It defies it's rating

I am not quite sure why this cramped basement restaurant gleans such good reviews, except that the quality of everything is excellent.
$300 for two, with a couple of bottles of wine. Strong emphasis on Italian wine.
Lovely pasta to start, ( Parpadelle), followed by a luscious sole and then a veal.
Plenty of people queuing to take our place... more

A little above itself

Went for dinner on last night in Toronto.Im not a great lover of two sittings ,but we did feel quite rushed.Food was pretty good and a nice atmosphere.

simply "outstanding

Went to this downtown icon mid-week.
It has a bit of a reputation for being snooty...overpriced.
In a word...OUTSTANDING
Yes...the room was filled with young over anxious downtowners trying to impress..who cares.
The food was amazing...the wait staff and atmosphere to match..
This was a great meal.

Excellent

I rarely give five stars to a restaurant; in fact, this might be the only one I found in Toronto.
First, the ambience: a fairly small, elegantly decorated and candle lit adult restaurant in the Yorkville area. Excellent service, very well prepared food, primarily Italian with a great many fish choices. (was particularly impressed with the freshness and variety of... more

Eat Here! Seriously

If I lived in Toronto, Sotto Sotto would be my go-to neighborhood restaurant. The food is excellent. The space is small and cozy with a fantastic menu and down to earth servers. If you are visiting, or live in Toronto, you should eat here...you will love it.

Great food and ambiance

Excellent menu. Best bucatini since our trip to Italy. Cosy and intimate space with great service. Extensive wine list with varied prices.

Too pricey for what you get

After having read all the positive reviews about Sotto Sotto, my friends and I decided to go there for lunch during the week. When we got there the place was empty, save for the staff and the owners. Perhaps we arrived just after the lunch rush? At any rate, we chose to sit in the front area because there was... more

A Little Piece of Europe

This small below ground trattoria has the same feel and ambieance of a local favorite neighborhood restaurant that you can find if you get away from the tourist traps in Italy and around other parts of Europe. The staff feels like an extension of a family, no pretensions here. You my be in the heart of Yorkville but the service... more

Sotto Sotto. One of Toronto's best

Sotto Sotto happens to be a popular pick for celebrities living or visiting Toronto. Why? Because the service, atmosphere, food, location and value are unbeatable. A sophisticated aura and excellence in all area's front to back, you can't go wrong at Sotto Sotto!

Yes Sotto Sotto was always recommended as the place for the TIFF. So on my birthday this April, it became a surprise place to celebrate by my fiancée . We went to the ROM and then went straight to the restaurant.
No, we did not dress to the 9's because we were at the ROM. But judging from the other patrons, we were okay - leather jackets with chic jeans are the norms.

He told them it was my... more

Hand down one of the best Italian restaurants I've ever been to. Food, atmosphere and service all perfect.

Came here for dinner on a trip to Toronto and wasn't disappointed. It's a very small restaurant that doesn't jump out at you while walking down the street. You walk down some stairs into a dimly lit room with pictures of various celebrities who have visited on the wall. It's a very... more

Come here... You won't regret it

Wonderful restaurant! Came highly recommended by a friend and he knew what he was talking about. Food and service were top notch. They take care of you here. Great ambiance too! Simply put, it's a wonderful trattoria experience!

Perfect. Was a bit concerned as I haven't been in a few years and read through some of the reviews on service and attitude etc. But my experience was perfect - except we couldn't reorder the same bottle of wine. They were out. That happens. Our server Paul was excellent. Just the right touch. Everyone working there was friendly. Great atmosphere.

The best of the best

Never ever in my whole life i've been treated like a queen in a restaurant. Been coming here once a month, place is a bit small..but the service and the food....oo mah gawd! Speechless really. This place is my one and only fav place.

One of the Best Italian Restaurants in Toronto

This is one of the best Italian meals I've had in Canada! We came here for a business dinner, and they gave us a nice secluded table by the front window. It was near the door, but the curtains successfully blocked out the cold, and made us feel important.
I tried the risotto, the calamari/seafood insalata (amazing), and the seafood... more

Love

This was our second visit to this restaurant and it was just as good as the first. Very low lighting which makes for great atmosphere. Food was perfect and service was very professional. So romantic!

