Old Spaghetti Factory

What is Old Spaghetti Factory? Anchored along 54 The Esplanade in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, this cavernous, 600-seat institution has traded in unabashed vintage eccentricity for decades. The cavernous dining floor unfolds into a labyrinth of turn-of-the-century curios, intricate stained glass, an antique carousel, and an authentic decommissioned streetcar fitted with booth seating, balanced by a breezy sidewalk patio out front. It remains a fixture of unfussy, nostalgic Italian-American dining built specifically for lively families, student outings, and big groups.

Old Spaghetti Factory Menu & What to Order The kitchen operates on an old-school, three-course model where sourdough bread, minestrone or salad, and spumoni ice cream accompany every entrée. Bypass the standard tomato-sauce plates and zero in on the cult-favourite Mizithra Cheese & Browned Butter pasta, an aggressively savoury plate coated in nutty browned butter and grated salty sheep's milk cheese. The Baked Lasagna layers seasoned beef and melted mozzarella for dependable comfort, while the breaded Chicken Parmigiana hits the expected crispy, smothered notes. Cap the meal with a classic draft beer or a carafe of house wine alongside the mandatory scoop of tri-colour spumoni.

Know Before You Go Reservations are available online and highly advised for large parties, though the staggering capacity keeps walk-in wait times surprisingly manageable during peak weekend dinner rushes. Public transit is your best bet, with Union Station and King subway station situated just a short stroll away, sparing you the hassle of competitive Esplanade parking. Doors open daily at 11:30 a.m. and run straight through to 10:00 p.m. without an afternoon break.