Toronto pizza joints with a cult following
Pizza is ubiquitous in its popularity but very personal when it comes to taste. Whether you prefer a white base or red sauce, veggies or meat, thin crust or thick, you’re sure to fall for a pie at these pizzerias that are winning over the hearts (and stomachs) of Torontonians. That’s amore!
Pizzeria Libretto
221 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON M6J 2Z8Two-hour wait times don’t deter passionate fans of this notorious eatery that has become a fixture along the trendy Ossington strip. Here you’ll find authentic Neapolitan style pizzas that are worth the hype. Forgo the basics and sample the signature specialties like house-made sausage with caramelized onion and chili oil or duck confit and pear. The blistered charred crusts are courtesy of the restaurant’s 900-degree wood burning oven.
TERRONI
57 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1K6This wildly successful Toronto pizzeria needs no introduction. Local foodies can’t get enough of the traditional southern Italian cuisine and impressive selection of pies. With over two-dozen varieties on the menu, this is a spot that requires multiple visits. Try the Quattro Stagioni for a wide variety or opt for the classic San Giorgio topped with tomato, mozzarella, hot calabrese salame and fresh mushrooms. Visit the Adelaide Street location housed in Toronto’s historic courthouse and marvel at the high ceilings and basement wine cellar where the expensive bottles are kept behind bars inside an old jail cell.
Pizzeria Defina
321 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2M6This family-friendly joint in Roncesvalles lets diners choose between Neapolitan or Roma style dough so you can satisfy your personal crust preferences. The menu features traditional favourites and inventive new varieties. The Roncy is an obvious neighbourhood favourite topped with fior di latte, Yukon gold potatoes, pancetta, asiago, cracked black pepper and rosemary. Don’t forget to check out the dough-tossing skills on display from the chefs in the open kitchen at the back of the restaurant.
North of Brooklyn Pizzeria
650 1/2 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E4Italy meets New York at this hip Queen West pizza joint. The casual spot offers four standard varieties —margherita, pepperoni, puttanesca or white — by the slice or as a full pie. Get creative and jazz up your order with extra toppings like vegan cheese, ’nduja sausage, ricotta or scallions. There are a handful of seats inside but why not take your ’za to go and enjoy it al fresco in nearby Trinity Bellwoods park.
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