Great place for talking women and vino.

Wonderful authentic Italian food

My husband and I visited sotto sotto to celebrate his birthday. After reading many great reviews and reviewing the menu online we were excited for our visit. The restaurant is small with tables closely packed together the corridor to the kitchen is very narrow so for patrons sitting in that row it can get uncomfortable. The atmosphere however is great.... more

OMG ! This place is FANTASTIC ! The atmosphere, the food and wait staff & manager too ! I don't know where to begin other than you cannot go wrong with anything here.

Was here last weekend visiting a friends and they brought us here, which is their favorite restaurant in Toronto. We had a great bottle of wine chosen by our server and started from there...

We had a few apps that were DELICOUS... more

A rare Gem

Great food. #1Sardine and Pasta was just perfect. Perfect destination if u fancy italian food. Service wasn't as good as the food but still very good service. Definitely recommended.

I took my boyfriend here for his Birthday in November. I made reservations pre seeing a play.
The restaurant is very small and initimate. We were seated a little close to the kitchen... so we shuffled our seats a little.
The waiter was very attentive (although we saw about 3 different waiters)
The spaghetti was delicious!!
The appetizers were tasty. The dessert was yummy but nothing out of this... more

Sotto Sotto is oh so good

The fresh fish and fresh ingredients make this authentic Italian food fantastic! The mushroom risotto is the tastiest I have had! It is a little loud at times but cozy and welcoming. You feel like you have traveled to a little restaurant in Italy.

My husband travels to Toronto on business and I was lucky enough to tag-a-long on his most recent trip. He asked his Toronto based contacts for suggestions of the best Italian restaurant in the area and one highly recommended Sotto Sotto. Absolutely a find! It is a darling restaurant situated in the "basement" of a beautiful multi-story building. The atmosphere was very friendly yet quite... more

Great Service. Nice Food

Service was subtle and excellent. The food was very good. Lots of fresh seafood offerings and delicious pasta. Definitely recommended.

Wonderful! Will eat here again next time I'm in Toronto. My faves: grilled octopus, osso bucco and the pistachio panna cotta. All superb!

Outstanding Italian food

My husband and I enjoyed a delicious meal at Sotto Sotto on our recent trip to Toronto. I called that day and they were so gracious to work us in. The service was outstanding and the food was delicious. My husband had lasagna and it was probably the best he has ever had. I would highly recommend this restaurant and... more

We were in town for business. After a long work day we wanted a good meal to cap of the hard work. We chose this restaurant as it was walking distance to the hotel. However it was Saturday and 6:30pm, and we do not have a reservation. We asked the hostess of we could be seated and she was very obliging and found us a table, though we have to vacate in a hour. The waiter, Chris was very pleasant... more

Very cultural place to experience some good Italian food

At first was slightly intimidated by its reputation flocked with 'celebrity' lol... Actually it is a somewhat casual place that would remind you a typical NYC restaurant, small, narrow and long; yet I've found staff helpful, place upbeat, food delicious. It gives a very cultural feeling, where if you've been there a couple times, you feel like you are the... more

Impeccable Dinner

Dined with a colleague and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Salads - Ceasar and Fruit were exceptional. Both of us ordered seafood pasta which offered a generous amount of seafood. The pasta was fresh and prepared al dente. Superb!
Our server was friendly, experienced, attentive and helpful.
This was my first time at Sotto Sotto and will not be my last.... more

My fiance picked this place for our second anniversary and it was a wonderful pick! I was a bit apprehensive as we are a young couple who are university aged and I really didn't want to deal with the snooty servers mentioned in other reviews. Maybe we dressed well or something because we didn't have to deal with that.

It's the small touches like the hostess taking my coat that really makes... more

This place never fails me

It is becoming like a must to eat at Sotto Sotto whenever I am in Toronto. The manager remembers you even if you were absent for months. Starters are selected to reflect everyone's choice after which you can enjoy excellent Italian food. The Sea Bass is delicious so is their pasta which you should not miss. Even of you order... more

One of the best meals i have had in a Restaurant

i have been to many restaurantys and the is One of the best meals i have had in a Restaurant!
it rates very high up in the quality and quantity of the food! i love their Risotto Dishes! Worth the drive from Buffalo if staying over night to eat there!

