LITTLE ITALY

The Little Italy neighbourhood came into being during the 1920's.  after World War II, a wave of Italians arrived, settling around College St. 

Chosen as one of the top five unique areas in all of North America, College Street's  name 'Little Italy', became official via the local BIA, recognizing the role this neighbourhood has played as the launching point for Italians in Toronto.

At night, street signs illuminate the shape of Italy’s “boot.” One of the hottest nightspots in Toronto, many of the restaurants and bars open out onto the sidewalk.  A great place to see and be seen, there is also a quaint neighborhood feel mixed in with all of the social activity.

Local Trivia

The Gatto Nero, The Standard Trattoria at College and Beatrice, The Cafe Diplomatico are all long-standing venues where the guys would gather in back rooms to play poker and briscolla.

In 1949, Edwin Alonzo Boyd robbed his first bank, Bank of Montreal at College and Manning.  He went on to rob several more banks successfully without violence   until he was caught in October 1951.  Once in jail he hooked up with  Lenny Jackson and Willy Jackson  and they went on to become “The Boyd Gang”.

Location

Dovercourt to the west, Dundas to the South, Dewson street to the North as far as Grace, from east of Grace Street is College to the North, and Bathurst to the east.

Home to -  Little Italy, Palmerston

Electoral Districts -Trinity Spadina

BIA’s - Little Italy BIA