Occhiolino in Toronto
499 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5S 2P8, Canada
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FRESH PASTA-HAND MADE WITH QUALITY INGREDIENTS. OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH AND DINNER.
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Given the pedigree of the owners of this place and particularly Chef Manzone, I had high expectations of the pasta. And my expectations were exceeded. Let’s start at the beginning of lunch. The space is very cleanly decorated and designed, with simplistic lines, a modern finish and soft hues. Sitting at the bar or at one of the tables gives a welcoming sense of envelopment. One minor distraction, however, comes from the relative proximity of diners to one another. On this first visit, I was seated at the bar running along the kitchen. Behind me was a fairly large table, clearly some form of work holiday function. While one expects a bit of hubbub and noise in a popular restaurant, that many people all engaged in one giant conversation, tended to overwhelm many of the other patrons. This is not really a criticism of the restaurant, per se, but perhaps a large group like that could have been seated in the upper dining room. The focaccia di gesu was interesting. Unlike many focaccia with an almost spongy and soft dough, this was almost a cross between a doughnut meets a focaccia. Crispy on the outside, yet soft and moist and chewy on the inside. Quite delightful. A little olive oil to go with it, might be a nice addition. A negroni sbagliato and a Hugo started off the libations. The negroni was delightful, a nice bitterness meets sweet with the prosecco. The Hugo was also fantastic, the mint greatly enhancing the St. Germain. The next drinks were the Trident and a Rabo de Galo (although I was tempted by the Harvey Wallbanger as an homage to my father and the 80’s). Substantially more booze-forward, good, but perhaps a little harder to pair with the lunchtime pasta. Of which we had the gemelli al sugo and the agnolotti. Always having been a fan of simple, good food, the gemmeli was perfect. The tomato sauce was spot on and the pasta itself was expertly al dente and beautifully crafted. The agnolotti was almost divine. Pretty little pockets of cheesy heaven, in a gentle sort of beurre blanc, with shavings of truffle on top. I say “almost” because of one slight factor. I know for many Italians, pasta should taste like it comes from the sea, boiling in almost a brine, but for some, they may find the salt level slightly high. I didn’t mind, as I am a fan of salt, but it was more noticeable in the agnolotti, than the gemeli. I missed a picture of dessert, but highly recommend the soft serve ice cream, topped with olive oil and salt. It might sound an odd combination to some, but the adding of salt and oil to a sweet dish is a well-known secret and this finished off a delightful lunch. This may become a local haunt.
Pretty disappointed to be honest. Ate here last week and expected much more for an upscale pasta place. Server got our drink orders wrong and had to google her an image of what it actually is suppose to be. I would be pretty embarrassed if I was working there and I didn’t know what was on the menu. 3/5 dishes we wanted were sold out - remind you this was the day of the grand opening and we had reservations. All in all we paid close to $200 for some bland meatballs and burrata. Server still had the audacity to flip over the debit machine with the tip menu after giving us a horrible experience. Although the decor and renovations were very appealing. Wouldn’t recommend the food though, I ate a shawarma next door after this meal.
It was our first time here and we absolutely loved this place! The food was so creatively crafted and presented beautifully. We had a couple dishes as it was our first time here and wanted to try most of the menu. We had the Zucca, beans, gnocco fritto, Mortadellaskewers, and the calamari. The calamari were amazing, really tasty and not gummy or chewy. The Zucca was something I’ve never tasted before… the flavours that were fused together made it absolutely delicious. The beans were so rich in flavour and hardly tasted like beans at all because of how they were cooked! The fried gnocco was so interesting to eat as you cut open the fried gnocco and put the capocollo inside and eat it! Finally, the mortadella skewers were so innovative, tasty and the pesto on the side was a great addition. (don’t have any of the other pictures as we were so hungry and ate everything fast as it came out lol) For our entrées, my husband had the chittarine and he loved this flavour and the portion was a great size! I had the gnocchi Gorgonzola and again my portion size was great and really filling. Would definitely come back! 10/10
Pastas were amazing and worth it. Sides were pretty good but didn’t blow my mind. Next time I would come and try more pasta dishes and less sides.
As with any hype of toronto I feel like we all painted our own expectations and went in expecting something they do not offer. Solid spot and has potential to become upscale however it gave me cafeteria vibes. Let’s just say I’m glad I went . But I wouldn’t go back because there is no wow factor.
