Introduction
Little Italy is a community steeped in Italian heritage and culture. Although it's home to many different cultures today, in the early 20th century, many Italian immigrants settled in this area and helped shape the businesses on and around the main artery of College St. between Bathurst St. and Ossington Ave.
Lifestyle
The lively neighbourhood of Little Italy is packed with trattorias, trendy restaurants, cafes, pool halls, cool shops and nightclubs – it's a hit of Europe without the expensive plane ticket or brain squeeze of having to learn a new language! This area is also beloved for its old world style houses.
The Vibe
Little Italy is a great example of old world charm and new world modernity. While the Italian character has kept its presence in the community through out the years, the neighborhood has also embraced multiculturalism, attracting new residents of all ages and backgrounds – bringing in a modern flavour that you can see transpire through the food, fashion and bar scene.
Meet the Neighbours
You will meet a real mix of ages in this hood. Quite popular with younger crowds because of its vibrant nightlife and proximity to the downtown core, you’ll also see nonna’s shuffling their groceries down the street, young professionals grabbing an espresso to go, and families enjoying a pizza together in one of the many trattorias along College St.
In the Area
The average house price in this area is $807,638 for a detached home. Getting into this well-sought out area can be tough, with many homes going into bidding wars and achieving well over asking price. New condo projects are being developed nearby, which aim to change up the landscape of this older neighbourhood and offer modern living and amenities.
4.2 km
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
Little Italy is not connected to the rest of the city via subway transit. The area has regular bus routes on Ossington Ave. Streetcar service is busstlilng along the main hub of College St. and also available on Dundas St., and Bathurst St. Drivers are within 10 minutes of the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Blvd.
The Good, the Bad & the Rest
This community consists of well maintained detached or semi-detached single-family homes dating back to the Edwardian period of the early 1900s. College St. acts as the major hub, with a plethora of shopping, dining and night life options. Along this strip, you will also find the Italian Walk of Fame honouring the achievements and accomplishments of successful persons of Italian heritage.
Dollars & Sense
With coffee culture, bars, shops, entertainment and beautiful older houses with character and charm literally outside your door, residents in Little Italy can walk to an average of 25 restaurants, bars and coffee shops in five minutes. But along with lively city living comes common problems, such as inadequate parking. FYI, this area is notorious for parking problems.
Gallery
Neighbourhood Hotspots
Café Diplomatico
With a prime location at the corner of Clinton St. and College St., Cafe Diplomatico is famous for its al fresco dining and serves up casual, delicious Italian food and drinks.
more infoMotoretta
Scoot around the city in style! In addition to selling scooters, motorcycles and life-style accessories, the store carries a great selection of clothing brands such as Fred Perry and Cheap Monday.
more infoDolce
No trip to Little Italy is complete without a scoop or two of gelato. Dolce serves up mouth-watering gelato in a plethora of flavours. Favourite: Chocolate and lemon for a sweet and tart taste.
more infoBaby on the Hip
Urban moms flock to this baby store for its products based on guidelines of sustainability, non-toxicity and overall quality. Find everything you need for your new bundle, including clothing, strollers, skin care and more.
more infoSound Scapes
This independent CD, vinyl, DVD and music book store carries a large inventory of folk, jazz, world, garage, soul, classical, hip-hop, metal and more. Get inspired by the employees' wealth of musical knowledge and recommendations.
more infoVivoli
In the heart of Little Italy, this restaurant serves classic Italian dishes and is known for its pizza. With an ultra-chic ambience and rooftop patio, Vivoli is the perfect place to enjoy food and wine.
more info