Cafe Diplomatico was first opened in 1968 by Rocco Mastrangelo Sr., shortly thereafter younger brother Paul came on board. The brothers envisioned having a typical Italian bar where Italian nationals could gather in the morning over coffee. At a time in Toronto when outdoor dining was almost unheard of, the sunny patio quickly caught on and now almost 4 decades later what started out as an innovation in the neighborhood has now set the standard.
Over the years the popularity of the Diplomatico has caused the bar to expand into a full restaurant eventually taking over the store next door as well. The dip (as it is affectionately referred to by it's many regulars) has had staying power due to it's versatile & reasonably priced menu paired with it's comfortable & unpretentious atmosphere.
Approaching 5 decades the restaurant is still owned by the Mastrangelo family, younger brother Paul now runs it with Rocco Mastrangelo Jr.more...See more text
Making Italian food at home is fun with all the creativity you can put into it. You can mix practically anything into a pasta sauce so long as it tastes good to you. Even better than doing this at home is giving your executive orders to kitchen staff while eating out. You can sit back and sip your wine while you wait for your customised pizza or dish of pasta to arrive piping hot in front of you. “We call it the three P's menu,” says Café Diplomatico owner Rocco Mastrangelo Jr. “You get to pick your own noodle and sauce, your own pizza toppings and your own panini filling down to the last onion.”
Rocco’s dad and Uncle Paul started this three-generation family business when they opened in the spring of 1968. Rocco stepped in after university when he figured that it was a good fit. “I love working with people, I’ve always been a foodie and College Street was just starting to become trendy then.”
The brothers named the spot CaféDiplomatico to welcome homesick Italians who were looking for a political debate over coffee as well as to show non-Italians that they were welcome.
Ask your server for our selection of specialty cakes. Ask your server for more flavours available.
Biscotti
Cinnamon, Lemon Poppy, Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate
$3.50
Pastries - Sicilian Cannoli
Ricotta, Chocolate chip or Pistachio
$3.75
Pastries - Apple Blossoms
$5.00w/ gelato
$5.75
Pastries - Butter Tarts
pecan, plain, raisin
$4.00w/ gelato
$6.00
Pastries - Bomba
Chantilly Cream or Nutella
$3.75
Pastries - Creme Brûlée
$6.50
Cakes
Tiramisu, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake of the Day
$6.60
Gelato
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Lemon, Pistachio
$6.00
Tartufo
Creamy chocolate ice cream around a center of zabajone, covered in semi-sweet cocoa
$5.00
Sicilian Crepe
A delicious crepe filled with creamy vanilla ice cream
$5.25
BEVANDES / BEVERAGES
SPARKLING WATER
San Benedetto
$3.00 (12 oz glass)
$8.00 (750ml bottle)
Fountain Soft Drinks
$3.00 (16oz)
Fountain Juices
$3.00 (16oz)
Bottled Juices
$3.00 (450ml)
CocaCola Bottle
$3.50 (500ml)
Italian Soft Drinks
$4.00 (355ml)
Stappi Italian Bitters
$3.20 (100ml)
Yoga Suco Di Frutta
$3.00 (125ml)
COFFEE
Also available: DECAF ESPRESSO, ALMOND MILK, OAT MILK, SKIM MILK
Coffee
$1.80
Americano
$2.50add steamed milk
$0.75
Espresso
$2.50
Doppio
$5.00
Espresso Macchiato
$3.00
Cortado
single
$3.50dbl
$6.50
Cappucino
reg.
