TASTE OF ITALY 2025 REVIEW
Timothy Spearman
My Overall Review of A Taste of Italy 2025 on College Street:
A Joyous Celebration That Needs More of Its Namesake
Toronto’s College Street was once again transformed into a lively pedestrian promenade this past June as the 2025 Taste of Little Italy took over the historic strip between Bathurst and Shaw. With patios spilling into the streets, the scent of grilled sausages, espresso, and fresh dough and cannoli fills the air, and music echoing from every block, this beloved annual event reminded us all why it's a staple of the city’s summer season.
From Friday, June 13 to Sunday, June 15, thousands came out—young and old, locals and tourists—to celebrate the diverse culture, community spirit, and culinary heartbeat of Toronto’s Italian heritage. Streets were jammed with festivalgoers taking in the sights and sounds, as children chased bubbles and older generations reminisced about the days when College Street was the epicentre of Italian life in the city.
A Festival of Energy and Community
The atmosphere was electric. Live musicians played everything from old-world Italian classics to modern funk, while DJs spun records that had even the most reluctant dancers tapping their feet. Outdoor patios at mainstays like Café Diplomatico, Vivoli, Utopia Cafe and Grill, and Sicilian Sidewalk Café were overflowing with guests, many of whom raised their glasses in salute to a truly spectacular kickoff to summer.
Families pushed strollers, teenagers took selfies under the glowing Taste of Italy banners, and street performers kept the crowd energized. With hundreds of vendors lining the sidewalks, the streets felt like a massive piazza—buzzing with laughter, conversation, and the unmistakable feeling of community.
But Where’s the Italian Food?
While the festival was undeniably fun and well-attended, a recurring sentiment echoed among longtime visitors and first-timers alike: there simply wasn’t enough authentic Italian food.
Many of the food stands, while delicious, offered familiar fairground fare—tacos, corn dogs, lemonade, churros, and burgers. A handful of booths proudly served wood-fired pizza, arancini, and cannoli, but for an event celebrating Italian culture, these were disappointingly few and far between.
Attendees hoping for regional Italian specialties—like porchetta sandwiches, fresh handmade pasta, or traditional Italian street food—had limited options, unless they lined up at the brick-and-mortar restaurants along the route. More curated Italian food vendors, cooking demonstrations, and regional tastings would help ground the festival more firmly in its roots. I'd suggest a touch of Italianata.
A Place for Everyone
That said, Taste of Little Italy 2025 delivered an unforgettable experience. The turnout was record-breaking, the energy infectious, and the celebration of multiculturalism and community deeply felt. It was a reminder of what Toronto does best: bringing people together, blending tradition with evolution, and creating spaces where cultures are shared and celebrated.
As the city continues to change, events like this provide a powerful link to heritage and identity. The festival remains a cornerstone of summer in Toronto, and with a few tweaks, particularly to enhance the Italian culinary offerings, it could shine even brighter in the years to come.
So, hats off to the organizers, the business association, performers, and businesses that made this year’s event a success. And to the food vendors for next year? Let’s bring back la vera cucina Italiana—Toronto is hungry for it, and so am I.
Now that I'm still writing on the top of Taste of Italy, I'd like to explore something different, to the BIA and CHIN RADIO and TV.
Preserving the Past: A Museum for College Street?
While the Taste of Little Italy celebrates the vibrant present of College Street, it also highlights just how much history lives beneath its modern façade. With every step, festivalgoers walk past decades of Italian-Canadian heritage—once home to bakeries, tailors, travel agencies, and radio pioneers. But as new businesses move in, there’s a growing need to preserve that legacy before it fades.
What if College Street had its own museum?
A dedicated space—perhaps in the iconic CHIN Radio/TV International building—could showcase the street’s evolution through exhibits, vintage photos, menus, and oral histories from the families who built this community. It would be a living tribute to the past, and a cultural landmark for future generations.
Such a museum could be a collaborative effort between the College Street BIA, CHIN Radio, and former business owners. Not only would it educate and inspire, it would bring renewed foot traffic and pride to this beloved neighbourhood.
It's time we gave College Street’s history a permanent home and more Stars on the sidewalk walk of Little Italy. Many names should be there beside those who are there right now, Giuseppe Simonetta, Franco Valli, Rocco Mastrangelo, Enzo Tassone, Leonardo Cianfarani, Mr. Bitondo, Galipo brothers and the list goes on...
Taste of Italy: A Lasagna Lover's Dream at Pasta Palma
The Taste of Italy festival is always a highlight of the year, a vibrant celebration of Italian culture and mixed cultural cuisine. This year, one particular experience stood out: my encounter with the colossal lasagna at Pasta the Palma booth.
It was packed with people waiting in line. Once I got to my place and ordered a plate, I wasn't prepared for the sheer size of the slice I received – it was easily twice the size of a typical restaurant portion, a mountain of cheesy, meaty, pasta perfection.
