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★★★★☆ 4.9 · 99 Google reviews
Photos by Shay Ristorante · Shay Ristorante · Shay Ristorante · Shay Ristorante via Google
Fantastic experience from start to finish! Great atmosphere , amazing service and food was 10/10. Absolutely recommend sharing as many pastas as possible they were all excellent! The steak was…Fantastic experience from start to finish! Great atmosphere , amazing service and food was 10/10. Absolutely recommend sharing as many pastas as possible they were all excellent! The steak was impeccably cooked and prepared , and the birthday boy was very happy :)
Food and service were unbelievable. Such a great addition to the neighbourhood and will definitely be a place I will frequent often. The staff is incredible and knowledgeable, drinks were…Food and service were unbelievable. Such a great addition to the neighbourhood and will definitely be a place I will frequent often. The staff is incredible and knowledgeable, drinks were amazing as well. I wanted to go back the next day for the beef cheek, so amazing!! You can taste the love put into every dish.
I had the most incredible birthday dinner at Shay. From the moment we walked in, everything felt so thoughtfully done, creating such a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere. The food was…I had the most incredible birthday dinner at Shay. From the moment we walked in, everything felt so thoughtfully done, creating such a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere. The food was absolutely incredible, the service was exceptional, and every little detail made the evening feel extremely special. I can’t wait to come back! My new goto spot 🤍
Absolute incredible dining experience! The food is spectacular and the design of the space is truly jaw dropping! The seating is very comfortable and plenty of space between tables which…Absolute incredible dining experience! The food is spectacular and the design of the space is truly jaw dropping! The seating is very comfortable and plenty of space between tables which is rare for a Toronto restaurant. I loved the focaccia with the olive oil, all the tartars and the chicken is so tender and definitely worth ordering. We ordered some cocktails that were all exceptional. Service was friendly & professional, overall highly recommend!
My husband and I dined at Shay Ristorante last night for date night and had a phenomenal experience. The service was top notch, the food was absolutely incredible and the…My husband and I dined at Shay Ristorante last night for date night and had a phenomenal experience. The service was top notch, the food was absolutely incredible and the ambiance was chic. Every dish blew us away. The Ricciola was absolutely incredible as was the Suppli Al Tonno was so phenomenal it s a must have and would recommend ordering every time. The carbonara was absolute perfection and the Branzino was the best I’ve had in my life with the most perfect crisp skin. 10/10 literally no notes. A true treat. We will be back many times!
Reviews shown as returned by Google, sorted by relevance. Unedited.
Rosedale has a new Italian table, and it comes with a personal story. Shay Ristorante opened on October 1, 2026, at 1055 Yonge St, and it is the first restaurant from executive chef Justin Friedlich, named for his daughter Shay. The philosophy is stated plainly in the opening coverage: every guest should feel like family sitting at the same table as the chef. In a neighbourhood known for polished dining rooms, that promise of warmth is the detail that sets Shay apart before a single plate arrives.
What makes it special
The chef’s background is the first reason to pay attention. Friedlich spent nearly a decade at Buca Yorkville, rising to chef de cuisine, before opening his own restaurant. That history shows in the menu, which leans into handmade Italian cooking rather than broad crowd pleasers. Signature dishes include Tajarin al Pomodoro, a fine egg pasta with tomato, and Suppli al Tonno, a tuna filled fried rice ball, alongside seasonal crudo served from a tableside crudo cart. The cart is a telling touch: it turns the start of the meal into a small performance, with the chef’s team preparing crudo in front of the table.
The room itself is part of the pitch. Shay seats 89 guests, a size that sits between a tiny neighbourhood spot and a large formal dining room. It is big enough for a celebration, small enough to feel intimate, and it fits Rosedale’s mix of local regulars and special occasion diners. The restaurant is also the exclusive Canadian home of Baglio Rocca olive oil from Palermo, Sicily, used in its house made focaccia and in Gelato all’Olio, a gelato finished with olive oil. That kind of single source detail is rare, and it gives regulars something specific to come back for.
What to expect
Expect a classic Italian meal with a personal touch, rather than a tasting menu marathon. Start with crudo from the tableside cart if it is offered on the day, then move to pasta, with Tajarin al Pomodoro as the signature to try first. Suppli al Tonno offers a different kind of opening, fried and savoury, and it shows the kitchen’s comfort with both refined pasta and casual Italian snacks. For dessert, Tiramisù Nero stands out, made with house made chocolate savoiardi, a darker take on the classic tiramisu.
The olive oil story is worth tasting deliberately. Baglio Rocca oil from Palermo appears in the house focaccia and in the Gelato all’Olio, so ordering both gives a sense of how one ingredient can work in a savoury bread and in a dessert. It is the kind of detail that makes a first visit memorable, and it gives a return visit a clear next order: the dishes you did not try the first time, plus the oil driven dishes again.
Practical details
Shay Ristorante opened October 1, 2026, at 1055 Yonge St, Toronto, in Rosedale. Executive chef Justin Friedlich leads the kitchen, after nearly a decade at Buca Yorkville, where he rose to chef de cuisine. The restaurant is named for his daughter Shay. Signature dishes include Tajarin al Pomodoro, Suppli al Tonno, seasonal crudo from a tableside cart, and Tiramisù Nero with house made chocolate savoiardi. The dining room seats 89 guests. Baglio Rocca olive oil from Palermo, Sicily, is exclusive to Shay in Canada and is used in the house focaccia and Gelato all’Olio.
Opening hours were not stated in the verified coverage, so check the restaurant’s own listing before visiting for hours, reservations, and the current menu. Shay is a new opening, so booking ahead is a sensible plan, especially for weekend evenings in Rosedale.
Who it is for
This is for Italian food lovers who want handmade pasta and a chef driven room, for Rosedale locals looking for a new regular, and for celebrators who want a warm, polished dinner without a formal tasting menu. It is also a good pick for a date night or a small family celebration, where the story of a restaurant named for a daughter adds a personal note to the evening. Start with crudo, order the Tajarin, and finish with Tiramisù Nero.
