'We’re going to be packed': World Cup brings traffic boost to restaurants and bars

The FIFA World Cup is bringing a welcome surge in traffic to restaurants and bars.

Rocco Mastrangelo Jr., a co-owner of Cafe Diplomatico in the heart of Toronto’s Little Italy neighbourhood, said the restaurant kicked into high gear for the World Cup despite the cold, setting up tents in the road next to its covered, heated patio and hiring live music for Canada’s first game.

Though the Wednesday game didn’t end with a win, Mastrangelo Jr. is still excited for the World Cup matches to come, saying he expects traffic to pick up for certain games.

Cafe Diplomatico is already fully booked for Sunday's matchup of Canada and Croatia, he said.