Wow

You gotta eat here !!!!!!! But you better bring your wallet, You will NEVER taste fresher pasta or sauces ANYWHERE in the WORLD, and believe me I've been around, But 2 shared appies, 3 pasta dishes 2 bottles of HOUSE wine 1 lamb dish were approx. 400.00 BUT again the food is FANTASTIC !!!!

Wow

Loved the setting, great atmosphere . Six of us went for a special family meal as a treat. Quite expensive but worth every penny. the specials were reasonable priced, but the wine bumped the price of the meal up ( 40$ for house wine but was excellent). All of our meals were excellent and portion sizes were good. Was disappointed... more

After glowing reviews from yelp and hotel concierge we had a dinner here on 8/31/12. Before coming we knew the place was small and popular. What we didn't know was that it was small, popular and CRAMPED. They stuffed as many tables into a small place as the can.

I rate eating establishments on three things: service, quality of food and atmosphere. All of this taking into consideration the... more

Wow

Excellent food (please disregard any complaints on here-our meals were AMAZING!!). The staff is super polite, it's cool watching the food be prepared and there is an old-world charm about this place. The downside- very crowded (it's popular so make reservations), it's frequented by a select set of people who will get seated first (hey, they're family and repeat guests)... more

A night out

My wife and I made reservations and had dinner here after hearing about Sotto Sotto from a lot of people, but were not that impressed. Yes, food was good and good portions but not the best flavors, almost bland on all our orders which included clams as appetizer, lamb chops and the veal al limone was too buttery. The place... more

Fabulous Italian

What a wonderful diiner we had here! The ambiance, the food, the wine... and the service were perfection! Romantic cozy tables and the food melts in your mouth.... Friendly service, almost as if you were eating in their home and not dining out... really made it a nice warm friendly atmosphere....they spent time chatting with us and suggested a few... more

Found an overall cheap and phony atmosphere. Wouldn't go back.

Yummy Italian

If you are a fan of italian cusine. This place has delicious food and veraity. However it is a basement unit. Very dark and narrow. Even tho you made reservation you have to wait at least 40 min. On the stairs (almost in the closet with all the coats) that is their waiting area.

Molto Buono

.... which according to Google Translate means very good.
Amazing carpaccio to start - one of the best I've had. Followed by mushroom risotto. Yum!
Great service. And a great collection of photos of famous visitors.
Worth a visit for sure.

Best Italian in Toronto

This is a crazy, noisy, crowded restaurant in midtown Toronto with great Italian food. Helps if you go with someone who is known to the restaurant owners (all on duty), when it gets even better. All the food os cooked on site - how they do it in the tiny kitchen is one of life's great mysteries.
If you dare... more

Like in Italy

Mama-Mia!!! Wow I loved sotto...I got the Ville Lemone and Spaghetti Arbihata. Truly amazing and delicious. The waiters were extremely friendly. I'll be back for more! Thanks Sotto-keep up the good work!

Ate here over the weekend with my girlfriends.

Upon first impression, it had a dark atmospheric vibe that was somewhat romantic, but also very cramped and squished... It felt like dining in a cave, but with 40 other people crammed together. We were seated at one of the room entrances, so I had to sit pressed up against the table the whole time, or would've been constantly bombarded by dishes... more

Wonderful Meal

We went to Sotto Sotto for the 1st time in many years. It was always one of our favourites, and tonight was no different. The ambiance, wait staff and food were top notch. Granted it is not an inexpensive place to eat, but it is not way overpriced either.
All in all a very nice time.

nice evening

Went with my mom and my sister on our ladies weekend. had a table near the window and enjoyed the great food, the great wine and the great scenery

Wanna get ripped off

Went here with a large group of friends for a friends birthday last week. Our bill came to just about $1100.00 for about 10-12 ppl. The food was mediocre at best. I was charged $17+ for a "Caprese Salad" which consisted of 3 pieces of tomato and 3 pieces of buffalo mozzarella...a tiny squiggle of balsamic reduction on the plate... more

Overrated

Pretentious beyond belief. Horrible service and mediocre food.
Sorry...but a wall of celebrity photos does not automatically qualify a restaurants QUALITY!

