Welcome to Little Italy
Welcome to Little Italy
If you haven’t ventured into this Toronto neighborhood, it’s time to plan a couple of days to get to know this character rich community lined with shops, tradition and events that everyone will love.
Located on College Street between Euclid Avenue and Shaw Street – to view the neighborhood visit the area map here.
A Brief History
This vibrant neighborhood is the very first and authentic Little Italy in Toronto. Little Italy was born when Italians first arrived to Toronto in large numbers in the early part of the 20th century. They settled in an area known as “The Ward” – centred on university avenue, and college street. During the 1920s, most Italians moved west of Bathurst, and that’s when the College-Clinton area emerged as Toronto’s major Little Italy.
The area grew significantly in Italian settlements during the 1950s where most were working in construction, as factory workers while some Italians established small businesses along College like bakeries, fruit markets, meat markets, salons, tailor shops and barber shops. As they became more established in their businesses and community, they began to venture into businesses like cafes, restaurants, theatres and communications.
Little Italy Today
Today, Little Italy is demographically more of a mix though the atmosphere is still very much Italian. This lively neighborhood is packed with trattorias, trendy restaurants, cafés, pool halls and some of the best bars in Toronto. On weekends especially during the hot Toronto summer months, the sidewalks are humming with activity with locals and visitors sipping espressos and dining on traditional Italian cuisine on outdoor patios. The Italian trattorias that can be found throughout the neighborhood are known for their family-style, casual dining and are as much about the social atmosphere as they are about the delicious food.
Little Italy has a Plethora of Events, Shops and Cultural Experiences
With a neighborhood as rich as Little Italy’s, it goes without saying that there are innumerable things to do, experience and see. Start with some favorites like the annual three-day food festival: the Taste of Little Italy on in June and experience the vast array of Italian cuisine. There’s always something happening in Little Italy, whether it’s a live music event, film festival, comedy show or a family friendly event, there is no shortage of things to wow your senses. Visit the Little Italy BIA event calendar to find out more.
When it comes to shopping and dining, there couldn’t be a more eclectic and vibrant mix! Enjoy strolling through the streets where cafes, dining and shops cater to your every whim. Visit Little Italy’s business directory to get an idea of exactly how rich this community is.
Little Italy is the Perfect Neighborhood to Call Home
Some people love Little Italy so much that they want to call it home. This quaint neighborhood offers a very livable community with Toronto District School Board (TDSB) operating an elementary as well as a secondary school in the area. Dewson Street Junior Public School is a public elementary school, located at 65 Concord Avenue, near the intersection of Ossington Avenue and College Street with a new playground installed in 2002.
Boasting tree lined streets with picturesque detached or semi-detached single family homes dating to the early-1900s Edwardian period, with front porches and smaller lots, many of these homes have been newly renovated and have retained their character but with modern updates. Families and professionals alike are drawn to this vibrant neighborhood.
To find your perfect Little Italy rental home, visit us here.