Venga Cucina in Toronto

What a great pizza! I almost felt like I could speak Italian after eating it. Parking: Street Parking Food : 5/5 |

I love everything about Venga! My go-to order is a margherita pinsa but Ive had many outstanding meals here. At first, we didnt know that pinsa was a special kind of pizza made from a blend of flours that make it more digestible. I rarely eat pizza for this reason but pinsa isnt a problem and if I hadnt been told I wouldnt have known that it wasnt traditional pizza dough. To top off great food the atmosphere is really lovely and the staff are attentive and friendly.

Super cozy place with amazing food! The service was also very warm and friendly.

Best Pinsa in North America

Had an amazing dinner at Venga. Nice and very welcoming staff and great Pizza. One of the best Pizza I have ever had.

Excellent love the pinsa and pasta and desserts. Everything was good

Great service and even better food! We will be back for sure

We had a lovely meal here with excellent service given by selen who took so much care and attention with our 2 grandkids as well. Thank you so much for a very enjoyable delicious dinner

One of the best Italian restaurants in Toronto s West End and as far as I know, the only one that does the pinsa romana variant of pizza.

Amazing!!!

Nice place! However, Im really curious: why did you charge me $4.50 for a glass of hot water with two thin slices of lemon? I had asked for hot water. Our server asks: Just hot water? Do you want a lemon or anything? So I tell her yeah, lemon would be great. Thanks, not thinking much about it. -- we later get the bill and see that those two slivers of lemon cost $4.50, and my water was labeled as a tea with lemon. (If I had said no to the lemon, would the drink be ... Tea, without tea?)

Delicious scrumptious food. Im dreaming about the sauces... Oh so good. Highly recommend! Returned for dinner and had a wonderful meal. Everything was perfect... Most delicious pinsas where the dough, sauce and toppings went together so well and in perfect amounts of each. Im still dreaming of the pasta which was cooked to perfection. And light delicious calamari. Our server was charming and patient and had helpful suggestions. Great as a place to celebrate with a group of friends for dinner or with you and your special someone, or taking the kids out for a good meal.

Absolutely loved the warm and welcoming vibe and energy of the place. Had the pizza which was light and easy to eat (as advertised) and had amazing pasta with truffles. Will come back again. Vegetarian options: 3 vegean pizza options and 3 vegan pasta options available.

The most authentic & best pizza/pinsa Ive ever had in Toronto!!

Great place!!! Absolutely love the pinsas here!!

absolutely love this restaurant. The food is spectacular especially the pinsa (Roman pizza). The owners are so friendly and always make you feel welcome.

I love the food, environment and service here!

Everything is very rich

Very friendly staff. Delicious food.

We dined there last night ,on a recommendation of a friend . The atmosphere and detail in the decor was most welcoming . The food and service was even better . The calamari is one of the best in the city and the double baked pinsa is so light and delicious it s hard to describe .The pasta wheel is a nice bit of theatre where the pasta is prepared before you and is mouthwatering. Mary and Gino have a great restaurant in the Junction and their love of food and sharing their knowledge is evident throughout Venga Cucina

The meal as usual were great and our server Johnny was awesome. Will keep coming back

Cute restaurant, pleasant staff, pensa maker came out to talk to us he was very informative and passionate. I thought that was sweet. The pensa are delicious but too small for the price. The cauliflower appetizer was very good. I did not enjoy the Carbonara at all I wouldn t recommend it.

Best waiter in Toronto! The most perfect pizza crust. All the food that we ordered was delicious. Sat on patio.

Such a great dining experience. Authentic Italian dishes; pizza, pasta, salads, etc. New goto-place to take friends I want to impress

Venga Cucina is a restaurant in our neighbourhood that we (unfortunately) walked by many times. We finally dined here for our anniversary this month and so glad we did! The food was delicious and their Pinsa Romana was out of this world. The chef/owner came by to make a personal connection and our server Johnny was an absolute rockstar! So attentive and made us feel like specially customers. Plus, their patio is delightful in the summer! We ll definitely be back.

Love this place. Husband and wife make Italian food with a traditional family recipe. Delicious - with super friendly service.

The food was excellent and we received the best service from our server Franccesco. Definitely coming back!

Vegetarian options: Mushroom truffle pinsa Romano (focaccia pizza) Food

This is a hidden gem. Will definitely be back!

Must try

Wonderful restaurant. Mary, Gino, Riley and everyone else are incredibly welcoming. The food, wine, service and ambience are all incredible.

I have an allergy to onions and garlic, the staff had taken the time to figure out safe foods for me. I have never had so many choices, the food was excellent as was the service. We started off sharing a goat cheese & fig pinsa, I had the fried zucchini and basil pasta and three of us had the torrone gelato. Everyone enjoyed their tasty meals and planning on going back to try other dishes Dietary restrictions: They were able to accommodate my onion and garlic allergy.

The atmosphere and decor are so warm and inviting. It doesn t stop there. The owners and staff were so attentive and nice!! The food is delicious. Enjoyed the Summerlicious menu. We had the Pinsa Romana as our main course. Delicious!! We will be back again to enjoy the other mouth watering choices on the menu!! Thank you for a most enjoyable evening!!

