------Good food, but unfortunately, they don't care for us walk-ins as much as they care for takeouts/delivery. We waited over 2 hours for our main meals. The kids drove me crazy.“

“We tried it out and it was really good. I can't eat other brands from the supermarket as it's poor quality and usually has an after taste. I wowed a Toronto couple with the lasagna which was accompanied with ACE bread and of course, mixed salad. The Toronto couple bought the lasagna and brought back with them.“

“We had a great dinner here. In fact we have had many great meals here. Staff are quick and attentive, food comes quick and cooked as requested. The atmosphere is nice and the restaurant is well taken care of. Prices are more than fair for the quality and portions, we send all of our friends and family here who haven’t been and all agree it’s great!“

“I had an amazing experience on the patio of Il Fornello! We had pizza and drinks and the food was delicious, fresh, and authentic. Our server Sarah was amazing, attentive, and quick(extra points for being so fast on a hot day). I have passed this place a few times as it is in a plaza, but now I know it's there with a nice patio I will be back for sure!“

“Excellent service and food! The Canadian Burger is huge and full of flavor. The Ham and Brie was simply perfect. The salad was crisp fresh greens with juicy tomatoes topped with a vinaigrette. And you can’t forget to try the hand cut fries!!“

“Amazing food and service. They even gave me an extra plate so I could feed my 8 month old. It's the little things that countKid-friendliness: They were so kind to my daughter and were laughing an playing with her. They also made sure we had an extra plate to feed her“

“This place is perfect but I have literally only 1 complaint, and this is why I only rated it 4 stars instead of 5: the bathroom doors NEED to be replaced. The food, service and atmosphere are outstanding, but the bathroom doors simply don’t work. I tried 3 different stalls and all 3 doors wouldn’t shut properly. Please fix this, but keep everything else the same! :)“

“"210 Glendale Avenue Pizza Pizza is a hidden gem! From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warmth and hospitality. The pizzas here are truly outstanding—fresh ingredients, perfectly baked crust, and generous toppings that satisfy even the most discerning pizza aficionados. What sets this location apart is its attention to detail and commitment to quality. Whether you're grabbing a quick slice on the go or indulging in a full pie with friends, you can always count on 210 Glendale Avenue Pizza Pizza to deliver an unforgettable dining experience. Don't miss out on this culinary delight!"“

“We went today and had their Valentines special, it was amazing. We both had the chef salad, it was very large and made with fresh ingredients, not iceberg Lettuce but springmix with all the fixins. The pasta was amazing, I had the seafood pasta with dill sauce, WOW is all I can say. My wife had the chicken and mushroom pasta, once again WOW. The portions were quite large, more than enough I would say. And of course the Cat Tails for dessert, we brought them home. All this along with a bottle of VQA wine for just $65.00. We are going back again before the 18th of this month to enjoy this fantastic meal again. The staff was over the top too. Don't forget to try this place out, it's a hidden gem.“

“I was surprised to see how much you get for your money. I dare to say that this xlarge pizza wieghs more then any 24 slice in the city. Ordered x cheese and I definitely got extra. The cheese and sauce are high quality. Wings were very good also!“

“We all know by now the Pizza Pizza taste. It’s a Canadian classic. This location had really great customer service and my pie was spicy and delicious. $29 for a large walk in special, three topping, three pops and dip. No complaints whatsoever. It was a perfect experience.“