Occhiolino, a hidden gem among Italian restaurants, officially opened its doors in December 2024. Tucked away from the major roads, this charming spot offers a chic and welcoming atmosphere, blending modern and industrial design with effortless style. The food at Occhiolino showcases great attention to detail, especially for a newly opened restaurant. The pasta, made fresh in-house, is served piping hot and paired with rich, flavorful sauces and a generous portion of meat. While the servings are satisfying, a slightly more substantial portion would elevate the experience. Additionally, a touch more fresh herbs would enhance the pasta's flavor, adding a burst of freshness to complement the richness of the dish. The soft-serve ice cream didn’t quite live up to the hype many food bloggers rave about. While it’s creamy, there are noticeable bits of ice crystals. The salt and olive oil, which should ideally be fused into the ice cream, are instead merely sprinkled on top, which doesn’t allow the flavors to fully meld together. The cocktails are equally well-crafted, delivering on taste. However, the minimalist glassware feels understated, leaving the drinks somewhat underrepresented. A touch more creativity in the presentation could truly make them shine.
We had a lovely late lunch today around 2pm. Between the two of us, we ordered the calamari ($19), carne crudo ($17), spaghetti ($19), and the pappardelle ($29). The dishes were really delicious and the pasta was definitely fresh and al dente (although I’d like it cooked for a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee bit longer). We both wished there was a more heavier dish we could order, maybe a protein dish to share. Because the price point was fantastic, but we didn’t leave the restaurant feeling full.
I was pretty underwhelmed at this spot. Albacore farinata: felt more like a taco and the taste of the dough overwhelmed the delicate flavours of the fish. The sourness of the pickled item helped a lot with elevating the dish along with the creaminess of it. Chittarine alla termana: tasted like a typical pasta with a tomato based sauce. The texture of the pasta wasn’t as al dente as the rest of the pastas. The veal meatball was pretty bland and could use more seasoning. Really liked the thinness of the noodle shape though. Agnolotti: laughably small portion for $29 BUT the cream filling inside makes it quite heavy. I would suggest that they should put this dish in a low bowl so it looks like it fills up the of the dish for a better presentation on first impression. Truffle flavour nicely complimented the cream sauce. Pappardelle al barolo: short rib was tender in the dish but probably only had 2 good 1 inch chunks in there. Would order this again if I came back. Each dish felt like it was carefully made with a couple things that will probably iron out as this restaurant is open longer. Wish there was better dessert options since it’s just vanilla soft serve (with olive oil and sea salt). Would like to see some more innovative dessert dishes. Service was excellent and interior was amazing.
Stunning. The food is delicious and beautifully presented, and the drinks are good too. The space is thoughtfully designed, and the aromas immediately set the stage for an exceptional experience.
They cooked the spaghetti wrong. It came stuck together prob cause the chef didn t let the last minute of the pasta cook in the sauce. So I couldn t swirl my spaghetti. This place is overhyped. No where near upscale. Calamari came overcooked and rubbery, though seasoning was good. And the Zucca was just cooked in old oil and was gross, it was dark due to the old oil and the pieces all clumped and stuck together (see photo) The only thing good was the pasta, just pasta, but sauce and balance was a miss. Their wine selection was poor and I wouldn t consider this upscale given the poor table side service and no wine pairing and sommelier. Wouldn t recommend it or go again. The top floor design of open space allows a lot of noise from all the floors. We couldn t even hear each other and enjoy a conversation without yelling.
Amazing Italian place! Great food and nice decor. If you like beets, you have to try the beets salad. The pasta is hand-made daily and its so fresh. They do it a little al dente, which works well with the pasta they make.
Came here for my husband s birthday. Every single thing we ate was delicious. The squash appetizer alone is worth the trip here. The pasta is unlike any we ve had at other restaurants in the city, it s clear that the owners take care to make it as fresh as possible. Standouts were the amatriciana and the papardelle. The soft serve was the perfect ending to our meal, and we loved the option to add olive oil or apple crumble.
Underwhelming experience. Food was ok, portion sizes are relatively small. Most pasta s tasted good but there was nothing exceptional about the food. Food : 3/5
We had an all around amazing experience at Occhiolino. Pasta was cooked perfectly, the dishes were delicious, and they had some great wine pairings and soft serve. The atmosphere is also perfect, the design of the restaurant was fresh. We re looking forward to coming back sometime soon!
Wonderful all round experience of a super imaginative menu, on trend decor, friendly knowledgeable staff and lively ambience. We have dined there twice since the opening just a few weeks ago with reservations already made for our next time. We were 8 people each time starting with an abundance of delish appetizers. We may have over done it this most recent time with a second round of apps but we couldn t help ourselves. They are just that good. The pasta was a huge hit for sure. All were excellent but just try the gorgonzola gnocchi ..amazing!! Perfectly balanced flavour. We all left full and happy! If the timing is right, you may see the magic happening with a show of pasta making through a large glass window. Occhiolino is different from the rest in all the best ways!!
