Why Not? Italian Food in Guelph

570 Kortright Rd W, Guelph, ON N1G 3W8, Canada

★★★★★
(79 reviews)
Categories: Takeout restaurant

About

We are an authentic Italian take-out restaurant located in Guelph, Ontario. We are a 5 minute drive from Guelph University and 8 minutes from downtown. We offer lunch specials for students and seniors, as well as options to satisfy the whole family.

Website
whynotitalianfood.com
Address
570 Kortright Rd W, Guelph, ON N1G 3W8, Canada
Plus Code
GQ59+8H Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
10 AM–2 PM
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
Closed
Friday
12–7 PM
Saturday
12–7 PM
Sunday
Closed

Services

Service options
No-contact delivery Delivery On-site services Takeaway Dine-in
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Coffee Healthy options
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Catering Counter service Dessert
Atmosphere
Casual
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Parking
Free of charge street parking Free parking lot Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.9
★★★★★
79 reviews

Most Mentioned

veal (9) gelato (9) sandwich (8) pizza cones (5) ingredients (5) panini (4) lasagna (4) catering (4) espresso (4) gallery (2)
5 stars
75
4 stars
3
3 stars
0
2 stars
1
1 stars
0
★★★★★
December 14, 2024

Review: We recently placed a catering order with Why not? Italian food, an authentic Italian restaurant in Guelph, and it was nothing short of exceptional! From start to finish, Toni’s warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail made the experience seamless and enjoyable. The food was out of this world — every dish was a perfect blend of authentic Italian flavors, crafted with love and care. Our guests couldn’t stop raving about the taste. The portions were generous, the presentation was beautiful, and it was evident that only the freshest ingredients were used. Toni’s personal touch and ability to connect with us made the entire process even more special. If you’re looking for outstanding catering or a take out order that will wow your guests and leave them asking for more, This gem is the place to go. Highly recommended!

★★★★★
November 28, 2024

Stopped in for my first time today after craving a Panini and seeing the reviews. I got the veal Parm with mushrooms and holly Hannah it was 10/10, the sauce is seriously something else. I met the owner Tony who showed me everything they have to offer and you could tell immediately he is a very talented and passionate person about what he does. I must return to try the other options and buy a pre made lasagne. 100% will be a repeat customer

★★★★★
October 8, 2024

Tony was a huge help to me when arranging catering for a banquet. We ran into a snag (on my end), Tony calmly and respectfully helped me out of a jam and Im very grateful. Not only is the food delicious, they are independently owned and operated and very happy to support our local business owners. Thank you Tony!

★★★★★
September 25, 2024

Tony catered our 70 person wedding and we are very happy with how it turned out! His food is always fresh and delicious, and was a big hit among our guests. Almost everyone went back for seconds (and sometimes thirds). Pricing was reasonable and he was very easy to work with

★★★★★
May 28, 2024

Very friendly owner and we had a great experience. Food was delicious and you could taste the freshness. All the pizzas we tried we loved (the sausage was my favourite). The veal panino was fantastic and I can't wait to go back and try another one. The owner is proud of what he does and you can taste it. I absolutely recommend trying this place.

★★★★★
April 30, 2024

Toni, “you made the best pizza in the world,” this is what my 6yrs old son said. Truly a gem in Guelph. A must try for those looking for authentic Italian pizza. We have tried several restaurants across North America, this is by far the best. If you like dessert, the restaurant has some great desserts as well. We haven’t tried the gelato but we plan on trying next time. Keep up the great work, Toni!

★★★★★
March 28, 2024

We tried the gelato at an event, it was great! Today I went in for lunch to try something from the hot table, had the chicken panini - it was authentic and delicious. Must try!

★★★★★
February 26, 2022

My standards for Italian food are very high thanks to my grandfather in-law, and Why Not managed to blow away my unreasonably high expectations. I think the most distinct aspect of the taste and quality of the food is the sauce. I ordered a pizza cone with pepperoni and it was the perfect balance of tart tomato, basil notes and genuine mozzarella cheese. The veal sandwich was also ordered, which was highly praised. We grabbed some desserts while waiting for the food to get packed up, and I highly recommend the chocolate chocolate cannolis. Some Italian pantry staples like pasta and olives are available on the shelves, and the freezer has ravioli and gnocchi for purchase. The service is exceptional - the cashier was very eager to explain all the desserts to us and was so friendly! You can see the kitchen from behind the counter and it looks spotless, as does the front of store. I can't recommend this place enough if you're a fan of Italian food. Looking forward to trying their pasta and lasagna!!

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Amazing pizza and very friendly service!

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Loved this restaurant. Fast and friendly service. Delicious food! Will be back

★★★★★
August 22, 2024

The owner is very friendly and their food is so delicious!