Best way to describe it was "Mixed

Hadn't been in over a year - I had gone a few times many years back. Back then there were less choices for good Italian and always thought it was good, but pricey. That said, food quality wasa little inconsistent even back then.
The return trip was somewhat a let-down. The seafood rissoto was a bit bland. This dish is... more

Very Disappointing

I have passed by this restaurant for years and finally decided to give it a try for a birthday dinner. What a disappointment!!! Like many Toronto restaurants, Sotto Sotto is extremely noisy with tables that are very close together, but it was the worst I have ever experienced. What makes it particularly uncomfortable is that the restaurant is in a... more

Great athmosphere, cozy, combines traditional with modern. Amazing Italian wine list. Made reservations and arrived on time, but had to wait about 15 minutes. The manager provided free champagne glasses and dessert. The tiramisu is authentic.

This is definitely a "celebrity" place with pictures all over the walls of the owner with the likes of Brad Pitt and many many others going waaaay back.

As I walked in I felt like I was walking into a NYC Italian restaurant - small, quaint and narrow. There's no waiting area or place to comfortably stand while waiting for a table. The small narrow walkway allows you to see the long narrow... more

Best Italian in Toronto

Fantastic service and atmosphere. The food is really homemade quality. We had the Turkey,Veal and Lamb Meatloaf and a pasta dish. They were both heavenly! Excellent wine selection. Fairly priced for that quality.

Came here last weekend w the bf
He's never tried it but was looking forward to try it from my parents great review!
We dIdnt't have res but was on yorkville and called asking if they had a table for 2 in about 15 mns if we walked down. The guy on the phone said no problem and when we got there a table was ready right in the corner, perfect for people watching :)
My bfloved it, of course. We... more

Sotto Sotto Great First Date Spot

Been to this upscale authentic Roma style Trattoria many times, and always have had a good meal. Very authentic and favoured by the Celebrity crowd who usually stay down the street at the Four Seasons close by. Check out the pics on the wall, great way to say to your date - look where who else has been here and... more

Didn't Pay so It was AMAZING

My brother took me here for my birthday and it was fabulous - at those prices it had to be. Very crowded and uncomfortable but it is the "the" place to be seen so I was seen..... LOL
I had eaten there once before with mixed reviews - but this time was excellent - and I didn't have to pay... more

Delicious Italian food

Found this restaurant on Yelp, it turned out a success! Real and delicious Italian food. I had the veal with walnut and the chocolate cake, both very good. You can taste the different flavors.
It is very crowded and can be noisy. Just make sure the reserve a table in advance.

No Love for Sotto Sotto

We ventured to Sotto Sotto on our 25th Anniversary last night looking for love,
but sadly found not much of it.
We love Italian food, have eaten at some wonderful places in the GTA, and with
Sotto Sotto’s reputation as a premier dining locale, hopes were high.
Things started poorly right off the bat with a basket of stale bread... more

I love sotto sotto... Their seafood risotto that comes in a pot is incredible. Their bruschetta its beyond words. I love how you feel like your going into an underground cave in italy their. When I was younger it was a hotspot during filmfest time. Now that has died down a bit.
Its very rustic with dim lighting.. The only downfall is they dont have a waiting area and should learn to say no to... more

Unbelievably poor treatment

I go to Sotto Sotto about 5-6 times a year, mostly with vendors through work as an I.T. executive (convenient to my office). However, I will never ever set foot in Sotto Sotto again after the treatment I received yesterday and encourage anyone and everyone to do the same.
My cousin from Australia, who I see about once every 5... more

Who's Who is always here

First time we have been disappointed.I started off with the tender octopus which turned out to be tough.My wife and I come specifically for the Pappardelle with porcini mushrooms...the mushrooms were dry and the pasta was too al diente.We were not happy,however our friends were very happy with their meals,perhaps a sous chef had a bad day.
The restaurant was... more

Atmospheric Italian

Sotto Sotto is aptly named as it is a lower-ground-floor restaurant set in a sort of underground cavern. It's up Avenue Road, on the left about a quarter of a mile north of Bloor and opposite the Hazelton Mall. You descend into a grotto, with displays of produce laid out on the right, followed by an open kitchen, while on... more

Great Service and good food

I've eaten here before and the service is consistently good, we made last minute reservations and they made every effort to accomodate us. The food was pricey but very good and the service was pleasant and appreciated.

