Balboa in Old Montreal offers Italian fare anchored by wood-fired pizzas with a standout organic sourdough crust, complemented by pasta, antipasti, and desserts that many reviews call delicious. The ambiance is repeatedly described as beautiful and inviting, providing a lively yet intimate backdrop for casual nights out or dates. Service is praised for being attentive and friendly, and the cocktails and wine list receive positive mentions, though several visits note slow or inconsistent service and long waits for drinks or dishes at busy times. The pizza is often the star, with reviewers praising the crust and toppings as among the best in town, while a few say the price is high for the value and some pizzas do not rise above the ordinary. Dishes such as fungi pasta and arancini are highlighted as excellent, whereas some patrons found the bolognese or certain plates underwhelming. Overall the place is seen as a stylish and reliable destination in the area that delivers strong pizza and atmosphere, with many diners planning to return to try more of the menu.
We enjoyed a great meal here, we're Australians visiting Montreal & have been shown so much hospitality! The fried olives were a standout, as was the limoncello cocktail. Our server Nick was perfect & so fun. It's in a beautiful part of the old town with lots of restaurants & bars & people out & about. Recommend it!
Balboa Montreal Review: Great Vibes, Amazing Service...but is the pizza worth the Old Montreal price tag?
Old Montreal is buzzing, & Balboa is the hot new spot everyone's talking about! As a self-proclaimed foodie, I had to check out this June 2025 opening, especially after hearing whispers it has the'best pizza in town.'
The short version? It's gorgeous, the service is flawless, but my wallet is still crying. Here's the breakdown.
The Vibe & Service: 10/10
From the moment you walk in, the place is a stunner. Located right in the heart of tourist-central Old Montreal, Balboa delivers on ambiance. The decor is absolutely beautiful so think exposed brick, warm wood beams, & chic, twinkling lights. It felt festive & intimate, perfect for a Saturday night dinner with friends.
The service was truly the standout of the evening. Our server was amazing, attentive, & incredibly friendly. They made the entire experience feel special, & I genuinely cannot fault the staff at all.
The Food & Value:
We booked a table for four people & started with the pepperoni pizza & a fresh caprese salad (which was delicious, as you can see!).
The wood-fired pizza itself (the one I was told was the best in town) was good. It had a great crust with those nice, charred bubbles & quality toppings. However, was it'the best pizza in town'? Honestly, no. It was solid, but didn't blow me away.
& here's where my'underwhelmed' feeling comes in: the price. Being charged $25 for a pepperoni pizza & $20 for an average cocktail (hello, Espresso Martini!) feels excessive, even for a prime tourist location. The prices definitely reflect the location & the stunning fit-out more than the culinary execution.
Bottom Line: You're paying a premium for the stunning atmosphere, the phenomenal service, & the Old Montreal postcode. If you're looking for mind-blowing pizza value, you might want to look elsewhere. If you're looking for a guaranteed beautiful night out with perfect service, this is it!
Dec 7, 2025
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Really nice decor, service is impecable, staff was friendly, food was on point. Wood fire to steal my heart. Pasta al dente! Cocktails were amazing. Highly recomend this experience. Cant wait to go again & try something new-- im sure will be delish.
Nous avons eu un délicieux souper au Balboa. Les arancinis aux petits pois étaient surprenament bons! Nous avons essayé les pizzas au four au pepperoni & Funghi. Excellents cocktails également.
Retro charm, sourdough pizzas that slap, & cocktails with serious spritz cred. Feels like your Italian grandma opened a pizzeria & invited the cool kids. Busy, lovely, & worth the carbs.
We had a great time ! Reservation pour 7 en soirée. Excellents cocktails, repas 10/10 les pâtes étaient excellentes (vongole) service très amical. Merci 🫶🏽
Had a wonderful evening at this new gem in Old Montreal. The wood oven pizza was delicious as were the cocktails & the focaccia... yummy !!!! The atmosphere is adorable & the staff was very friendly. Will definitely be back ! Welcome to the neighbourhood Balboa 🥰