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Hidden gem in Guelph! If you want some of the best Italian sandwiches, pizza, and gelato outside of Italy, you just need to come here. Tony makes everything himself, and it shows with the quality of the food. Amazing!

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Why Not? Italian Food in Guelph is the go-to spot for anyone with a penchant for authentic Italian gelato. From the first spoonful, youll be transported straight to the bustling streets of Rome. The variety of flavors is nothing short of spectacular rich chocolate, velvety pistachio, tangy lemon, and an ever-rotating selection of seasonal delights that keep you coming back for more. The real magic, however, lies in the hands of Tony, the wonderful owner who infuses every scoop with passion and warmth. Tony isnt just serving gelato; hes sharing a piece of Italy with every customer. His friendliness and dedication to quality make each visit a delightful experience. For those special occasions, Tonys gelato cart is a game-changer. Whether its a wedding, a birthday party, or a corporate event, his catering service adds a touch of whimsy and indulgence thats hard to beat. Watching Tony serve gelato from his charming cart is an experience in itself one that leaves a lasting impression on guests of all ages. In short, Why Not? Italian Food isnt just a place to grab a treat; its a destination for unforgettable memories and the best gelato

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

amazing gelato, amazing pizza, amazing service! staff is so kind and friendly :)

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Phenomenal, veal, and pizzas, friendly environment, and hospitality

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Hidden Gem in Guelph! If you want to try Italian food as if you were in Italy, you gotta eat here!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Great spot. There was a little table out front to enjoy our lunch. Great service and food.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

The absolute best hidden gem in Guelph!!!!!! We just got the pizza and veal sandwich and it was so delicious. Definitely need to check it out!

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Amazing food !! Best hidden gem of Guelph!!

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Wonderful pizza! High quality and very much like Nonna made!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Great food, great service. Highly recommend the chicken panini and the espresso eclairs.

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Fantastic family owned restaurant, with delicious food and friendly service..would highly recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

Was great meeting Tony, super friendly and fresh homemade menu!!

★★
April 22, 2024

Not the greatest experience, very very expensive. Was charged 70 dollars for two soggy sandwiches( my wife threw half away) chicken was not fresh and was pulled out of a heat tray with watery sauce. Any extra topping is 2 dollars even for peppers and onions? Also got spaghetti and meatballs small portion of noodles and sauce with two meatballs was 25 dollars on its own. 5 dollars per meatball? Had very high hopes reading reviews, not sure if these are all from friends and family but me personally wasnt impressed in any regard.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Amazing little gem of a restaurant, tried it out for take-out with a friend today and will definitely be returning! Great food, pastries and items to browse. Food

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Wonderfully inviting and delicious food. We ll have to come back!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Chef Tony did not disappoint.. the authentic Italian Prociutto Pizza was outstanding made with high quality ingredients. The flavour was excellent. Followed up with an espresso and Canoli nothing better! Parking: Free parking and easy to access.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A small location, with food done right! I picked up the daily lasagna special, and the bruschetta flatbread. Neither missed a beat in taste and flavour. Everything tasted fresh, and seasoned to perfection. From the little grocery area I brought home chicken soup, tiramisu, an Italian style donut, and olives. The soup, tiramisu and donut are all made in house and the olives and other grocery goods are imported from Italy. The taste and flavours are spot on! While shopping and waiting for my food I was able to enjoy a fresh espresso and viewed some local art work. Great use of space. All I can say is: Why not? Why not try this delicious food?!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing food!!! Chef Tony is great

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

My wife decided to try this place and came home with a few of their pizzas. We have tried all the pizza places in Guelph and this place is hands down the best of them all. The crust is the right thickness with the right amount of crunch. Best pizza/tomato sauce in the city and each pizza had amazing flavour. The price point was also great value. If you are looking to try something new - check out this local business.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Pizza was really good. So was the panini and the sea shell looking desert. Gelato good too

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The chicken on a bun is amazing. New favourite sandwich. Can t wait to go back and try the pizza and gelato when I have more time. Wish they had pasta at the hot bar because the tomato sauce is outstanding. Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Meet Tony from Why Not Italian Food in Guelph. Tony trained in Calabria and then spent time in Milan to perfect his craft. He brings passion to food preparation and if you want AUTHENTIC Italian from an incredible Bolognese sauce, to gelato that is TOTALLY real; WHY NOT is the place to go!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The owner was very kind to help my friend out even though it was past closing, the least we could do is buy a gelato and leave a review :) ! As it stands, the gelato was one of the best Ive ever had, and I would highly recommend anyone to visit, if at least for that!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

This is a great little place to eat. The owner/chef and staff are wonderful to deal with and great food. Always look forward to going there..Thankyou Tony..