My aunt took us here while we were visiting Toronto and it was the best Italian food I have ever had. The pinsa romana was soft and delicious and the spaghettoni pomodoro I had was amazing! The service was also amazing, the chef/owner took time out of the kitchen to walk around and talk to all the tables making it such a welcoming experience. It enjoyed the pasta sauce so much, the chef gifted me a bag of it to take home. I would definitely make a trip out to Venga Cucina if you are in Toronto. Dietary restrictions: Their pinsa romano is made with 3 flours (soy, rice and sourdough starter). If you are someone with celiac and can t have regular pizza, Penga Cucina s pinsa romano is perfect for you. Kid-friendliness: The owners/chef took time to walk around the restaurant and talk with tables which made it a super welcoming experience.

A place that serves Roman pizza

Great place. Awesome neighborhood!

Undercooked salmon and $45 for cacio e Pepe ???? Wild

What a great place. I visited with a friend just by chance and had the best time. The food was delicious, I still dream about the olives....

Absolutely wonderful staff, a delicious meal.

It was one of the best pinsa I had in Toronto. I tried out their daily special and it was unbelievable!! Also the service was spot on! We had Maggie serving us and she was great! 11/10 for her service! Gino makes you feel like home. He comes to greet you, asks you about the food and makes you feel like he s known you for years. I would definitely recommend this place!

Gino (chef and owner) makes his way around the room to greet everyone. Food is excellent, we tried a couple of the fresh (hand made pastas), pinsas, calamari and dessert. Cocktails are well made and all the staff are extremely friendly!

Great local spot. Friendly service and the pinsa is fantastic, though the rest of the menu choices shouldn t be overlooked.

Absolutely love this place. The owner is fantastic

Enjoyed a lovely evening out with family. Gino and his team were friendly & welcoming. We ate apps, pizza, pasta and desert! All were A1 as my mother-in-law exclaimed while leaving with big smiles and full bellies. Thank you, Gino!

Disappointed with the service. Mains were served but wine was delayed for almost half the meal. I feel they were understaffed both on the floor and at the bar for all the reservations they accepted.

EDIT: this year they did update their Google hours I got over last years disappointment and tried Venga. I enjoyed the polenta fries and pinsa. Good atmosphere for chatting (not too loud). Original Review: Made a reservation on Open Table for January 6th at 6pm. Received a confirmation email from Open Table. Called the day of to confirm but no one answered the phone. Double checked Google Maps and hours said the restaurant is supposed to be open. Im standing outside and it is very much closed. Only after some digging am I noticing their website says they are closed until the 12th. Please update your reservation website and Google Maps hours. This was a birthday dinner and I am very frustrated at the lack of organization.

Literally stumbled upon this place earlier tonight and glad we did! Atmosphere = great! Staff = great! Food = amazing! Couldnt ask for anything more and highly recommend it!

I had the good fortune of discovering this gem of a place earlier this evening, and I must say, were absolutely delighted we did. The atmosphere is inviting, the staff is commendable, and the food is simply outstanding. What truly sets this establishment apart, though, is the dedication of the owner to ensure every guest feels valued. Not only does he take the time to personally check on each customer, but he also seeks feedback on the dishes served, embodying a commitment to excellence and a genuine care for the dining experience. I cannot recommend this place highly enough its a testament to what happens when passion meets quality.

It was the most amazing pizza we ve ever had once you had Venga Cucina s pizza , you don t want any other there pasta was delicious with homemade pasta and the atmosphere was awesome, Carlos the server was delightful and knew his food and wine if your in the junction stop by Venga Cucina , does not disappoint

A unique cuisine experience! Likely, the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to. The staff treats you like family and the atmosphere is family friendly. A must when in Toronto.

Reliable local. Pizzas are pretty good, pasta can be hit and miss.

My mom and Dad take me here when we travel into Toronto. You can t go wrong with anything on the menu. We do have our favourites like the margherita pinsa and the fig pinsa. What sets this restaurant apart from all the others is how the owners treat us like family. We literally take the drive from London to go here, that s how exceptional this restaurant is. Highly recommended.

We stumbled upon this place and are we happy that we did. We had the Bufalina pizza, Caesar Salad, Rigatoni Bolognese. Probably the best pizza I have had. Crispy, light, delicious. The Caesar salad wasn t dressed with the typical creamy dressing, it was 100 times better, with a hint of anchovies. The Bolognese was outstanding!! Another fantastic Italian restaurant on Dundas. Riley provided us with fantastic service! We will be back.

The food was amazing and the ambiance was great. The owners were super nice. We were a group of 6 and everything was wonderful. The attention to detail with the food was incredible. A lot of love and care goes into their food and it definitely shows! My husband and I shared the pizza with figs, goat cheese and prosciuotto and a pasta special which were both phenominal. We will definitely be going back!

FANTASTIC FOOD, SERVICE AND AMBIANCE! I RECCOMEND EVERYONE TO TRY THIS RESTAURANT, GUARANTEED YOU WILL BE NOT BE DISSAPOINTED!!! Food

Best restaurant in the world. Pinsa is not pizza its capo status!

This is the best pizza crust Ive ever had, even in Italy! Carlos (our waiter) is quite the character and Ill ask for his section every time. Dont miss the Buffalina Pizza!

Gino and team are doing something special, day after day. The pinsa (pizza) is delicious, as are the pastas, salads and desserts. Love the ambiance. Our server Cora was first rate attentive, knowledgeable, friendly. Recommended.

This place is a gem. Very cozy atmosphere and creative decor. The owner and the waiters are all really really nice. The Pinsas are so delicious, and we also tried the Parma wheel pasta which is made in front of you. So good. It was also so nice that they noticed it was my birthday and made the experience that much more special for me. Thank you, I ll be back!

