Our Story

A Toronto Italian Tradition Since 1988

Jolly II has been part of the Toronto community since 1988, and our philosophy has remained simple: start with great ingredients, prepare them with care, and create food that brings people together.

Our story begins with a lifelong love of food. I started cooking when I was 13, and that passion eventually took me to my first restaurant near Yong St. and Davisville Ave., where I spent five years. I also lived in France for several years and travelled to Italy many times, experiences that shaped the way I think about food and quality.

Today, I remain closely involved in the food we serve at Jolly. I develop and shape our menu, create new dishes, oversee purchasing and continually look for ways to improve what we do.

That commitment to improvement is part of who we are. We make fresh pasta and sauces in-house, along with our pizza dough and dressings. We use quality ingredients and continue to refine our methods because we believe our guests deserve the best food we can give them.

But ultimately, a restaurant is about more than ingredients and recipes.

Food brings people together.

It's a family sitting around a table, a couple enjoying dinner, friends catching up, or colleagues sharing lunch. After all these years, we're proud that Jolly continues to be a place where people can come together, eat well and feel welcome.

The Jolly Mask

Our logo is a Venetian mask from the Italian Renaissance. Traditionally associated with the carnival tradition,

these elaborate masks offered anonymity and allowed people to step outside their everyday identities.

For us, the mask has become part of Jolly's identity—a symbol of the character and personality of the restaurant.