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.
Nice little terrace & decor, the ambiance was fun!
However, 2 out of the 4 dishes we ordered were overly sweet & felt more like a dessert than dishes that were part of the meal. On the menu, it stated that the burrata was served with a raddichio & fennel slaw but it was more like a jam overpowered with sweet grapes. Disapointing as we missed the crunchiness & freshnesh from raw veggies as the meal was advertised in the « insalata » section.
Unfortunately, the roasted cauliflower side also lacked balance in terms of flavors as all we could taste was the agrodolce (water & honey) that gave it almost a « chinese take out » feel. The bread crumbs & pine nuts shouldve been way more seasoned to create more depth & balance in the dish. The parsley stated on the menu was nowhere to be found. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a sweet & savory dish. Hence why we ordered these but it truly felt like we were eating dessert.
The funghi tagliatele were the star of the night & was delicious. Pasta cooked to perfection & well seasoned. The textures of the artichoke crostini were very interesting & well executed though the bread could've been more cooked.
Only reviewing this as, if I was the chef, I would like to know this type of stuff only to improve the experience for my guests.
May 27, 2025
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Tucked into Westmount like a cherished heirloom, Cafe Gentile served up a Mother's Day brunch that felt more like a warm hug from someone who smells faintly of espresso & nostalgia.
From the moment we walked in, the ambiance charmed us-banquettes like Nonna's living room sofas, tables dressed in soft green marble, & the comforting chaos of a bustling café filled with families, laughter, & that beautiful din of clinking plates & happy forks. It didn't feel like a restaurant; it felt like home, if your home had professional chefs & an endless supply of pistachios.
My husband's meal was a journey in texture & decadence:
A beet salad that was earthy & fresh,
Followed by indulgent French toast paired with bacon, a rich veal sausage crowned with a sunny-side egg,
& a final act of showy genius-a brioche stuffed with pistachio gelato & finished with pistachio crumb. I briefly considered tackling him for a bite.
I started with delicate smoked salmon avocado crostini, perfectly balanced & bright. Then came the Lobster Benedetto-a lavish, buttery twist on the classic Benedict. I closed with a thick, fluffy pancake, floating in a sweet, lightly creamy sauce that I may or may not have considered licking off the plate. (It was Mother's Day. I get a pass.)
Service was friendly & well-timed-no hovering, no disappearing acts. Just the kind of smooth professionalism that lets you actually enjoy the food & the moment.
Cafe Gentile doesn't just feed you-it envelops you in Italian comfort, sprinkles pistachios on your emotions, & sends you home blissfully full. Five stars, & one extra perfectly drawn espresso in my heart.
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! 👌🏼🫶🏼💪🏻🙏🏼
The food was delicious-every dish was fresh, flavourful, & beautifully presented. &….The coffee….. it was next level-rich, smooth, & expertly brewed. You can tell they take their coffee seriously! This spot is a must-visit.
Alloo! On est allée auj pour un brunch de fête après un cours de spinning sans réservation & le staff a été très gentil & nous ont trouvé une table pour 7! Le service à la clientèle est À+, toujours souriantes & la nourriture était très bonne !! Je recommande & je retournerai dans le futur!
Been wanting to try this place for a while now & finally got the opportunity to! However not sure I'll be going back…. The service was great! Nothing to say on that front… but the food left a lot to be desired, order the Cacio e Pepe & a lot of my noodles were hard I figured maybe they do things more al denté here… well I was definitely sick when I got home & my stomach was not enjoying the raw pasta one bit. The restaurant was also super noisy, but I believe that was our misfortune of having a large group next to us that had been drinking quite a bit, overall decent, but nothing to write home about.
The food was great! Service was okay, nothing really bad in particular & the atmosphere is okay, I just find it a little tight in the central part of the restaurant.