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Hands down the best pizza in town;) Great service, authentic high quality ingredients and so delicious!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

This has been single handily the best Italian place I ve been to while in Canada. It feels like I m with my grandma back in Sicily with her famous tomato sauce. Amazing!!!!!!! Exceptional staff especially that young man named Stephen. If you get a sandwich from him it s made with love.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Fantastic food and friendly staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Really great place! They have a freezer full of ready to cook pasta (very reasonably priced), as well as meals you can warm up. They have lots of beautiful imported Italian desserts. They also make something called chocolate salami that I would definitely recommend. We tried their pizza cone and the meatball sandwich. So good! They also have a small gallery featuring local artists you can peruse while you wait for your food (you can buy the art, too!). What a great idea. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. Well be back to try the pizza next!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great food. Great service and hospitality. The al a vodka sauce was the best Ive ever had. Honestly, theres not a single thing Ive tried there that I didnt enjoy. I highly recommend this gem of a place. Why not? I cant think of a single reason not to go back.

★★★★
December 22, 2022

1st time here. The dough in this pizza is amazing. Had the Why Not Pizza. Awesome. Great flavors. Will be back!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Best food and service

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Amazing food, friendly staff, and a great selection of authentic groceries and take-homes. The art gallery was a cherry on top! Highly recommend to anyone looking for Italian food in the region.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great pizza, the gluten free crust was good and bready. Would definitely order from there again. Thanks!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Food is incredible and the owners are great people. Support local restaurants!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Had lunch from there, and its amazing! Healthy food with good prices! Worth a try!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

The best restaurant in Canada! Highly recommended to everyone...

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Why Not? serves authentic Italian food and it did not disappoint. We tried the chicken on a bun and the veal on a bun. Both served with delicious tomato sauce and a selection of toppings, including sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms, and parmesan cheese. Took cannoli home. So yummy. The staff was very helpful and friendly. I cant wait to go back!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

What a wonderful foodie spot in our neighbourhood. Why not is right. Delish!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Pizza is top notch and its how it should taste. Really good!

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

This place is amazing ! My wife and I recently visited this establishment We can t say enough. Tony is a very delightful person and his food is out of this world !! All made by himself with all Italian ingredient s! His food is delicious and light not heavy. This is what authentic Italian food is all about. A must stop place. Lunch dinner whatever!!! You won t be disappointed. We found a little gem of a place. Why not!! Good luck Tony.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great Italian food on the go, the owner Tony was very polite and hospitable. A true Italian that cooks with his heart

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

DELICIOUS sweets and perfect espresso

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

Great food, authentic Italian. Also artwork for sale in the gallery.

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

This is not that kind of establishment dont ask for dipping sauce

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2022

High quality Italian food. They have a frozen meal section as well as a high quality Italian ingredient section. We look forward to returning

★★★★★
December 22, 2022

Great atmosphere and everything is made fresh!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

This place is incredible! The food was amazing. We tried the pizza cone, the veal sandwich, and the pasta of the day. We could not decide which was our favourite! We also took home a jar of fresh sauce to put on our pasta, can t wait to try it!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

I just wanna start by saying . This place is absolutely incredible! The food was fresh & you can smell every tasty thing being cooked in the air. Chef Antonella was so kind to me & cracked lots of jokes too. Their veal parm panini was out of this world delicious. BUT CHEF ANTONELLA S LASAGNA . That was heavenly. I 100% recommend this place to anyone that wants to experience amazing authentic Italian food, safe to say I ll be coming back (everyday lol). Thank you for coming to Guelph, you guys were much needed <3

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Food was amazing. Service was amazing. Everything I ve tried from here was fantastic. I ve recommended all my friends to come. Definitely give this place a shot, you won t regret it !!!!!!!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

The pleasure of good Italian cuisine

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

I had learned of this amazing Italian eatery from a few of my clients. A bit of a drive from Cambridge but certainly worth the time. I ordered the pizza cone and it was OUTSTANDING! The cone is made of pizza dough and filled with toppings, they even brush the top with garlic and garnish with fresh basil. Staff and service were exceptional, will return on my next trip to Guelph!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

The service at this place was incredible, they provided me with a very interesting and educational tour of their store. The staff was so friendly and efficient. The food was 11/10 and Im so excited to come back, thank you so much!!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2021

Excellent food. I had one of their pizzas and it was so tasty. Their sauce is really good.

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

Highly recommended!! The pizza cone is a fun twist that makes it a delicious and convenient snack!

★★★★★
December 22, 2021

The holiday season can be stressful.I was at my favourite food place in Guelph when I noticed their holiday gift baskets. Perfect for that special someone or a family member. Come get one before it s too late!

★★★★
December 22, 2021

Great little place for fresh made Italian food. Went in for a 1 thing and came out with a lot more. The Veal, Meatballs and Pasta was very good. Can t wait to go back.