Ruffino’s Pasta Bar and Grill

Ruffino’s Pasta Bar and Grill serves Italian cuisine in a welcoming, family-friendly restaurant nestled on Mary Street in Niagara-on-the-Lake. The cuisine is packed with flavour and resonates with the slow movement of Italy.

Inside the restaurant, with the rich aroma of peach wood burning in the traditional brick oven and the glowing warmth of the fire, guests know they’re invited into a culinary experience rooted in the deliciousness of authentic Italian cuisine. The wine and beverage service amplifies the experience with beautiful selections that pair perfectly for every occasion.

For up-to-date information and details on Ruffino’s Pasta Bar and Grill, we recommend you visit their website. For information about other places of interest to explore nearby, keep scrolling to see what Destination Ontario recommends.

Accessibility Features

Wheelchair accessible

Unobstructed path through public hallways that are wide enough to allow people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to move easily through the building.

Support persons welcome

Support persons are welcome to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to facilities. Please check with the organization about entry fees, if applicable.

Service animals welcome

Service animal can be identified by visual indicators (guide dog or other animal wearing a vest/harness); or documentation available from a regulated health professional to confirm the animal is required due to a disability.

Information available in alternative format

Accessible formats (e.g. for menus, brochures, etc) and communication supports are provided in a timely manner upon request at no extra charge in consultation with the person making the request.

Easy access electrical outlets

At least one electrical outlet within easy reach has clear floor space in front for charging an electric mobility device.

Accessible washroom

An accessible washroom stall has adequate manoeuvring room for mobility devices. Includes grab bars, transfer space, accessible door latch, sink with knee clearance, and lever handles or automatic sensor faucets.

Accessible drop-off location

Passenger drop-off is available by an accessible entrance.

Accessible seating

Reserved space with a clear view of the event/activity for someone who is seated, good sound quality, and adequate manoeuvring room for a mobility device.

Accessible restaurant

Accessible entrance; adequate manoeuvring room; accessible washroom nearby. Tables with removable chairs and adequate knee clearance. Cafeteria/buffet counters reachable for mobility device users.

Accessible parking

At least one identified, reserved parking space with a safe, clearly marked accessible route from the designated parking area to an accessible building entrance.

Accessible entrances/exits

A sufficiently wide, hard surfaced, unobstructed path, no steps or equipped with ramp connecting to a public entrance or exit and identified by signage. Automatic door openers, adequate manoeuvring room in front of door.

More about Ruffino’s Pasta Bar and Grill

Ruffino’s Pasta Bar and Grill is a neighbourhood restaurant, welcoming families and friends together with comfortable seating, a relaxed atmosphere and delicious aromas of made-from-scratch cooking.

Everything served in the restaurant is sustainable, which means you’re eating fresh, tasty meals that won’t harm the environment. Meat is ethically sourced and butchered in-house, then cooked over the open fire for a richness of flavour that’s unmatched. Staff from the restaurant tend Ruffino’s own garden and use the fresh vegetables daily, while preserving more for the long winter months when fresh produce can’t be had.

Even the sourdough bread is hand-crafted in-house and baked in the wood-fired oven for that unforgettable flavour. Pasta is made daily, along with the fresh-made pizzas to order with sourdough crust.

The menu, crafted daily to welcome visitors into the story of the community through food and drink, offers many selections suitable for adults, teenagers, and children’s taste buds.

Owner and executive chef Ryan Crawford has been involved in the kitchen his entire lifetime. He studied at Stratford Chefs School and was later an instructor there for four years. Throughout his life, he has travelled extensively, staging at the l’Orangerie, Lucques and Patina in Los Angeles, Jardinière in San Francisco, and at the French Laundry and Terra Grill in Napa Valley. He has worked with Jamie Kennedy and Michael Stadtländer, as well as holding the position of Executive Chef of the Stone Road Grille in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Crawford and his good friend, Paul Harber of Ravine Vineyard Winery, began farming together and brought the Happy Pig Farm to Niagara, which eventually led to opening Backhouse Restaurant. During COVID, Backhouse was closed, but the experience sparked Crawford to return to his true love in the kitchen: Italian cuisine. Partnering with Brett, Crawford and his team now bring to you the wonderful tastes, aromas, and atmosphere of a fine dining experience right here in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Ruffino’s wine and spirits menu includes some of the finest Ontario selections available, including a range of locally inspired cocktails, Roses, Pinot Grigios, Lambruscos, Langhe Rosso and Barbera d’Asti. For those not drinking alcohol, a selection of tasty frappes (with or without alcohol available), Sicilian Granitas (with or without alcohol available), various sodas, espresso, coffee and tea.

If your family loves Ruffino’s, you can give the gift of delectable Italian cuisine through a gift card from the restaurant.

Last updated: August 18, 2023