Gia

What is Gia? Occupying an intimate storefront at 1214 Dundas Street West in Trinity Bellwoods, Gia is the Michelin-recommended plant-forward Italian restaurant from co-owners Jenny Coburn and Stacey Patterson. The moody dining room balances white-painted brick, brass globe sconces, and burnt-orange banquettes with a cozy front cocktail bar and seasonal sidewalk patio seating. It is the rare meatless dining room where omnivores willingly flock for date nights and dinner parties without needing an arm twisted.

Gia Menu & What to Order Handcrafted pastas anchor the kitchen, clearly delineating between fully plant-based dishes and vegetarian plates that incorporate egg pasta or artisan burrata. The tonnarelli tartufo—slicked in a rich cashew-butter emulsion and topped with shaved truffles—is an undeniable showstopper alongside the meaty, pan-roasted lion's mane bistecca. Round out your table with the house rosemary focaccia, warm cashew brie, and tender plant-based meatballs bathed in slow-simmered sugo, paired alongside low-intervention Italian wines or a seasonal amaro spritz.

Know Before You Go Given the compact room, reservations via the restaurant's website or Tock are essential for weekend dinners and brunch, with tables subject to a two-hour dining window and party sizes capped at five on Friday and Saturday nights. Parking along Dundas West is tight, making the 505 Dundas streetcar to Dovercourt Road the most painless way to arrive. Dinner service begins nightly at 5:00 p.m., with daytime brunch kicking off at 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.