Lardo

What is Lardo? Occupying a compact room at 970 College Street in Dufferin Grove, Lardo evolved from a daytime alimentari into an intimate, polished Italian dinner spot and wine bar under owner Gianpaolo “GP” Testa and chef Liam Boulden. The 35-seat room channels mid-century Italian design with sleek terrazzo floors, stone countertops, and teal dining chairs under moody evening lighting. Guests can perch at the bustling front bar and high-top tables, settle into the quiet dining nook at the back, or grab a sidewalk patio seat in warmer months.

Lardo Menu & What to Order Every dinner should begin with the house focaccia, fermented over two days and served warm draped in paper-thin cured lardo and rosemary. Pasta is a centerpiece—particularly the fresh bronze-die tagliatelle smothered in a rich, velvety beef, pork, and veal ragù. Round out the meal with buffalo mozzarella paired with poached Abate pears and spicy lemongrass honey, or the crispy porchetta with roasted grapes, washed down with a sous-vide Old Fashioned or a regional Italian natural wine.

Know Before You Go Given the tight seating footprint, reserving a table online in advance is essential for peak dinner hours Thursday through Saturday. Solo diners and walk-ins can regularly snag a spot at the front bar counter right at opening. The restaurant sits directly on the 506 Carlton streetcar line, and dinner service runs Tuesday through Saturday from 5:00 p.m. onward.