Nicely prepared Italian food

Sotto Sotto is one of the many Italian restaurant in the cosmopolitan Toronto. The restaurant is in the trendy area of Yorkville. We made the reservation through the hotel we are staying. Waiting time at the entrance was very short and we were given a nice table.
The dishes are well-prepared, the pasta is properly cooked (I had pappardelle with... more

Excellent food and ambience

The whole fish was excellent as was the penne with salmon and asparagus. Supper cozy and service was great. Nice Italian bistro and would definitely go back.

I would rate Sotto Sotto 3.5 stars

We had a 9:45 pm reservation and showed up there a little earlier thinking we would grab a drink before we get seated. Big mistake - they do not have a bar area and no waiting area either. The front entrance is quite entertaining with pics of all celebrities (many pics have been repeated several times) but very congested for waiting. I would recommend getting... more

Overpriced for medicore food. Service impersonal. Felt processed. Too noisy to hear my date. Went 30 years ago, & wont go back for another 30.

good food in a good location

the food is good but the restaurant is crowded and some people dont like going downstairs to a restaurant. worth a try though

Good Food, Good Wine

Delicious Italian restaurant in the Yorkville area that can actually be affordable. If you wanna treat yourself, get a nice Italian bottle of red wine. They have so many options and I haven't had a bad one yet. Worth the hype.

Best Italian restaurant in Toronto

Great food, service and atmosphere here. Very kind and friendly staff. Connie is one of the staff members who stands out here and is so gracious and helpful with all of the customers. Every meal... more

Great time

Went out for an anniversary. Service was spot on. Food was fantastic. Wife had fish and I had a lasagna. It tasted authentic. Prices were what I expected. Wine list was extensive and fairly... more

Went there this past weekend (8/26/2012) on a Sunday night while traveling through Toronto. My girlfriend and I did not have reservations, but the staff was very accommodating and we were seated immediately (although I found out afterwards that this is very uncommon due to the popularity of this restaurant). The atmosphere is very quaint and pleasing, although the ceilings are somewhat low for... more

Great place for a special occasion

We had the caprese salad, gnocchi, veal eggplant & chocolate souffle cake. The caprese salad & gnocchi were delicious - lots of flavour. veal/eggplant dish was surprisingly a bit bland. The chocolate... more

OK seriously this place was ridiculous. One of the best meals of all time. So much food and I could barely dent but YUM! This is my first time visiting Sotto Sotto and I loved it! I ate there just recently with a friend from Toronto who recommended this restaurant.

The atmosphere is amazing, with the rustic architecture and dimmed lighting. It's a very beautiful restaurant that's located... more

Good Italian food. Not as good as it should be for the prices. Ambience is really nice. Service was very mediocre. I have it 3/5 as I much prefer other restaurants at this price range.

Small but cozy place and apparently a favorite of many celebrities during the film festival. No review could really do justice for how FREAKIN AWESOME the food was.... I recommend the pesce del mondo. Call ahead & make reservations though, this place is packed by 7:00.

If your in need of fine Italian Cuisine in Toronto Downtown Sotto Sotto is the best Italian Restaurant in the city. Their muscles with tomato sauce is to die for and their Sea food risotto is one of a kind!

Went here with my boyfriend because we wanted serious Italian food and a romantic atmosphere. When we got there, it was jam packed even though it was 9:30. Our reservation was for 9:45 and they didn't keep us waiting for long although the waiting area was non-existent so people were packed up against the walls and the stairs. But they posted all the pictures of celebrities that had dined there... more

Came to Toronto for Business and went to a few spots.
This spot was amazing.
Got Seafood Risotto, Wine, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Grill Platter.
Carbonara was one of the best I have ever had, and the RIsotto was amazing.
The seafood was super fresh and grilled to perfection, with a nice char grilled taste.
A must eat in Toronto

Excellent italian food!

