Local Guides World
Romantic, 1920s-inspired destination for traditional Italian cuisine, with an extensive wine list.
Photos — 69
Reviews — 8
4.5/5
Great food and service. It can get a bit loud in the dining area but the decor is tasteful with a relaxing ambiance.
We started with the Insalata Carisma. They split the salad in two without us having to ask which was a thoughtful touch. The dressing was very good and this salad paired very well with the bread served.
For mains, we chose the Calamarata and the pasta of the day which was a Butter and Truffle Linguine. The calamarata was a wonderful balance of seafood and tomato, and the linguine was rich and flavourful. The fresh pasta in both dishes was excellent.
For dessert, we shared the Torta Di Noci which was nutty and rich. It wasn’t too sweet and had great flavour.
The food here was terrific. The only detractor would be the price point which is quite high for the size of servings.
Overall, a great experience! If you like good pasta, you won’t be disappointed here.
Great food and service. It can get a bit loud in the dining area but the decor is tasteful with a relaxing ambiance.
We started with the Insalata Carisma. They split the salad in two without us having to ask which was a thoughtful touch. The dressing was very good and this salad paired very well with the bread served.
For mains, we chose the Calamarata and the pasta of the day which was a Butter and Truffle Linguine. The calamarata was a wonderful balance of seafood and tomato, and the linguine was rich and flavourful. The fresh pasta in both dishes was excellent.
For dessert, we shared the Torta Di Noci which was nutty and rich. It wasn’t too sweet and had great flavour.
The food here was terrific. The only detractor would be the price point which is quite high for the size of servings.
Overall, a great experience! If you like good pasta, you won’t be disappointed here.
I had the pleasure of dining at Carisma restaurant in Toronto last night, and I must say, it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The service was truly outstanding - attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable.
What truly sets Carisma apart is the freshness of their food. Every dish I tried was bursting with flavor and made with the finest ingredients. Generally, when it comes to desserts part, I am crazy about Cheesecakes and I also tired their strawberries cheesecake; it was one of the top ten for me!
I highly recommend Carisma to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Toronto. Whether it's a special occasion or just a night out, this restaurant delivers in every aspect.
What truly sets Carisma apart is the freshness of their food. Every dish I tried was bursting with flavor and made with the finest ingredients. Generally, when it comes to desserts part, I am crazy about Cheesecakes and I also tired their strawberries cheesecake; it was one of the top ten for me!
I highly recommend Carisma to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience in Toronto. Whether it's a special occasion or just a night out, this restaurant delivers in every aspect.
Great good and beautiful setup! Had a quick lunch, but love the food. Not my 1st there as I usually used the Patio for dinner, but totally recommend for delicious pasta dishes, beautiful setup.
Ohh forgot to mention the salads specially Mushroom 🍄 with Goat Cheese was so yummy and prefect portion of everything.
Street parking 🅿️ is just both side of the street and walking distance from King Subway station.
Ohh forgot to mention the salads specially Mushroom 🍄 with Goat Cheese was so yummy and prefect portion of everything.
Street parking 🅿️ is just both side of the street and walking distance from King Subway station.
Holy smokes this restaurant is good!
Look, there are tons of options if you want to go out for Italian food, right? And many of them are good. After all, Italian food is delicious and so commonly done well. But Carisma is next level. No. That’s not it. They’re not even playing the same game.
My wife and I had a 7:00 pm reservation. This was our first time there and it’s quite a drive for us (over an hour) so we were really hoping it would be worth it. There’s an underground parking garage next door, but we found easy street parking. We arrived and were seated immediately at a nice table for two. We were struck immediately by the ambience. Comfortable, clean, and roomy even though there are a lot of tables relatively close together.
Our server showed up immediately and was friendly without being overbearing, informative without being condescending, and for the entire dinner was attentive to what we needed (ready to clear dishes, replace cutlery and clean the table between courses) and what we might want next, all without that sometimes “I’m too posh for you” vibe that you can get with that level of service at high end restaurants. In other words, the perfect server.
Let’s talk about the food though. Wow.
First they bring bread for the table. The bread seemed like a really nice pizza dough kind of bread that was crunchy on the outside but amazingly tender inside. The crunch was just right. Crunchy enough to satisfy but stopping just shy of shredding the top of your mouth. It’s topped with a garlic butter and rosemary combination that made it something we ate too quickly. But all is well. We ordered more!
For our mains, my wife wanted the raviolini, which is stuffed with braised veal, but it comes in a tomato sauce which she doesn’t generally like. We fully expected the common “we don’t make substitutions” refrain you get, usually with disdain, at quality restaurants. Not here! Our server was quick to let us know that they can make any substitutions you want - different pasta, different sauce - and they are happy to do it. They want you to get your food the way you want it! Such a great attitude. So my wife went with the alfredo sauce. I chose the papardelle ragu, which is a wild boar ragu.