I had the pleasure of dining at Occholino, a newly opened gem in Toronto, and it definitely did not disappoint! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with a modern yet warm vibe that makes it perfect for a casual dinner or a special night out. The menu is focused on delicious, handmade pastas and creative appetizers, and everything we tried was outstanding. The pasta was perfectly cooked, with rich, flavorful sauces that truly showcased the skill in the kitchen. The appetizers were equally impressive- we started with the light delicious tasting Focaccia. Dessert was just as wonderful as it was gourmet ice cream served with rich olive oil and a savoury touch sea salt. The service was excellent, and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. The attention to detail, from the food presentation to the ambiance, made the whole experience feel extra special. I highly recommend Occholino if you re looking for a great Italian meal in Toronto this place is definitely one to watch! Cant wait to return and try more of their menu.
Portions are small for the price. Prepare to spend at least $50 per person for average meals. Ambiance is lovely and so is the service.
Food and atmosphere were amazing. Foccaccia was delicious, same with all of the fresh pasta we had. Ice cream with olive oil and salt hit all the right spots to finish the meal. Staff was very friendly and happy to discuss menu options.
actually I would choose scaddabush over this place.
beet salad to start and the fresh home made pappardella al barolo were amazing!!
I came into the bar on a busy evening and Paula gave me quick, exceptional service. Amazing cocktails and provided such a welcoming space! She recommended the burrata and I was hooked. Will definitely come again!
First and foremost, the portions are not small. I left uncomfortably full because the pastas are incredible and we could not stop eating. This is fresh pasta, for a more reasonable price than anywhere else I ve been in Toronto. We had the beet salad, calamari, and carne crudo, as starters and then the spaghetti, pappardelle (definitely the star of the show), lumache (I m not proud of myself but I ate the remaining sauce with a spoon when the pasta was gone because it s that good), and rigatoni. There were two of us and this was easily enough food for three, if not four people. The quality and texture of the pasta is unreal. The sauces vary from light and delicate to rich and savoury. The service was kind, knowledgeable, welcoming, and professional. I had a terrific experience and I will absolutely be back to try more of the menu.
Wonderful home made pasta. So light! We enjoyed several dishes and they were excellent. Our server Josh was fun, helpful and professional. Well done
Beautiful authentic Italian restaurant tucked away on the corner of College and Bathurst. We visited for a private event and were pleased. Each dish that was served was cooked to perfection. Service was warm and attentive. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very cozy. Minimalistic but gorgeous. Cant wait to return!
I recently brought my teenage kids to Occhiolino, and it was an absolute hit! From start to finish, the experience was fantastic. The focaccia was the best break I ve ever had, the beet salad was a surprising favorite. Watching the kids fight over the last bites of perfect pasta was a testament to how much they loved it. The soft serve at the end was an unexpected delight and a perfect way to round out the meal. Amazing service from Jordan made the whole experience feel seamless. Occhiolino is definitely on our list for a return visit. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a great dining experience in Toronto!
Delicious pasta, very small portions, pricey, very tight space and uncomfortable. The chefs table facing the kitchen is very hot and the seats are very uncomfortable.
I was really looking forward to dining at this restaurant, but unfortunately, I was disappointed with both the food and the service. The restaurant s aesthetic is undeniably cool and chic, the experience was marred by several issues. There was a lot of buzz about the chef s credentials (I think 3 Michelin stars and being Drake s chef?), but basic service elements were lacking. For instance, no one offered to take our coats, it left the minimalistic space looking cluttered with jackets hanging from chairs. Fixable issue I think As for the food, the tartare was sold out, which was surprising given we were among the first diners of the evening. We ordered three pasta dishes, but all were quite mediocre. The portion sizes were acceptable, but the flavors were forgettable. One pasta, in particular, tasted overwhelmingly starchy, as if it had been boiled in the same water as other pastas.
The vibes and energy of this place is IMMACULATE. In a world of restaurants in this city where you re packed like sardines- this space is the answer. The decor is sleek, spacey, and the second floor is perfect. The service was impeccable and the attention to detail was everything you d want in a meal. Perfect for date night- can t wait to come back!
Really enjoyed our time here. The reviews almost scared us away. Glad we went and decided for ourselves.
