Eataly at CF Toronto Eaton Centre opened to the public on Tuesday afternoon, marking an important moment for the Italian marketplace. The launch represents Eataly’s fourth permanent Toronto location and reinforces the brand’s deepening relationship with the local community since entering Canada in 2019. The new two-level, 25,000 square foot space arrives at a time of renewed energy downtown, positioned inside Canada’s busiest shopping centre and situated on Toronto’s highest-traffic pedestrian corridor. Drawing on years of local momentum and a growing audience of loyal guests, the opening further underscores Eataly’s confidence in the Toronto market and its long-term expansion strategy within the country.
Tommaso Brusò, CEO of Eataly North America, said the launch reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to Canada. “Eataly Eaton Centre is a continuation of our story in Canada, cementing our appreciation for the community we have built here since first opening Eataly Yorkville in 2019. As an icon of the city and a premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment, we are excited to bring a taste of Italy to CF Toronto Eaton Centre’s impressive roster of retailers, just in time for the holiday season.”
The opening also extends Eataly’s growing relationship with landlord Cadillac Fairview. CF Toronto Eaton Centre becomes the brand’s third location within a CF property in the city, following earlier openings at CF Sherway Gardens and CF Shops at Don Mills. Eataly’s first Canadian store debuted at Manulife Centre in Yorkville in 2019 (in a non-CF property). The brand’s continued expansion across multiple property types demonstrates how adaptable Eataly’s marketplace model is within Toronto’s varied retail environments, from an upscale mixed-use complex to a suburban regional mall and now North America’s most visited shopping destination.
A Two-Level Experience Anchored by Dining, Marketplace Retail, and Grab-and-Go Counters
The new Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre spans more than 25,000 square feet over two floors formerly part of Nordstrom’s footprint. The layout was designed to deliver what Eataly executives describe as a full Italian experience for guests looking to shop, dine, or explore. The main floor features quick-service counters and grab-and-go offerings, while the upper level brings together full-service restaurants, marketplace retail, a wine shop, and the immersive atmosphere that has become central to the brand’s identity.
During an interview ahead of the opening, Brusò explained that the split-level design is intended to respond to the needs of the site and the movement patterns of the mall. “It is on two floors, so we have the ground floor where it is more like a service area with the entrance from the street where people can buy, take a pizza or something. Then the upper floor is more like the restaurant, the Eataly that we know. It is really a destination, but it also considers the mall and the traffic of the mall.”
He described CF Toronto Eaton Centre as a location uniquely suited to a fast-paced grab-and-go element with a deeper full-service experience upstairs. “Inside the mall of course there is a lot of traffic. The size we open, we think is the right size where you can really have this environment with the food, the atmosphere, and the furniture is very Italian.”
La Pizza & La Pasta Anchors the Full-Service Dining Experience
At the heart of Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre is La Pizza & La Pasta, the signature restaurant concept found across many of the company’s locations globally. The new 190-seat restaurant focuses on Neapolitan pizza and artisanal pasta prepared by expert pizzaioli and pasta chefs. Dishes include classic regional combinations and seasonal specialties such as white truffle offerings. The robust wine list features more than one hundred labels, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to presenting a curated selection of Italian varietals.
Nearby, La Piazza offers a more intimate bar and restaurant setting with fifty seats. The menu centres on aperitivo culture, with Italian wines and hand-shaken cocktails that range from classic spritzes to creations like the Earl Grey Vodka Martini, smoked tableside. Light fare includes freshly baked focaccia and shareable plates of salumi and formaggi.
Brusò said the aim is to create emotional resonance through the dining experience. “It is about emotion. It is important that we keep this emotional element because we are competing with the quality of time people spend. People spend a lot of time in the store because they enjoy the experience.”
Marketplace Retail and a Dedicated Wine Shop Enhance the Offering
The marketplace retail area offers a substantial selection of Made in Italy products, including olive oils, balsamic vinegars, artisanal pasta, tomatoes, imported goods, cheeses, cured meats, and ready-to-cook essentials.
