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 stopped here for a late dinner. It was a really nice pizzeria with a casual yet artsy feeling vibe. The staff were so friendly & fun. The drinks were great. The pizzas were AMAZING! Thin crust fresh & flavourful ingredients. We had two pasta dishes & they were okay but they paled in comparison to the pizzas. We ordered the Margherita, the pizza Bianca with the fennel sausage & the 4-cheese pizza. We'll have to make this a destination for our next visit to old Montreal.
Delicious food the service was great our waiter was attentive & very friendly answering all our questions the restaurant itself was so fun with great decorations & atmosphere & the pizza was some of the best I've had with a homemade sourdough crust & tasty toppings & the rest of my party said the pasta & drinks were also very good quality.
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!
We dined here twice (so far...) on our first trip to Montreal. The pizza is delightful, especially the organic sourdough crust! It has just the right amount of chew. Save room for the tiramusu - you won't regret it!
Decor , music , atmospere, ambiance: very much in line with high end pizza resto.
Pizza very very good in fact , exceptional & generous.
The crust is perfect.
The prices are in line with the quality of food & ingredients.
Wish they offered an all dressed pizza on the menu like 90% of pizza restos offer.
Reception & service worth mentioning.
Particularly the gracious & smiling Mathilde who took great care of me & made me laugh on an off day for me.
Merci Mathilde:)
Wow..Im a pizza snob & this was great!! Wood fired crust to perfection. Our guide through the menu was David-Lee …Great job. Loved the decor & authentic Italy pizzas offered.
Aug 7, 2025
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This is the place to dine in Montreal! Julie was fabulous, friendly & accommodating! The funghi pizza is sumptuous, tasty, & perfectly crusted, rivals all the pizzas I have had in Italy!
Absolutely loved the vibe at Balboa! The pizza is seriously next level (sourdough crust is a game changer). Great spot for a casual night out with friends or date night. Service was friendly & fast too. Can't wait to go back!
