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    Paese

    3.7 (87 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Open 12:00 pm - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

    Paese Photos

    Business Info

    PAESE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dressy

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    Recommended Reviews - Paese

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    Reviews With Photos

    Tiramisu
    Clyde C.

    A friend brought me here last night for my birthday. I haven't been here for a long time but the food, the ambiance, and the service are still excellent. They have an outdoor patio but it was raining so heavily that we ate inside. I see that I actually ordered the same things I had last time, which is a little funny, but it was all good.

    Burrata with season beets
    Jo C.

    Back at Paese ....this is one of my favourite places for Italian Cuisine. The Burrata is refreshing served with pickled beets. The Mushroom Calamari is a stand out for me ... lightly battered mushrooms served with a vegan aioli were so delicious. The handcrafted soft chewy Gnocchi stuffed with ricotta with roasted squash and sage in a brown butter creamy sauce. This is very tasty! Save room for dessert. The Raspberry Tart with a shortbread crust is so yummy. You can't miss out on the homemade creamy tiramisu. I highly recommend you add Paese on your list of restaurants to try!

    Jenn W.

    And if you also like hearty Italian cooking, Paese has also got you covered - just fresh ingredients presented simply and without fuss. Their creamy buratta ($23) arrives on top of a bed of vibrant ripe tomatoes that make a great salad. The pool of olive oil is jazzed up a bit of pesto and is really all the flavouring the appetizer needs. When having meatballs as a starter, I want them nice and large. The size of tennis balls, the menu describes polpette di manzo ($16) as being made from ground beef, but it's surprisingly delicate for beef. Sitting in a lovely tomato sauce, it pairs so nicely with the complimentary salty oily focaccia. I had doubts when I first laid eyes on the thick crust on the parmigiana ($22) pizza - did I make the wrong choice? The crust is deceiving as once I bit into it, it is surprisingly light and airy, and nicely toasted on the bottom. This main combines my love for eggplant parmigiana and pizza and Paese doesn't skimp on eggplant or cheese. While they augment flavours with basil, chili, and oregano; I would have liked more salt to seep into the neutral eggplant and dough as the tomato sauce isn't applied as liberally, rightfully so, on the pizza versus the traditional dish. Overall, Paese makes some good sauce - not too acidic and fresh tasting. Interestingly, their bolognese di tacchino ($25) incorporates turkey instead of the traditional beef, pork, and/or pancetta mixture, which makes it taste lighter. So even though it arrives as a huge plate, the men at our table were able to get through the entire dish. This would have been even better if there was some chili sauce thrown into the mix.

    White Chocolate Tart
    Cory S.

    Visiting Toronto recently from the United States, I didn't know what to expect at restaurants in Canada. After conversations with my aunt and uncle, we settled on a restaurant with an outdoor patio and a heater though we didn't immediately know of any. I asked a few of my cousins (who are very familiar with restaurants in the area), and they recommended that we try Paese. Paese is an Italian restaurant that was a short drive away from where I was staying. I was lucky to be able to make a last minute reservation on Open Table for three of us. I was extremely impressed with the innovative way they transformed their parking lot into the Paese Patio where there is a tent covering the patio (which was helpful as it was raining that day). The seating areas were separated with plastic dividers, and there were even heaters near each seating area. With COVID-19 on many people's minds, Paese did a wonderful job ensuring that diners were protected. Also, Ontario started requiring a photo ID and a vaccination certificate or card (showing that you were double vaccinated) to eat indoors; however, anyone can eat outdoors. The one challenge was finding parking though there is plenty of street parking nearby. I enjoyed the Bolognese di Tacchino (casareccia pasta, slow cooked turkey bolognese, and casareccia pasta). My aunt ordered the Scaloppini di Vitello Limone (veal scaloppini, lemon sauce, roasted potato, and vegetables), and my uncle ordered the Fegato di Vitello (seared calves liver, sautéed onions, veal reduction, mashed potato, and vegetables) and a starter of the Gamberetti (grilled shrimp, white bean, cucumber, peppers, citrus, and olive oil). We also had some of their house bread with hummus to top it. We wrapped up our meal with the White Chocolate Tart (fresh raspberry and white chocolate curls). All of the food I tried was delicious with many different flavors! I also felt that the dishes I had were healthier than they otherwise could have been. For instance, I had turkey in my pasta instead of beef, which could have also been greasier and heavier. The service was great as our waiter Ken was very familiar with all of the dishes on the menu (along with some past dishes I pointed out from Yelp). Our food also came out in a timely manner as we didn't feel as if we had to wait too long for anything. Though you can reserve a table through Open Table (and clarify if you want indoor or outdoor seating), you can also see menus and make a reservation on their website: https://paeseristorante.com. They also have a social media presence (on Yelp and Facebook). I would recommend Paese for anyone from Toronto or visiting the area alike.

    Colvin C.

