Popular beer bar and bottle shop opening new cafe concept in Toronto
Published April 15, 2025 at 11:04 am
The people behind popular beer bars in Toronto are currently working on a concept that expands their offerings into a whole different space with a new cafe.
Volo locations can be found in two places, in Little Italy and downtown on St. Nicholas. The College locations that currently encompass both Birerria Volo and Bottega Volo are undergoing a shift that will see the team opening a brand new cafe.
“The upcoming expansion will be located across 606 and 608 College St., within the historic Royal Cinema building, originally known as the Pylon, a site with deep cultural significance in the early days of Little Italy,” Volo owner Julian Morana tells YourCityWithIN.com.
“We’re excited to honour that history while introducing a new concept that reflects our love for Italian traditions in a modern context.”
Where Bottega is currently occupying the lobby in front of the Royal, there will soon be a Roman-style cafe and concession space operated by Volo. Never fear, Bottega Volo isn’t going anywhere: it’s simply shifting one door down and will occupy a newly renovated area that will still be connected to the new cafe, though it will have its own dedicated entrance.
The cafe will serve a daytime-focused menu with espresso-based coffee beverages, pastries, pizza, Italian sandwiches, takeaways, cicchetti (small snacks typically served on toast) and a bar menu of spritzes and other low-alcohol options.
When Bottega Volo moves next door, you’ll still be able to find their usual range of tinned fish, amaro, vermouth and pantry staples, though Morana says “this new iteration will deepen our focus on specialty imports and pantry goods.”
“Our aim is to create a space where quality and curiosity meet, where guests can discover something new and uniquely Bottega,” says Morana.
The new cafe and Bottega Volo spaces are tentatively slated to softly open around summer 2025.