Sotto Sotto is a great restaurant for a lively, classy dinner. I took a significant other there for a special occasion, wanting to try a new restaurant. The room was louder than I typically prefer, and there wasn`t much space (nearly approaching the packed feel of Fresh) but the positive energy of the restaurant and its patrons made the volume ok for me, once I adjusted my expectations away... more

Absolutely outstanding Italian. Have been there a few times, and have never been disappointed. Even the angel hair pasta was al dente... Perfect. And reasonably priced as well.

Another fine-dining favourite! I love this place. Like FIVE STARS love it, as you can see.

Great, cozy atmosphere - fabulous place to impress a date. AHEM!

Officially it's called "Sotto Sotto Trattoria", so you know what kind of food you're in for.

My favourite apps are the grilled wild mushrooms and the cheese plate. The bread is (obviously) fantastic too.

My fave salad is the Carlos,... more

Deee-licious. I had one of the "best meals ever" here. I love their steak.

Unfortunately I did not have a great experience at Sotto Sotto. Was there just a few weeks ago and received such a bad and snobby treatment from the host and waiters that I decided to leave even before they put some bread on my table. It was that bad.
I have been to sister resto Spuntini, and this is not the case, not sure why Sotto Sotto is such a snobby restaurant. What I do know is that I... more

EXPENSIVE - YES. AWESOME - YES!

Bobby, you know Dinero, yeah - we've dined here. Not together, but we like this place. It is THE place! A place to gawk at celebrities and the pretty people. A place to get both delicious and fresh food, made to order, with accomodating & very attentive service. They have an expansive wine selection, and offer two different dining area experiences. The top... more

"""Food was excellent. Service was sub-par. Menus were given when plates were nit offered, required several re-orders."""

I probably like this restaurant a bit better than Spuntinis - only because their pasta, I find, is better. However, this is probably not the greatest way to pass judgement since I've eaten at Spuntinis multiple times while I've only been to Sotto Sotto once.

I went with a girlfriend of mine. Real simple review:
1. The bread was good
2. The pasta was really good
3. The service was meh - our... more

Amazing. What else can I say? This is one of the finest Italian meals we've enjoyed outside of Italy. I started my meal with the polenta and mixed mushrooms. My wife had the carpaccio. Both were amazing. The polenta was authentic and creamy and the beef was sliced paper thin and served with a beautiful olive oil. What a start!

We then moved on to the mains. I had the capellini with shrimp and... more

Great Italian food. Has a reputation for catering to the stars who visit Toronto. Don't worry if you cannot get a reservation.. there are many places in T.O. that serve wonderful Italian .

food always fresh. Service always helpful. Lots of fun and the lemoncello cheesecake is a winner

"""Food is below the average Toronto Italian. Atmosphere okay. They must comp every celeb meal, because the restaurant above them is every bit as good."""

"""This spot is a celeb fave. Getting a reservation suring TIFF is almost impossible. Food is traditional italian and sublime, a non-arrogant service and romantic atmosphere makes it worth it to come back over and over."""

slightly better than the sister place in Forest Hill

This restaurant is fabulous! It is very romantic.. you truly feel as though you're having dinner in a quaint & cozy restaurant somewhere in Italy. It's perfect for dinners with your hubby. This restaurant has superb staff, whom are charming, and very knowledgeable of the menu. The food, from beginning to end was an absolute dream. I mean, anything from the appetizer to the main course and... more

i'm surprised this is not a more reviewed place. it's pretty great. good room, nice staff, good wines, great food. i always go there when in town.

Always good. Cozy and personal.

Great food but tight quarters means it always feels crowded in there.

if you like eating in a cave this place is for you

"""This is our most favorite Italian restaurant ever. We're from the bay area in U.S. and there's nothing like """"Mama's"""" Lasagna, not to mention all the other dishes. You have to order it special. Inf fact, when we attend TIFF each year, we make sure we ar"""

Always consistent and incredible food. Ambiance is stellar and attracts a sophisticated crowd. The service staff are knowledgeable and you are able to comfortably allow them to guide you into new pairings and choices if you can stray away from your favor

"""exceptional service - wait staff and management feel like family! good wine selection. good selection on menu and wait staff are very happy to make suggestions. great taste in the entrees, and great value for servings."""

