Occhiolino

Was excited to try this resto for a birthday celebration. The renovations and vibes were nice and we were greeted by a friendly server. We started off with the Calamari and Cuttlefish. The cuttlefish was surprisingly very tasty and fresh. For the mains we order 2 pastas dishes, unfortunately the chef may of went a alot heavy on the salt. We couldn't taste the pasta as the it was overly salty. The waitress was accommodating and offer us to cancel one of the mains and we ordered the Roasted Cod. The Cod was fresh and tender but then again it was a bit on the salty side. Overall we enjoyed the ambiance but very disappointed with the pasta experience.

Absolutely loved Occhiolino! The pasta was fresh and full of flavor. Appetizers were perfectly done, especially the calamari. Service was warm and attentive, and the atmosphere is cozy yet upscale. Not to mention pricing is at a very reasonable range. Can’t wait to come back!

I’ve been to this restaurant twice now and overall I like it, but there are a few things to note. The pasta is very good, though portions are really small — fine if you’re looking for a light meal, but not ideal if you have a big appetite or come hungry. The menu is very pasta-heavy with no chicken options, and some dishes could be a little less oily. Their fried zucchini sticks seem to be a popular choice, but I found them pretty average — more like fast food than something you’d expect at a nice Italian restaurant. Desserts were okay, and service was excellent both times. It’s a cool touch that you can watch the kitchen in action. I enjoyed my first visit more than the second, so for me this is more of a once-in-a-while spot rather than a regular go-to Italian place.

Pasta was delicious, and the sauces paired perfectly. Portions on the smaller size but good. Affogato, was a perfect treat to end the meal. Nice clean, modern decor.

The food was absolutely delicious, probably the best pasta I’ve had in Toronto, especially the pappardelle. The soft serve at the end is also a must-try! The service was friendly and helpful, though it was very crowded when I came so it was sometimes hard to get a server’s attention. the atmosphere is good, the interior decor is lovely, but during peak hours it was extremely loud and hard to talk or even hear the server. I’d definitely come again but not during peak hours.

A cozy spot for fresh pasta 🍝 Their pasta was perfectly al dente — honestly, one of the top 5 homemade pastas I’ve had in Toronto 👏 BUT… I didn’t love the sauce 😅 it was a bit too watery and couldn’t really coat the pasta, so it felt like eating two separate things. I tried both the Spaghetti all’Amatriciana and Pappardelle al Barolo The Pappardelle al Barolo kinda reminded me of Hong Kong-style beef brisket soup noodles (清湯牛腩) — light and clean, but not the rich Barolo flavour I expected 😂 Surprisingly, the Sepia e Cipolla impressed me the most — super fresh and perfectly chewy 🦑✨

Occhiolino is a charming and casual Italian spot with a minimalist atmosphere that feels both modern and original. The acoustics can be a bit lively, but the space is well organized and comfortable, making it a great setting for a relaxed date night or a dinner with friends. The menu is not extensive, but every item feels carefully chosen. It offers a small but solid selection of appetizers, a couple of salads, and a variety of pastas. I started with the burrata, true to the restaurant's minimalist vibe, it’s served simply with olive oil and salt. While it could use a touch more seasoning on its own, it tastes fresh and homemade, and becomes absolutely delicious when paired with their ciabatta. I tried two pasta dishes. The linguine al limone were very good, light and creamy, but I personally would have preferred a bit less cream, more lemon juice, and maybe a hint of saffron to brighten the flavor further. The gnocchi, on the other hand, were fabulous: perfectly cooked, mixed with sausage, egg, and saffron in a rich and satisfying combination. The surprise highlight of the evening was the dessert. Their cheesecake is easily one of the best I’ve had in Toronto, ultra smooth, full of flavor, and served over an exceptionally good pistachio cream. Hats off to the chef for that one. Service was attentive and friendly, and the prices are very reasonable considering the quality, especially compared to downtown Toronto spots. My only critique would be the long wait between the appetizer and the main course, but with a limoncello spritz in hand, it’s an easy wait. Overall, a great dinner experience and I’d definitely return and recommend it to anyone craving a cozy, authentic Italian meal in the city.

I was really excited about visiting this restaurant. The open concept design works very well with the space & the service was top notch! Our waiter always made sure our glasses were topped off, explained multiple dishes to us and answered all of our questions. The food was very well portioned and presented! All of the starters and desserts we shared were fantastic. The salted olive oil soft serve is a must try!! While the flavours were good, we found that three of our four pasta dishes were undercooked. The pasta was too hard and at one point still crunchy. Other than that, I will definitely come back again!