A full Italian trattoria sits inside a grocery store, right past shelves of pasta, cheese, and fresh bread. Lunch and dinner come out of a kitchen that shares a building with 55,000 square feet of imported goods.
The family behind it still travels to their father’s hometown in Italy. They bring back foods you won’t easily find anywhere else in the country.
I love that a shopping trip and a dinner reservation can happen under one roof.
This Michigan spot started with one small Detroit market decades ago. Today it feels like a cozy little slice of Italy landed in the suburbs.
I can’t imagine leaving without a bag of fresh pasta and something sweet from the bakery case. So which comes first, the shopping cart or the table for two?
A Grocery Run That Ends With A Dinner Reservation
Grocery shopping rarely comes with a white tablecloth option. At Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria in Plymouth Township, it absolutely does.
The front of the building is a massive Italian market packed with breads, cheeses, meats, and pantry staples. Keep walking, and you reach Cantoro Trattoria, a full-service restaurant attached right to the store.
That setup is the whole charm. You can browse imported olive oils, then sit down for house-made pasta made in the same building.
The kitchen serves regional Italian specialties with a contemporary approach. Lunch and dinner run most days, so timing your visit is pretty flexible.
I like how the place refuses to pick one identity. It’s a serious grocery store and a serious restaurant, sharing walls like old friends.
Michigan has plenty of Italian spots, but few let you shop the ingredients before tasting the finished dish. Here, the shelves and the plates tell the same story.
It also sits within easy reach of much of metro Detroit. That makes it a realistic weekend trip, not a someday dream.
And honestly, who doesn’t want dessert waiting at the end of the errand list? This place makes the grocery run feel like a reward.
One Detroit Storefront Started The Whole Story
Back in 1968, a young grocer named Mario Fallone bought an existing market in Detroit. He had already picked up experience in the grocery and sales world before taking that leap.
Mario was born in Sant’Elia, Italy. He came to America in the early 1950s and settled in Detroit, a city full of families chasing fresh starts.
That little market became the seed of everything you see today. It’s a classic immigrant story, built one customer and one shelf at a time.
Nostalgia gets thrown around a lot, but this one is earned. The Fallone name has been tied to Italian groceries in metro Detroit for more than five decades.
I believe that kind of continuity matters. Recipes and relationships take years to build, and they show up in what lands on the shelves.
Plenty of family businesses fade after one generation. This one kept moving forward, and kept its roots close while doing it.
So when you pick up a loaf or a jar of sauce here, there’s history behind it. Not a marketing story, just a family that kept showing up.
That Detroit storefront would be proud of what came next.
From Livonia To A Plymouth Showpiece
Growth came in steady steps. In the 1970s, Mario Fallone moved the market to Livonia, where a Cantoro market still operates today.
Then came the big swing. In March 2014, the family opened the 55,000-square-foot market and trattoria in Plymouth Township.
That’s a long road from one Detroit storefront. Each move kept the same goal, which was bringing authentic Italian food to Michigan families.
Today, Mario’s sons, John and Michael Fallone, run the day-to-day operations. The business remains a true family effort, which feels rare at this scale.
The family kept expanding after Plymouth, too. In 2018, they opened a second Cantoro Italian Trattoria in Troy, a restaurant without an attached market.
That detail makes the Plymouth location extra special. It’s the one spot where the full market and the trattoria live together.
I can’t help admiring a family that grew this big without losing the plot. The name on the door still belongs to the people running the floor.
For Michiganders who love local success stories, this one checks every box. It started small, stayed family, and kept getting better.
Suitcases Full Of Sant’Elia Flavor
Here’s a sourcing trick you won’t find at the big-box store. John and Michael Fallone regularly travel to Sant’Elia, their father Mario’s birthplace in Italy.
Those trips aren’t just family visits. The brothers use them to find unique foods that are not typically found elsewhere in the U.S.
That changes how you look at the shelves. Some of what you’re browsing came from relationships built in the family’s actual hometown.
It’s a personal approach to stocking a store. Instead of ordering from a catalog, they go back to the source and taste things in person.
I like how this keeps the market connected to real Italian life. The hometown isn’t a slogan on a sign, it’s part of the supply chain.
For shoppers, that means discovery. You might spot a product you’ve never seen before, and that’s kind of the point.
The trattoria benefits from those trips, too. Ingredients that travel from Italy can end up shaping what comes out of the kitchen.
