By Elizabeth Zhu on June 26, 2026 Verified by Google

Lovely Italian restaurant on College St! They gave us complimentary prosecco when we came in as we came here for our wedding anniversary.

The food was fantastic! We enjoyed everything. The cacio e pepe butter that came with the bread literally tasted like cacio e pepe! My husband doesn't usually love beets but he liked the beet salad. The radicchio salad tasted funky like blue cheese and was memorable for us. The ricaotta gnocchi was melt in your mouth pillowy and soft. The least impressive was the cheese board and we weren't really sure how to eat it (Do we put the cheese on the leaf or no? How do we eat the mushrooms in the cup?). The crispy potatos were really nice too, expected it to be a basic side dish but it was actually came with a tasty sauce and could be enjoyed as it's own dish.

The restaurant itself is very clean, nicely decorated, and has a modern yet rustic farmhouse feel. The servers were all warm, friendly and attentive.

We were eventually the last ones in the restaurant and they dimmed the lighting. Wasn't sure if it was because they were closing up or cause they wanted to make it romantic for us haha. Definitely recommend Contrada for your next date night!

By Christina Shmordok on June 15, 2026 Verified by Facebook

Decided to celebrate my birthday with a couple of my friends at Contrada.

The interior is very lovely, but we ended up opting to sit on the patio. The staff was nice enough to turn on the heat lamps when it did start to get a little colder.

To drink, I ordered the cereal monogamist. I thought it was a nice drink, as I did finish it fairly quickly. We also ordered a couple shots of tequila.

Ordered for the table:
Bread
Olives
Crudo
Shrimp
Risotto
Pork Chop alla Milanese
Crispy Potatoes

The bread had come out first, and we were hoping the olives would have been brought out with the bread. The olives did end up taking a bit longer, which I thought they had initially forgot to punch in the order. But they do come out warm, which was nice.

I’d have to say we really enjoyed the crudo and shrimp the most. The polenta that the shrimp was served with was delicious. The crudo was fresh and flavourful.

The main dishes, which were the risotto, Milanese, and the side of potatoes were good but it was my first time having a pork chop Milanese and I don’t know how I feel about it. Maybe it’s just a personal preference, but I do wish they had a chicken Milanese instead. The potatoes were delicious though and the risotto was alright. This is all just personal opinion. The pork chop Milanese I was told is a very popular dish.

Service was amazing. The staff here are very kind, knowledgeable, and attentive. Our server was very sweet and even brought out a sorbet with a candle.

I would definitely return as we did have a really nice time.

By Bong Bong on May 15, 2026 Verified by Google

I like the food here, but I don’t like the way the staff arrange the seating. There were still plenty of empty tables and not many customers, yet they didn’t prioritize giving better seats. I don’t think that’s a smart way to do business. The food suits my taste very well.

By Roslin Perang on April 25, 2026 Verified by Google

We came here for a date night to celebrate my partner’s birthday and our recent move-in, and it made for a lovely evening. We asked for a quiet corner and were happily accommodated. Service was thoughtful—attentive without hovering, and our server was helpful in walking us through the menu.

We shared the shiitake tempura with greens and vinaigrette to start, which was a pleasant surprise—great contrast in both texture and flavour. For mains, we had the whole sea bream and a braised beef pasta. The fish was beautifully charred and paired well with the sauce, while the pasta leaned a bit heavy and meat-forward for my taste, though still well-executed.

Overall, a solid spot for a special occasion with a nice balance of ambiance and service.

By luahh on April 7, 2026 Verified by Google

What a way to get through hump day by visiting Contrada for the Visa dining series. This was a good motivation for my partner and I to finally check out this Little Italy joint. The tasting menu that night consisted of thoughtful Italian fare; from lamb croquette to chicken liver toast (so flavourful). A standout dish was the seafood cavatelli, with plenty of seafood and a secret spice kick that woke up the palate,(would order this again). The dessert torte was rich and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. We opted for the wine pairing and it was fantastic, from regions we are fond of, and kept pace with every course. Capucine, our server was excellent.

Open late enough to catch up over drinks and a fab meal after work.

This resto will be on our list to re-visit.
Recommend this place for dinner and if you can sit fireside on a cool night, it was a vibe.

By James Marshall on March 6, 2026 Verified by Google

Amazing place, the service was impeccable and the food was next level. Arguably the best beef carpaccio we’ve ever had. Great a unique flavour combinations. We will definitely be coming back.

By Carmelo S on February 28, 2026 Verified by Google

Last night my wife and I slipped into Contrada on College for a much needed, last minute date after a stressful week and it was exactly what we needed.

