Pizzeria Via Mercanti

What is Pizzeria Via Mercanti? Anchoring Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market since 2012, Pizzeria Via Mercanti is a lively, family-run southern Italian staple founded by Salerno native Romolo Salvati. The dining room is defined by a roaring wood-fired stone oven and sunlit by an expansive central skylight, flanked during warmer months by bustling CaféTO sidewalk patio seating. It channels the relaxed, energetic pace of an authentic Italian market pizzeria, welcoming neighborhood regulars, students, and pizza devotees for blistered, unpretentious pies.

Pizzeria Via Mercanti Menu & What to Order The showstopper here is the signature Via Mercanti pizza, a legendary two-tier creation layering ricotta, prosciutto cotto, and spicy soppressata beneath a second Margherita top. Before the pies hit the table, the Bocconcini di Pizza—warm, folded mini dough rolls stuffed with cheese and cured meats—are a non-negotiable starter alongside crisp arancini di riso. The Salsiccia e Friarielli brings sharp, garlicky rapini and sausage into perfect balance, best washed down with a classic Limoncello Spritz or a cold Italian draft, with plenty of vegetarian choices on hand.

Know Before You Go Walk-ins move briskly during weekday lunch, but weekend dinner hours and sunny patio seats fill quickly, making reservations via their website recommended for larger parties. Driving through Kensington Market is slow and street parking on Augusta is virtually non-existent, so hopping on the 510 Spadina or 506 Carlton streetcar is the most seamless approach. The kitchen serves continuously seven days a week from noon onwards, closing at 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10:00 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.