Da Emma
RestaurantTop Pick
Da Emma
Opens Tuesday at 6 pm
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 6 pm - 10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 pm - 10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm - 10 pm |
| Friday | 6 pm - 11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 pm - 11 pm |
| Sunday | Closed Today |
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Info & Location
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.
Amenities, services & more
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Reviews often mention
Display Allitalian(33) pasta(20) authentic(19) dessert(17) sauce(12) dishes(11) italien(10) recommend(9) tiramisu(9)Page 1 of 1 - 19 Reviews
Chad
No cap, this place is one of the worth the money experiences. I've always wanted to try authentic italian food without being in Italy. If this is the taste, Italy here i come.View more
Steve
We stepped into Da Emma & were warmly welcomed, starting the evening with a Negroni at the bar, expertly crafted & perfectly balanced. The setting, nestled in the stone walled cellar, gave the night an elegant yet cozy charm.
Once at our table, the evening unfolded into a Roman feast. We began with the creamiest burrata atop juicy tomato slices, paired with velvety prosciutto, simple, fresh, & divine. The spaghetti carbonara followed, rich & authentic, with just the right balance of pecorino & guanciale.
For the mains, we shared a medley of dishes: a tender roasted lamb shoulder that fell apart effortlessly, savory roasted piglet, juicy lamb chops kissed with rosemary & lemon, & succulent shrimp bathed in a delicate sauce. Each dish was executed with love & mastery.
We paired it all with a stunning Barolo that elevated every bite. No room left for dessert, but we did close the night with a round of amaros, a perfect finale to a truly exceptional meal.
Da Emma is a timeless spot that honors tradition without losing elegance. A must for anyone who takes Italian cuisine seriously.View more
Deanna
My fiance & I drove from Ottawa to visit Da Emma & we would definitely do it again!! It did not disappoint! Nestled in the basement of a heritage building, the atmosphere brought you back to Italy. The service was on point; very polite & attentive. & the food... was INCREDIBLE!! From the complimentary piece of bruschetta, to the salad, to the homemade pasta, to the desserts, everything was phenomenal! It was an authentic Italian dining experience. We would/will highly recommend this restaurant to anyone!View more
Alex
Da Emma is a delightful gem that offers truly authentic Italian cuisine. The beauty of their dishes lies in their simplicity, staying true to the essence of Italian cooking.
The smoked salmon appetizer was a delightful starter that showcased the perfect balance of flavors. The combination of the smoked salmon, arugula, & a touch of lemon juice created a refreshing & satisfying appetizer that prepared our taste buds for the main course.
The mushroom pasta was executed with great finesse, striking the right balance between richness & subtlety. The velvety, creamy sauce allowed the earthy flavors of the mushrooms to shine through, resulting in a memorable pasta dish that was deeply satisfying.
We complemented our meal with a glass of red wine, which added another layer of enjoyment to the dining experience. It truly felt like a celebration, as if we were being treated to a special homemade meal by an Italian mother on a joyous occasion.View more
Zach
My favorite Italian restaurant on every visit to Montreal. Great menu, exceptional service, very cool underground vibe while staying au to authentic to its homegrown Italian roots.
Can't wait to go back!View more
Eamon
About 30 years ago, an Italian woman named Emma opened this restaurant. She did all the cooking herself, serving up authentic Roman dishes-think roasted lamb, roasted pork, & lots of meat. It's a far cry from the sparse, sun-baked cuisine of southern Italy, where pasta & tomatoes often take center stage. The walls are lined with photos of Hollywood stars, European celebrities, & local personalities posing with Emma, proof of her restaurant's success. She's since retired to Miami, & now her grandson runs the place.View more
Kim
The experience at Da Emma is immaculate & definitely a memorable one. Traditional, authentic Italian cuisine prepared with fresh, quality ingredients & admirable dedication. The dishes are presented elegantly in their simplicity & are exceptionally flavourful & delicious. The atmosphere is invitingly warm, the service is stellar & the cuisine is absolutely divine. Compliments to the chef ; I will certainly be back.View more
Elza
Beautiful restaurant, food was authentic & delicious. Can't wait to come back againView more
Youngmin
If you like an authentic, traditional, well-served yet super chic restaurant, this is the place. Their Pastas & wine selection are amazing, various choice of antipasti, that are fresh & delicious. The service is on point, you will feel cared at all time.View more
Veronica
A must in Montreal, the food is incredible. Homemade, authentic italian made by chef emma. The restaurant is in an old women's prison & has a very cool & niche ambiance. Service is always great when we go, the staff is friendly & the chef, emma is the sweetest.View more
Marc
A beautiful atmosphere created by large stone adorned with timber beams this Italian restaurant serves great food by a very professional staff. My partner & I had the veal soup, rich in broth with tiny pillows of pasta. We had the Fettuccine ai fungi & Tonno alla griglia (grilled tuna). I'm not usually a fan of grilled tuna but this was cooked to perfection! We rounded out our meal with a lemon tartufo which was light & refreshing. I would recommend this to anyone looking for authentic Italian in a beautiful setting.View more
Sofia
The best restaurant in all of the city. Amazing service from Alex, & even more so from the owner! The food is amazing & probably the most authentic Italian food you can get it Montreal, & the service is simply exceptional. I now come weekly & highly recommend this restaurant!View more
Pat
Authentic Italien in the Best old Montreal environment Lights a little bright but the food is greatView more
Wendy
Everything was amazing! Food was spectacular & tasted authentic. The simplicity makes it even better. The waiting time between the courses was on point. The service was great, our server Jean-Luc was super efficient, as well as the tall young man who was the assistant server.
First, you get bread & bruschetta on the house. After, we got the ravioli soup of the day with the tomatoes burrata as appetizers. We then got the peppercorn steak & the veal meatballs. We both chose the side of garlic pasta. The dessert put a beautiful period to the experience. We got the pistachio ice cream & the tiramisu.
This place is incredible & we will definitely come back! We absolutely loved everything!View more
Zeeshan
Classic Italian restaurant vibe. In the basement & a lot of celebrity pics here. Good vibe, friendly staff, good service & best of all. Amazing food! Came from Calgary on a visit & enjoyed the real authentic Italian flavour. Will visit againView more
Massimo
I've been to Italy (amazing food) many times & also to the best/hottest restaurants in Los Angeles & NYC. This place fuses the two together perfectly. If you want authentic, delicious Italian food & & a great vibe & atmosphere, Da Emmais the place to be! Emma's meatballs are to die for!View more
Eli
Authentic Italian restaurant everything is delicious & need to try 😋 +++View more