If you’re looking for fresh Italian food in Toronto, Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar is a popular spot known for its handmade mozzarella, pasta dishes and lively restaurant atmosphere. With several locations across the city, it’s a favourite for both locals and visitors wanting a casual but high-quality Italian dining experience.
During our trip to Toronto, we stopped by to see if the food lived up to the hype — and to try some of their freshly made dishes for ourselves.
Dining at Scaddabush:
We visited Scaddabush on the second day of our trip to Toronto. That evening we had booked the Free Third Tuesday tickets at the Royal Ontario Museum, so we wanted to grab something to eat beforehand.
We arrived around 4:30pm, expecting it to be fairly quiet — but to our surprise the restaurant was already buzzing. Given its downtown location close to major transport hubs, it made sense why it was so busy even at that time.
We were quickly seated and greeted by a friendly waitress who brought water to the table and talked us through the menu.
Atmosphere & Setting:
Inside, the restaurant has a stylish and modern Italian feel with warm lighting, contemporary décor and an open kitchen vibe.
The only slight downside is the size of the restaurant. It’s a big venue, which means lots of tables — and naturally that brings a lot of noise. It wasn’t overwhelming, but it did mean we had to speak a little louder than usual to hear each other.
Still, the lively buzz added to the overall energy of the place.
What We Ordered:
- 3 Cheese Truffle Charity Bread
- Carbonara Supplì
- Spaghetti Carbonara
- The Butcher Pizza
The charity bread arrived loaded with garlic butter, freshly made mozzarella, Grana Padano and parmesan, served alongside a rich San Marzano tomato sauce. The carbonara supplì were deep-fried panko-crumbed balls filled with spaghetti carbonara — crispy on the outside and creamy inside — again served with the same tomato sauce.
Both starters were absolutely incredible, though we quickly realised that portion sizes in Toronto tend to be much bigger than in the UK. By the time we finished the starters, we were already feeling quite full!
The Spaghetti Carbonara looked, smelled and tasted fantastic, with rich flavours and perfectly cooked pasta. My choice, The Butcher Pizza, was topped with smoked bacon, fennel sausage, pepperoni, tomato sauce, pecorino, roasted garlic and caramelised onions. It was genuinely a brilliant pizza — easily one of the top three pizzas I’ve ever had.
Service & Overall Experience
Service throughout the meal was friendly and attentive. Our waitress explained parts of the menu and even told us how the chefs had recently visited Puglia in Italy, inspiring some of the dishes on their special menu.
She also offered us the chance to watch the chefs making fresh mozzarella, which added a really nice interactive touch to the experience.
As for price, it was very reasonable for a restaurant in downtown Toronto. Once again we had to remind ourselves that Canadian menus list prices before tax and tipping, so the final bill was slightly higher than expected — but still cheaper than we’d budgeted for.
Final Thoughts:
Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar turned out to be a fantastic choice for our early dinner. The food was generous, flavour-packed and clearly made with quality ingredients.
With friendly service, great Italian dishes and a lively atmosphere, it’s definitely somewhere we’d happily return to on our next visit to Toronto.
Pros and Cons:
- Excellent Italian dishes with generous portions✅
- Friendly service and knowledgeable staff✅
- Can be on the loud side depending on how busy it is❌
Gourmet Gauge: A lively Italian restaurant serving generous portions and flavour-packed dishes. If you’re exploring downtown Toronto and craving pasta or pizza, Scaddabush is a fantastic choice.
Taste: 8.5/10 🥄
Presentation: 8.5/10 🍽️
Ambience: 7.5/10 🕯️
Service: 9/10 👨🍳
Value for Money: 8/10 💰
Total: 41.5/50 Highly Recommend!
Click here to see where they land on our Gourmet Gauge Scoresheet!
You can find “Scaddabush” at the following location:
200 Front St W Unit #G001
Toronto, ON
M5V 3K2
Canada
Have You Visited Scaddabush Recently?
Have you eaten at Scaddabush Italian Kitchen & Bar? Let me know what you ordered — and whether you tried their fresh mozzarella!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scaddabush good for pizza in Toronto?
Yes — their pizzas are packed with flavour and generous toppings, making them a great choice if you’re looking for Italian food in Toronto.
Does Scaddabush make fresh mozzarella?
Yes, many locations prepare fresh mozzarella in-house, and guests may even be able to watch the process.
Discover more restaurants, attractions and travel tips in our full Toronto guide!
The Taste Trekker 
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