    Location: 3/5 A bit far and middle of nowhere for me to go for basic/regular Italian food. Not the easiest find parking, you have to find side streets, but it's minutes away the Bayview exit on Hwy 401. It is slightly tugged away in Willowdale off of Sheppard Ave right between Yonge and Bayviee. Decor/Ambience: 3.5/5 Wow! I was surprised how tight the space was. It was fully packed for Winterlicious!! The restaurant was bustling and full of engaged dinner conversations. Barely any room to walk around. Will come back on a normal weekend for sure though. Service: 4/5 Even though we booked ahead of time, we still had to wait 10 minutes to get seated, another 10 minutes for orders to be taken. Fortunately, drinks came promptly, 4 slices of bread served with a hummus spread. 10 more minutes for a second serving of bread with olive oil when asked. Food quality: 4.5/5 The food there was absolutely delicious!! I had the Mushroom vegan calamari for my starter and was I ever impressed! Not too oily or fried. It was pretty spicy, but the best part was that it tasted like mushroom but had the texture of calamari!! The vegan aioli that it came with only added to how finger licking it was. My main was their branzino filet, which was light and hit all the right spots!! I loved how there was not too much spice on it and the skin was crispy but thin and non-fattening. Nothing exotic or particularly stand out though menu options wise. Value: 4/5 Sizeable portions, perfect for young couple and families. Pretty standard. What you pay is what you get, but the meals here are filling and warming. Overall. 3/5, a B If it weren't for their patios, one on each side, this place would give me serious claustrophobia... fear of small, tight space... Food and pricing was alright, but I would much rather go to other more finer dining, if Italian at all...

    Jennifer K.

    2.5 Star for the Total Experience 4 Star for Excellent Food Winterlicious 2012 Lunch menu $20 is surprisingly good. Really Good Soup - Caramelized onion soup is sweet and flavoured with a tough of cheese - Hearty and Light as the same time Potato cavatelli and slow cooked turkey bolognese - Pasta has this look of little worms - cooked perfectly al dente, chewy and soft at the same time - tomato sauce was light and has a touch of parsley Affogato - I love dishes with contrast always a fan of Affogato - White Chocolate Ice Cream and a shot of Espresso - Hot vs Cold, Sweet vs Bitter - The cookie on the side was soft and moisture Coffee ($3.50) - Smell so good and I just love French Press 1.5 Star for Indifference and Mediocre Service I was one of the 3 tables here for a late lunch. With 2 waiter on the floor I should not feel that I am ignored at times or my reasonable request for my bill and cash me out a burden to the staffs. An experience comparable to my Hong Kong Style Cafe which I paid $3.50 for a lunch special. I ordered my dessert with the app and main and by the the time for dessert they just drop the cup of cookies in front of me without saying a word until I told him I ordered the Affogato. I really enjoyed the food and the deco of the restaurant but I don't think I will be back because of the service.

    Anthony S.

    Great neighborhood restaurant with an excellent wine list well exceeding what is expected from a restaurant this size. Food is solid here as is the service. They accomodate different dietary needs quite well, so don't be afraid to ask them to make adjustments to their dishes - they are eager to please! Even though I am a big meat eater, I was particularly impressed with their chickpea bolognese with zucchini noodles. It's one of their biggest sellers and I can see why, totally delicious! Recommended if you find yourself in the North York area.

    Mushroom Calamari
    Agnes W.

    Good and simple Italian food in the area! I was curious to try the mushroom "calamari", not knowing what it would be like, but it was great! I love the light coating around the mushroom. It was perfectly fried and packed with flavour. Margherita pizza was classic and well done, the meatballs tender and juicy.

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    9 years ago

    I have been coming to Paese for years. The food is consistently great and the staff is very nice. I would definitely recommend.

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    Donatello Restaurant

    Donatello Restaurant

    3.8(222 reviews)
    10.0 kmDowntown Core
    $$$

    This place has it all. No wonder it's rated as a top 100 in the USA. Service, food, music…read more outstanding!

    Donatello is considered a fine dining Italian restaurant. And it didn't disappoint. The foid and…read moreservice were excellent. The vibe was a slightly darkened room (for the evening). There is an upstairs balcony seating but I've never sat there. During warm weather, there is plenty of roadside outdoor seating too. This is my fourth time here but I never wrote a review fir the restaurant before. We ordered the following: 1. Shrimp Perno (daily special $6/shrimp). Jumbo Shrimp sautéed in garlic, white wine, tomatoes, scallions, and finished off with a shot of perno liquor. 2. Rack of Lamb (daily special $59.95). Four pieces of lamb in a rack, with a rich portion wine reduced sauce, that has a touch of mint to it, and Penne Pasta in a tomato rose sauce. The table bread was really good. The crust was crispy but the inside was fluffy. The soft butter that came it was so tasty. The bread was perfect for dipping in the sauce that came with the shrimp. We asked for a second basket of bread and they put two loafs in the second basket. It was too much so they were willing to let us take it home. The shrimps were definitely jumbo. It was so filling. Two pieces (per person) were good enough as an appetizer. The shrimps were perfectly cooked. We requested the lamb be cooked medium rare. It was definitely medium rare. It was juicy and did not have a gamey taste. It tastes great. The pasta was perfectly al dente. The tomato rose sauce was really good. They offered to grind parmesan cheese and pepper so we got both. There is free WiFi. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible. There is paid neighbourhood street parking and paid parking lots. Review 2025-187