Serving is quite small but noodle texture is great. Flavour is a bit underwhelming
New to the neighbourhood, yet perfectly in sync with its vibe. Occhiolino Pastificio is a hidden gem for lunch or dinner. Clean and gleaming, cool staff (Josh - great server - very attentive) and fresh, handmade pastas make it a cozy spot thats effortlessly trendy and inviting. Be sure to make a reservation as this is the newest hot spot! Congrats to Master Chef Nick Manzone for this winner! Parking: easy street parking
Great new spot. The place looks fresh and opened, we were seated on the second floor where the skylight are. The lighting is perfect, not too dark not too bright. Cocktails were good and the wine list is well balanced. Pasta was great, soft serve ice cream with salt flakes and olive oil for dessert, delicious! A good place to go, I will be back and bring my friends!
hype of social media pushed this place on my instagram. the taste is good, nothing breathtaking for the restaurant to warrant the serving size for ants. taking shrink-flation to a whole different level here. wouldnt return. Food
Had lovely cocktails and fresh pasta. Our bartender Shaughnessy was excellent. Will definitely be back!
Serving size is extremely small (not enough to fully appreciate the flavour). For 3 people we got 2 apps, 3 pastas and dessert and did not leave feeling full. We are big Italian food connoisseurs and tapas style was not the best way to present this particular menu, the price for these tiny portions was also way too high!
The food was very underwhelming. Portions are very small. After taking a couple bites, I did not want to finish any of the food :( We split 6 dishes, had 2 drinks each and the bill was 90$
Portions are extremely small. It s another Toronto instagram hype restaurant: don t seeing it being too busy in the future. If you want great pasta there are better places out there.
Had an amazing time. The food was fantastic and the cocktails were perfect. I had the Hugo to drink and the short rib pasta, would come back in a heartbeat.
Lovely restaurant. Lumache al Zafferano was amazing. Hugo was a refreshing cocktail. However, espresso martini stole the show. Excellent. Congratulations on opening
Everything was fantastic! We shared multiple plates. The focaccia was so delicious we ended up ordering two. We paired it with the burrata which was perfect (also loved the calamari). We ordered the olives as well as the tuna dish and the butter beans (I did not have these but were told they were very tasty). I then ordered the pappardelle with short rib and LOVED it. Also enjoyed the Hugo drink - was very refreshing! The atmosphere was 5/5 and the restaurant as a whole is beautiful. Loved seeing the chefs in action as well as fresh pasta being made. We are definitely coming back!
Most incredible service!
We really enjoyed the ambiance, the drinks were amazing, the portions are quite small for the price but our favourite dish of the night was the Spiedini di Mortadella the pesto sauce really cuts into the richness of the Mortadella, our mains were ok just a bit underwhelming, the veal meatball in the Chittarine alla teremena was cold but the pasta sauce was really delicious the garlic slices really added an extra level. Overall a cute place for a night out.
Some of the best pasta ive ever tasted. The pappardelle is unreal and the olive oil and sea salt soft serve ice cream drool-worthy. Space is stunning and a great spot to go solo and sit at the bar or hangout with friends. Kid-friendliness: So kid friendly. The high chairs are actually quite nice and there are lots of them and the noodles are a hit with the little ones.
They should stick to what they know: make good pasta, but not a delicious pasta recipe. The head chefs are standing on the side, reviewing, but the end product is not delicious. Ambience, drinks might be great but ultimately people come to eat great food, not look at beautiful walls and listen to good music.
Went to the grand opening of Occhilino and their housemade agnolotti with taleggio fonduta a d albacore farinata was delicious! They also sell their housemade pasta as well. Do note that the eatery is not big on desserts as the only item available was vanilla soft serve.
The pasta and the appetizers were phenomenal. The brazed beef pappardelle sooo good. The owners clearly have an eye for detail. We cannot wait to return.
Great service and a fun wine list! The food was very fresh and delicious. 10/10. I will definitely be back soon.
It was good but feel like some of the flavours in particular the sauce was a bit bland outside of toppings and portion sizes were quite small - could have used more pepper on top of the pasta or parmesan. *neither of which was offered. We tried the Chitarrine alla Teramana and Braised Beef with Pappardelle. The fried squash was delicious with a hint of honey flavour, but the focaccia while good bread - needed to be paired with either another dish or something to dip. *we tried it with olive oil but the flavour was too strong, probably the would be good with oil and balsamic. Currently the only dessert offered is a soft serve ice cream served with flakey salt and ice cream. VERY GOOD! But not unique since it s brought in from another restaurant and the only other option for a finisher currently is a salad. Decor is minimalist which is very pretty but can feel a bit cold. This is their first weekend open so would be happy to go back and try other dishes, but besides a few items wouldn t reorder the same.
