Easily accessed by TTC, but tucked well away from traffic with a beautiful patio, this is a lovely restaurant with a restful light wood decor. The menu suits vegan, veggie and omnivorous palates and comprises classic Italian dishes with a subtle twist. The lunch offering is great value at $25 for a choice of pasta and a salad. Highly recommended.
Food: 5
Chris Schmied
One of the best places for pasta in the city. Warm atmosphere and service brings this place up a level. Truly an awesome spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Akshay Dubey
Great food, mediocre service and maybe the worst wine menu I’ve seen in the city
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Sunday Reviews
We came for my friends birthday at her request and we weren't disappointed. The pasta was amazing and they drinks were good as well. The staff were all very sweet and attentive. They even bought out some cake with a candle for my friend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
William Higgs
David and Anastasia - we’re so much fun. Amazing bartenders, great service. Can’t wait to come back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tim Stilwell
Love this place. Food and Service were both exceptional. Not just good, I mean like flavor combos I've never experienced. Thank you for being open for lunch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rowan Galloway
Great atmosphere, yummy food, and such responsive service! Will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Pablo Pérez de Blas
Occhiolino is a charming and casual Italian spot with a minimalist atmosphere that feels both modern and original. The acoustics can be a bit lively, but the space is well organized and comfortable, making it a great setting for a relaxed date night or a dinner with friends.
The menu is not extensive, but every item feels carefully chosen. It offers a small but solid selection of appetizers, a couple of salads, and a variety of pastas. I started with the burrata, true to the restaurant's minimalist vibe, it’s served simply with olive oil and salt. While it could use a touch more seasoning on its own, it tastes fresh and homemade, and becomes absolutely delicious when paired with their ciabatta.
I tried two pasta dishes. The linguine al limone were very good, light and creamy, but I personally would have preferred a bit less cream, more lemon juice, and maybe a hint of saffron to brighten the flavor further. The gnocchi, on the other hand, were fabulous: perfectly cooked, mixed with sausage, egg, and saffron in a rich and satisfying combination.
The surprise highlight of the evening was the dessert. Their cheesecake is easily one of the best I’ve had in Toronto, ultra smooth, full of flavor, and served over an exceptionally good pistachio cream. Hats off to the chef for that one.
Service was attentive and friendly, and the prices are very reasonable considering the quality, especially compared to downtown Toronto spots. My only critique would be the long wait between the appetizer and the main course, but with a limoncello spritz in hand, it’s an easy wait.
Overall, a great dinner experience and I’d definitely return and recommend it to anyone craving a cozy, authentic Italian meal in the city.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Amy Matera
Best pasta in Toronto! Everything we ordered was delicious! Friendly service and super cute environment. Lived it all!! Will return!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hiba Tahir
I visited this place at the beginning of the year so things may have changed since. The restaurant itself is really nice and clean. I ordered a braised beef pasta (forget the exact name) and their grilled fennel salad. The salad was very good flavour wise. It was perfectly cooked and just delicious tbh. However, I found myself wishing there was bread on the side to soak up the extra dressing. For the price, it feels like a small detail that would’ve made a big difference. Adding bread really would’ve made the dish feel more complete and the experience of eating it more enjoyable.
The pasta on other hand was disappointing to me. The beef was cooked tremendously well. It was melt in your mouth level soft. The disappointing part was the taste. This dish lacked some major seasoning. Even adding just more salt and pepper would’ve elevated it, but there was not much flavour to it. I had to ask for some Parmesan cheese on the side so I can jazz the flavour up a bit. If the dish was seasoned a bit more, it would’ve been a perfect dish because the beef was cooked so well.
I also had one of their mocktails. It was a grapefruit situation (I forget the drinks exact name) and it wasn’t bad but it’s not something I would get again.
Good fresh pastas. Recommend getting the burrata appetizer with focaccia. And the soft serve with olive oil oil for dessert.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Amit Kumar
Food is okay, average pasta like anywhere else and nothing special. The portion sizes are pretty small, for $30 plate of pasta you’ll get a very small kids size portion. I think there are much better places to have pasta on College street in little Italy. Came in hungry and left hungry after spending $75 for lunch for two.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Michael Peters
Had our first visit yesterday. The beet salad and calamari are not to be missed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
K Wong (Woman Who Techs)
UPDATE: Came back and sadly, like many places, the sizes have shrunk. While the pasta is still good, the portion isn’t enough for a main now. Given there are no secondi meat dishes, it isn’t good value when a $30+ pasta main doesn’t fill you, especially after multiple appetizers. My husband’s “di mare” dish didn’t taste of clams or have any visible clams. The gem salad was the biggest shocker. 7 tiny leaves, not ripped or cut up for $9. I will likely stick to buying the fresh pasta and pesto sauce to make dishes at home now.
EARLIER REVIEW: Good quality pasta - especially the takeout selection. I only wish the menu was a bit more diverse. The aglio e olio was a bit bland but the beef shortrib was amazing. I like the atmosphere and felt the pricing was good value for the quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Mike Simmons
Was visiting from Phoenix, AZ and staying in Whitby and read the review on Toronto Life and made the trip down. Well worth the trip. We started with the Burrata which was incredibly smooth and fresh. Also had the shrimp carpaccio which was outstanding. I had a cocktail with Rum & fernet with muddled lime & simple syrup that was pleasantly delicious. For pasta we had the rabbit pappardelle that was simply one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever eaten even in Italy. 2nd pasta was spaghetti with spicy sausage, clams and garlic which was also delicious. Overall was very impressed and will definitely be back next time in Toronto.