The assortment reflects Eataly’s long-standing commitment to small producers, traditional Italian food craftsmanship, and Slow Food principles.
A counter for fresh pasta and cut-to-order salumi and formaggi anchors the retail level, while the wine shop expands the offering significantly. With more than five hundred labels and selections from all twenty regions of Italy, the wine store is one of the most comprehensive Italian wine destinations in Canada.
Brusò noted that local partnerships continue to be essential for the company’s Canadian operations. Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre carries Toronto-area and Ontario products as part of its expanded produce and specialty food range. “We work with local producers on the fresh side. We work with some local producers on cheese and different things. We try to integrate the local community because from the day we open, we start to engage. We want to become part of the community.”
Quick-Service Counters Bring Accessible Italian Essentials to the Main Level
The main level of the new Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre location features several quick-service counters designed for mall guests seeking a fast bite or a takeaway option.
These include Il Gran Caffè with Illy espresso, La Pasticceria with classic Italian pastries, Il Gelato with gelato and sorbetto, and Pizza alla Pala serving Roman-style pizza by the slice and stuffed farcita sandwiches. The quick-service strategy reflects Eataly’s ability to integrate its Italian culinary identity into high-traffic environments where convenience is a priority.
Brusò emphasized that this format is intentional. “There is an entrance from the street, so people can have a bite of Eataly and walk outside. The retail experience and the restaurant are there. The upper level is the Eataly that people know from our other locations.”
A Growing Network of Toronto Locations Demonstrates Strong Local Demand
With the opening of Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Toronto now becomes one of the rare cities outside Italy to support four permanent locations, plus a seasonal pop-up in the Distillery District. The city’s first location, the 50,000-square-foot Yorkville flagship at Manulife Centre, opened in 2019 and remains Eataly’s largest store in Canada.
CF Sherway Gardens followed in 2023 with a more streamlined 25,000 sq ft concept, and Eataly CF Shops at Don Mills opened in 2024 as a compact 9,800-square-foot space with a curated offering suited to the open-air shopping centre.
Brusò said the Toronto market has proven to be exceptionally strong, noting that each location continues to perform well. “Toronto is a place to be. I am familiar with North America and especially Toronto, and I have seen what has happened in the last years. It is really like New York with a lot of young people, very vibrant. For me, Toronto is a hub of Italian culture and lifestyle.”
He added that the city can support two downtown locations. “Of course there is a potential of cannibilization, but we believe the market can sustain it. The Eaton Centre is very high traffic with commuters and visitors. The other downtown location is more of a destination. We believe both can thrive.”
When asked whether the company plans further Toronto or national expansion, Brusò said the team remains open to opportunities. “Never say never. We see for now there is nothing in the radar for another location, but I never say never. We have the Distillery pop-up and we like that concept. It could become permanent one day.”
He also noted that the company continues to explore other cities in Canada. “Canada is a market we are looking at. If the right opportunity comes, why not.”
Celebrating the Opening with Ten Days of Community Events
To mark the launch, Eataly CF Toronto Eaton Centre will offer ten days of complimentary tastings, demonstrations, and community-focused programming starting Wednesday, November 26. Brusò described this initiative as central to the brand’s philosophy of creating meaningful local ties. “This is the way to engage the community. We want to become part of the community, and we start to engage from the moment we open.”
Globally, Eataly has more than sixty locations in fifteen countries and continues to embark on an ambitious expansion plan. The CF Toronto Eaton Centre opening strengthens the brand’s North American presence and marks its eighteenth location on the continent.
Since 2023, Investindustrial has held a majority stake in the company, supporting new openings across major international cities. Canadian company Wittington owns a share of Eataly in Canada.
Brusò said North America remains a key market. “Canada and the United States are central to our strategy. What is important is that we maintain the emotional concept of our stores. For us, living well is our mission. Everything we do connects to that.”
lol will Toronto get its 5th Eataly… We want one in Vancouver