Authentic Italian menu. Delicious, comprehensive and beautifully prepared dishes. An absolute treat start to finish.

We love this place! It s close to home so we probably go about once a month. Everyone we introduced to it loves it! The food is amazing and service is great. The best and very unique pizza. We haven t found an item on the menu we didn t enjoy. We also feel so welcomed seeing the same great team every time we go!

The osso bucco was accompanied with a fig pinsa. Gino & Maria were absolute gems, and provided a short MasterClass on the delicate dough proofing.

My 2 girlfriends and I wanted to go for dinner around the area after our wine and paint night down the street at Pinot s Palette. We saw that Venga Cucina was one of the very few restaurants in the Junction open until 11 so we went down the street to take our chances. Even though they were planning to close early, the husband and wife (owner s) Gino and Mary insisted we stay and invited us in with open arms, besides us being the only ones in the restaurant. From beginning to end, they made us feel right at home. The pizza is out of this world and the experience even more so! We will never forgot your hospitality, grace and authenticity that you provided us and will surely be back again many times over! Grazie, Grazie! Xoxo

Great new dining experience at Venga Cucina tonight. The pinsa was absolutely delicious--similar to pizza but much lighter--wonderfully flavourful, made with quality ingredients. The staff was charming, attentive and knowledgeable! Will definitely make it one of our regular go-to dining places.

Everything on the menu was declicious; starting with the appetizers to the main to the dessert but the pizza was truly declicious! Service was excellent and never did we feel rushed. Warm, tastefully decorated and spacious restaurant. What made dinner last night so lovely was the owner accomodating a table change and then coming over to speak with us about the restaurant and The Junction. We will be returning and looking forward to perhaps sitting out on their patio next time.

We dined here for the first time on Friday after reading about the restaurant in the Toronto Star. They are doing some very special things, especially their pizza. It is 96 hour process where the dough gets slightly fermented and is airy and light on the inside and crispy and beautiful on the outside. The actual space is very appealing to the eyes, but it is the service and food that sets the restaurant apart. Everything we ate was excellent! Three of us shared the burrata, polenta fries, gino picante pizza, genovese pizza and the prataiola pizza. We had no room left for dessert! Will definitely be back to try more of their menu.

Best pizza in the city by a mile (which is saying something because Toronto has a lot of great pizza). Its an experience. Amazing service, great atmosphere. Love this spot.

Excellent. Undoubtedly the lightest Italian food we had. Tasty was exceptional. Ambience was ok as there was a lot of echo. Service was superb

Best pizza I have ever had. The owner and chef takes get care to make authentic Italian food. The prices are also reasonable.

Food was fabulous ! Great experience at 1st visit with bunch of friends celebrating a 60th birthday. Riley our Server was awesome despite me swapping seats and almost accidently stealing olive dish .Will rreturn

This is a fantastic Italian restaurant, we celebrated our anniversary and was great, the attention is the best and the food do not have work to describe.

Neighborhood group recommended Gino s Pinsa Romana and it did not disappoint. Excellent food and service. The pinsa was very nice, light and flavourful. Will definitely be back! If I can give more than 5 stars I would! Thank you Gino and to our server that night, Riley.

The lightest, fluffiest, crunchiest crust of a pizza I ve ever had. To a forensic degree of refinement, Gino and Maria have created something unique, and worth travelling to taste. The best Pinsa Romana in Toronto. And they re lovely too, they treat you like family in there.

Do you want to go to Italy right now? VENGA IS THE NEXT BEST THING! I feel like I m on vacation when I dine there. Amazing authentic Italian food, really great staff/service, good wine and good vibes. My fav restaurant in the city. You should go right now.

If this isn t the best pizza in Toronto I can t imagine what is! The pinsa is a fabulous Rome based take on pizza with a thin crust and exotic toppings. Served uncut but with scissors to cut your own. Great fun and very shareable.

Great pizza.

Worst pizza restaurant experience ever !!! Unfriendly hosts, waiter shoving plates into customer s faces , behaving disrespectful and probably drunk or high on something and management doesn t give a dam about it . ZERO customer service!!! Went there last night, thinking it ll be better Pizza place for visit , but honestly Pizza-Pizza or Pizza Nova has better customer service and pizza itself than here . Strongly Upset and Disappointed with this place . Prices are not compliant with pizza they are serving , those pizzas they cook worth way less money they are selling them , nothing special at all , Plus their customer service worth NO tips at all and will get you out your mood even if you came there with good one .

This gem in the heart of The Junction is rapidly becoming our go-to spot for amazing food and fantastic customer service. They go above and beyond in sourcing the best ingredients from Italy (and locally when possible), and it shows in the quality of the various antipasti, the pinsa and the pasta. We first encountered pinsa when we were hiking in Italy in the spring-summer of 2022 and we can honestly say that Gino s versions are better than any we had in and around Rome (the home of pinsa). His certification shines through in the quality. The fresh pasta is sourced from Petti Fine Foods - an Italian grocer literally across the street - and combined with Gino s mastery of light, Italian sauces they are always a treat. Perhaps best of all, though, is the welcoming atmosphere of the place. Gino and Mary routinely come say hi to patrons, asking after the food and chatting. Highly recommended.

A group of us ate at Venga Cucina about a month back, and I am still dreaming of that Pinsa! Since the four of us ordered something different, we got to sample quite a few menu options, and although all were delicious, my absolute favourite was the Wild Mushroom pinsa and the wild boar pappardelle. Also highly recommend the polenta fries + calamari fritti to start! We had such a wonderful experience and cannot wait to visit again.