From the first bite, it was clear this wasn't just any lasagna. The pasta was perfectly cooked, al dente and offering a delightful resistance to the fork. Mamma mia, the layers were generously filled with a rich, flavorful meat sauce, punctuated by pockets of creamy ricotta and a generous blanket of melted mozzarella. Each element was in perfect harmony, creating a symphony of textures and tastes that kept me coming back for one more dish.
The sheer scale of the portion was initially daunting, but the quality of the lasagna made it surprisingly manageable. The flavors were so well-balanced and the ingredients so fresh that even after several hefty bites, I didn't feel overwhelmed. It was a testament to the skill and care that clearly went into its preparation.
Beyond the lasagna itself, the atmosphere at Pasta Palma booth was lively and welcoming. The vendors' staff were friendly and efficient, adding to the overall positive experience. It was clear they were passionate about their food and eager to share it with others. For me, it was a slice of Italy, having the delicious lasagna twice, all I needed was a glass of vino.
Rated: 5 Stars
Scoop Dreams Come True at Sicilian Sidewalk Café
If there’s one place that perfectly captured the sweet spirit of Taste of Little Italy 2025, it was the always-iconic Sicilian Sidewalk Café—and yes, that epic gelato lineup was totally worth it.
From the moment you stepped near the corner of College and Montrose, the scent of espresso and the buzz of happy voices pulled you in. But it was the gelato that truly stole the show—creamy, rich, and bursting with flavor. Whether you went for the classic stracciatella, fruity limone, or indulgent pistachio, each scoop was like a mini vacation in Sicily.
The staff? Absolute gems. Despite the tooooo long line stretching down the block, they kept the energy up with smiles, jokes, and the kind of hospitality that made you feel like family. You could tell they were having fun, and it made the whole experience even sweeter.
Yes, you had to wait. But the crowd didn’t mind one bit. People chatted, laughed, and danced to street music while inching forward. closer to their gelato dreams. And when that cold cup (or cone!) finally hit your hand on a hot June day, it was magic.
Sicilian Sidewalk Café wasn’t just a stop during the festival—it was a highlight. A taste of tradition, a scoop of happiness, and proof that sometimes, the best things in life really are worth waiting for.
Rated: 5 Stars
CuGina’s Flavours
Sweet Heat at Taste of Italy 2025
It took some walking in the blazing sun to find CuGina’s Flavours at the St. Francis of Assisi booth, but it was worth every sweaty step. Chef Gina Cianfarani, co-founder of the food brand company, with the missing Nancy Castro, were selling out fast—especially once the churro samples dipped in Apple Pie, Mango, and Carrot Cake jams started flying.
The vibe? Friendly and fun, even under the scorching heat. Gina charmed the crowd in English, Italian, and a bit of her rustic Spanish, handing out bites of churros topped with jam that tasted like dessert heaven, especially that cinnamon-rich Apple Pie spread.
A portion of sales went to the local church (a historic gem), and the churros came from Churros92 Toronto, the best in the city of Toronto. I came for the jam, stayed for the laughs, and left with a belly full of food, sticky fingers and a smile.
5 stars. I’ll be back next year—hopefully with a bag and a bigger spoon.
Rated: 5 Stars
Mayor Oliva Chow
Mayor Olive Chow had her own booth, taking pictures with the crowd, smiling and listening to the people who stopped by. Very kind of her, but the city’s payment increase for themselves (councillors) isn't my cup of espresso.
Vivoli it's Gone
I’ll miss it more than I can say. The pizza, the people, the patio nights. Vivoli wasn’t just part of the neighborhood, it was part of my life.
As I was writing this article in July, I was told by a friend that the restaurant had closed down. For me, Vivoli wasn’t just a restaurant; it was a ritual. Nestled in the heart of Little Italy on College Street, it was the kind of place that felt like home the moment you walked in. Whether I was grabbing a casual bite or celebrating something special, Vivoli always delivered warm vibes, great food, and memories I’ll never forget.
Their wood oven pizza? Unreal. Crispy, smoky, perfectly blistered crust with fresh toppings that tasted like they were flown in from Naples. I must’ve ordered it a hundred times, and somehow it never got old. Sitting on the rooftop patio with that pizza, a glass of wine, and the buzz of College Street below that was my happy place.
Vivoli had this effortless charm. The staff were always friendly, the ambiance was cozy without trying too hard, and the crowd was a mix of locals, regulars, and even a few famous faces. Drake was known to stop by, and I’ve heard whispers of other celebs like Shawn Mendes and Rachel McAdams popping in over the years. But the real star was the food—and the feeling you got being there.
It’s hard to imagine Little Italy without Vivoli. It’s been a staple for over 20 years, and now, heartbreakingly, it’s closed its doors permanently without any notice. No farewell, no final slice. Just gone.
Rated: 4.5 stars
I’ll miss it more than I can say. The pizza, the people, the patio nights. Vivoli wasn’t just part of the neighborhood, it was part of my life.
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