Richmond Hill today is more of a suburban sprawl than a Little Italy, but even as this neighborhood north of Toronto gets progressively more strip-mall-heavy, it’s undeniably one of the GTA’s most popular areas for a plate of pasta. Red-sauce joints and modern trattorias are tucked into almost every plaza, and some of them are even worth navigating the traffic on a Friday night. Here are the best Italian spots in Richmond Hill.
Maria’s Kitchen Italian Cuisine
$ | (905) 737-8752 | WEBSITE
Maria’s Kitchen Italian Cuisine feels like a family dinner on the verge of turning into a warm, welcoming gathering. Its cozy dining room is full of regulars, clinking plates, and Maria herself checking on tables if you care to chat between rounds of pasta. The homemade Italian dishes come with generous, hearty portions and while they don’t overload them with fancy ingredients, you still get plenty of flavor from them.
Some of our favorites include the Rose Penne, with its rich tomato-cream sauce, and the Chicken Parm, with crispy breading and melted mozzarella.
Oregano Pizza & Pasta
$$ | (905) 884-8610 | WEBSITE
Lunch at this classic Italian spot feels like a homecoming, one where you’ll devour grilled calamari and zucchini pizza. The dining room has cozy wooden booths, checkered tablecloths, and so many family photos you might wonder if you’ve wandered into a nonna’s kitchen.
And although you may recognize the generous portions reminiscent of what Nona would serve, it’s uniquely Richmond Hill: perfect for satisfying meals, affordable lunches, or whenever you want to eat seafood pasta with shrimp, scallops, and salmon for only $23.
Sarpa Trattoria
$$$ | (905) 773-2188 | WEBSITE
It’s perfectly natural to believe you’ve discovered the finest Italian dining in Richmond Hill at Sarpa Trattoria. You’ll savor incredible mushroom truffle pizza under a warm, chic glow from pendant lights and enjoy Italian dishes that elevate classic trattoria fare, like tender octopus that ranks among the best you’ve tasted. Fine dining doesn’t mean formal, though. The soft background music complements the calm atmosphere, and servers like Reza weave friendly banter into every recommendation.
It’s all the elegance and sophistication of a high-end restaurant without sacrificing warmth, so extend your evening here for as long as your wallet allows.
Markham Station Restaurant Richmond Hill
$$ | (905) 237-4142 | WEBSITE
Not even the 24-hour convenience can fill the functional, no-frills atmosphere inside this dependable diner. But if you can get past Markham Station’s straightforward ambiance (or lack thereof), this all-day spot reveals its redeeming qualities: a hearty menu that fills whatever gap is left in your day’s schedule. That could be a satisfying breakfast in the morning, a post-work meal with their praised steak sandwich, or a quick brunch during a casual meet-up with friends.
You’ll know you found the place once you spot its reliable presence, ready to serve whenever hunger strikes.
Abruzzo Pizza
$$ | (905) 881-8222 | WEBSITE
Abruzzo Pizza is the dictionary definition of “under the radar.” This casual Italian spot is housed in what looks like a renovated storefront from the 1990s, but step inside for take-out and you’ll find a cozy, welcoming space with a freshly updated interior. The menu revolves around classic Italian comfort food. For a standout, you’ll find the deep-fried panzarotti with meat sauce for dipping—crispy outside, gooey inside—and the homemade gnocchi, which are little pillows of heaven.
The Abruzzo’s Special Pizza, loaded with toppings, is a must-try. Each of these gorgeous dishes costs around $15–$20, but the high quality and friendly, helpful service make them feel like a deal.
Nonna’s Oven
$$ | (905) 770-6800 | WEBSITE
Hidden gems might not be falling from the sky in Richmond Hill, but the Italian scene does have Nonna’s Oven. The cozy spot is tucked away in a neighborhood storefront and has generous portions, friendly service, and a nice atmosphere perfect for dining in or takeout. When you get hungry, just head inside for a slice of their Calabrese pizza or a veal sandwich on fresh bread.