My favourite Italian restaurant in the Junction & the GTA. Waiters are friendly and the owners are gems. Food is always beyond amazing and the Pinsa is always perfectly cooked. Have not had a bad experience in the 20+ times Ive eaten here. The owner has explained the process of the dough making for the Pinsa and it makes you want to eat more and more.... and more! Have recommended this beautiful gem to many people and not one has had a bad thing to say about Venga Cucina. After writing this review I am craving a Pinsa now so that will be my next meal

Most amazing authentic Italian! This place is not only beautiful on the inside but the staff and owner (chef) Gino are so welcoming! The pinsa (a special Roman hand-pressed dough) is crispy and chewy but so light, an absolute must try! We loved the polenta fries, the marinara dip is home made and delicious. And omg the pasta! I had the carbonara, the guanciale was crispy and sauce spot on. One of my top favorite places! You gotta eat here!

I visited Venga for the first time in February upon hearing how great the pinsas were. Though I enjoyed the crust, I found the sauce and toppings to be subpar, esp considering the price points. I felt that the pinsas needed the addition of salt to bring out any real flavours. The big standouts for my partner and I were the appetizers and the pasta dishes that we tried. The presentation and preparation of each of them was divine. We will definitely be returning but will be skipping the pinsas next time and trying out a few other pasta dishes instead.

Venga never disappoints Gino, Mary and their staff consistently go above and beyond. Food and service is always exceptional. A junction gem.

The pinsa is delicious! Amazing crust.

Went there on an impromptu date night for the first time. Was able to sit without a reservation. The server is very knowledgeable about the menu, was able to answer all our question, considering we re on a very restrictive diet. Would definitely go back again!

Came here yesterday with a friend. Ordered food and an hour later found out our server just straight up forgot about our order. Ended up leaving having not eaten or drank anything. I was really upset because this place had such great reviews. I also noticed another pair of people leave without eating so it must have just been a really off night

Went with a couple of friends on a Thursday night. We were waiting to be seated (by the podium where it says wait to be seated) and the host/ older guy was just staring at us from the bar area. We ended up having to walk up to him to be seated. Unfortunately the same person ended up serving us and customer service was horrible. He was rude and pushy. He kept going on about how good their flat bread which is NOT. The thing is I wouldnt even leave a bad review based on food because everyones palate is different but the customer service is absolutely unacceptable and I will never spend my money there again.

Decided to stop by for a quick pizza. At the first certified pinsa location outside of Italy. A restaurant certified by the gambarro rosso which is a hi standard in Italy. Great pizza Great staff

Gino s Pinsa Romana is phenomenal. To those who don t know, it is the Roman styled Pizza. The crust is surprisingly light and airy. The Prataiola was recommended and loved! I begrudgingly shared it with my date. The Panzanella s presentation was fantastic and very tasty. The staff was very attentive and Gino made sure we were enjoying the food. To hear his passion and care put into his craft was a delight. He explained the differences in the regional Italian cuisines and his love for this style. You can tell he really cares to provide a wonderful taste experience. Desert was good! The ambience and atmosphere was great. There are vegetarian options clearly labeled. Great selection of wines and beers. Prices landed where I expected for this type of restaurant, which were reasonable in my opinion. Fantastic addition to the Junction.

Outstanding food, ambiance and service. Pizza was delicious. Thank you!

The decor is very relaxed and the wild boar parpadelle was a winner! Also this is one of the few places that have orange wine.

Amazing food Good service Owners are like being with old friends Food : 5/5

This place has the best Pizza!!! We started off calamari as our appetizer and 2 pinsa Romana Pizzas. The staff was beyond great. Gino and and Mary were very kind and provided excellent service. Will be back again

Came for dinner with our 3 very picky children and they all loved the food! We are accustomed to our Nonnas delicious homemade Italian food and Venga is very authentic Italian. The tomato pasta sauce in particular was perfect and just like Nonnas! My kids have repeatedly told me that I cant make pasta sauce as good as Nonna .... but Gino did! Pinsas are light, airy and delicious. Pasta is great with very authentic tomato sauce. Tiramisu ... OMG. We then chose Venga to host a family event of 25 people and it was a huge hit with everyone. Besides the delicious food, the service was genuinely kind, timely and unpressured. Portions were generous. Restaurant is clean, with nice ambiance and very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Gino is humble and just the sweetest, and his passion for food is very evident. Venga is the Italian restaurant Italians go eat at because its the real deal. Parking: Lots of green P parking. Easy. Kid-friendliness: great pizza and pasta

Superb service and very interesting food. The pizza has a unique lightness (called pinsa) the desserts excellent. Highly recommended.

Tried pizza and the Lamb, it was great. Portions are big enough.

I had the gino picante pizza. It was really good. Also had a Bread and Butter cabernet sauvignon. Great combination. Great service. Highly recommended.

Omg this place is amazing the most delicious meal Ive had in a long time....pinza was outstanding and the papardella with sausage to die for! Bravo Gino!

This place is amazing! We hosted a baptism there on a Sunday and the owner, Gino went above and beyond. We had a different venue booked for the baptism, and 5 days before the event, the restaurant owner wanted to change the details of our booking- which didn t work for the number of people in my party. I called Gino and he went out of his way to coordinate with another event he had that day in order to accommodate us. What an absolute gem! Not only is the owner someone who respects and values your business, but the food and service was incredible. Everybody commented on the very generous portions and how good it was. If you are looking to host an event or even just go for dinner, go to Venga Cucina. You will not be disappointed! Thanks again, Gino!