"""Ok, overall. But has its devotees."""

great italian with popular crowd

Solid Italian choice.

"""Sotto Sotto has been a favourite of ours for many years. The food is always good and the service is generally very good. Watch out for very busy nights however, you dinning experience can take an extra 30 minutes or more."""

I tried with all my might to go here during the film festival but alas, no such luck. (I was really in the mood for star gazing... of the hunky brad pit kind). So, instead, I booked a table for 12 for my birthday a few weeks ago. The table was great, we were all able to look at each other (as opposed to a long a@s awkward table). Let me tell you, finding a place that didn't take a minimum and... more

This review is long overdue, but the fact that I am still posting it is a testament. I live in LA now, so I haven't been back for almost 7 years, but this is hands-down one of two places that serves the best tiramisu I've ever had in my life. In fact, I'm afraid to order tiramisu on anyone's menu now because I feel like anything else will pale in comparison. I don't remember what I had for... more

This used to be my 'good restaurant' of choice for a few years. Great place for romantic dates, anniversaries and the like until everyone else started using it for the same, which is not a bad thing. Well, it was for me as I noticed the prices creep up a bit.

The locale is set underground in a basement, however they have given it a very cave like feel. A very well addressed cave mind you. With... more

i went there for my birthday a few years ago. the food was decent enough, but not what I was expecting. The menu was a bit expensive for what I would pay, and I felt they may have skimped on the fresh ingredients.

Overall....just okay. Would only go back if the prices dropped.

Really, really, really, good- friendly service, romantic (although I ate alone, and they were very nice!), great authentic, rustic Italian food. PErhaps a little pricey, but that's what you get when you have limited seating and great food. I stumbled into this place on a walk and would highly recommend it.

I was pleasantly surprised with my overall experience at Sotto Sotto.
The experience started as such: made 9:45pm reservations, but i was not seated until after 10pm. I was less than annoyed at that but I did not let it get to me. The place appears small from the outside, but it is certainly not very small on the inside... and rammed!
My date and I started out with bruschetta which was... more

I own two restaurants in USA and I'm always looking for the hidden gem!! Sotto sotta is just that!! I stayed at the Hazelton and I was hungry abit late and the conciege phoned sotto sotto and they were closing but kept the kitchen open for me and fed me like I was family. Grandma even câmera out of The kitchen to meet me. Since then i go there everytime I'm in toronto and refer all of my... more

As you can probably tell by now, I eat out A LOT and I love good food. I'm happy to indulge in expensive meals, if they are worth it.

And Sotto Sotto is worth it. Every time.

This is a very traditional Italian restaurant:
- The ceilings are low.
- The waiters are genuine and friendly (and yes, they clean the crumbs off the table!)
- The lighting is dim.
- The patrons are quiet and discreet.
-... more

Good food. Terrible at accommodating reservations.

Fabulous restaurant

My husband and I went to Sotto Sotts last night for our wedding anniversary. It was amazing. We were escorted to our seats within five minutes to the back room which was very private and romantic at a table for two. The servioe was excellent and the food equally as... more

I HIGHLY recommend Sotto Sotto. The service was amazing, aside from the waiter forgetting my Tiramisu and latte at the end of the meal, but whatever; between appetizers and main he cleaned the crumbs off the table! I've never seen that before.

I'm constantly on the search for the best "Caprese Insalata", and I think I've found it. Sotto Sotto's Bufalo Caprese was melt-in-your-mouth fantastic!... more

It's always a special treat to dine at Sotto Sotto. Love the food, atmosphere and especially the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake! It's very cozy and reminds of someplace in Europe.

Been wanting to go here since I got an awesome recommendation from a friend several months ago. Now, I am kicking myself for not going here earlier. It basically blew me away. It's listed under Annex neighborhood, but really its bordering Yorkville and the Annex.

Took my girlfriend there for dinner. The place was very cozy and romantic. The decor and atmosphere reminded me of a couple of... more

Mouth watering food but super expensive. I would give it 5 stars if it was slightly more affordable. The Dulce de Leche Cheesecake is to die for.

Lively and helpful service, excellent food. Split the grilled seafood platter and was very satisfied. Fun and delicious.