$3.80large bowl
$5.50
Latte Macchiato
$3.80
Mochacino
$4.50
Affogato
$5.00
Espresso Corretto
$6.00
Cappuccino Corretto
$7.00
Crema Di Caffe
$6.00
Hot Chocolate
$3.50add whip cream
$1.00
Iced Latte
$5.50
Iced Coffee
$3.00
Chai Latte
$4.50
TEA
Orange Pekoe
$2.00
Chamomile
$2.00
Peppermint
$2.00
English Breakfast
$2.00
Earl Grey
$2.00
Green Tea
$2.00
Ginger Tea
$2.00
Chai Tea
$2.00
SPECIALTY COFFEE & TEA
B52
Kahlua, Baileys & Grand Marnier
$9.00
Spanish Coffee
Kahlua, Brandy
$9.00
Godfather
Kahlua, Amaretto & Creme de Bananes
$9.00
Blueberry Tea
Grand Marnier & Tea
$9.00
Irish Coffee
Irish Whiskey topped w/ Irish Mist
$9.00
Hazel Mocha
Frangelico & Kahlua
$9.00
Monte Cristo
Kahlua & Grand Marnier
$9.00
Cafe Napoli
Cafe Latte w/ Amaretto & Sambuca
$9.00
Cafe Swiss
Irish Cream & Swiss Chocolate Almond
$9.00
BREAKFAST MENU - Cafe Diplomatico
Served until 2 pm *Time may vary due to increased volume.
Dip Breakfast SPECIAL
Two eggs cooked to your choice, bacon or sausage or peameal bacon, toast and potato puffs with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$8.00Daily after 11 am
$9.00Sat-Sun after 11 am
$10.00Egg whites “only” - add
$1.50
French Toast
Served with bacon or sausage or peameal bacon and potato puffs with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$10.00Daily after 11 am
$11.00Sat-Sun after 11 am
$13.00
Dip Omelette
Three eggs, mozzarella cheese, green peppers, mushrooms, toast and potato puffs, with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$10.00Daily after 11 am
$11.00Sat-Sun after 11 am
$13.00Egg whites “only” - add
$1.50
The Oscar Ciambotta Scrambled
Two eggs, hot peppers, onions and tomato sauce. Served with bacon or sausage or peameal bacon, toast and potato puffs with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$12.20Daily after 11 am
$13.20Sat-Sun after 11 am
$15.20
Breakfast Sandwich
Bacon or peameal bacon, egg, lettuce & tomato served with potato puffs with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$8.50Daily after 11 am
$9.50Sat-Sun after 11 am
$11.50
The Yarattack
Open face french toast topped with two eggs over easy, served with sausage or bacon or peameal bacon and coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$12.00Daily after 11 am
$13.00Sat-Sun after 11 am
$15.00
Steak & Eggs
5-6 oz. Wellington County NY Striplion, served with toast, sliced tomatoes, potato puffs with your choice of bacon or sausage or peameal bacon and coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$17.50Daily after 11 am
$18.50Sat-Sun after 11 am
$20.50
Eggs Benedict
Two poached eggs, topped with hollandaise sauce, toasted english muffin. Choice of bacon or sausage or peameal bacon, potato puffs with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$10.50Daily after 11 am
$11.50Sat-Sun after 11 am
$13.50
Eggs Florentine
Two poached eggs, topped with hollandaise sauce, spinach, toasted english muffin. Choice of bacon or sausage or peameal bacon, potato puffs with coffee or tea
Daily 8 am - 11 am
$14.00Daily after 11 am
$15.00Sat-Sun after 11 am
$17.00
DESSERTS
Biscotti
Cinnamon, Lemon Poppy, Chocolate, Belgian Chocolate
$3.50
Pastries Sicilian Cannoli
Ricotta, Chocolate chip or Pistachio
$3.75
Apple Blossoms
$6.00w/ gelato
$8.00
Butter Tarts
pecan, plain, raisin
$4.00w/ gelato
$6.00
Bomba
Chantilly Cream or Nutella
$4.00
Creme Brûlée
$7.25
Cakes
Tiramisu, Carrot Cake, Chocolate Cake, Cheesecake of the Day. Ask your server for our selection of specialty cakes.
$7.50
Gelato
Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Lemon, Pistachio. Ask your server for more flavours available.
$6.00
Tartufo
Creamy chocolate ice cream around a center of zampaglione, covered in semi-sweet cocoa
$5.00
Sicilian Crepe
A delicious crepe filled with creamy vanilla ice cream
Served with spicy cherry tomato sauce and crostinis
S
$170.00 (70 pcs.)L
$270.00 (140 pcs.)
