Cafe Gentile is described as a welcoming and stylish spot with a modern yet warm atmosphere that fits a casual coffee, a business meeting, or a relaxed dinner. The food is repeatedly praised for freshness, generous portions, and Italian flair, with pizzas, pastas, seafood, and daily specials earning high marks, while desserts and coffee also draw strong praise. The service is frequently highlighted as attentive, friendly, and professional, making guests feel at home even when busy. The new West Island location is noted for its chic decor, vibrant ambiance, and convenient parking, matching or surpassing the original spots in quality and consistency. A few reservations appear about noise levels and some menu value items, with some guests feeling portions for certain dishes could be larger or prices higher, but overall the impression is that Cafe Gentile is a standout destination in the West Island and worth multiple visits for both cafe and restaurant experiences.
Anthony was our server at the coffee bar, he was amazing & so good at explaining everything. We had the eggplant parm, the grilled octopus, & the arancini, & the burrata salad. Our favourite were the eggplant & grilled octopus, they were delicious. Can't wait to come back!
Edit: We came once more, this time as a group of 10. Reserved 2 days in advance & Tanya was able to accommodate us & all our food restrictions. All the staff is so kind & welcoming, & we had just as good of an experience as last time. Thank you to Charles for serving us tonight 🥰
My first impression walking into the restaurant is that the noise level was high.
It only got louder as the evening progressed.
The food was mediocre & frankly overpriced. My companion & I shared the ricotta crostini appetizer. It was basically a slice of toasted bread with some ricotta drizzled with truffle honey. Nothing special at all. I had the gnocchi special with the lamb ragu. I was not impressed. My companion had the gnocchi with the tomato sauce that was better, but still not great. I must add that the portions were generous.
The best part of the meal was the dessert - a pistachio & hazelnut cheesecake. It was delicious.
The service was okay. The servers are all young & inexperienced.
The cocktails are overpriced. $19 for an espresso martini! That's an exaggerated price. This is DDO not some trendy bar in the heart of the city.
Mar 28, 2026
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My wife & I came in last week & sat at the bar. We were served by two gentlemen who worked great together & really complemented each other. They were both very knowledgeable & made the experience even better. We both had a great time & will definitely be returning.
I finally made it to Café Gentile for brunch, & it was well worth the wait.
It was quite busy when I arrived, but I was seated at the bar, which worked perfectly since I was dining alone. Serena (I hope I'm spelling her name correctly) was working behind the bar & was absolutely lovely - warm, personable, & always smiling. I ordered the Avocado Crostini, a Gentile Spritz, & a latte. Everything was fresh & delicious, & the latte was excellent.
Since I hadn't yet tried their dinner menu, I made a reservation & returned with my husband. Once again, the restaurant was very busy, which says a lot. We were greeted warmly by the hostess & shown to our table promptly. The atmosphere is inviting & cozy, with great music that adds to the overall experience.
Our server, Bella, was attentive without being intrusive - the perfect balance. For appetizers, I had the Artichoke Crostini & my husband ordered the special (Argentine shrimp with quinoa). Both were beautifully presented & full of flavor. For mains, I chose the Grilled Branzino, which was perfectly cooked, & my husband had the Madison Square Garden pizza, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
We ended the evening with a brownie topped with marshmallow & vanilla gelato - a sweet & satisfying finish. Thank you to Serena for the thoughtful treat.
Between Serena & Bella, the service was outstanding on both visits. Café Gentile delivers not only excellent food but also a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes you want to return.
Highly recommended for both brunch & dinner in the West Island.
Great experience - Excellent food & portions were more generous than St. Catherine location (I was disappointed with my last visit).
Had the Steak & Cheese sandwich with a 1/2 portion of Rigatoni Rosé.
Service was outstanding - everybody was friendly from start to end.
Definitely a great spot for lunch of a quick coffee.
The bar area is beautiful. Nice decor overall.
Stopped by for a quick coffee at the bar. Nice to see a restaurant in the West Island with constant line up. My cappuccino was excellent. I will have to come back for lunch
I visited this resturant / coffee shop & had one of the worst dining experiences I can remember in the past 45 years in Montreal.
From the start, we were rushed to order immediately. After barely taking my second bite, we were told to pay. Even while still drinking our coffee, the manager came over & said we had to leave because their lunch service was starting. Wr were there for brunch at 10 am.
The setup is confusing - the sign says coffee shop on the right, restaurant on the left, but they mix everything & clearly don't know how to manage it.
The female manager was extremely rude, telling us to'go.' When I complained to the male manager, his response was dismissive:'Go write bad reviews, we have 200 good ones.'
This attitude was shockingly unprofessional , arrogant & impolite. We were treated with no respect, rushed out, & made to feel unwelcome. I do not recommend this place at all. I recommend pigeon cafe at list they are so polite & nice .
