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.
Great food overall - the sandwich was solid & well made. The coffee was acceptable, though I've had better at their Chabanel location. One small note: for takeout, the tipping options starting at 18% felt a bit posh. Still a nice spot & worth visiting.
So, I got this food delivered to our office & clearly made the correct choice-it was amazing! I've never eaten in the restaurant before, but now that this food turned out so good, I'll be there ASAP. I can't leave much of a review now, other than just praising my chicken cutlet sandwich.
Jan 29, 2026
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Lunch: the soup of the day (pasta fagioli scarola) was dull & the grilled chicken sandwich was dry & tasteless. The service was very good & the atmosphere was lively & welcoming. People must go there for service & atmosphere but not for the food! They should make more of an effort & not treat their customers with such contempt.
Came by & bought the boccocini. Both my friend & I thought our sandwiches were bland & very basic for 16$. Comparable to IGA sandwich with better ingredients. My friend's smoked turkey sandwich didn't have any smoked flavour. My sandwich barely had an eggplant & it didn't have any flavour at that. Also wasn't hot, clearly panini'd but everything is room temperature. Portion is on the smaller side but acceptable. Service was fine, girl at the front didn't acknowledge us when we walked in idk just weird not to greet people when they walk in. Nice atmosphere though, I'm assuming their other food is better than the sandwiches.
Just went to Gentille to have an early supper. We were served by a woman at the cash. She told us that some of the sandwiches were unavailable to order because of the menu time. No problem. However, she did not ask if we wanted to dine in or order for takeout. Once we paid she told us that we have to wait to pick up our food & leave. We asked if it was possible to sit & eat inside or outside & she said no & that if we asked the manager it would be a definite no because he's very strict. She also suggested we only eat the salad at the table inside, but we were not allowed to eat our sandwich. She than suggested that we go eat on a picnic table at a nearby park. For our first time experience, food was good but service was very disappointing.
Sep 2, 2025
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First time, nothing bad to say, my cutlet sandwich was perfect, my wife's pain perdu sexy was excellent, great cappuccino & mimosas. What a pretty place
Came here for a friend's birthday, & it was perfect! We shared the breakfast croissant sandwich & the ricotta crostini-both were packed with flavor. I especially loved the combination of ricotta, goat cheese, & fig jam on the crostini. That said, $16 for just a piece of toast felt a bit steep. We also shared the pancakes with the group. The orange zest sauce was absolutely delicious, though the texture of the pancakes was a little dry. Thankfully, there was plenty of maple syrup to make up for it. The atmosphere was really pleasant, & I'd love to come back to try their lunch menu.
Dec 3, 2024
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Solid spot to stop in for a bite. First time being here & will be back next time I'm in Montreal. Had the chicken cutlet sandwich with fries, was good. Service was great but found the seating tight.
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!
Ice tea is always crisp & I highly recommend it. Their sandwiches & pasta are also good. This cafe has a great location with a great design. However, the fries were not that good.
I came here with my friend for lunch yesterday & I got the Arugula Sandwich with grilled chicken. It was so dry, it said it came with baldamic glaze & mayo? though there was barely any mayo. The chicken was really dry, I had to ask for extra mayo & even then the sandwhich was dry. Next time go hard on the mayo, it will be much more enjoyable.
I've been ordering & going to Gentile for years... & its always been hit or miss... this time was a miss sadly... we were 3 for lunch. Vibe was good... busy ...waitress was nice. Poured us water... first thing was a dead fly/fruit fly in my friends water... rough start. Fuggeaboutit was pretty dry. Sauces couldn't quite save it. Sausage & coleslaw sandwich was very good. Other friend hand the Portuguese style chicken sandwich... said it was decent. Sexy fries were a little undercooked... but not too bad... it just became a little much when ants were crawling on our table.. ice tea was great though... had the 2.0 with the mint... there was also some dead bugs in the light fixtures... was pretty off putting ... again... ive had good & bad experiences here before... was unfortunately not up to par this time
I came here with my family for sandwiches one afternoon. I had heard great things about this place & was not disappointed. I ordered the fuggetaboutit & I enjoyed the flavors. The fries, which come separate, were pretty standard. While the sandwich was good, I didn't think it was one of the best sandwiches in the city. I also felt the menu was a bit limited, so I'm not sure I need to come back as I got to try the dish that I wanted. Overall I'm happy to have tried it, but not exactly worthy of a second visit.
Honestly this place is a true gem! The pastas are always amazing, the brunch menu has everything you want with an extra twist. Overall this is a 5 star experience through & through. From having a simple espresso to experiencing so much flavour from a simple sandwich, they have you covered.
