Southern Italian cuisine is known for its simplicity, vibrant flavours, and reliance on fresh, high-quality ingredients—think ripe tomatoes, olive oil, seafood, pasta, and an abundance of vegetables. Influenced by the Mediterranean climate, the food is often infused with aromatic herbs and spices, creating dishes that are both comforting and full of character.
Toronto is lucky to have an authentic new addition to this culinary tradition with the opening of Zia’s Place, located at 1543 Dundas Street West. “Zia” means “aunt” in Italian, and the restaurant lives up to its name by offering a warm, welcoming experience that feels like dining in your aunt’s cozy kitchen.
Helmed by chef Jess Maiorano, Zia’s serves soulful southern Italian fare with heart and heritage, drawing inspiration from Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily. The space is long and intimate, featuring wooden floors and tables, burgundy banquettes, and a few curved booths subtly lit by strip lighting underneath—arguably the best seats in the house. The open kitchen is framed by an arched doorway, where you can catch glimpses of the chefs at work. A few touches of greenery and a lively playlist complete the inviting atmosphere. The restaurant seats about 50 guests, including high-top spots at the bar and window counter.
From the very first bite, every dish impressed. We started with two memorable antipasti: a warm pizzetta paired with creamy Stracciatella, served like a golden fritter with crispy guanciale and rosemary—absolutely swoon-worthy. The cheese and salumi board was another standout, featuring freshly made mozzarella, a soft sheep’s milk cheese, fennel cacciatore, marinated eggplant, honeycomb, and sliced salami.
Pasta is the heart of the menu, with selections that rotate based on seasonal ingredients. The Sardinian stuffed pasta, filled with potato and tossed with sweet English peas and St. Brigid’s butter, was a revelation. Equally outstanding was the hand-rolled rigatoni with nduja and pork shoulder—some of the best pasta I’ve had in Toronto, rivaling meals I’ve enjoyed in Italy itself. There are typically four pasta dishes available, and based on our experience, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Chef Maiorano, affectionately dubbed a “pasta queen,” also runs Pasta Forever just down the street—a shop where you can pick up her handmade pastas to cook at home. If you’re not in the mood for pasta, the menu also includes a beautifully cooked fish and a ribeye, as well as a couple of contorni to round out the meal.
The drink list includes a thoughtful selection of wines available by the glass and several refreshing house spritzes and cocktails. For dessert, we tried both offerings: a salted chocolate and coffee tiramisu, and a nostalgic plate of Italian cookies reminiscent of those found in pastry shops across Italy.
Zia’s Place is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but any other night, it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to return to again and again. It’s warm, rustic, and full of heart—just like your Nona or Zia would make, if she were a seasoned Southern Italian cook. I’m already counting down the days to my next visit.
Recommended enthusiastically.
Happy dining,
Shanea
07/10/2025