First of all, the raviolini. The veal filling was so well seasoned, and so well ground. The texture and taste were perfect, and the pasta was delicious and perfectly cooked. The alfredo sauce was actually light while still holding full alfredo flavour. A trick that almost seems like magic because alfredo sauce is usually so heavy. My papardelle was also perfectly cooked. And that wild boar ragu had such deep flavour I wanted to devour it but ate slowly so I could savour it.
Many really nice Italian restaurants we go to have not the greatest choices for dessert. But not here! I had an apple strudel that was fantastic, and my wife had strawberry sorbet. Perfect finish.
They have gluten-free pasta as an option, so for people with that requirement, you’re covered! We will be returning with our kids at our earliest opportunity!
Look, there are tons of options if you want to go out for Italian food, right? And many of them are good. After all, Italian food is delicious and so commonly done well. But Carisma is next level. No. That’s not it. They’re not even playing the same game.
My wife and I had a 7:00 pm reservation. This was our first time there and it’s quite a drive for us (over an hour) so we were really hoping it would be worth it. There’s an underground parking garage next door, but we found easy street parking. We arrived and were seated immediately at a nice table for two. We were struck immediately by the ambience. Comfortable, clean, and roomy even though there are a lot of tables relatively close together.
Our server showed up immediately and was friendly without being overbearing, informative without being condescending, and for the entire dinner was attentive to what we needed (ready to clear dishes, replace cutlery and clean the table between courses) and what we might want next, all without that sometimes “I’m too posh for you” vibe that you can get with that level of service at high end restaurants. In other words, the perfect server.
Let’s talk about the food though. Wow.
First they bring bread for the table. The bread seemed like a really nice pizza dough kind of bread that was crunchy on the outside but amazingly tender inside. The crunch was just right. Crunchy enough to satisfy but stopping just shy of shredding the top of your mouth. It’s topped with a garlic butter and rosemary combination that made it something we ate too quickly. But all is well. We ordered more!
For our mains, my wife wanted the raviolini, which is stuffed with braised veal, but it comes in a tomato sauce which she doesn’t generally like. We fully expected the common “we don’t make substitutions” refrain you get, usually with disdain, at quality restaurants. Not here! Our server was quick to let us know that they can make any substitutions you want - different pasta, different sauce - and they are happy to do it. They want you to get your food the way you want it! Such a great attitude. So my wife went with the alfredo sauce. I chose the papardelle ragu, which is a wild boar ragu.
First of all, the raviolini. The veal filling was so well seasoned, and so well ground. The texture and taste were perfect, and the pasta was delicious and perfectly cooked. The alfredo sauce was actually light while still holding full alfredo flavour. A trick that almost seems like magic because alfredo sauce is usually so heavy. My papardelle was also perfectly cooked. And that wild boar ragu had such deep flavour I wanted to devour it but ate slowly so I could savour it.
Many really nice Italian restaurants we go to have not the greatest choices for dessert. But not here! I had an apple strudel that was fantastic, and my wife had strawberry sorbet. Perfect finish.
They have gluten-free pasta as an option, so for people with that requirement, you’re covered! We will be returning with our kids at our earliest opportunity!
This is one of my favourite restaurant in Toronto. If not in the top 3 of what I think are the best Italian restaurant in Toronto.
Ambiance is sophisticate, romantic, chill. It’s family owned and they are the nicest people.
Food is delicious, simple ingredients but with the highest quality. Pasta is homemade, appetizers are so good, the pastry are made in house too and you can tell that the team works so hard. Everything feels fresh and Italian.
Carisma is perfect to celebrate an important event or just to stop by with a friend to grab a quick meal. Service is top notch!
Ambiance is sophisticate, romantic, chill. It’s family owned and they are the nicest people.
Food is delicious, simple ingredients but with the highest quality. Pasta is homemade, appetizers are so good, the pastry are made in house too and you can tell that the team works so hard. Everything feels fresh and Italian.
Carisma is perfect to celebrate an important event or just to stop by with a friend to grab a quick meal. Service is top notch!
We love it! Every moment we enjoyed and can’t wait to go back! Amazing selection of wine and cocktails and delicious food😋🤌🏻 Luis(our server) just an amazing person we had so much fun and we are never forgetting “Chablis”😄
Thankyou for amazing experience
Thankyou for amazing experience
Came here for a date night with my now husband when we just started dating. The atmosphere was so romantic. I loved the dim lighting and the ambiance. The food was delicious and full of flavour!
We had;
~ Carpaccio Di Manzo
~ Pappardelle al Cinghiale
~ Osso buco alla Milanese
~ Molten lava chocolate cake
We had;
~ Carpaccio Di Manzo
~ Pappardelle al Cinghiale
~ Osso buco alla Milanese
~ Molten lava chocolate cake
