best places to eat in little italy
When it comes to the best places to eat in Little Italy, there are a ton of restaurants that are definitely worth going to and then their are the restaurants that you’ll hate yourself for even stepping into. Little Italy is a trendy neighbourhood in downtown Toronto filled with delicious food, unique shops and stunning architecture. To make sure you don’t miss out on the tastiest restaurants, here are my top 10 picks for the best places to eat in Little Italy.
Little Italy is a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York City, that’s known for its Italian restaurants, cafes, delis and bakeries. It’s one of the most popular places for people to visit when they’re in New York City. If you’re visiting Little Italy or live there and want to find some great places to eat, here are our top picks!
- DiFara Pizza: This pizzeria has been around since 1964 and it’s still going strong. The pizza is made from fresh ingredients and you can tell that it’s made with love because it tastes so good! The crust is thin and crispy but not too crispy so it doesn’t hurt the roof of your mouth when eating it. The sauce is sweet but not too sweet which makes it perfect for dipping your pizza slices into after they come out of the oven.
- Gatsby’s Bar & Grill: This restaurant has been around since 2005 and it serves delicious Italian food as well as American classics such as burgers and fries! They have an extensive menu with everything from pasta dishes like spaghetti pomodoro with meatballs; chicken parmigiana; eggplant parmigiana; lasagna bolognese; veal parmigiana;
When you’re in Little Italy, you’re right in the middle of all the action. There are a ton of great restaurants in Little Italy, and it’s hard to choose just one! If you want to try some of the best Italian food in the world, there are many options for you. Here are some of the best places to eat in Little Italy:
1) Bottega Louie – This is a great place that offers Italian cuisine with a twist. It’s located at 728 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
2) Cafe Roma – This restaurant has been around since 1933 and offers classic dishes like lasagna and spaghetti. It’s located at 5601 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90019.
3) Daisuke Sushi – This is a great place for sushi lovers who want something unique and delicious! It’s located at 815 Wilshire Blvd #103-104, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
4) Venice Ale House – This restaurant offers a variety of beers from all over the world, as well as traditional American fare like burgers and fries! It’s located at 1145 Abbot Kinney Blvd #A-4
best eats in little italy
Buon Appetito Restaurant
Buon Appetito serves award-winning Italian dishes at their cutesy authentic Italian joint that boasts the perfect rustic touches. With divine hospitality and a warm outdoor space a little off the beaten path, Buon Appetito is a splendid place to enjoy thick and fluffy bread, amazing seafood pasta dishes, and soak in the sweetness of Little Italy in a chill, laid back setting. The ambiance and sensibly decorated outdoor and indoor dining areas evoke a cheery and homey atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and sipping a glass of Italian wine
Buon Appetito’s extensive menu has plenty of options–including vegan-friendly foods such as their vegan sausage–at reasonable prices. For meat and cheese enthusiasts, the Creamy Burrata with Prosciutto is a must-try, as well as the divinely juicy Homemade Meatballs with a tangy marinara sauce. Of the restaurants Little Italy has to offer, this one provides a secluded space to escape the chaotic environment that you often run into downtown.
Davanti Enoteca
Davanti Enoteca is one of the best places to eat in Little Italy, San Diego for its remarkable wines, hearty portions, thoughtful service, quality ingredients, and a charming outdoor space right in the thick of it all. Chef Scott Harris, the restaurant’s renowned chef, was named as Chicago Tribune’s 2011 Restaurateur of the Year as well as 100 Most Powerful Chicagoans in 2012. This should be a clear indicator that the food at Davanti is absolutely killer. Among their noteworthy dishes, the Cacio e Pepe with fresh, semi-chewy noodles, and the Linguine Al Granchio with lump crab and miso dashi are excellent choices. The real chef’s kiss, according to customers, is the Honeycomb Flatbread Focaccia, which is fluffy, addictive and the perfect blend of salty and sweet.
Davanti is also one of the few Little Italy cafés that serves phenomenal rustic Italian breakfast, such as Eggs Benedict, complete with a Bloody Mary bar loaded with different garnish options. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you can’t forget to try their bomb gelato, offered in a multitude of flavors and served in generous scoops. There are plenty of ice cream options that will come up if you google, “ice cream Little Italy, San Diego” but this hidden gem has gelato like no other. Davanti Enoteca is situated right by Waterfront park, an ideal distance from the pier to gawk at picturesque sunsets and go for a post pasta stroll.
Flippi’s Pizza Grotto Little Italy
Flippi’s Pizza Grotto is among the few family-owned restaurants in Little Italy that offers traditional Italian family recipes passed down from several generations. They specialize in pizzas, macaronis and sandwiches, and have a harmonious selection of red dinner wines that are complimentary to red meats, cheeses, as well as a few sparkling wines to sip on a warm Summer’s day. Flippi’s is quite homey, with charming decor, ambiance, and stellar service.