Pizza Pizza
$ | (416) 967-1111 | WEBSITE
A meal at this pizza spot will cost you about $25 for a large pie, which is a reasonable price for just about everybody in modern times. But if you’re in the market for having a casual dinner or celebrating a simple win, Pizza Pizza is a satisfying place to do it. The menu stays consistent, but you can generally expect crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside crusts with quality ingredients like halal pepperoni and vegetarian options ranging from veggie pizza to fries.
Run by a friendly staff including the polite Akki, dinner here feels less like a formal restaurant and more like grabbing food from people who happen to make great pizza in their neighborhood spot.
Oak Ridges Pizza House
$ | (905) 773-9442 | WEBSITE
We’re always skeptical of pizza joints that get hyped up in ‘best of’ lists, so we were wary when Oak Ridges Pizza House kept popping up in Richmond Hill recommendations. But the pizza is so good here, we wouldn’t care if they’re owned by Domino’s (for the record, they’re not). This unassuming neighborhood spot gets crowded on weekend evenings, but if you call ahead for pickup, the friendly staff will have your order ready right on time.
The menu stays pretty consistent with classics like Deluxe and Meat Lovers, but talk to the owner about what you’re craving, and he’ll point you toward something special.
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar Richmond Hill
$$ | (905) 709-4280 | WEBSITE
Richmond Hill has no shortage of lively Italian spots vying for your Friday night dinner dollars. And, right now, Scaddabush is the most reliable choice in the neighborhood. This Italian kitchen first opened as a casual pasta and pizza joint. Now they have a Richmond Hill location that’s very Scaddabush All Grown Up. The dining experience centers around fresh, delicious food with vegetarian options like pizza, pasta, and salads, and there’s plenty of good wine to pair.
While some might miss more seafood choices among the pastas, dishes at this Scaddabush—especially the must-try Balsamic Truffle Mozza and the always great pasta that servers will happily modify—are just as satisfying as anything at their original locations.
IL FORNELLO, Richmond Hill
$$ | (905) 530-1153 | WEBSITE
IL FORNELLO is the standout Italian restaurant from the team behind several popular spots in the area. Having such well-regarded neighbors might seem like a tough gig, but IL FORNELLO is our favorite of the bunch. This upscale Italian restaurant in Richmond Hill is a model of consistency, serving high-quality food that tastes delicious, with reliably great service and a stunning, industrial post-modern space that still buzzes with the same warm energy it’s known for.
The menu is packed with hits, but if it’s your first time, prioritize the Roma salad, chicken parmesan, and gnocchi.
Mamma’s Pizza Richmond Hill
$ | (905) 889-0030 | WEBSITE
The cheesy pizzas at Mamma’s might remind you of a classic Toronto pizza joint that rhymes with “Pizza Nova,” which is probably the point. This unassuming storefront—located in a convenient strip mall with plenty of parking—is one of Richmond Hill’s best affordable dinner options, so don’t be deterred by the occasional delivery hiccup (or the lack of gloves on the pizza makers).
Around dinnertime you’ll find a line of families and office workers ordering boxes of thin crust topped with pepperoni, mushrooms, and mozzarella, plus maybe a garlic dipping sauce or two. Join them and make sure to ask for extra napkins.
Pizza Hut
$ | (905) 237-1114 | WEBSITE
Exceptional service and consistently great pizza: those are the main reasons we send friends to Pizza Hut. This highly-rated restaurant is known for its fast, friendly, and organized team, with the kind and understanding manager Nisarg ensuring everything runs smoothly. While the delivery service is prompt and reliable for hot pizzas arriving on time, we like to visit in person to experience the very clean atmosphere (read: enjoy it fresh from the oven).
Savor delicious pizzas at the table—the hand-tossed veggie pizza is very fresh with plenty of toppings—and appreciate all the quality elements, then wonder why it took you this long to recognize this as the best pizza in town.