Reviewers consistently praise Cafe Gentile for authentic Italian flavors, fresh ingredients, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that feels both elegant and homey. The menu earns high marks for variety and quality, with standouts from pastas and pizzas to sandwiches and brunch items, and the coffee and desserts are frequently highlighted as well. Service is described as friendly, attentive, and efficient, though a few visits note slower pacing during busy periods or larger groups. Prices are sometimes considered high for the value, but many feel the quality and presentation justify it, and the decor and vibe are repeatedly singled out as appealing. The venue is described as versatile for casual meals, business lunches, family gatherings, or special occasions, including Mother’s Day and wedding receptions, with guests often describing the experience as memorable. Overall Cafe Gentile comes across as a Montreal staple that delivers solid food, memorable atmosphere, and dependable hospitality, inviting repeat visits despite occasional inconsistencies.
I used to only get pizza from this place, but I decided to try it for a late lunch with my partner. We had Nonna Teresa's meatball, which was amazing. It totally took me back to my own Nonna's kitchen, eating her meatballs.
We also had a delicious beet salad. My partner was actually surprised since they usually don't like beets.
My partner got Rigatoni Bolognese, & I had the Gnocchi Pomodoro. Both dishes were good, but I think we were still most impressed by the meatball.
My partner did feel a little ignored by our waiter since they seemed more attentive to other tables around us. But still, I'm looking forward to going back to try a bunch of other dishes on the menu.
This review is late but awesome. We have been coming to Gentile's for years & love it there. It has been a consistent place we go to where we know we are going to get the best service, delicious food & great coffee! Ana, Mike, & the rest of the family there always make us feel at home & so comfortable. For a place that is always buzzing, they never cut back on service or quality. If you want to book large groups they make the process easy & the fact that they have their pizza parlour next door is an added bonus (especially for our kids). If you want a proper Montreal experience with class, check it out!
We dropped by for a slice of pizza but ended up sitting down & staying. The pizza was mediocre but the service was outstanding & the atmosphere was so fun & warm we didn't want to leave.
Amazing perfect margherita pizza!!! Finaly I find my spot!! Hard to find realy good crispy ,tasty & not fluppy pizza. Was so good, I forget to take a picture of it but I show you the picture of my empty plate to show how good it was!!!
110% top notch experience 👌🏼💪🏻🙏🏼 with bonus points
First of all the staff are all A1! Great service from start to finish. The hosts, servers, management are all super polite, friendly, hospitable & helpful.
They work like a synchronized Olympic serving team without being pushy or in your face.
Can't sing enough praise for the staff!
The food?
Freaking fantastic always!
Their pastas, pizzas & apparently brunch (we went for the Mother's Day brunch special today) is all stellar & authentic.
Today we had a lobster, egg, hollandaise deliciousness
& a boogie take on a bacon, sausage, egg, French toast plate that was mind blowing.
The starters were delicious as well
A beat salad & smoked salmon, avocado toast
Will be back again & again for this fantastic experience
Good job guys! 👌🏼🫶🏼💪🏻🙏🏼
May 11, 2025
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Been to Gentile for several years, even when I worked near Chabanel. The food is always delicious with great presentation. Their rosé sauce & fresh pasta is one of the best in the city, as is their margherita pizza. This visit had some amazing sandwiches, the classic chicken cutlet & the Caesar chicken wrap. So fresh & delicious. But don't forget to wash it all down with their savoury fries, the perfect compliment to any dish on their menu! Too full this time for dessert, but I highly recommend their cannolis & tiramisu. You will definitely need a reservation for Friday or Saturday nights!
This restaurant is a local favourite of ours. We love sitting in the glassed in porch area 3 seasons of the year, love the food, & the inside is very cute, with nice leather benches, muted lighting, & reflective surfaces that give it a great vibe. They also have the best pistachio gelato of anywhere, & with the soft Sicilian biscotti on top, it's to die for, & you can get it to go if you're just strolling by. We reserved the inside restaurant for a function Saturday afternoon for 28 people & it went absolutely great. There were delicious appetizers (arancini, focaccia pizza, caprese skewers), great first course served family style (loved especially the endive radicchio salad & the fried calamari!) & great second courses with eggplant parmigiana, grilled branzino & vegetables, meatballs, sausage cavatelli) & for dessert our favourite gelato & biscotti. The service was great, plates cleared promptly & fresh ones brought, drinks filled, & it was a great atmosphere. We loved having the whole place so we could switch between tables & talk to each other without bothering other diners. Really, really happy with the experience! Totally recommend!
May 5, 2024
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The place is nice & connected to the cafe/resto next door. In general, the food is good. Portions are on the small side & the food is expensive for what you get. I took the more expensive fries & they lacked taste & seasoning. I don't see the justification of a $21 simple margherita pizza. I also tried another pizza & it was ok.
EXCEPTIONNEL !!! Non seulement est ce que les plats au restaurant sont excellents mais en plus, le service de traiteur à domicile est extraordinaire. Le chef Nelson & son équipe ont préparé une magnifique table avec tous les délices typiquement italiens; pizza, antipasti, focaccia, polpettes, brochettes de tataki de boeuf, crevettes géantes & que dire du choix de fromage !! De plus, je vous confirme qu'ils choisissent que des ingrédients de qualité. Il est très facile de faire affaire avec Anthony, il s'assurera de choisir un menu qui vous convient, selon vos goûts. Très belle expérience. Julia Merci : )