Delicious

What a gem of a place, delicious food and wonderful people. The food is amazing, I cannot eat regular pizza ever again! The food is made with love, you can tell in every bite. The comforting feeling of this beautiful restaurant, to the wonderful owners make it a place I definitely recommend and will go back to. Thank you again.

Awesome place.

The food, service, & atmosphere were definitely 5 stars! We celebrated our friends birthday having a ladies dinner. Carlos our server was so attentive!! Started with appetizers and wine, then pizza and pasta. . Everything was perfectly cooked, , and delicious Not one leftover! Now that says alot

I enjoyed being in this restaurant, the food had a rich taste and it was fresh and delicious. Our waitress and waitresses were very friendly and had a good and on time service. In general I like to be in this atmosphere in future to enjoy their food

Cozy atmosphere, delicious food and great service!

Great food and staff

Great good and amazing service! Must visit if you are in Toronto

Delicious, delicious, delicious but The food was very, very good. Service- not so good. Perhaps a new server?? Very chatty, and friendly (which is great) but I don t think he knew what he was doing. Slow to take our drink orders Slow to deliver our drinks and only delivered partial so waiting again. Food kept on being delivered to the wrong tables - saw this 3 times, including our order Ladies at next table, he wanted to flirt with them Finished our meal and wait, wait, wait for the bill and then hovering over Service was not terrible, it just wasn t good.

Fantastic pizza and pasta. I go to al or of Italian restaurants in Toronto and this place stands out, especially the prataiola pizza and cacio e pepe pasta. I highly recommend! And the owner / chef is from Italy, he knows his stuff!

I recently went to Rome and went to the famous Bonci Pizzarium (it was featured on Netflixs Chefs Table: Pizza season) and the pizza was fantastic, but I remember saying to my friends that the pizza at Venga Cucina is better. So, once I returned from vacation, I made a reservation and went back to Venga Cucina for the pizza and as usual, it was amazing! I cannot say enough good things about how great the food is at Venga Cucina but when it comes to the pizza, they are in a league of their own, it is actually the best pizza Ive ever had. The dough has a great crunch on the outside and the inside is fluffy and pillowy with a really great flavour...delicious. Do yourself a favour and go try the pizza here, it wont disappoint.

Came here to celebrate my husbands birthday with a group of friends. Gino made the reservation and was a delight to work with. He even went above and beyond to create a birthday platter for the celebration which ended off the night on a sweet note. Thank you to the staff and everyone at the restaurant. It felt like we were dining with family. The ambience is relaxing, the pizzas were fresh, the pasta was fantastic and the atmosphere is lively but not too loud. It was the perfect night. Thank you Gino!

Superb food (Roman pizza called pinsa) served by our very personable and affable waiter, Carlo. Venga is known for their pinsa. However, there is also a variety of pasta and meat dishes. Go and enjoy!

Great service and unique Roman pizza that you cut with scissors!

This place is a hidden gem, just amazing food, service and Gino is the best! Highly recommended!!

The effort and the work done by Gino preparing the dough you can taste it when the pinsa is served to you and not just that even the original combinations of the condiments of all the pinsas make a difference from all the other places in the city. GREAT JOB !!

Pizza so damn good! That crust I could eat by itself with hot chili oil!

Best food ever. The owner is AMAZING, and the workers were awesome. Guys you have to try the pinsa its to die for. Best day out ever.

Sooo good!!! Customer service at the highest

I have been eating at Venga since it first opened. I used to enjoy bringing my family there for a nice meal out. Disappointingly this has changed. It appears that restaurateur greed has gotten in the way. Over a two year period, a simple Margherita pinsa has jumped from $18 to $25! I understand that the cost of ingredients has gone up as of late but this is excessive. To make matters worse, the ingredients have diminished in quality- the sauce is bland and the cheese is odd in flavour and texture. What is even more confusing is that the mains cost an average of 10$ less than the simple pinsas. You have lost this junction familys business. We are not the only locals who have observed these negative changes and are turning our backs on your establishment. These prices are reflective of a fine dining experience not a basic ma and pa dining experience. What a shame.

In the heart of The Junction, Venga left me in awe of its Con Alici pasta. The dish was a true delight, featuring perfectly cooked spaghettoni coated in a silky olive oil and garlic sauce, adorned with plump anchovy fillets. The flavors were a perfect harmony of briny, savory notes. The quality of the ingredients was exceptional, with fresh anchovies that elevated the dish to new heights. The pasta itself was cooked to perfection, striking the ideal balance between firmness and tenderness. The service was impeccable creating a memorable dining experience. If youre a fan of Italian cuisine or simply seeking a taste of authentic flavors, I highly recommend trying this pasta.

10/10! incredible food. so fresh pizza amazing, also had the calamari and ragu pasta and were incredible. dessert amazing. the ambience is lovely and the staff/owner are some of the friendliest i ve encountered.

Great food and atmosphere. The owner is fantastic and very friendly. Excellent service. The pinza is superb. I strongly recommend this place.

Gino and his staff have one of the best kept secrets in Toronto, heavenly pinsa (Roman style pizza). Great service, atmosphere and very fair pricing. Fab spot!

Excellent service and food

My new favorite spot in the junction! I live a walk away from the area and haven t been in the area for years. This place will definitely draw me here weekly. Ordered 4 different appetizers and 3 mains. They were all delicious! I ve never had a pizza like this. Ambience was fantastic! Very warm and welcoming! Staff super friendly! And I love the owners.. make you feel at home!

