Aqua E Farina is described as a cozy, romantic spot offering authentic Italian cooking with fresh, flavorful dishes and a welcoming atmosphere. Diners frequently praise standout pastas and classics such as burrata, lasagna, calamari, and the option to customize pasta, along with strong brunch and dinner experiences and good value for quality. Service is noted as warm and attentive on many visits, though some reviews report slower or erratic service on busy nights and occasional misses like drinks or plates arriving late. The setting, including a terrace and a quiet neighborhood vibe, adds to the charm, and desserts like tiramisu and cannoli are often highlighted, with a solid wine list. A few accounts mention concerns about price or portion sizes and one calls the place the best Italian restaurant in Montreal, but the overall impression is that Aqua E Farina is a well loved option for pasta lovers, best enjoyed for the atmosphere and the pasta, with caution about peak time pacing and pricing.
Quaint & romantic spot for authentic Italian food, fresh & flavorful.
We went for Valentines & there was a Table d'hôte spécial. We opted for À la carte. Excellent Burrata. Excellent Lasagna. Chicken parm was also cooked to perfection. & generous portion meals.
The service was mediocre, busy night certainly due to the event. Not sure if typical or not. But waitress never brought us our drinks or sharing plates. Still very welcoming & kind however.
Favorite Italian place! Their pasta sauce rosée is always delicious & they gracefully offered to add some chicken! In the appetizers, the calamari are always fresh & tasty, coming with a delicious side sauce, I highly recommend !
Also, don't forget to try their tiramisu & canoli, they are to die for !
We had an amazing experience at Aqua E Farina yesterday with a group of seven, & everything from the service to the food was exceptional. The staff were warm, attentive, & made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The restaurant has a cozy, inviting atmosphere tucked into a quiet residential neighborhood-definitely a hidden gem.
I ordered the lasagna & honestly, it may have ruined all other lasagnas for me-perfectly layered, rich, & absolutely delicious. Everyone in our group raved about their dishes, & we were impressed by how reasonably priced everything was, especially given the quality. They also have a solid wine & alcohol selection that pairs well with the menu.
Parking is street parking, but it's free & not difficult to find if you're willing to walk a block or two. Totally worth it.
Highly recommend Aqua E Farina for a relaxed, authentic Italian dining experience. We'll definitely be back.
Food is DELICIOUS!!!!!! Everything taste good, food, drinks, waiters are amazing, I mean... Don't hesitate for a second!!! I have such a good time everytime I crave for pasta... it's the authentic italian place to go, period. Thank me later ;)
Went three times & the food was very good, very well executed & well balanced every time. I also like that the ambiance is quite relaxed. The prices are somewhat high, but they remain acceptable considering the quality. I've had bitter tasting bolognese & poorly cooked pastas for the same price in other Italian restaurants, but not here so that's great!
Jan 26, 2025
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Lovely italian restaurant on Monkland. The food was excellent. I loved my fried calamari. Crispy & tasty. The arancini were amazing. Not too dry or hard. The pasta was al dente. I would definitely come back!
The best Italian resto in Montreal=5⭐️ for sure! 😊 Delicious authentic Italian food, cozy atmosphere & great friendly service by Sara L 😊 I highly recommend Aqua Farina!
We decided to try this place for brunch, & I can say it was the best brunch experience on Monkland Ave so far. We were warmly welcomed, & the music was neither dull nor too loud. The menu was well-balanced, catering to most tastes, though I wish they had a kids' menu as well. The quality, taste, & presentation of the dishes were excellent, & the coffee was definitely of Italian quality. Overall, we loved our experience. --- Nous avons décidé de tester cet endroit pour le brunch, & je peux dire que c'était la meilleure expérience de brunch sur l'avenue Monkland jusqu'à présent. Nous avons été accueillis chaleureusement, & la musique n'était ni ennuyeuse ni trop forte. Le menu était bien équilibré & répondait à la plupart des goûts, bien que j'aurais aimé qu'il y ait un menu pour enfants également. La qualité, le goût & la présentation des plats étaient excellents, & le café avait certainement la qualité italienne. Dans l'ensemble, nous avons adoré notre expérience.
Sep 8, 2024
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While the food is pretty good & on par with other Italian restaurants on Monkland, the atmosphere felt like a poorly ventilated living room. It was noisy, & the patron practice of offering complimentary drinks to younger women & engaging in flirtatious conversations was unappealing. This setting is not ideal for a family dinner or for bringing children. Bistro down the street is worth the wait.
It is a nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. Good Italian dishes. Reasonably priced. I've yet to try their brunch menus. I'll probably pay a visit on a Sunday morning.
Honest Italian food for a quick dine out. The pasta with rabbit ragout was perfect, the tagliatelle with frutti di mare were a bit too spicy. The staff is friendly, despite being busy. Great job, mate! Would you consider replacing those fake palm trees with real trees or plants? They just look so ugly & out of place!
May 21, 2024
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Simple small basement intimate Italian restaurant. Very quiet when we arrived, half full during our meal. Lone server worked very hard & did his best. Took well over an hour for the meals to be served...kitchen was short staffed we later learned. Lasagna was great. Lots of potential here!
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Aqua E Farina & I must say, it was an unforgettable experience that transported me straight to the heart of Italy.From the moment I stepped inside, the ambiance exuded warmth & authenticity, with rustic decor & soft Italian music setting the mood. The staff greeted me with genuine hospitality, making me feel like a cherished guest from the start. Now, onto the main event: the food. Every dish I sampled was a culinary masterpiece, bursting with flavors that danced on my palate. The menu didn't offer a lot of options but the one they have is amazing. Overall, my experience was nothing short of exceptional. Whether you're looking for a pretty dinner for two or a family celebration, this charming Italian restaurant is sure to delight your senses & leave you craving more. Grazie mille for an unforgettable dining experience!
I tried Aqua E Farina once, I liked the atmosphere & the wall paintings there, taking you to Italy & the past. They have good Italian dishes. I took gluten free gnocchi. It was good but a bit greasy for me. My friend took Caesar salad & a soup (can't recall its name) & they were tasty. The waiter was nice. All in all my experience was good. Go & give it a try as I saw they have many interesting Italian dishes😊
Great authentic & fresh pasta dishes along with other traditional italian dishes 🥰 Awesome atmosphere, nice terrace & the food & drinks are to die for. The cannoli & tiramisu are delicious. The staff is very friendly & attentive. Recommend 100%
Had the pleasure of dining here today to celebrate my father's birthday. We were served by the lovely Lauren. The food was out of the world! Everything was so fresh, & you can tell it was all made with love. My daughter, who is a very picky eater, is still talking about her meal. She loved everything, especially the home-made tiramisu she had for dessert. It was our first time here (my father had been once before), but it won't be our last. We have a new favorite Italian restaurant!
