Ossington's finest Neapolitan pizza. The dough ferments for 48 hours, the San Marzano tomatoes are imported, and the fior di latte is made in-house. The Margherita here will ruin all other pizzas for you.
Neighbourhood: Ossington · Address: 221 Ossington Ave, Toronto, ON · Hours: Mon–Tue: Closed | Wed–Sat 4:00 PM – 1:00 AM | Sun: Closed · Phone: (416) 532-8000
Why Visit
Pizzeria Libretto delivers a textbook Neapolitan pizza with ultra-airy, leopard-spotted crust and premium Italian ingredients. You won’t find more dedication to true Naples-style pie this side of the Atlantic.
What Makes It Unique
They insist on strict VPN standards: the dough rests for 48 hours, they use Italian-imported San Marzano tomatoes, and their fior di latte is made fresh in-house daily. Unlike most Toronto spots, they will not crisp up your pizza on request — Neapolitan means melt-in-the-middle. The open-flame oven finishes pies in under 90 seconds.
When Pizzeria Libretto opened on Ossington in 2008, it changed what Toronto thought a pizza could be. Before Libretto, the city's pizza options ran from the North American commercial standard to some decent Italian-Canadian joints, but authentic Neapolitan — the 900-degree wood-fired oven, the 48-hour fermented dough, the San Marzano tomatoes, the fior di latte made on site — essentially didn't exist here. Libretto's version was a revelation, and it remains one of the finest pizzas in the city.
The Neapolitan approach is uncompromising: the pizza emerges from the oven soft and slightly charred, with a puffy cornicione (crust edge) that's chewy and complex from the extended fermentation. The centre is soft enough that you fold it — which is correct. If you've been eating North American pizza expecting a rigid slice, the texture will be unfamiliar. Give it three bites before judging, because by then you'll understand.
The Margherita DOC is the benchmark: San Marzano tomato, fior di latte mozzarella, fresh basil, sea salt, olive oil. That's it. On a good execution it's extraordinary. The Prosciutto e Rucola (prosciutto crudo, arugula, shaved parmigiano, olive oil) is the other classic to know. The seasonal specials incorporate Ontario vegetables and local charcuterie and are reliably interesting.
Libretto has expanded to multiple Toronto locations, but the Ossington original has the neighbourhood warmth that the newer spots haven't quite replicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pizzeria Libretto authentic Neapolitan pizza?
Yes — Pizzeria Libretto uses authentic Neapolitan technique: 48-hour cold-fermented dough, Italian '00' flour, imported San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella made in-house, and a wood-fired oven at 900°F. The result is authentic in the key characteristics: soft, charred, chewy, with a puffy cornicione. The pizza is softer than North American pizza — this is intentional.
What is the best pizza at Pizzeria Libretto?
The Margherita DOC is the definitive order — it demonstrates the quality of the dough, tomato sauce, and mozzarella most clearly. The Prosciutto e Rucola (prosciutto crudo, arugula, shaved parmigiano) is the other essential. Ask about current seasonal specials, which use Ontario ingredients and are consistently excellent.
Does Pizzeria Libretto take reservations?
Pizzeria Libretto Ossington accepts reservations for dinner on weeknights. Weekend evenings (Friday/Saturday) have shorter waits at the bar or in the walk-in section. Book via Resy or by phone. The weekend lunch service (Friday–Sunday from noon) is the easiest time to walk in without a wait.
Where is Pizzeria Libretto Ossington?
Pizzeria Libretto is at 221 Ossington Avenue, in the Ossington neighbourhood. The nearest subway is Ossington Station (Line 2), a 5-minute walk north. The 63 Ossington bus also serves the area. Street parking on Ossington is limited; side streets have more availability.