Omg what a beautiful energetic and delightful meal we had at venga cucina . My name is nadia I will begin with this beautiful energetic staff our waiter Carlo.. his service was top notch who cared and was so special just amazing service and then the owner Gino and his beautiful wife.. Compliments to you for making a beautiful restaurant and your food from the pinsa to the steak and pasta was all delicious .. I can not wait to come back and experience another flavourful pinsa.. your hospitality of your restaurant made my birthday dinner more special and memorable.. Thank you. I encourage everyone to please give yourself the opportunity to try this hidden gem a shot for you will not be disappointed..

I ve always loved a good puttanesca sauce but a puttanesca pizza was an absolutely masterful delight! Every dish only led me to want to explore the menu more. Service was exemplary, staff friendly and atmosphere classically Italian but in the Junction!! Highly recommend!!

Wild boar ragou was bene!!

Food is awesome my favorite Italian spot in Toronto so far. Highly highly recommend

Highly recommend! The food is outstanding specifically the pizza & pasta dishes.

Im impressed with the meal I had here. This is a good restaurant in the Junction. I recommend it!

Venga Cucina has delicious food and excellent service. I would highly recommend this Junction restaurant.

Came here for a dinner with friends. Could not be happier with the service, atmosphere, or the food. Everything was absolutely exceptional. If you re thinking of stopping by, this review is your reason to pop in.

It was the best Italian food Ive ever had so far! The owner and the all staff were also friendly and they provided the best service. Definitely, Ill come back here for sure! I highly recommended here :)

Enjoyed a great dinner celebrating my daughter s engagement. The food was excellent especially the pizza. Gino the owner treated us like family. Great place to eat. Rob

My partner took me here last night for my birthday. Absolutely amazing! They treated is like royalty. Service was great and food was exceptional! If you have never had the pinsa dough, you have not lived!!!! Calamari to start was incredible also. Gino and team did an incredible job of making me feel special. They brought us limoncella and unbelievable cannoli for dessert. We will definitely be back! Cannot say enough good things about this restaurant.

I wish I took photos of what we ate but my friends and I absolutely devoured everything - I honestly dont even think pictures would do it justice. The pinsa (Italian Breakfast) and Focaccia were incredible, Im not usually a fan of bread but this bread was light and airy with the perfect balance of crispy and soft parts. We also had the casarecce wild boar ragu, and were shocked at how tender the meat and delicious the sauce were. Im sure we could have ordered the entire menu and been overwhelmed by how delicious, real, and whole everything tasted. The owners came to check up on us and the staff were friendly and the perfect amount of chatty. You can tell the people working there are happy and passionate about the food.

Passionate owners with great product.

Tried this lovely restaurant for the first time with my partner last night and we were not disappointed! Incredible service and food, our server was extremely attentive without being overbearing. We had an amazing date night and we will be back! :)

My first time at Venga and it did not disappoint. I ordered the mushroom pizza with onion and truffle oil etc. Delicious and the best pizza I ve eaten. R.Russo Food : 5/5

The wild mushroom, onion, truffle oil pizza was the best! Will be back! Sil Russo and F.Naccarato

Excellent food

Wonderful atmosphere, excellent menu, service, courtesy and friendliness that please.

I would like to know why is a pizza priced like a steak??? Why are italians ripping customers off?? Greek,Portuguese, Asian restaurants are buying same food so it s not the price you re paying, it s just pure greed!!will not be returning

We love this place! Delicious food, engaging and friendly people, lovely dining room. Ive been here several times and will continue to return as its just a perfect place for dinner!

Venga Cucina was an amazing experience. The restaurant was just about to close and instead of turning us away, the staff welcomed us with open arms and treated all 7 of us like family. Not only was the service amazing but the food was absolutely incredible and authentic Italian. I highly recommend for a wholesome vibe and great food!

Must visit, especially during the holiday season! It s so nicely decorated in there, perfect spot for holiday get togethers. My friends and I were strolling down Dundas street looking for a place to have dessert and we walked into Venga Cucina right after closing. We asked if they would take us for dessert and without hesitation they welcomed us in, lit some candles for us, and were so warm and kind to us. Our server Johnny and the entire staff were so sweet and funny! The desserts were so delicious! The owner invited us to come back and try their pizza and we will certainly be going back!

Went in for an anniversary dinner. Food was excellent. Real Italian food in Toronto. Great ambient and the best service. Congrats to Gino

If I could give this place 10 out of 5 stars, I would have. 2 years in Toronto and I have felt like what I did after visiting Venga Cucina. My husband and I discovered this place while walking around after we were done with walk at High Park. We felt like we deserved a good meal and just when we were at the Junction, we see this place. It looked so fancy, honestly we were apprehensive, would it be too costly? Are we under dressed for what looked like a classy Italian restaurant. We still went in. The server came to us and asked us if we would like to try something special called Pinsa. I have never heard of this before and it seemed like something that would taste amazing, so we went ahead. While waiting for our order we were looking around and just then I saw the head chef walk by. He seemed like a very attentive chef who was making sure everyone at the restaurant was served well. He then walked to our table and told us about Pinsa and how is experience over 20 years got him to make this. He spoke to his and explained his love and passion for cooking. I was impressed and touched. It felt so warm. Then the pins and spaghettini arrived and you could taste all the experience and love for food in it! It was heavenly!!! From everyone working there (they are a part of the family) they make you feel like you re coming to their home and they take care of you and feed you the best Italian food in Toronto! And the prices - very fairly priced. I want to thank you Venga Cucina for making our Sunday memorable. We will be back with our family soon

Amazing food, and even better service. The waiter was friendly and even made me a mimosa even though it wasn t on the menu. It was my first time trying Roman pizza, and I ll definitely be back. 5 stars well deserved!

