Gia

Nick H★★★★★★★★★★4.05 months ago

My family and I went to Gia for NYE dinner last night to close off a fantastic 2025 and welcome in 2026. Located in a trendy part of Toronto, this plant-forward restaurant was warm (literally, on a cold winter night) and welcoming as soon as we walked in. The dinner started with a very decadent and lightly salted focaccia along with brie (we got to try both plant-based and dairy versions). Both types of brie were good but it was the accompanying fig jam and hot red pepper jelly that elevated the tasting experience providing a sweet and tangy balance to the saltiness and creaminess of the brie. The second course was the baby gem salad, which was by far the best part of the entire meal. The gem lettuce tossed in a tangy vinaigrette provided a very fresh crunch that was further accentuated by the crispy shallots. The pangritata was the cherry (or breadcrumbs) on top for us, providing the additional cheesy flavour. The wild mushrooms that topped the salad were a bonus but not a necessity. We got all five dishes for the third course but in all honesty, we were not amazed. A couple highlights were the spiciness of the eggplant parmigiana, the crispy sage on the risotto, and the tortelli which tasted like pumpkin pie (very mixed feelings on this). If the gem salad was the best part of the meal, the tiramisu was a very close second. With the perfect blend of sweet, bitter, creamy and fluffy, all it took was one bite for us to (self) declare this the best tiramisu in the city! Overall, the upscale, vegetarian/vegan-friendly dining experience at Gia was great for the value and ambience.

Ali k★★★★★★★★★★4.07 months ago

Let's be real: when I hear 'vegan restaurant,' I sometimes get a little nervous about the food. I worry I won't have a great culinary experience. But Gia completely shut down that worry! I am so happy I gave this place a shot, because the dishes were genuinely delicious, and I ended up having a fantastic time. From the moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere was a welcoming hug. The dining room is warm and cozy, and the staff are friendly and genuinely helpful, setting the stage for a great meal. To start, I tried the Tom Ford mocktail. It was a beautifully crafted drink, featuring an excellent, balanced blend of hibiscus syrup, lemon, vanilla, and sparkling water. It was refreshing and perfectly mixed (9/10). For my main course, I chose the Rigatoni Bolognese with plant-based ragu and almond Parmesan. The ragu was truly the star—so rich and full of flavour that I honestly wouldn't have known it was a vegan dish if I hadn't been told. It was light and well-made overall. My only minor note is that the pasta itself was slightly tougher than my personal preference, but the incredible taste of the ragu easily made up for it (8/10). My friend had the Tortelli Di Zucca, and she absolutely loved it. This dish features squash & nutmeg filled tortelli with confit garlic, butter, sage, and Parmesan. She noted that the fillings were incredibly delicious, soft, and moist (9/10). As someone with a sweet tooth, I made sure we indulge in two desserts. First was the Chocolate Almond Cake topped with crème chantilly, a cherry, shaved white chocolate, and toasted coconut shavings. While the presentation was just okay (there's a little room for a more striking visual presentation), the taste was fantastic. The cake was moist, slightly sticky, and packed with flavour—a highly satisfying treat (8/10). But the clear winner was the Coconut Chocolate Gelato. This dessert was presented very well and had a wonderfully executed texture. The soft, delicate flavour of coconut came through beautifully behind the rich chocolate. My friend and I both agreed it’s a solid 10/10 dessert. My overall experience at Gia was excellent. The combination of friendly staff, great food, and a fantastic environment makes it a memorable spot. It's a place I would absolutely recommend to anyone—vegan or not—and will definitely be bringing my vegan friends to next time!

MadeBy VR★★★★★★★★★★4.07 months ago

Great finer dining option for vegetarian Italian food. The service was great, fast and friendly. I love that you can see the kitchen and your food being prepared. The meatballs stood out amongst all other dishes. They had the most flavour. The rigatoni bolognese would come second and then the desserts. The agnolotti was okay, the Tortelli Di Zucca had great flavour and would be our 3rd favourite dish. Would recommend the Gia Simpatica, the 3 course option for $47 per person is the best value. The prices are but the quality of ingredients is there, but not a place to come often. Try it at least once.

Mel★★★★★★★★★★5.08 months ago

Delicious food and great service! My friends and I ordered the prix fixe menu ($47 per person) and in today’s economy, the meal and price point is an amazing bargain! You’re able to try different dishes and experience multiple flavours. The pasta was a little too al dente for my liking but the main course (rigatoni bolognese) was still delicious. My favorite dish would have to be the olive oil cake. It was moist, balanced (sweetness) and tasty. The cake was the star dish in my opinion. Overall, I highly recommend coming here!

Kirti Lad★★★★★★★★★★5.04 months ago

Lovely place for vegan alternatives to some Italian classics. Staff was so kind and friendly and attentive to us, and the food was so delicious. The foccacia bread was airy and perfectly crisp and fluffy. The Vegan meatballs had great flavor, and the gnocchi was amazing!! Everything was great! Overall highly recommend this spot for dinner, regardless of if you are vegan/vegetarian!