Few Michigan markets can claim a direct line to a specific Italian town. This one can, and it shows in the details.
Bring Comfortable Shoes For 55,000 Square Feet
Ten thousand products. That’s roughly how many carefully chosen items fill Cantoro, Michigan’s largest Italian market.
The space stretches across 55,000 square feet. Its design draws inspiration from famous markets in Rome, Venice, and Palermo.
You’ll find fresh produce, imported olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and plenty of pantry staples. There are meats, a specialty cheese department, and even housewares for your kitchen.
Every turn seems to open onto another department. Plan on wandering, because rushing through here feels like skipping chapters in a good book.
The pasta selection alone could keep you busy for a while. Shapes you’ve never cooked before might start calling your name.
I believe the best way to shop here is with a loose plan. Grab the essentials, then leave room for one surprise find.
Prices can lean a little higher than a typical supermarket. Checking the store’s sale ads before you go may help stretch your budget.
Still, the variety is the real draw. It’s the kind of store where a quick stop for bread turns into a full cart without warning.
The Bakery Case That Ruins Every Shopping List
Good luck walking past the bakery without slowing down. Breads, pastries, and cakes fill this department, and it’s one of the most talked-about parts of the market.
The pastry section is huge, with plenty of house-made treats. Crusty loaves sit nearby, ready to anchor tonight’s dinner.
Cakes are a big part of the lineup, too. A celebration cake from here would make any birthday feel a bit more Italian.
There’s also a gelato counter nearby, which feels slightly unfair to anyone trying to be disciplined. A cool scoop after shopping sounds like a reasonable reward.
I can’t imagine visiting without picking up at least one pastry. Even the most focused grocery trip deserves a sweet ending.
The dessert counter adds even more options. Between pastries, cakes, and gelato, your sweet tooth gets a full workout.
Bread lovers have their own reasons to linger. A fresh loaf paired with good olive oil from the aisles makes an easy appetizer at home.
Honestly, the bakery could be a destination on its own. Lucky for us, it’s just one stop inside a much bigger adventure.
Cheese, Cured Meats, And A Charcuterie Daydream
Charcuterie boards start right here. The deli and specialty cheese department give you plenty of options for building something impressive.
Imported cheeses line the cases alongside sliced meats. It’s the kind of counter where asking for a sample feels like part of the fun.
The meat counter adds even more variety for home cooks. Planning a Sunday sauce or a special roast gets easier with everything in one place.
Weekends can get busy at the deli, so a little patience helps. Grabbing a number early is a smart move when the store fills up.
I like how the deli turns grocery shopping into a hands-on experience. You talk through thickness, flavors, and pairings instead of grabbing a sealed package.
Pair your picks with crackers, olives, and fresh bread from other departments. Suddenly you’ve got a party spread without much effort.
Holiday hosts in Michigan know the pressure of a good appetizer table. A stop at this counter can take a lot of that stress away.
Just watch your cart. Cheese has a sneaky way of multiplying when you’re not looking.
Fresh Pasta That Feeds Both The Shelf And The Kitchen
Same building, same pasta. That’s the clever connection between the market and the trattoria at Cantoro.
The market makes fresh, house-made pasta right on site. The trattoria uses that pasta in its dishes, so the shelf and the plate share a source.
For shoppers, that’s a fun bonus. Love a pasta dish at dinner, and you can buy fresh pasta in the same building to cook at home.
It feels a little like getting a peek behind the curtain. The ingredients that impress you at the table aren’t hidden away in a mystery supply room.
I believe this is what makes the whole place click. The market isn’t just next door to the restaurant, it actually feeds it.
Home cooks can build an Italian night around it easily. Grab fresh pasta, a jar of good sauce, and some cheese from the counter.
Fresh pasta cooks quickly, which helps on busy weeknights. Dinner can come together faster than ordering takeout.
And if your homemade version falls short, no shame at all. The trattoria is right there to show you how it’s done.
Fifty Dishes Ready Before You Even Turn On The Stove
Not in the mood to cook? The prepared foods section offers more than 50 different gourmet Italian dishes ready to take home.
Trays of classic Italian comfort food greet you in this area. It’s a lifesaver on nights when energy runs low but standards stay high.
Variety is the big win here. Italian food means far more than spaghetti and pizza, and this counter proves it.
Pricing is by weight on many items, so portions add up quickly. A little restraint with the serving spoon goes a long way.