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    Donatello Restaurant - Lobster pasta

    Lobster pasta

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    Terroni - spinach ravioli-the BEST

    Terroni

    3.3(863 reviews)
    11.0 kmDowntown Core
    $$

    Terroni on Adelaide is a beautiful Italian restaurant with a lot of character and history, set…read moreinside a former courthouse building from 1852 that still shows off its dramatic ceilings, fireplaces, and sunlit atrium. It's a dining experience you don't see every day in Toronto. Even the washrooms are memorable, tucked away in the basement in what used to be old jail cells, which adds to the charm and gives the whole place a bit of personality. We went for an early Sunday dinner before a concert at Massey Hall. The restaurant got pretty busy as the evening went on, but it never felt chaotic. The atmosphere is lovely and lively, a great choice for a special night out or a pre-show meal. We started with Calamari alla Griglia with mixed greens, capers, onions, and fresh tomatoes. It was a fresh, bright appetizer with good balance. For mains, my date had the Spaghetti in Canna a Mare with clams, mussels, calamari, scallop, and tiger shrimp in a tomato sauce. The menu described it as mildly spicy, but it definitely had a noticeable kick. Still, the flavours were really good. I ordered the Ravioli al Brasato with braised beef, butter, sage, and parmigiano. It was tasty and comforting, though portion-wise I could have used a few more ravioli. I was still a bit hungry after and honestly double the size would have been perfect for me. For dessert we shared the Tiramisu with espresso-soaked savoiardi, mascarpone, and cocoa. I had an amaro while my date finished with zambuca. A sweet and satisfying way to wrap up the meal. The service was friendly, though drinks came out a bit slower than expected. Terroni's food is tasty, the setting is gorgeous, and it's easy to see why locals keep coming back. It's not cheap, but the quality and ambience make it worth trying, especially for dinner before a show or a relaxed date night in one of Toronto's most unique spaces.

    I wish I could say I enjoyed Terroni more. The venue itself was not held in the main restaurant…read more The company I work at booked out some of the upper floors for an event. There were four flights of stairs to get up to the first floor with the bar and main dining area. There was another two flights of stairs to get to the upper bar (which I was too tired to walk up to). The drinks at the bar were good and the staff were all great. We started with passed apps. Some of the flavour combinations were just off (the skewer with fruit, cheese and something else) - like they paired the wrong cheese with the fruit. The meal itself was a seat down meal (family style) which did take over two hours to complete for the amount of guests that were present (over 200 ppl). My favorite dish was the tomato and mozza salad. My most disappointed dish was the ragu pasta. Though containing a good amount of meat it was not saucy at all. The pizza was the brocolini was good as well. The reason I gave this restaurant three stars is strictly for the lack of elevator and the food quality vs the price. For what you are paying, there is so much higher quality food in the city and I honestly think you can get better bang for buck elsewhere.

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    Terroni - Special event dining area

    Special event dining area

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    Terroni - Special event space (upstairs)

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    Piccolo Caffe E Vino - Frittata

    Piccolo Caffe E Vino

    4.3(19 reviews)
    10.8 kmEntertainment District, Downtown Core
    $$

    Went here for dinner on a Saturday night / great location and cute spot! I love the branding and…read morethe inside + feels very trendy. This is a wine bar - the house lager was bad (maybe my own bad decision) and the red I got was fine ... nothing to write home about. However place fell apart with the food - the shrimp came with 5 medium sized shrimp with the tails, legs and shells on and were under seasoned. The artichokes were mediocre (loved the sauce they came with). Worst of all was the "Ontario peaches" with the burrata were totally canned peaches - could've even been dole brand! This place has amazing potential with the location and vibe - but the food just was not it. Small portions and the price didn't match what was served. The service was friendly but nothing too crazy. Go here for the drinks, but maybe not for the dinner!

    Went with a friend on a Saturday night and it was pretty easy to get a seat, but they do take…read morereservations. Our server was great at helping us pick our wine, he mentioned that their wines are all on the dry side which is perfect for me, I'm not one for sweet wines. We also had two of their small plates the mussels and the burrata. The mussels tasted great with the sauce, a little garlicky which I prefer. The combination of the peach and mint went really well with the burrata. Light and easy to eat. The patio at night is one of the highlights. The only small complaint was it did take a while to get our wine after we ordered it and a little while to get our check. Otherwise cute spot.

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    Piccolo Caffe E Vino
    Piccolo Caffe E Vino - Smoked salmon bagel

    Smoked salmon bagel

    Piccolo Caffe E Vino - Fried Artichoke, shrimp and peach burrata

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    Fried Artichoke, shrimp and peach burrata

    Paese - italian - Updated May 2026

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