The Best Restaurants in College Street Strip, Ontario

The College Street Strip is known as Little Italy and is home to numerous Italian restaurants and businesses ranging from casual to upscale. The area also boasts a proud Latin American and Portuguese community. With a great selection of restaurants, whiskey bars, and other ethnic eateries, this neighbourhood provides a great selection of cozy dining choices with a slightly upscale appeal. Little Italy is the number one destination in the city for authentic Italian food, and with many great little bars to enjoy a night cap after, there's always a good time to be had on the College Street Strip.
Many Italians settled near University Avenue and College Street in the early 19th century, but by the 1920s, the majority had moved West of Bathurst into what is now known as Little Italy. Today, the ethnic diversity of this area has increased even further. Many newer Italian migrants have chosen to settle in other enclaves around the city, especially near St. Clair and Dufferin Street or in Woodbridge, North of the city. The College Street Strip is now home to Latin American and Portuguese migrants too, and many young professionals are choosing to put down roots in this area - we think it's because of the food.
Little Italy offers an authentic European experience in Canada. The numerous sidewalk cafes, patios, bakeries and ice cream shops appear inviting and search Italian coffees and desserts as well as cold drinks. The sidewalks in this neighbourhood are wider than usual which allows larger patios where people can gather and enjoy mid-day coffee or a snack together. Little Italy is especially lively during large soccer tournaments where Italians from throughout the city converge on Little Italy to celebrate and support their national team. This creates a boom in business for local bars and pubs and allows patrons to experience the feverish excitement of the beautiful game.
Little Italy can be best appreciated at dinner time. Specialty restaurants here aren't designed to rush you through a meal - you're meant to relax and make yourself comfortable. Start with an authentic antipasto platter and appreciate the slightly salty flavours of cured meats and olives. Enjoy the rich, savouryflavour of a veal parmesan or fish of the day, paired with home-made pastas and sauces. Afterwards, head down the street for a coffee, a beer, or perhaps a gelato to top it all off.
If you're looking for a departure from the Italian cuisine of Little Italy, try lunch at La Carnita. Their a la carte menu means you can order a great variety of dishes and the service is always fast - even during a packed lunch or dinner rush. The tacos are great and the churros here are a favourite as well.
Restaurants on the College Street strip offer fine Italian dining as well as a number of great café stops. For the best experience, head down when you've got some time to spare and don't rush yourself through dinner and dessert. The images of patrons laughing the day away on the big patios and widened sidewalks here will remind you of a time when life moved slower - when you weren't always in a rush. Consider that to be the main attraction of the College Street Strip, with the delicious Italian cuisine a close second.