We were seated in a cozy, romantic corner and walked through the features right away, which we love. We started with the mackerel crostini and lobster crudo, then shared the cavatelli with braised beef cheek and an Ontario strip loin with crispy oyster mushrooms. Every dish was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully executed.

Dessert, their take on a chocolate bar, tasted like Ferrero Rocher, banana, and pure excellence.

Fair pricing, warm service, and a truly memorable evening. Thank you Graham and Patrick. We will definitely be back.

By Zheren Yang on October 13, 2025 Verified by Google

Wonderful dining experience. The pasta, the cocktail, the pork chop was all delicious. Next time we might want to order a salad to balance it out. The restaurant is cozy and intimate. Will definitely return. Probably one of the best meals I’ve had recently.

By Elora Tanna on October 2, 2025 Verified by Google

Visited during happy hour and took advantage by trying multiple items.
The Crudo was refreshing and not too fishy, a solid portion size to share with 3 people.
The Crostini was our favourite. The flavour is really good, all the components go well together in the dish. The Crispy Potatoes are nothing great, not really crispy and the least favourite dish of the table! The Lamb Ribs were cooked well, fall off the bone and good flavour. The Chocolate Bar dessert was really good! A burst of flavour in every bite a mix of banana, caramel, hazelnut, dark chocolate and a crunchy layer.

Atmosphere was really nice and cozy. Enough space between tables and dark lighting.

By Danika P. on September 27, 2025 Verified by Google

We started with the crostini: brined Spanish mackerel, lemon mascarpone, pickled fennel, gremolata. Light yet layered, bright citrus against the richness of the fish. This was a table favorite!

The anolini with crab, mascarpone, chili, and roe was definitely a visual showstopper. Fun to eat and beautifully presented, though for us, the flavor didn’t quite land as strongly as the appearance.

Beyond the plates, Contrada’s decor and ambiance made the whole experience. Stylish without trying too hard, it’s the perfect backdrop for a catch-up dinner with friends.

Would go back for the atmosphere, the service, and those crostini alone. 🥂

By 956biankak on August 23, 2025 Verified by Email

I was super disappointed with Contrada. The quality, taste in the portion size were lacking . Both the Crudo and the crab pasta was very fishy and gross . I felt like the menu just didn’t flow. It was a mishmash of things, and I was also really shocked that the mains did not really have any sides other than the salad that was on the starter, which was not told to us and they only had cheesy potatoes, which in my opinion doesn’t really go with fish. It just was a weird menu. I thought I was coming for Italian food, but it was definitely not authentic Italian . The service was OK. Cocktails were not good or espresso. Martini was loaded with simple syrup . I would definitely never come back. Nothing was a memorable experience, unfortunately.

By Bianka Kamber on August 23, 2025 Verified by Google

I had very high expectations for tonight’s dinner but the food and cocktails did not live up to the hype.I will say the service was good the patio was very cute. We started with the crudo it was very fishy and room temp, I wish it was served cold and tasted fresher. The mushroom dish was not what I expected. You basically only tasted batter. It was so heavy batters and oily. It was a shame because mushrooms are so delicate and don’t need that much batter. The salad was ok . It’s didn’t stand out . The lamb ribs were ok , 4 tiny pieces. I know they are lamb but they had a very “lamby” taste. We then got the Gnocchi and Anolini. The gnocchi was ok, lacked flavour, and it was a tiny tiny portion. The Anolini was so so fishy and gross, over killed by fish roe. It tasted like sushi pasta. I hate to say this word but it was disgusting. To finish we had the pork chop which was probably the only decent things we ate. The potatoes with a cheese sauce were also basic boiled with the cheese sauce . It tasted like left overs. I unfortunately would not come back or recommend the restaurant even if it was paid for. Oh and we also all got the espresso martini it was soo insanely sweet also not done well: I want to taste the booze and espresso but it was over killed with simple syrup. Very disappointing bday dinner and not to mention very expensive for the portions and quality.

By Sonia F on July 28, 2025 Verified by Google

Service, food, and atmosphere all exceptional. Cannot give this enough stars. Cocktails were spectacular. Food favs were the melt-in-your-mouth lamb ribs, the milk bread, burrata, gnocchi, and oh my god the sirloin was to die for. Finished off with espresso and olive oil cake. YUMMERS

By Mel on July 3, 2025 Verified by Google

Such a great experience at this restaurant! Firstly, the food tasted fantastic. My friend and I got the mushrooms as an appetizer and my goodness, it tasted better than what I had expected! Such bold flavours in a small dish, I would definitely order this again. Every dish was delicious on its own. Staff were friendly and attentive and the patio area was set up very nicely. Highly recommend coming here and I would come back again.

