Breadcrumb Trail Links
Toronto & GTA
Published Jun 18, 2025 • Last updated 33 minutes ago • 2 minute read
You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.
Attendees at Taste of Little Italy in Toronto. Photo by Little Italy BIA /FacebookArticle content
Where’s the pasta?
Advertisement 2
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors
Article content
Over the weekend, many celebrated the annual Taste of Little Italy as it is not only one of Toronto’s premier food festivals but it also marks the unofficial beginning of summer.
Article content
Article content
The event is set in the heart of Little Italy on College St. between Bathurst and Shaw Sts., so locals and visitors alike could sample the food the neighbourhood has to offer, given its abundance of authentic restaurants, cafes, bakeries and shops.
That said, many who attended the weekend-long street festival found there was a lack of actual Italian food.
One Toronto content creator, who goes by @lifewith_kaiya on TikTok, shared a video of her search for “any semblance of a taste of Italy” – but only found Japanese and Mexican cuisine, as well as “meat on a stick” and “corn juice,” though their origins remain a mystery.
Your Midday Sun
Thanks for signing up!
Article content
Advertisement 3
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
Another TikToker, @theharrisoncrookss, wrote on his video, “I don’t know why it’s called Taste of Italy, I saw more jerk chicken and empanadas than pasta.”
One commenter wrote, “Facts because that strip of College is barely Italian anymore.”
Some took their complaints to Little Italy’s Instagram page, writing, “Nothing to do with Italians. What a shame.”
RECOMMENDED VIDEO
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Play Video
One visitor commented there was “very little Italian this year,” while another mentioned that the last time they attended there were “next to no Italian vendors.”
One person wrote: “The only reason I don’t like this is because now all of the festivals have the exact same vendors! There’s kind of no point in going to all of them if the stuff is the same.”
Read More
Majority of GTA residents planning for staycations this summer, poll finds
Councillor Chris Moise caught up in yet another naming controversy
City councillor wants Toronto to follow New York’s lead on transit safety
Another agreed, noting the same vendors were at Do West Fest the weekend before.
However, one user pointed out, “I’m pretty sure the whole point of Taste of Little Italy is to experience the culture food and diversity of the neighbourhood like Do West Fest.”
Many of the restaurants were represented streetside as well, from Café Diplomatico, Fat Lulu’s Pasta, Danny’s Pizza Tavern Taverniti and Riviera Bakery.
Advertisement 4
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Article content
But it appears that many other cuisines dominated, leading many to question the absence of the festival’s Italian roots.
However, one person pointed out: “OMG, it’s Taste of Little Italy not Taste of Italy, please enjoy the awesome variety we get!”
Article content
Share this article in your social network