Overall, reviews describe Cafe Gentile as a place with warm ambience, attentive and friendly service, and high quality Italian cooking across locations and meals from brunch to dinner. The menu is praised for fresh ingredients, flavorful pastas, pizzas, seafood, and comforting desserts, with many noting generous portions and thoughtful presentation. The coffee program and cocktails receive strong appreciation, and the atmosphere is frequently described as lively yet welcoming, making it suitable for family meals, date nights, or catching up with friends. While some visits mention a busy or noisy environment and at times variable pacing or value, most reviewers feel the experience remains appealing and worth returning for, often highlighting the consistency and hospitality as standout features. The West Island and DDO locations are both cited as positive additions, delivering the same level of care, a modern yet warm design, and reliable service, with many commenters looking forward to trying more dishes and returning for dinner or weekend brunch.
Small portions. Stale food. Extremely unprofessional & rude staff. Rushed service. This place is tarnishing the reputation of Cafe Gentile. I don't recommend it & not going back
⭐ 1 Star
Cafe Gentile West Island - Huge Disappointment
I went to Cafe Gentile West Island with a group of seven friends, & the experience was honestly shocking. We were assigned a female waitress, & from the start, the service felt rushed. Once the food arrived, it looked nothing like the descriptions on the menu - plain, not fresh, & overall very disappointing.
Not even 45 minutes into our meal, while we were still eating, the waitress dropped the bill on the table & asked us to pay. A few minutes later she returned & told us we had five minutes to leave because they needed the table. When we asked why - & reminded her that we were still eating - she bluntly responded that they were'here to make money' & needed the table for other customers. She even told us that if we weren't happy, we should go elsewhere.
We asked to speak to a manager, & she flat-out refused.
Awful food, extremely rude staff, & zero sense of respect or customer service. Definitely not going back, & we'll be letting other locals know about this experience. What a shame for a place with so much potential.
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Nov 28, 2025
on Google
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Regular at Gentile Westmount & have to say disappointed with the West Island location
Portions are different & smaller at this one.
Hostess at front not the most professional service
Was very excited to see this location
Historically cafe is a place to sit comfortably & interact with friends & exchange ideas; many artists & intellectuals made the cafe the best place for that reason, but my experience was very disappointing, the food on the dish was not appealing at all , even before fishing our food we were asked to pay the bill in less than an hour they asked us to leave! I have been in many cafes in Montreal, city famous for cafe tradition ; but never had this experience which I had in Gentile West Island 😞
this resturant looked promising but the experience fell apart quickly.
the service was completely unprofessional & the staff were extremely rude .the food was poorly prepared & bland. I would not return.
My friends & I had a very disappointing experience at Café Gentile West Island. From the moment we sat down, the staff made us feel rushed. They brought the bill before we even finished our meal, & after we paid, they asked us to leave even though we had only been there for about an hour & a half. We couldn't relax or enjoy our time.
The sandwiches were also nothing special-very simple & not worth the price.
When we tried to speak with the manager, she was rude. It felt like they cared more about making money than treating customers with respect. Overall, it was an unpleasant visit, & I definitely wouldn't recommend this café. For our next gathering, we are planning to go somewhere more pleasant.
Great atmosphere & super friendly staff at the new location, however I genuinely wonder if someone in the kitchen got hungry before my plate arrived.
I ordered the half portion of rigatoni rosé that I usually get at the Westmount location & usually satisfied with the portion, but this one felt more like a quarter. At nearly $20 with tax & tip, it basically worked out to $1 per noodle. Tasted good, but portion size for the price was disappointing.
Nov 28, 2025
on Google
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Beautiful restaurant, amazing service, & such delicious food!! If I could have given more than 5 stars, I would have! Happy to have such an amazing restaurant in West Island!
This restaurant is what the West Island has been missing! Somewhere that we can go for a coffee/ breakfast/lunch/ or dinner- for the whole family, group of friends or a nice date night. The staff is friendly & amazing, the atmosphere is vibrant & beautiful. The food, as we have come to expect from Gentile's is always delicious! Looking forward to so many more visits.
I had an amazing experience. My server, Nicole, was honestly incredible. Super friendly, attentive, & made the whole visit feel easy & enjoyable. She made great suggestions & her service overall was just perfect.
Cafe Gentile in the West Island is absolutely fantastic. The food is incredible, fresh, flavorful, & clearly made with care. The overall dining experience is just as impressive, with warm service & a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. I genuinely can't wait to go back. Highly recommend!
Cafe Gentile's new location is fully deserved! It delivers the same quality, consistency & excellence that made their first café & restaurants stand out.
Nov 27, 2025
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We were at the newly opened Gentile's for lunch today! It was awesome! We all enjoyed our meals & the friendly wait staff. Also, the decor & layout of the restaurant is outstanding! Welcome to the West Island, we waited way, way, way too long for your arrival!!!
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 .
The food was so good from the pizza to the fish & pasta , one better than the other & the service was amazing . I will definitely be coming back with friends & family . 5 ⭐?
From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm & welcoming. The staff was incredibly accommodating, making the whole experience feel effortless & enjoyable. Our waitress, Bella, was outstanding, her service was attentive, friendly, & you can truly see her passion for what she does. She made our visit exceptional. Congratulations on the new location, Cent'anni!