By Bredgy L. on July 1, 2025 Verified by Google

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Contrasting each freshly sourced protagonist each dish are thoughtfully executed pairings, that makes every part of your mouth dance. The tuna carpaccio was a strong start, featuring thinly sliced albacore tuna that's cured in kombu to the point of melting in your mouth, dissolving into a fatty and smoky bite. It's topped with crisp endives, refreshing mint leaves and a creamy tonnato sauce that blends seamlessly with the overall smokiness. It's finished with fried capers for a touch of zing and crisp. The sweetbreads though, were so mind-blowingly tasty that we had to get an encore. The succulent, creamy texture gives away with a gentle bite, contrasted with a crispy sear. The rich and fatty taste are paired with a sticky and sweet marsala sauce that was mopped up thoroughly. Nothing beats freshly made pasta for its aromatic eggy essence and springy al dente texture. The cream sauce is rich yet light, allowing you to fully savor the fall-apart tender morsels of milk-braised rabbit meat and the other pops of flavour from the chanterelles, pecorino shavings and crispy chicken skin. Wrapped snugly beneath a comforting pasta sheet, the luscious chicken liver pate filling has a pleasant gaminess and a rich savoriness. Embellished with toasty almonds, crisp shallots, tangy mascarpone, and carpano bianco for an all-inclusive trip to flavour town. Finally, a ridiculously thick and indulgent porkchop is coated in a thin layer of crispy golden breadcrumbs and fried to a juicy perfection. The caper lemon butter sauce adds a harmonious zingy and buttery coating that doesn't soften the exterior too much. The fresh arugula tossed onto top also isn't a thoughtless addition of greenery, as the mild bitter flavour balances the Parmesan and pork wonderfully.

By Cindy Chiche on April 19, 2025 Verified by Google

A really lovely experience overall – the staff were warm and welcoming, and the food was excellent, especially the ricotta gnocchi paired with rosé, the dressed olives, house bread and crostini with mackerel. We did feel a bit rushed during dinner, and the lighting at our table was quite dim, which made it hard to fully enjoy the atmosphere.

By Melinda Yao on March 14, 2025 Verified by Google

I celebrated my birthday here with friends, and it ended up being such a warm, memorable, and effortlessly special evening—way beyond what I expected. Huge thanks to the team at Contrada for making it all happen🩵If you’re looking for a place that feels inviting, thoughtful, and truly cares about its guests, this is it.

The food was fantastic—every dish had its own charm.I lovvvvveeeee Burrata Toast, House Bread, Ricotta Gnocchi, Pappardelle, and Porchetta—and honestly, even the Potatoes were unexpectedly amazing. Each plate had a little surprise, whether in texture or flavor, making the entire meal so enjoyable🥹

For drinks, I highly recommend the 🍅Tomato Mocktail (since I don’t drink alcohol). Not exaggerating—it’s one of the best mocktails I’ve had all year.

But beyond the food, what really made the night special was the thoughtfulness and kindness of the team. From the little personal touches to the way they adjusted things just for us, you could feel that they genuinely wanted us to have a great time. Nothing felt overly rehearsed or forced—just pure hospitality, the way it should be🩵

Huge thanks to the amazing team for the warmth, generosity, and attention to detail. I walked out feeling grateful, and I can’t wait to return🪿🪿

By jacoba283 on December 19, 2024 Verified by Email

Contrada is an excellent restaurant with a great ambience and the service to match. The apps, drinks and especially the Olive Oil cake are all world class.

By X4078VRstevenl on August 28, 2024 Verified by Email

Very poor tonight in all respects. Menu is very limited. Wines were lower quality and $18 per glass. Water glasses had warm water poured. Bread was not at all tasty and expensive. Wife could not eat her pasta. It was a lump and the sauce too spicey. The $59 Branzino fish was tiny and overcooked. Appetizers tiny.overpriced and nothing special. Music was loud making conversation difficult. Waitress was nice but inept. The manager would not call a cab but we were fortunate to have Uber. Nothing about a $228 bill for 2 persons made sense. Skip this place.

By ThingsToEatandDo on November 13, 2023 Verified by Email

Little Italy at its best! Worth a long drive, Contrada is a destination restaurant that checks all the boxes: cozy ambiance, attentive service and casual fine dining with a menu full of familiar flavours in novel combinations. Interesting and unique wines and cocktails plus creative, outside-the-box apps, mains and desserts.

Our favourites were the rich, crispy marsala sweet breads and hearty chicken liver agnolotti but you can't go wrong with anything on the locally sourced menu.

Toronto is full of great food and this is a new, prime example of why tourists and locals love Toronto dining.

This place is perfect for a romantic date night, solo dining or private party. They say that the dishes are meant for sharing, but in my experience, you can have it all to yourself as a solo diner.

5/5 stars