The vibe is rather old school–classic red and white checkered tablecloths, nostalgic Italian American comfort food dishes, complete with a tiny Italian market. Another bonus is that their wine is homemade, and no matter which wine you go with, it will pair nicely with their perfectly baked pizzas and ginormous meatballs. We highly recommend sitting outside and people-watching, as their patio, while small, is a delightful place to enjoy a date night or weekend brunch and take in on the excitement that Little Italy has to offer.
unique restaurants in little italy
Nolita Hall
Regardless of whether you’re searching for “Best Breakfast Little Italy San Diego” or “Best Restaurants in Little Italy San Diego,” Nolita Hall is sure to pop up on whatever source you land on (and it’s easy to see why). Inspired by both modern and traditional drinking emporiums in Europe’s beer cities, this airy, open, and bright restaurant features a stylish bar with plants, industrial lighting and architecture, and an Instagrammable aesthetic through and through. Nolita Hall has fantastic weekend brunch, outstanding ambiance, and massive floor-to-ceiling windows to let natural light in. That being said, it can be very busy, so call ahead to reserve if you plan to come on the weekend. If you can’t manage to get a reservation, they offer yummy cocktails, making their bar the perfect place for a nightcap at their bar.
Among their casual bites and flavorful menu items, the Pork Back Ribs, Thin Crust Pizzas, Charred Octopus, and Diver Scallops with Lemongrass, English Peas and Corn Couscous are top-notch, and there are tons of veggie options for the vegetarians out there. Nolita Hall really knows how to balance textures, seasonings, and flavors, and, well, everything else for that matter. The dishes, decor, staff, and overall ambiance is just well-put together.
Should you want to switch up the cuisine but keep the unbeatable outdoor restaurant vibes, check out this new tropical rooftop bar and eatery with a killer patio culture.
Ristorante Illando
Featuring an intimate, second-story dining room and quaint backyard patio in San Diego’s Little Italy, Ristorante Illando prides itself on their traditional Tuscan comfort food. They have a relatively simple menu at very affordable prices, featuring signature dishes and house specialties. Ristorante Illando’s handmade pasta is topped with the perfect touches and beautifully plated. Their Spaghetti carbonara, juicy Lamb Chops, and Torre di Antipasti are a few of the many dishes that will make your jaw drop, not just because they are tasty, but because they look like a work of art. Ristorante Illando has an excellent wine list to pair with your pasta and meat dishes, and gluten-free pasta readily available for the gluten-intolerant folks. They also offer unmatched Little Italy dessert, including their phenomenally rich and creamy traditional tiramisu.
If that’s not enough to woo you, the open air al fresco seating at Ristorante Illando is amorous no matter what time of day, and at night it is lit up with romantic light fixtures to further add to the places charm. The space itself is relatively small, providing a more relaxed environment that is perfect for date nights and mellow dinners.
Barbusa
Of all the San Diego eateries to choose from, Barbusa is a top choice if you’re looking for that wow factor. Barbusa houses authentic modern Sicilian cuisine with a huge selection of shareable dishes, making it great for birthdays and large parties. For big groups, your shareable plates will come out on long, aesthetic wooden boards that span the size of your table, so everyone can dig in at the same time. The atmosphere at Barbusa is loud and lively, so if you’re trying to keep the energy going and the vibes high, this is the place to be.
Barbusa has a small selection of pizza options, but their bread and butter is their appetizers, main entrées, and rich pastas. They also offer a full crudo bar with fresh, delicately marinated fish in abundantly flavorful oils. For dessert, Barbusa’s has cannoli, crispy golden brown sugar dusted donuts, and an espresso martini you’ll be raving about till you get your hands on your next one. Baffled with what to order because everything looks killer? Not to worry! Their kind and helpful staff are there to help guide you to ordering the best dishes for your particular preferences.
Bencotto Italian Kitchen
Bencotto’s modern chic, industrial style Italian kitchen offers high-quality food and “home style” dishes. At Bencotto, you’ll find a mellow and quiet atmosphere, great for a relaxing dinner or date night in the town. They offer Indoor and outdoor seating with an adorable patio where you can admire your incredibly well plated dishes-especially their desserts!
Bencotto is one of the few Italian restaurants that offer a Cheese wheel pasta, which is mixed in a 60lb Parmesan wheel and served to you in the wheel of cheese. Cheese lovers, don’t sleep on this truly unforgettable dish. Bencotto is known for their soups, salads, appetizers, meat, and seafood, which are all served in large portions that will leave you with leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch. Some solid menu options include their fresh salads with mixed greens, which combine lots of ingredients to provide varied textures and flavors. For more filling options, opt for the short prime rib braised in red wine and herbs with Parmesan polenta, which will melt in your mouth, or the Sautéed salmon in white wine with lemon, olives, cherry tomatoes and roasted potato. Bencotto is right near harbor view in Little Italy, a few blocks from the water. We advise you eat prior to sunset, so you can walk off your delicious meal over a sunset stroll.