Great place. Tasty food. The Pinsa are beautiful. They import gluten free flour. The Pinsa can be made gluten free but you must ask ahead of time to make sure they have the imported gluten free flour.

Some of the best pizza in Toronto. Crust is amazing as are the toppings. Pasta is good, we would have expected more meat in the rigatoni. Really good Caesar salad, love the anchovy dressing. Definitely worth a visit.

Amazing experience here. We had a huge group of 17 people (reserved) on a Friday night and the staff was very happy to accommodate us. The food all came out at the same time and was delicious and very reasonably priced. Highly recommend this place!

Had a fabulous dinner last night at Venga Cucina restaurant! Came from out of town to celebrate our nieces birthday. Everything was spectacular...from service, atmosphere and the food was amazing!!! Calamari, their speciality pizzas, and yummy dessert -their homemade canoli pistachio and chocolate . Thankyou for making our evening perfect.!!

The service and the food were outstanding. Had a a private function there and it was wonderful. Gino the owner is very personable and welcoming. The atmosphere and ambiance are fantastic! Definitely will be back especially for the Focaccia. Looking for something new give this place a try you will not be disappointed .

Kind staff and amazing food. Definitely recommend!!

Very good food, good ingredients and great service

Delicious pizza! Perfect balance of crispy crust, delicious sauce and creamy cheese. I highly recommend this spot. The food is delish with a great wine selection.

Gino is a true artisan. Family feel, exceptional food and service. Top notch.

I ve never had pizza that good in my whole life. Had the margarita and Fenchi del sud

Food was amazing and the service was just as great! The chef let us order last minute as we were close to closing and the staff let us finish our meals and drinks even after they had closed without any hassle. Great wine list and the food was superb!

Great food and service. First time here and the food was amazing. Thank you Gino for the delicious food.

Foodies will love Venga Cucina. The crust of the pinsa (Roman pizza) is very unique - light and airy but also crispy and the sauce and toppings are outstanding. Other menu items and daily specials are equally fresh and delicious - eg pasta with boar ragu and lasagna. Nice atmosphere inside and friendly, accommodating staff and a chef who visits patrons at their tables often. Charming place with great food. So glad they are here in the west end of the city.

Another great dinner and evening at Venga Cucina in The Junction. Their unique Pinsa style pies originating from Naples are 100% worth a try for discerning pizza fans. The crust is carefully made from a host of different ingredients and has the perfect amount of crunch. Toppings are unique as well and the combinations beat anything else in the west end (I think). The specials are worth a try. Other dishes also hit the mark. Tonight our other was a deep fried cheesy béchamel pasta with a pea and mint sauce - very tasty combination. There s a nice complement of 4-5 salads as well. The regulars, plus some with interesting fresh ingredients. Beer on draught is great with some nice local taps. Wine is good - not super extensive, but a decent mix of types and prices. Gino is the Pinsa master and chef and he comes to greet everyone. The waiters are excellent and very knowledgeable about all the dishes. I highly recommend this spot.

Amazing food, The consistency of the dough is magnificent, one of a kind, the staff is very welcoming and kind. Loved the ambiance, great costumer service, a great experience. Thank you!

This was the best (pizza) pinsa i have ever tasted. Truly a unique and rare spot with delicious food. Highly recommend!

Great place, great food great service great atmosphere. The wild boar pasta was delicious

What a gem!! Great execution of fresh products. Super great service from the friendly staff. Try the carpaccio. Its the best I have ever had. Best pineapple (pizza) on Toronto

Venga Cucina is one of the best restaurants in the Junction. From the moment one arrives staff are happy and helpful. The restaurant is so cozy and very clean. Great outdoor patio which is covered so rain or shine you can enjoy the outdoor space! Last but not least the food is so amazing. Wonderful menu also their daily specials are fantastic. The owners, Gino and Mary along with their staff work so hard to ensure your expérience is out of this world! Come and exerience Vega Cucina you wont be disappointed and like me I know youll keep coming back. Thanks Gino and Mary for such a beautuful oasis where one can relax and enjoy the moment!

The staff and owners were very friendly. The roman-style margarita is absolutely fantastic. The anti-pasta were decent. Great decor and not too busy. As a vegetarian there were a decent amount of options.

Arguably one of the most unique style Italian pizzas in Toronto. Must try!

This was excellent. Their pizza is a little different than what you expect. Its light crust and the options are really good. Service was great, atmosphere superb. Definitely Ill be back

Amazing food and service.

Excellent Italian cuisine, friendly staff and reasonable prices

Came here with a friend for my birthday on Thursday. There was a nice buzz about the place but it wasnt too busy. The waiter was exceptionally knowledgeable about the menu items and was happy to share his opinion and give recommendations. Was friendly, efficient and attentive throughout. The food was delicious! We shared arancini to start, my friend devoured the carpaccio and rapini as her main meal and I delighted in my beef cheek rigatoni! We both had some tasty desserts with the deliciously moist olive oil lemon cake and tirimasu for my friend. Fantastic meal and overall dining experience. Would highly recommend! Thanks to the venga cucina team, well see you again soon!

