Eataly Toronto

Eataly is such a fantastic spot whether you’re meeting a friend for a casual lunch or planning a casual date night out. There’s something about the atmosphere that feels both relaxed and a little bit special at the same time. On this visit, we decided to have dinner at La Pizza & La Pasta, which is located on the second floor. The energy of the space, with the open kitchen and the aroma of fresh ingredients in the air, makes the whole experience feel authentic and inviting. We enjoyed a delicious meal—classic comfort dishes that are simple yet full of flavour, exactly what you hope for when craving good Italian food.nnAfter dinner, we couldn’t resist stopping by the marketplace to pick up dessert to enjoy later at home. There are so many tempting options that it’s almost impossible to choose just one. Honestly, I could happily spend an entire hour wandering through the store, browsing all the specialty items, fresh ingredients, and beautifully packaged treats. Every aisle feels like a little adventure, and it always makes me want to take one of everything home. Eataly has a way of turning a simple meal into a delightful outing.

This was my third visit to Eataly, and unfortunately, it only reinforced a pattern of disappointment. The food was consistently underwhelming — portion sizes, especially for the pasta dishes, were surprisingly small given the premium pricing. The gnocchi was meager, and the penne was significantly undercooked. The pizza arrived soggy and wet in the center — a basic misstep for a place that prides itself on Italian cuisine.nWhat was even more disheartening was the service. The attitude of the servers seemed noticeably disinterested — particularly when I declined to order a drink or sparkling water. There was an unmistakable coldness, with servers either visibly pulling back or handing off the table to someone else. Service was slow and impersonal, yet the expectation for an 18–20% tip remained, regardless of the quality of the experience.nSadly, this isn’t an isolated experience — I’ve felt a similar dynamic at other Eataly locations, where the hospitality seems conditional on how much you’re willing to spend on extras like drinks. It leaves a sour taste, both literally and figuratively.nFor a brand that positions itself as a flagship of Italian food and culture, the experience feels increasingly hollow. I will not be returning, nor can I recommend Eataly to others at this point

This particular return visit is particularly disappointing at the kitchen. Father is visiting from Victoria, BC and we know our seafoods. Took him to Eataly and after some shopping he decided to dine at La Pizza & La Pasta. Having dined here multiple times I am so confident that he’d love the foods here.nnYet, the mussels and seafood pasta both miss their marks. Crocche de patate remained excellent. At first, I thought the two prior mentioned dishes are just the way they are. That the kitchen changed up the recipe or it was me who just hasn’t taste the salt on the other side of the plates. The soupy sauce of mussels tasted sour and no seasoning to the pasta. Plainly put, both were missing salt/ seasoning.nnAfter having three consecutive mussels that haven’t properly gone through de-sand process I asked for the waitress. She’s been kind and after the dishes arrived did keep on returning to check if we need anything else. When I finally mentioned the issue she went fetch the manager.nnWe reiterated the situation of the dishes to the manager, Matthew, and he asked why didn’t we speak up earlier. My response was I thought it was my issue before, until even the quality of ingredients went downhill. The manager is kind enough to take away the remaining dishes and charge us for 2/3 dishes.nnWhen the bill came my father realizes it wouldn’t be fair to the waitress who has been so helpful. So we added a lemon cake and shot of espresso. To mention the dessert is heavenly.nnHope the kitchen realizes it and corrects itself.

In short, the food is okay. We both tried their prix-fixe menu for $26, which comes with an appetizer and a main dish of your choice. The appetizers were pretty good, but our pastas were underwhelming. Service was really slow, and our waitress never checked in on us to see how our food was. Even when I tried to wave one down for cheese, I had already finished my meal and my girlfriend was halfway through hers. After dinner we had Gelato at the shop nearby and that was very good.

Such a cool and unique spot — great for shopping, tasting Italian food, sweets, coffee, and more. Whether you’re grabbing a bite or just exploring, it’s one of those places in Toronto you really should check out. They’ve got everything from fresh pasta to pastries — a little foodie paradise!

Directions to Eataly Toronto with public transportation

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