A9 Spicy Mussels
Served in a white wine or tomato sauce
S
$80.00L
$150.00
Zuppa | Soup
S Small serves up to 15 people / L Large serves up to 30 people
Z1 Pasta e Fagioli
Romano beans, tomatoes and pasta in a vegetable broth
S
$60.00L
$110.00
Z2 Minestrone
A blend of fresh vegetables with tubetini pasta in a vegetable broth
S
$70.00L
$130.00
Z3 Cheese Tortellini al Brodo
Vegetable broth
S
$65.00L
$120.00
Insalata | Salads
S Small serves up to 15 people / L Large serves up to 30 people
I1 Fresh Salad
Romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, tomato, cucumber and onion
S
$50.00L
$90.00
I2 Caprese Salad
Sliced tomatoes, bocconcino cheese, basil and drizzled with olive oil
S
$65.00L
$120.00
I3 Caesar Salad
Romaine lettuce, caesar dressing, croutons, and grated parmesan cheese
S
$60.00L
$100.00
I4 Greek Salad
Feta cheese, romaine lettuce, kalamata olives, tomato, cucumber and onion
S
$60.00L
$100.00
Sandwiches | Panini
Sandwiches come on a fresh, traditional Italian panini bun or focaccia.
Sandwich | Panini Platters
Assorted Platter available (your choice of threeselections) Small Platter = 15 panini/sandwiches | Large Platter = 30 panini/sandwiches
S
$150.00L
$290.00
SP1 Veal Parmigiana
Breaded veal topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese
S
$150.00L
$300.00
SP2 Chicken Parmigiana
Breaded chicken topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese
S
$150.00L
$300.00
SP3 Eggplant Parmigiana
Breaded and fried eggplant topped with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese
S
$150.00L
$300.00
SP4 Steak Sandwich
Grilled marinated top sirloin * Toppings available
S
$180.00L
$360.00
SP5 Meatball Sandwich
House made tender meatballs topped in tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese
S
$150.00L
$300.00
SP6 Sausage on a Bun
Grilled spicy Italian pork sausage * Toppings available
S
$150.00L
$300.00
SP7 Tuna Sandwich
Albacore tuna, with mayo and melted havarti
S
$100.00L
$200.00
SP8 Dip Sandwich
Salami, capicollo, provolone cheese, lettuce and tomato
S
$120.00L
$240.00
Create your own Pasta
Choose your own pasta sauce for items below (P6-P9) are not available.
P1 Spaghetti
S
$110.00L
$180.00
P2 Penne
S
$110.00L
$180.00
P3 Linguine
S
$110.00L
$180.00
P4 Rigatoni
S
$110.00L
$180.00
P5 Fusilli
S
$110.00L
$180.00
P6 Meat Lasagna (serves 10)
$85.00 (Tray)
P7 Eggplant Parmigiana (serves 10)
$85.00 (Tray)
P8 Pasta al Forno
igatoni baked with prosciutto-cotto, mushrooms, hot peppers and mozzarella in a rosé sauce
S
$120.00L
$215.00
P9 Pasta alla Pescatora
Spaghetti with mixed seafood in a white wine or tomato sauce
S
$170.00L
$300.00
Fresh Pasta
NEW! Fresh pasta now available from Cafe Diplomatico. PLEASE CHOOSE your preferred pasta sauce below.
FP2 Cannelloni (Cheese or Meat) (15 pcs. / 30 pcs.)
S
$100.00L
$200.00
FP3
Cheese Tortellini
S
$120.00L
$220.00
FP5 Gnocchi
S
$120.00L
$220.00
Pasta Sauces
Our pasta is served wtih your choice of the following sauces:
Pomodoro
Tomato sauce
Matriciana
Tomato sauce with bacon and hot peppers
Arrabbiata
Tomato sauce with mushrooms
Alfredo
Cream sauce
Rosé
Tomato cream sauce
Bolognese
Tomato meat sauce
Carbonara
Cream sauce with bacon and mushrooms
Add
$18.00 (Small Tray)Add
$30.00 (Large Tray)
Alla Vodka
Vodka tomato cream sauce
Add
$18.00 (Small Tray)Add
$30.00 (Large Tray)
Create your own Pizza
PP Party Sized Pizza
Create your own pizza on a traditional thin crust with tomato sauce and cheese. Includes 2 toppings! Choose your favourite toppings! (Gluten-Free and Whole Wheat crust available)
Always a great experience coming to the Diplomatico. you'd think that Nonna was in the kitchen the food is so delicious and authentic but close enough the chef their Malic serves up his own signature style on a plate each and every time we come in.