EDIT: Review was for old place so I have no idea how it is now. Fantastic food and great service. I came here for breakfast with my S/O and really enjoyed it. The staff were very friendly and the owner was too. We ordered the standard breakfast and chicken w/ waffles. Both dishes were delicious. The breakfast was cooked perfectly and the beans were a nice touch. I found the chicken to be a little bit oily but other than that the dish was superb. I will definitely be coming back here. If you re in the area it s definitely worth a visit!

Best pizza I had in Toronto and the Pasta with Ragu was also delicious!

Excellent food and service. The pinsa was delicious. Started with two and appetizers and pasta but had to order one more! The crust was so light and crispy but had good chew too. Our server, Emir was very friendly and helpful. The owner came out on a busy evening to make sure everyone was happy. Will be back soon. Thanks

This is our GO TO place for every kinda meal . Casual Sundays .. family events friends outta town you name it. The incredible food, congenial hosts, welcoming atmosphere . It s like coming home. Maria and Gino are incredible people who put effort and love into every facet of their business.

Highly recommend it was a great experience the food is amazing and made me feel like I was back in Italy. That italian flavour came right back to me .Ginos cooking was fabulous everyone should try it you will definitely come back .The service was phenomenal. And price is very reasonable.

Excellent service and the best clamp in Toronto, the dough is spectacular, rustic and very delicious. Thank you Gino for the fantastic service. I will return soon.

Really incredible food and the service was amazing too! We had the Caesar salad and both got the lasagna (10/10), and our waiter recommended an Italian pilsner that was ridiculously good. Well be back for sure!

Great dining experience here with a couple of our friends. Our wqiter was friendly and gave us some great recommendations as well as the background of the restaurant. The pizzas, fried chicken, and short ribs were excellent. The ambiance was superb as well. Would definitely go back again. Parking: No parking available Wheelchair accessibility: It is wheelchair accessible

Great food and the service was awesome. I will definitely come back

First time at Venga. Of the 140 or so restaurants reviewed on Google, this is number 1. Food, atmosphere and specifically the staff. Everything was perfect.

Excellent pizza and wonderful atmosphere we will be back

Wish I knew this existed earlier! What a gem! Absolutely fantastic!

Food, service and atmosphere were great. We tried the calamari fritti and 3 different pizzas - you cant go wrong with anything. We especially liked the prataiola and gino picante. The pizza have a very unique crust thats definitely worth a try and the ingredients are top notch. Food

a unique place in Toronto that s well worth a visit!

Gino is a legend. A master Pizza maker and the linguini in the Parmesan wheel was delicious. Can t wait to go back again.

Beautiful Restaurant, great service, amazing vibes and Authentic Italian Food!!!

The only pinsa in Toronto. Great quality, healthier options.

Was recently back at Venga Cucina, with my family and my best friend and her husband. We went there on a double date. It s been a while since I ve been back. The last time I was there was when I did my bridal shower back in 2017 when it used to be called Junction Local. The owners are phenomenally sweet and the service was great! It had a cozy warm rustic Italian vibe. Classic Italian music was playing in the background which added a romantic vibe to the experience. I ordered a Margherita pinsa which was so delicious and so fresh. For dessert I ordered a Nutella pinsa! It was SO AMAZING! Gino (the owner) made it especially for us. It was nice and warm and very fresh and was topped with candied type oranges. I cannot stop thinking about that Nutella pinsa! Everything was so good! It was worth going down again this time as a married couple with a family and enjoying dinner with great friends too! Perfect place for a nice evening out! Thank you Venga Cucina. We will be back! Kid-friendliness: Offered a high chair if needed.

I was at Venga Cucina yesterday evening for dinner with my wife, daughter, and friends on a double date. We had the pinsa 100 (which we shared amongst us all). The wagu beef bresaola was a wonderful touch to the beautiful texture of the pinsa. The sauce was amazing and fresh. It is something to die for. I wish I can give higher than 5 stars as I would definitely be back again. We also ordered the Gino Picant which was also very good. Just enough spice . Venga cucina also had a wonderful selection of Italian beers. The restaurant also has a very nice atmosphere. I highly recommend this hidden gem of an Italian restaurant and I ll be sure to come back again for more delicious food and for great beer. Thank you! Kid-friendliness: Staff is very friendly with the children

My husband and I went here on Saturday on a double date with my best friend and her husband and daughter. The service we received was phenomenal. From the beginning, we were taken care right away and even met the owner, Gino who is so sweet! We ordered the Margherita pinsa pizza and the Gino pinsa. They were absolutely amazing! Very fresh, tasty and light but still filling. The calamari and Caesar salad were also so scrumptious! Im still thinking about them! Also, the restaurant itself is very nice. It makes you feel like you are at home. It is a great place to grab quality food and socialize. We will definitely be back!

This restaurant is the true expression of gastronomy exceptionality. The best tasting food is served, right here, at Venga cucina. We chose this restaurant for a family dinner on a Friday night. Simply the best decision. If you re looking for a place where you will be transported into an all-Italian universe, food, atmosphere and all, then go to this restaurant. If you know excellent food, then you will not be disappointed whatsoever. Thank you for a memorable experience. Grazie e a presto! Kid-friendliness: We had our baby girl with us and she had a blast. And loved the focaccia and pinza we ordered.

Amazing food and wonderful atmosphere!

Amazing. Love this place! Funghi fabulous pinsa.

Ginos Pinsa Romana is simply amazing - light, crispy, flavourful - the perfect pizza! Service is top-notch and this place has a great neighbourhood restaurant / family atmosphere. Highly recommended!