I like how this section works for so many situations. Quick lunches, family dinners, and last-minute guests all get covered.
Checking ingredient labels is easy if you have dietary concerns. Packaged items list what’s inside, which helps careful eaters choose wisely.
Busy Michigan families might find this counter becomes a weekly habit. It’s a nice middle ground between cooking and dining out.
Pair a couple of dishes with fresh bread from the bakery. You’ll have a spread that looks like you spent all afternoon in the kitchen.
Your secret is safe with us.
Wood-Fired Pizza And Pasta Waiting Past The Aisles
Award-winning food at the back of a grocery store sounds unlikely. Cantoro Trattoria makes it real, serving regional Italian specialties with a contemporary approach.
Executive Chef Francisco Neri leads the kitchen. His menu covers appetizers, salads, house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, seafood, meat dishes, and desserts.
That range means everyone at the table can find something. Pizza fans and pasta loyalists can finally share a meal in peace.
The atmosphere leans elegant without feeling stuffy. It works for birthdays, anniversaries, or just a well-earned night out.
Service gets plenty of attention here, with staff known for being attentive. Servers can sometimes help customize dishes, which is handy for vegetarians, since meatless options are limited.
The Plymouth location has two separate dining areas. That gives the space some flexibility for different moods and group sizes.
I can’t think of a better way to end a long shopping trip. You’ve seen the ingredients up close, and now you get to taste them.
Reservations are recommended, though walk-ins are welcome when space allows. Booking ahead may save you from staring longingly at other tables.
Room For The Whole Family Reunion
Big birthday coming up? Cantoro has private dining spaces built for gatherings, including the Mezzanine and other rooms for larger groups.
Banquet facilities go even bigger. The upper level can seat up to 300 guests, while a cozier lower level holds up to 90.
That’s serious capacity for a place that started as a neighborhood grocery. Milestone birthdays, showers, and family celebrations all have a home here.
There’s also an underground cellar with an old Tuscan feel. It hosts clubs, lectures, and private gatherings in a setting that feels far from the suburbs.
I like the idea of celebrating where the food is made. The same kitchen that feeds the trattoria can feed your entire guest list.
Event coordinators handle the planning details. Clear communication about your setup, timing, and menu is always smart for any big event.
Buffet options are available for groups. That keeps things relaxed when you’re juggling a crowd of hungry relatives.
Michigan families love a good gathering, especially around the holidays. Booking early may help you snag the room you want.
Hours, Directions, And A Smart Game Plan
Set your GPS for 15550 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth, MI 48170.
The market sits in Plymouth Township, within an easy drive of much of metro Detroit.
Market hours run Monday through Saturday from 8 AM to 8 PM. On Sundays, the doors open from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The trattoria keeps its own schedule. Lunch runs Tuesday through Saturday from 11 AM to 2 PM, with dinner from 4:30 PM to 10 PM.
Sundays bring the dinner menu from 11 AM to 4 PM. The trattoria is closed on Mondays, so plan around that.
Arriving late on a Sunday can cut your restaurant plans short. An earlier start gives you time for both shopping and a sit-down meal.
I believe the best approach is eating first, then shopping. A full stomach keeps the bakery from hijacking your budget.
Reservations are a good idea, especially for dinner. Walk-ins may work when space permits, but nothing is guaranteed.
Hours can change around holidays, so a quick check before leaving is smart. Nobody wants to arrive hungry to locked doors.
Worth Every Mile Of The Haggerty Road Drive
Some family stories end up on a plaque. The Fallone story ended up on 55,000 square feet of shelves and a busy dining room.
Cantoro Italian Market and Trattoria blends history, hometown connections, and serious food in one stop. It’s rare to find all three under one roof.
The market alone justifies the drive. The trattoria turns it into a full day out.
Mario Fallone’s 1968 Detroit market still echoes through every aisle. His sons keep that spirit alive with trips back to Sant’Elia.
I love that Michigan gets to claim a place like this. It feels like a family secret that grew too big to keep quiet.
Families, couples, and curious food lovers will all find something here. Shopping, dining, and celebrating all fit naturally into the same visit.
Come with a loose plan and an open mind. Leave with fresh pasta, a pastry or two, and maybe a reservation for next time.
So grab a friend and point the car toward Plymouth. Your next favorite Italian meal might be waiting just past the bread aisle.
