When two of the minds behind Giulietta and Osteria Giulia team up for a new project, Toronto’s restaurant community pays attention. Sammarco, the sleek Italian steakhouse from Chef Rob Rossi and David Minicucci, has done more than meet expectations — it’s exceeded them decisively enough to land on both Toronto Life’s best-new-restaurants list and Canada’s 100 Best‘s annual ranking, where it earned a special award for best restaurant design.
The concept at Sammarco is deceptively simple on the surface: Italian flavours, prime beef, and an impeccable dining room. But the execution elevates each of those elements into something that feels genuinely special. The kitchen bridges Italian and North American steakhouse traditions with intelligence and restraint, allowing beautifully sourced cuts to shine while weaving in the kinds of antipasti, hand-rolled pasta, and deeply flavoured sauces that remind you this is decidedly not just another chophouse.
The design is worth lingering on. The room is polished and intentional — warm without being stuffy, sophisticated without being cold. It’s the kind of space that makes you sit up a little straighter without feeling like you’re being judged for doing so. The award it received for restaurant design is well-earned; every material and lighting choice feels considered.
On the plate, expect prime-grade beef in multiple cuts and preparations, complemented by classic Italian starters and a pasta program that Rossi takes seriously. The wine list skews heavily Italian, with a depth of selection that rewards guests who like to spend time with the sommelier before ordering.
Sammarco has quickly established itself as one of the city’s most sought-after reservations. It caters to business dinners, milestone celebrations, and anyone who simply believes that a great meal is worth planning around. Make your reservation now — tables at Sammarco are moving fast, and for very good reason.