Looking for some Italian comfort food worthy of a nonna’s home cooking? Marcella is a charming new Italian diner in Old Montreal at the corner of Saint Francois Xavier and Saint Paul streets. Open every day for lunch and dinner, locals and tourists can enjoy Italian-style pasta, such as the classic carbonara dish, in a cozy atmosphere.
Dinette Marcella is described as a charming intimate Italian spot in Old Montreal with a warm cozy atmosphere and a touch of old world charm that makes it suitable for date nights or casual dinners. Reviews praise fresh, flavorful pasta, gnocchi and tortellini, bruschetta and arancini, burrata and focaccia, along with a strong wine list and craft cocktails, with many calling the food excellent and among the best Italian in the area, though a few dishes are noted as too salty, not hot enough, or lacking seasoning and some visits feel rushed or louder than desired due to crowds. The service is frequently described as attentive friendly and knowledgeable, making guests feel welcome, but pace can vary on busy nights and timing can be inconsistent. Reservations are advised because the space is compact and the ambiance can be loud, especially at peak hours, yet the overall sentiment remains highly positive with many expressing plans to return. All in all, Dinette Marcella is regarded as one of the top Italian spots in Montreal by many reviewers.
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Had an incredible experience at Dinette Marcella in Old Port Montreal. The service was outstanding from the moment we arrived, & the atmosphere was warm, lively, & perfect for a night out. Every dish we tried was absolutely amazing - fresh, flavorful, & beautifully prepared.
If you're in Montreal & looking for a great place to eat in the Old Port, I highly recommend Dinette Marcella. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to!
FIVE STAR Italian restaurant right here. We ordered a lot & it was all fantastic. The ossobuco & tortellini alla ricotta... heaven; the meats are tender, sauces perfectly balanced & flavours exquisite. I also couldn't believe how good the'Budina con Bailey's' was. If you're gonna have dessert, that's the one you gotta have.
I'd be here all day if I were to describe everything we ate but it tasted perfect, honestly. THIS is cooking with care.
I'd also like to give a huge thanks to our waiter, Michael. Great energy, knowledgeable & amazing service. He honestly made our time that much more enjoyable.
Mar 7, 2026
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The presentation of the food was nice. It was crowded quite loud for 10:30 in the night. The food was mediocre. Honestly, It's not the worst place, but it's definitely not what other reviewers have said about it.
Great food & staff. We were very lucky & got in without a reservation but it is very busy so make sure you book! We had the Torellini alla Ricotta & the Carbonara & both were really good. We also had the Tiramisu for dessert which was very good & a large portion!
If you are Italian, do not expect much lol. It isn't bad but it's missing that authenticity. Good ambiance & fast, friendly service. Customers wearing backwards baseball caps & sweatpants filling up half the restaurant was pretty strange for Italian cuisine, my grandparents would've lost it. Also the Rock/Country music playing did not really make sense IMO.
Mar 7, 2026
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Très bel endroit pour souper entre amis dans le vieux Montréal. Très belle ambiance vintage-moderne. Bon service de la part du personnel. Les pâtes sont bonnes sans être exceptionnelle. Cependant, excellent rapport qualité prix surtout pour l'emplacement. Je recommande pour un souper sans arrogance.
Bel ambiance, belle deco. Très bon service
On a mangé les bruschettas, & les arancinis … excellents. Les pâtes carbonara, manquait de chaleur & très collantes . Nous y retournons
Went there alone a short birthday trip, im from Ottawa. Very cozy vibe, food was good. Servers were really nice especially the pretty woman with the eyeglasses. Will definitely recommend to my friends ☺?
Nous avions une réservation. Nous avons mangé des gnocchis & des tortellinis qui étaient excellents.Service rapide. Un peu dommage qu'il faut payer pour avoir du pain comne accompagnement.
Mar 1, 2026
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Had a lovely dinner at Dinette Marcella. We enjoyed a sauvignon blanc from Italy & it was really fruity & lovely. I had the special which was a butternut squash ravioli. It was honestly unreal, the flavours were so unique. I only wish there had been a few more pieces of ravioli, the portion felt a little small. My friend had the arancino & pesto pasta & loved both. For dessert, I had the beignets with caramel & they were so delicious. The restaurant itself is beautiful with stone walls & warm cozy lighting. Our server was very friendly & helpful! Just note, it is quite small (you will want a reservation) & a bit loud but you can hear the person across from you.
My boyfriend & I decided to go here for our anniversary. I'm gluten free & the pasta was amazing not to mention we had the best Cesar salad we've ever had in our lives. My boyfriend had the veil & I don't think anything he ever eats again will live up to it. Fantastic place highly recommend.
De sublimes repas, savoureux, goûteux & authentiques. L'endroit est vraiment jolie, délicat & très bien présenté. Nous avons passé une soirée parfaite, mon conjoint & moi, grâce à notre hôte, Mégane. Merci beaucoup encore pour la magnifique soirée ❤?
Absolutely loved my experience at Dinette Marcella! The food was amazing, & the pasta noodles had the best texture I've had so far in Montreal - perfectly cooked & incredibly satisfying.
The staff were warm & attentive, which made the whole evening even more enjoyable. I was also pleasantly surprised by how many vegetarian options they offer.