Excellent Yorkville Italian with an authentic menu. Very friendly service in a cozy atmosphere.

Food was quite good, wine list extensive by overpriced. Service quick but competent and pleasant enough. The space is cramped but cozy. Oddly, my biggest issue was with the snotty Valet Parking staff who neglect to clear the snow off your windshield after charging you $12 and getting a $3 tip. To top it off, the parking supervisor was using the f-bomb in relation to other patrons. Not good... more

Overpriced wine list, frat boy party spot as for the decor, I moved out of the basement decades ago.

Terrible food served cold, in a cramped and dark basement with stale bread. Staff were rude and snotty did not care about you, felt you should feel honoured to be in their presence. While there I saw Armand Assante why he goes there is a mystery because the Veal Marsala was the worst ever! Buy a TV dinner save hundreds and have it hot.

I thought the service was fine - my brother took me there because he knows I like Italian food and I had heard that it was popular with celebrities so I was eager to check out the food. The food was good, but seemed to be lacking the depth, richness and creativity you would expect from a high-end restaurant. Then again, perhaps this isn't really known as a high-end restaurant but rather a... more

I have given up on this restaurant. Although the cuisine is reasonably good, it fails to make up for the rampant snobbery exhibited by the staff.

This is one of my favourite Italian restaurants. The decor is intimate very Italian, small Trattoria. The food was superb. The waiters that I have had are both knowledgeable and friendly. It's also great for celebrity sittings. The desserts were exquisite.

This is the best Italian food Ive had ... fine dining qu...

This is the best Italian food Ive had fine dining quality but the portions are Momma-sized.

I can see why all the stars come here. The food is amazi...

I can see why all the stars come here. The food is amazing and the ambience cozy. Be prepared to eat a lot as the portions are generous. I wasnt thrilled with the stale bruschetta that they brought to the table when you are seated but the grilled mushrooms in truffle oil appetizer was just right as was the papparadelle in mushroom and white wine sauce. The service was friendly and attentive all... more

Ought to call this place Snotto Snotto- they need to get over themselves. Trying to work "cool" a little too hard. Very cramped and uncomfortable. My wife and I had reservations for 8:30 for my birthday. Left at 9 after it was clearly going to be a while before we got seated. No bar, no seats, no hospitatlity, just a crowd of mistreated patrons growing angry. Regulars seem to get... more

This is the location at 425 Spadina Road. Small portions. Using tinned tomatoes for their sauces, yuck. Still charing over $2 for a non refillable soft drink. Wine prices were reasonable. Service by Melissa was outstanding.Probably a better place to go in the summer, when they use fresh tomatoes and their is no winter chill as people and go.

Last night I had one of my worst dining experiences ever. I have gone to Sotto Sotto with my husband a number of times and had very memorable food and service. Last night I went with a girlfriend, a fellow foody, and the experience was very different. Having eaten at many of TO's best restaurants, we are not neophyte diners by any stretch of the imagination. Last night was our first truly awful... more

My wife and I had a miserable experience at Sotto Sotto. Big birthday celebration ruined. We waited 30 minutes for our reserved table, standing up in a crowded space with low ceilings, no refreshments, then left. There were 20 people waiting when we left, and it was clear that this was how they did business every night. Forecast - no one goes there any more its too crowded. Mgt needs to... more

While a charming and cramped basement, that's the price of popularity. There are excellent dishes, and simple can be outstanding. The wine list is extensive, the servers know the list, and no doubt you can find something excellent if a bit too pricey.

Whatever they are cooking, I'm eating !!!

Cavernous and romantic. Molto bene cuisine and family service. A favorite every time we visit Toronto.

Enjoyable wine list including some unique selections for those willing and able to splurge.

We enjoyed the fish -perfectly cooked (make sure you ask for it cooked "medium rare or rare"). Friendly service.

Yummy fish and pasta in this cavernous restaurant

it hotly competes with it's sister upstairs, which I think wins by a head.

With so many fantastic italian restaurants in Toronto, not sure why this keeps coming up and why so many LA actors and actresses are spotted there. Cannot possibly be for the overrated food.

The worst dining experience of my life. Forget it if you are not known.