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.
From hostess to servers….made me feel very welcome !
Lilia & Jennifer are assets in this industry because of their bubbly & friendly personalities which made me enjoy my dining.
In addition, Jennifer's expertise & knowledge about the food they serve allows me to pick the proper amount & proper entre (menu) which saved me money from ordering I won't finish.
Not only both ladies are awesome at what they do-they are beautiful inside & outside.
Food is also excellent tasting
Kudos BALBOA
Nous avons souhaité découvrir ce petit restaurant au vieux Montréal.
Premier point positif : la nourriture est très bonne ! Les pizzas étaient délicieuses, les pâtes au ragu également, rien à redire là-dessus ! Sans oublier la portion de tiramisu vraiment généreuse.
Cependant, le service était très long. Nous avons attendu nos boissons facile 20 min, les plats au moins 30 min. On a demandé à emporter les restes de nos pizzas mais ils ne sont jamais revenus.
& attention ! Nous avons dû payer un pourboire après taxes alors qu'il doit être mis AVANT taxes (selon la loi 72 du Québec). Quand nous l'avons mentionné, nous avons eu une explication très bancale. Bref, ce n'est pas très honnête.
C'est dommage, car l'ambiance du restaurant (déco, musique, lumière) & la nourriture était super !! Sans le service, on le recommande largement !
What wonderful night… my boyfriend & I celebrated our anniversary there & were delighted by the food, the atmosphere & the service. The pizza was to die for & I'm still craving the antipasti plate. Will be back for more!
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.
Very cute restaurant! The food was amazing, we got the'Antipasto Misto' to share & it was incredible!! The fried olives were the best part. We also very much enjoyed the pizzas, I recommend adding some chili oil for an extra kick. Overall good service
Sep 6, 2025
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Expérience mitigée pour la fête de ma conjointe. Un service long (30mn pour les boissons, 30mn pour les plats), le serveur était très peu réactif ça laissait vraiment à désirer. Deco sympathique
Selon la loi au Québec nous devons payer les pourboires avant les taxes, ce qui n'est pas fait ici & le serveur trouve un moyen pour contourner le sujet. On a aussi pas vu notre moitié de pizza qu'on a demandé à emporter, espérant qu'elle peut servir à des nécessiteux.
Restaurant italien qui diffuse que de la musique hispanique (logique??)
Vraiment une excellente adresse !
Dès l'accueil, on se sent bien reçu : le service est attentionné, le personnel souriant & efficace. Côté assiettes, c'est un vrai régal : les arancini sont croustillants & savoureux, la salade composée est ultra fraîche & pleine de goût. On sent vraiment la qualité des produits, & ça fait toute la différence. Une adresse que je recommande sans hésiter !
J'ai adoré le design du restaurant! L'ambiance était casual & relax, musique pas trop forte & nous avons reçu un très bon service!
Merci au professionnalisme & au sourire de Maryse! Je recommande!
Aug 24, 2025
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Très belle adresse au vieux Port. La déco est vraiment travaillée, les pizzas sont excellentes ! La pâte est fine & moelleuse 👍
Les prix sont ceux du vieux port mais au moins on y mange bien 😊
The best Pizza in town, my clean dishes already explained the taste. Now waiting my dessert but just can't wait to express the happy feeling about the amazing food I got.
Aug 10, 2025
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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.
I am writing this while stuffed on pizza after a day of being on my feet around the city. I had the vegetarian pizza my buddy had the mortadella. This pizza SLAPS 👏 its TASTY 👏 its REASONABLY PRICED 👏 the staff was great & very friendly & did not judge us too hard on my very poor french. The pizza was delicious & if we didnt come in so late I would've washed it down with coffee & a Gelato.
I also have a nut allergy & the pesto is nut free (not seed free) which was amazing!! Considering how delicious it was!! & they included it on the receipt so I know they checked for sure (I've had restaurants not do this!) If you're in Montreal for the first time or a repeat person this place is it!! Check it out!! Merci!!!
Très bel endroit dans le vieux Montréal. Parfait pour un repas entre amis ou en famille. Le décor & l'ambiance sont très agréables. Les pizzas sont bonnes mais pas excellente. Le service que nous avons reçu était bon mais manquait d'attention & de professionnalisme. Le prix étaient correct relativement à la qualité de la nourriture & du service.
