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.
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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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!
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
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
Was there 2 weeks ago with my kids & some friends & we ate like champions. My kids were licking their fingers even as picky eaters, devoured the grilled octopus, calamari & pizza. Their cutlets are juicy, their pizzas are savory & their pastas ( i shared a few plates with the boys) were one better than the other. I was surprised that their coffee was better than Milano's & Olympico's which means they must have put alot of effort into picking the right beans & calibrating the machine to have the right amount of coffee each time they make an espresso. I'll definitely go back & looking forward to it.
Mar 15, 2026
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It is a nice Italian Cafe. I ordered the'Bada Bing' pizza, was very good. Thin crust, cooked properly. Was light, I ate the whole thing. They have'special' iced tea, which is great because I always drink iced tea & theirs isn't as sugary as Fuze or Brisk. I didn't order a dessert, but their capacino was very good.
Parking is in the back, can be a hassle, right at lunch. I parked in the Sami fruits, across the street.
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.
