Restaurant Da Emma, located in what was formerly Montreal's first prison for women, won prizes for its design in 1999. Da Emma serves traditional Italian cuisine with Roman specialities. As for the food: seafood antipasto (squid, mussels, shrimp, and octopus drizzled with olive oil), fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, and suckling pig roasted with garlic and rosemary are among the highlights.
Terrace available accommodating up to 70 people.
Da Emma stands out as a notable Italian dining option in Montreal with many reviews praising authentic Roman inspired cuisine, high quality ingredients, and dishes that feel both homely and refined from tender meats and flavorful pastas to tiramisu. The historic Old Montreal setting and the cellar like atmosphere contribute to an elevated and intimate dining experience. Service is often described as professional and attentive, though a few visits note occasional slow or intrusive moments. Guests frequently mention complimentary bruschetta, good bread with olive oil and vinegar, and a strong wine list. While some comments point to noise and higher prices for smaller portions, the overall impression is that Da Emma is a must try for romantic or special occasions and a reliable home style Italian meal in the city.
Been to Da Emma 2-3 times before. Visiting from Toronto, I always make sure I make resos here. I took 5 family members & amped up the restaurant so much. The food was incredible but our waiter was awful. So rude. Barely gave us the time of day. Took only some of our order. Constantly walked away before we are done ordering. He had glasses & a bun. Honestly I would have walked out if I knew all night would be this way. I asked him if he could tell us the history of what Da Emma was all about - & he said when it's less busy. It died down completely & he ignored us completely. We waited 20-30 minutes after he dropped off our bill. So disappointed. For the amazing level the restaurant is this guy should NOT be working there. Can't handle the service. Can't handle the customer service. Ruined all the hype I made the place to be. Again, food 10/10 but that guy has to go.
Une petite gemme au coeur de Griffintown ! La qualité de la cuisine & du service est excellente, la sélection de vin est intéressante & l'ambiance est calme & feutrée. Le prix est tout à fait correct au regard du niveau gustatif des plats proposés. Ce restaurant a un charme incroyable & je ne peux que le recommander.
Feb 14, 2024
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A Must Do. What a beautiful historical Space! Service is important to make an experience memorable. Serge our server was attentive. As soon as we were seated, a delicious bruschetta was served. Affordable wine selection is always a bonus, u der 100$. Menu selection is varied & perfect for every palate , also at a great prices. We each had an entree & each a main course & shared a dessert, we were stuffed! Cant wait to go back!
Dined at Da Emma for the 2nd time in 2 weeks, & it's undoubtedly Montreal's best Italian restaurant. The impeccable quality, reasonable prices, & cozy ambiance make it a standout. The service led by Luca & his staff is truly exceptional-creating a welcoming & comfortable experience. Highly recommended!
I had astronomically high expectations following recommendations from friends. Da Emma did meet many of those expectations however the price:quantity ratio left a somewhat bitter aftertaste. Service was good if a tad slow despite it being a relatively quieter weekday evening. We found ourselves having to catch the attention of the waiter in order to get some service (bread basket was empty, etc) so it did lack some attention given that it was a 5* establishment. Food quality was good. The suckling pig was definitely the highlight of our evening. The meat was tender & well marinated & totally impeccable & out of this world. The veal ravioli was also exceptionally tasty with a classic simple but delicious red sauce. The lamb, however, was dry & tough & certainly not the melt in the mouth, pull it apart with a fork experience that we had anticipated. What was terribly disappointing were the appetizers. Dont get me wrong. The smoked salmon & prosciutto were fresh & tasty but I would suggest you think twice before ordering $25-$30 (each) appetizers that had nothing more than 3 slices of prosciutto or salmon or one burrata. Those steep prices would have easily warranted far heartier quantities. In Italy, this would have created a riot in the streets! :p All in all, a good night was shared by all but I certainly wouldn't go all out to dine at Da Emma's since there are other Italian places that offer a far better bang for your buck. Unless seeing & being seen is your utmost priority, both your tummy & wallet could be happier elsewhere.
I wanted a good pasta on a weeknight so I walked to Da Emma & sat at the bar. I got a mocktail suggested by my bartender. By the way, the service was very good, my bartender was friendly, kind & basically really good at his job. I enjoyed my experience so much that this is something I will repeat. Cuisine was steady & just as good as every time.
