A look inside the new Eataly Eaton Centre location and what to expect (PHOTOS)

The day is finally here! Eataly has finally opened its doors inside the Toronto Eaton Centre, marking the brand’s fourth store in the city. With two floors to discover, we got a first look at what shoppers can expect once they step inside the new space.

It’s been over five years since Eataly found a home in Toronto’s Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood, opening its doors in Canada for the very first time. Now with the Eaton Centre opening, it’s clear that Eataly has become more than a novelty for Toronto. It will suddenly become another spot you’ll probably find yourself wandering into on your lunch break.

“Eataly Eaton Centre is a continuation of our story in Canada, cementing our appreciation for the community we’ve built here since first opening Eataly Yorkville in 2019,” said Tommaso Brusò, CEO of Eataly North America.

“As an icon of the city and a premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, we are excited to bring a taste of Italy to CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s impressive roster of retailers, just in time for the holiday season.”

The nitty gritty

The two-level, 25,000+ square foot space features two restaurants, a number of quick service counters, a retail selection of fresh and dry goods, and a wine shop.

In comparison to its Yorkville location, it’s slightly smaller, and that’s due to the fact that it took over part of the old Nordstrom space. It completes the third and final piece of the puzzle, that the new Nike location and Simons storefront are part of.

But don’t let that fool you; it surprised me how large it actually is.

It has an outdoor entrance that faces Yonge Street, and a mall entrance near Simons.

First floor

When you step inside, you’ll be met with The Counters, Eataly’s quick service space for those on the go, grabbing a quick lunch or stopping by for a coffee.

These include:

• Il Gran Caffè – an all-day caffè featuring Illy espresso
• La Pasticceria – a pastry counter with croissants, pasticcini, and other goods
• Il Gelato – a counter with gelato and sorbetto treats
• Pizza alla Pala – a counter offering Roman-style pizza and stuffed farcita

There’s a space to sit down and enjoy your eats — savoury, sweet and everything in between.

You’ll also get a front row seat at the pizza-making magic that Eataly is known for.

Looking for something quick to heat up at home? You can grab some ready-to-heat goods, along with their in-house-made sauces, salads, sandwiches and more.

Though this space caters to those coming in and out, the second floor is perfect for those looking to enjoy a sit-down meal, drink or simply shop at their leisure.

Second floor

The Market

Whether you choose to take the elevator or escalator upstairs, you’ll enter The Market space.

Here you’ll find hundreds of Made in Italy products. We’re talking pantry staples to everyday treats. And like its other locations, you’ll find cheese, pasta and cured meats counters.

Make your way to the back, and you’ll come across what feels like endless options for extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and the 500+ label wine store.

Expect wines from all 20 regions of Italy, domestic and Italian beers, and select liquors, too.

The Restaurants

And right next to the wines is where you’ll find La Piazza. This stunning, intimate bar and restaurant features 50 seats, with a menu of Italian wines and hand-shaken cocktails. Expect both classic and unique cocktail variations like an Earl Grey Vodka Martini, smoked bar-side.

This is the perfect spot if you’re out for a drink, meeting up with a friend or out on a little date. Its food menu includes light bites and aperitivo favourites, from freshly baked focaccia to shareable plates of salumi and formaggi.

And as you walk on up further, you’ll find La Pizza & La Pasta.

One of Eataly’s signature restaurant experiences, La Pizza & La Pasta houses over 190 seats. For those familiar with the restaurant, it is dedicated to two of the best-loved Italian dishes: Neapolitan pizza and artisanal pasta.

You can sit at the cocktail bar and watch as the fabulous bartenders create your drink, or sit and watch the chefs prepare your mouthwatering pizza.

And if you go further to the back, there’s more seating, including along the mall window, where you can people-watch as they do their holiday shopping.

Guests here can enjoy a variety of regional delicacies, seasonal specials like white truffle, and a wine list of over 100 labels.

Time for a visit

While I explored each corner of the new location, I couldn’t help but think: the Eaton Centre really did need something like this.

It fills a gap you don’t realize is there until you’re standing inside it. It feels like a calm pocket in a mall that can get… well, a lot.

And considering we’re in the thick of the holiday season, it really did open at the perfect time.

I can already see it being a spot people slip into when they need a breather — maybe not for the first few weeks of its opening, considering people were lined up for its opening day, but eventually.

It doesn’t try to overwhelm you. It’s not huge but also not flashy. And that’s what makes it feel right.

Eataly Eaton Centre is the brand’s 18th store in North America. We’re sure it won’t be its last.

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Karen Doradea

Senior Staff Writer, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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