Feeling fed up with the time-honoured tradition of popcorn and soda for your movie snacks? Little Italy’s Royal Theatre just got a fitting upgrade when it comes to food options.

I love to get my hands all buttery on a night out at the movies as much as the next girl, and if you ask me, the Royal Theatre has one of the best-stocked concessions stands in town, but what happens when one wants to spice things up?

Bottega Caffe is what happens.

A new venture from the team behind Bar Volo and Bottega Volo, Bottega Cafe is the latest and greatest food and drink business to move into the longstanding theatre.

Bottega Volo has been operating a bottle shop, which stocks a selection of imported beer, natural wine, pantry staples and tinned fish, out of the theatre’s lobby since 2021, but as of February 2026, they’ve amped things up even further.

Bottega Volo has since moved into the space that formerly housed Royal Jewellers on the opposite side of the theatre, while Bottega Caffe plants its roots in the space it left behind.

Tapas-esque snacks from Bottaga Volo are available to nibble on within the theatre — think arancini and panini — while the Caffe offers a more comprehensive suite of ready-to-eat offerings and in-house seating for before or after your show.

The space is all rich cherrywood, white marble and checkerboard floors, serving Rufino Espresso and baked goods from Forno Cultura and Monte Bakery in the mornings before shifting to sandwiches and aperitivi in the afternoon.

Don’t get me misunderstood: Bottaga Caffe isn’t a concessions stand, and you can still get popcorn for the movie if that’s your style. You don’t need a ticket for a screening to sit down for an espresso and a sweet treat.

Rather, it’s a strategic partnership that brings back to the neighbourhood a bit of the old-school Italian sheen that’s been seeping away from Little Italy in recent years.

And if that means I get to eat an Italian sandwich and espresso before the show begins, I’m happy as a clam.

Bottega Caffe is located at 606 College St., and Bottega Volo is located at 608.