Café Diplomatico

There’s a patio in Toronto that holds a special place in the hearts of many. Affectionately known as “The Dip”, Café Diplomatico was one of the first restaurants in the city to introduce al fresco dining. Proudly located at the corner of College and Clinton for over 45 years, the Italian joint has become somewhat of an institution in Toronto. And on warm summer days, it’s the perfect place to share a cold pitcher of sangria, nibble on some casual Italian fare and take in the sights and sounds of Little Italy.

Last weekend, I headed to the sun-drenched patio with my photog to ring in the summer. We were dying to soak up some rays after the long, harsh winter we endured. On our stroll over to the College Street hub, all I could think about was their glorious sangria. They make a killer brew that packs plenty of punch; it’s not too sweet, loaded with fruit and has just the right amount of ice. Although their recipe is always different (the bartenders like to switch it up), I’ve never been disappointed with their refreshing concoctions! 

But if sangria is not your bevvy of choice, there are plenty of other drinks to share on the patio. The bucket of Amsterdam Natural Blonde is a popular pick…

After a glass of sangria and some people watching, we were ready to begin our Italian feast. First up was a plate of the Diplomatico Antipasto. We loved the artichokes, sundried tomatoes and spicy mushrooms, but didn’t care too much for the provolone. If you’re looking to indulge in some cured meats, they have a new Antipasto di Casa that has hot cacciatore sausage and paisnella salami. Their portions are generous so the antipasto dishes are great to share.

Having tried most of the menu items over the years, I was in the mood for something different. I asked our server to recommend a dish and am so glad I did. She brought out a huge bowl of their Spicy Mussels. Prepared in a rich, homemade tomato sauce, the mussels were delicate and slightly chewy. I can’t believe I’ve never had them before! It’s definitely a dish I’ll head back for this summer…

Then our focus shifted to a more familiar menu item: the traditional thin crust pizza. I always have a tough time selecting toppings at The Dip (all their pizzas are “create your own”) so we asked our server for a bit of help. After some deliberation, we decided to load our pizza with goat cheese, portobello mushrooms, roasted red peppers, artichoke and hot peppers. It was a winning combo!

We ended the night on a sweet note with some cannoli. Filled to order, the ricotta was smooth and the shell had a nice crunch. As much as we loved the filling, we’d prefer a lighter, flakier shell.

Although the food at Café Diplomatico has been hit-or-miss over the years, they’ve really stepped up their game recently. With reasonable prices, a sunny patio and friendly service, it’s no wonder they’re one of the most coveted patios in the city. If you’re ever wandering the streets of Little Italy, make sure you stop by at The Dip!

Special thanks to Café Diplomatico for hosting us. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own.