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 🥰
The atmosphere was warm & inviting & the service was attentive. Every dish was fresh & full of flavor.
You can really tell they care about quality & the overall customer experience. It's the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit. Perfect whether it's for a date night, a family dinner, or a night out with friends.
We recently celebrated a family birthday at Cafe Gentile. It was a great experience from start to finish. The staff was extremely attentive & very friendly. The food was delicious & the timing for each course was perfect. We would highly recommend.
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.
First time at Gentile's DDO dinner on Saturday night. As we walked in , the ambiance & decor was wonderful. Started with Calamari & roasted artichoke which was to die for. Main dishes cavateli with rapini & sausage, veal limoni, ravioli & saltiboca were delicious. & of course the Pizza is amazing. Thanks to the entire staff especially our waiter Charles.
Café Gentile in both DDO & Westmount is truly a standout. The food is simply amazing, Every dish feels thoughtfully prepared & high quality.
The ambiance is warm & inviting,What really elevates the experience, though, is the exceptional hospitality. Anthony, offers such a genuine & warm welcome that you instantly feel like a valued guest.
Overall, Café Gentile delivers not just incredible food, but a complete dining experience that keeps you coming back.
I recently discovered Gentile Café in DDO & I honestly can't say enough good things about it. We first went for brunch two Sundays ago, & I was so impressed that I practically begged my husband to go back that same week for dinner on Friday night.
From the moment you walk in, the ambiance is warm, inviting, & beautifully thought out. There's such a great attention to detail-not just in the décor, but even in the little touches that made my kids feel so welcome & comfortable. It really made the whole experience feel special for the entire family.
The food is absolutely incredible. Everything we tried, both at brunch & dinner, was fresh, flavorful, & clearly made with care. You can tell there's real passion behind the menu.
But what truly elevates the experience is the service. The staff is attentive, friendly, & genuinely makes you feel taken care of without being overbearing.
Going back on Friday night was exactly what I needed to unwind after a long work week-it was everything I had hoped for & more.
Gentile Café has quickly become one of our favorite spots. Highly recommend!
Mar 20, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Great service by Salma our waitress!!!
Food & cocktails were fanstastic. Beef tataki the star of the night. Specials were on point, specially the Canelloni! Overall great spot & amazing add to the West Island.
I live 5 min away from the DDO location, but I would drive 40 min to go the Westmount location. The slowest service Ive received in a cafe. At the end of the brunch, my family was in the car waiting for 10 min & I was standing up with my coat still waiting to pay. I also asked for a small espresso cup with frothed milk (for my 3 year old daughter to feel that she was also drinking a cappuccino) they charged me 3$ for it..
A visit tonight was not only disappointing but a great example of terrible customer service. The fish my wife ordered had two giant bones in it. Would expect better from this level of restaurant. The manager offered a free dessert. Not the resolution we expected. Be very careful eating the fish at this restaurant
Mar 19, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We had such a lovely experience. Every dish we tried was delicious & full of flavour. The service was top-notch & staff were very welcoming.The ambiance was warm & inviting. We appreciated every detail & is definitely coming back .
Lunch was great! Tastefully decorated establishment, rich decor that sets a comfortable atmosphere. Food was fresh, great ingredients & selection. Service staff is quick, friendly & knowledgeable, Great place for relaxed lunch. Loved it, will come again.
Absolutely loved it! I was a client 37 years ago on park avenue & witnessed how hard this family worked in building this exceptional empire. Today I brought my daughter who is 23 she wanted to go for her birthday lunch & was wowed. St. Leonard to DDO it was worth the drive. Thank you
