The Defina Story

In 2011 Pizzeria Defina opened its doors to the welcoming Roncesvalles Village offering Napoletana style pizza. To learn more about the technique and craft of wood fired pizza, we connected with two highly praised Italian pizza chefs, Chef Roberto Caporuscio from New York City and Tony Gemignani from San Francisco. 

In 2013 and 2016, Defina brought our passion and craft for wood fired pizza to the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. In 2013, we won the Best Traditional Pizza in the International Division with our “Pizza Expo Winner”, a continued favorite at Defina. In 2016, we won in the Best Non-Traditional Pizza, International Region and placed in the Pan Division, Sicilian Style. Our craft has also been honoured in 2018 and 2019 as Defina was presented with our first ‘Slice’ from the prestigious Gambero Rosso, the Italian authority of restaurants, Food and Wine.

Over the years we have continued to learn and expand our craft for wood fired pizza with four signature crusts: Napoletana, Roma, Kamut and Gluten-Free. Our dough is topped with fresh ingredients and variations that reflect the cultural diversity and history of Roncesvalles Village. Together, the blend of the Napoletana tradition and urban creativity rooted in our pizza has earned us further recognition including an episode on The Food Network’s You Gotta Eat Here! a feature in The New York Times, Now Magazine, Toronto Life Magazine and Platinum Winners of Parkdale Reader’s Choice for Best Local Pizza. Connecting with our community through authentic food, hosting private events and participating in neighbourhood activities is why we love what we do. 

In 2018 we opened our second location, Defina Wood Fired, located in the Junction Triangle neighbourhood. In addition to offering our signature Napoletana style pizza, Defina Wood Fired has expanded our passion for open flame cooking with an authentic Wood Fired Grill, Together, Pizzeria Defina and Defina Wood Fired is home to our Defina Family, a friendly staff that offers genuine, warm and welcoming service. Defina is, at its core, a restaurant that loves giving back, supporting and collaborating with others and making everyone feel at home — We hope you visit us soon!