Easily accessed by TTC, but tucked well away from traffic with a beautiful patio, this is a lovely restaurant with a restful light wood decor. The menu suits vegan, veggie and omnivorous palates and comprises classic Italian dishes with a subtle twist. The lunch offering is great value at $25 for a choice of pasta and a salad. Highly recommended.
Food: 5
One of the best places for pasta in the city. Warm atmosphere and service brings this place up a level. Truly an awesome spot!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food, mediocre service and maybe the worst wine menu I’ve seen in the city
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
We came for my friends birthday at her request and we weren't disappointed. The pasta was amazing and they drinks were good as well. The staff were all very sweet and attentive. They even bought out some cake with a candle for my friend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
David and Anastasia - we’re so much fun. Amazing bartenders, great service. Can’t wait to come back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love this place. Food and Service were both exceptional. Not just good, I mean like flavor combos I've never experienced. Thank you for being open for lunch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great atmosphere, yummy food, and such responsive service! Will be back
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Occhiolino is a charming and casual Italian spot with a minimalist atmosphere that feels both modern and original. The acoustics can be a bit lively, but the space is well organized and comfortable, making it a great setting for a relaxed date night or a dinner with friends.
The menu is not extensive, but every item feels carefully chosen. It offers a small but solid selection of appetizers, a couple of salads, and a variety of pastas. I started with the burrata, true to the restaurant's minimalist vibe, it’s served simply with olive oil and salt. While it could use a touch more seasoning on its own, it tastes fresh and homemade, and becomes absolutely delicious when paired with their ciabatta.
I tried two pasta dishes. The linguine al limone were very good, light and creamy, but I personally would have preferred a bit less cream, more lemon juice, and maybe a hint of saffron to brighten the flavor further. The gnocchi, on the other hand, were fabulous: perfectly cooked, mixed with sausage, egg, and saffron in a rich and satisfying combination.
The surprise highlight of the evening was the dessert. Their cheesecake is easily one of the best I’ve had in Toronto, ultra smooth, full of flavor, and served over an exceptionally good pistachio cream. Hats off to the chef for that one.
Service was attentive and friendly, and the prices are very reasonable considering the quality, especially compared to downtown Toronto spots. My only critique would be the long wait between the appetizer and the main course, but with a limoncello spritz in hand, it’s an easy wait.
Overall, a great dinner experience and I’d definitely return and recommend it to anyone craving a cozy, authentic Italian meal in the city.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 5
Best pasta in Toronto! Everything we ordered was delicious! Friendly service and super cute environment. Lived it all!! Will return!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I visited this place at the beginning of the year so things may have changed since. The restaurant itself is really nice and clean. I ordered a braised beef pasta (forget the exact name) and their grilled fennel salad. The salad was very good flavour wise. It was perfectly cooked and just delicious tbh. However, I found myself wishing there was bread on the side to soak up the extra dressing. For the price, it feels like a small detail that would’ve made a big difference. Adding bread really would’ve made the dish feel more complete and the experience of eating it more enjoyable.
The pasta on other hand was disappointing to me. The beef was cooked tremendously well. It was melt in your mouth level soft. The disappointing part was the taste. This dish lacked some major seasoning. Even adding just more salt and pepper would’ve elevated it, but there was not much flavour to it. I had to ask for some Parmesan cheese on the side so I can jazz the flavour up a bit. If the dish was seasoned a bit more, it would’ve been a perfect dish because the beef was cooked so well.
I also had one of their mocktails. It was a grapefruit situation (I forget the drinks exact name) and it wasn’t bad but it’s not something I would get again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Restaurantji Recommends
Good fresh pastas. Recommend getting the burrata appetizer with focaccia. And the soft serve with olive oil oil for dessert.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Food is okay, average pasta like anywhere else and nothing special. The portion sizes are pretty small, for $30 plate of pasta you’ll get a very small kids size portion. I think there are much better places to have pasta on College street in little Italy. Came in hungry and left hungry after spending $75 for lunch for two.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Had our first visit yesterday. The beet salad and calamari are not to be missed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
UPDATE: Came back and sadly, like many places, the sizes have shrunk. While the pasta is still good, the portion isn’t enough for a main now. Given there are no secondi meat dishes, it isn’t good value when a $30+ pasta main doesn’t fill you, especially after multiple appetizers. My husband’s “di mare” dish didn’t taste of clams or have any visible clams. The gem salad was the biggest shocker. 7 tiny leaves, not ripped or cut up for $9. I will likely stick to buying the fresh pasta and pesto sauce to make dishes at home now.
EARLIER REVIEW:
Good quality pasta - especially the takeout selection. I only wish the menu was a bit more diverse. The aglio e olio was a bit bland but the beef shortrib was amazing. I like the atmosphere and felt the pricing was good value for the quality.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Was visiting from Phoenix, AZ and staying in Whitby and read the review on Toronto Life and made the trip down.
Well worth the trip.
We started with the Burrata which was incredibly smooth and fresh.
Also had the shrimp carpaccio which was outstanding.
I had a cocktail with Rum & fernet with muddled lime & simple syrup that was pleasantly delicious.
For pasta we had the rabbit pappardelle that was simply one of the best pasta dishes I’ve ever eaten even in Italy.
2nd pasta was spaghetti with spicy sausage, clams and garlic which was also delicious.
Overall was very impressed and will definitely be back next time in Toronto.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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