We went here after hearing so much about it as its promoted everywhere when it comes to television and newspapers during sports seasons when everyone comes to here to celebrate and watch eagerly. However I did not find anything special about this place. In fact we had a very uncomfortable stay here for our coffee's that we wanted to get out as soon as possible. Although nothing in terms of service or food was neglectful the atmosphere was not very accommodating.
It just gives me great pleasure to be in little Italy. I love their deep fried calzone. I know it is deep fried, but I am doing my best to gain some weight because I am very thin. The service is great here.
We've gone to Little Italy quite a few times, this time, we decided to try Cafe Diplomatico. We chose to go here because the atmosphere looked very relaxed and it was busy on Friday night. The portion sizes that we saw seemed to be pretty reasonable too.
We were seated by the kitchen and in clear view of the Leafs/Sabres hockey game! Terrific. However, the light above us was out making it a little more difficult for us to see.
Our server was pretty attentive throughout the rush which was pretty great. FYI - Pop is reasonably priced but there are no refills. We ordered Bruschetta bread for two of us, and garlic bread with cheese, the bruschetta bread had a lot of mozzarella melted over the lot of it - something I don't mind, but it did over power the taste of tomatoes. The garlic bread was nicely done, with a nice presence of garlic.
Two of us ordered veal parmigiana one with spaghetti and bolognese (50cent charge for the upgrade to bolognese from the house tomato sauce) the other with fettuccine alfredo (75cent charge). The other ordered penne alfredo.
We're not sure why, but it seemed that every other table was served bread with their pasta or main dishes however we did not receive any. The veal was well seasoned and for the price ($13), it was well worth the try. The bolognese sauce was great, lots of meat and well seasoned sauce. It didn't over power the noodles, but there was a good serving in it. There were no complaints with the fettuccine alfredo either.
However the penne alfredo left much to be desired. It tasted okay, however there was a lot of runny sauce in the bowl. It seemed to be more sauce than pasta water, but we just weren't too sure. It would have been great if we were able to get some bread, but again - we are not sure if we were supposed to get bread or not and we didn't ask either.
All in all, we would definitely try the place again with different meals (although, I could go for some more of that bolognese sauce!). The prices very reasonable, especially for Little Italy!
FYI - They don't take debit but they do have an atm downstairs. Luckily our server told us that our bank was close by so we avoided those fees! :-D
Service is alright but the food is horrible. Probably the one of the worst "italian" restaurants i have been to. decent place for drinks and cheap appretizers on a nice summer day to eat outside on their patio.
Café Diplomatico is celebrating the World Cup big time.
Kicking off the games on June 12th, Sportsnet 590 The Fan will be live on location with Norm Rumack from 11 am-3 pm.
Then from June 13-17, they’re extending their patio by 250 seats!
In between, they’ve got two Sony 4K 80” TVs with a chance to win a Sony 4K 40” TV, celebrations for Puma Day, Amsterdam Day & Sony Day, and a Final Game Street Party on Sunday July 13 from noon to midnight.
Once patio season hits, you don’t always want to be squirrelled away from the action. And truly there is no better people-watching spot and feeling like you’re a part of an event, than Café Diplimatico.
It’s busy and kind of crowded, but in a fun, festive way. You might go with one or two friends, but by the end of your stay, you’ll have talked to all the tables around you. It’s just that kind of place.
Die-hard soccer fans flock to this Little Italy café and bar for the big weekend game, the spot being steeped in its reputation as one of the primo places to catch the action in the city. The patio is always buzzing and it’s heated! The menu has some of your sports bar favourites and all kinds of pizza (it is, after all, a pizzeria). An unpretentious atmosphere and family-oriented ownership have made this place a go-to café since 1968.
