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.
Reviews describe Dinette Marcella as a warm, intimate Old Montreal Italian spot with cozy ambiance, charming decor, and attentive staff; many praise fresh, flavorful pasta such as tortellini, gnocchi, and ravioli, along with standout bruschetta and arancini and a strong cocktail and wine list. Several diners note dishes that are creamy and well balanced, including carbonara, burrata, meatballs, and seafood pasta, while a few readers mention occasional misses where dishes were overcooked, underseasoned, or not as hot as expected. The overall experience is often described as worth the price, with consistently good service and a lively vibe, though some nights can be noisy or crowded and a few guests wish for quieter acoustics and smoother pacing between courses. In sum, Dinette Marcella stands out for authentic Italian flavors, a warm atmosphere, and reliable hospitality, inviting repeat visits for date nights, celebrations, and casual meals.
Excellent food! Incredibly tasty & well made. Our server was also very attentive & helpful. My only complaint would be portion sizing. The tortelini was really good. Although incredibly flavourful, the Cesar salad for $21 was disappointingly small.
$5.75 for decaf coffee is definitely on the pricey side.
Dinette Marcella is without a doubt our favorite spot in Montreal. The food is delicious, the drinks are excellent, & the elegant decor creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. My wife & I shared the tortellini & the New York steak, & we couldn't have been happier with our choices. If you're lucky enough to see veal steak on the menu, order it! It's a real treat. Our server Sandy was friendly, attentive, & professional, making our meal even more enjoyable. We always leave already planning our next visit!
Aug 4, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Dinette Marcella is one of my favourite Italian restaurants in Montreal! The food, the vibes, the service, everything is a 10/10. Our server Isabella especially made the experience memorable, she was very attentive & friendly. The food came out relatively quickly, fresh & very tasty.
My evening at Dinette Marcella in Old Montreal was nothing short of spectacular! The atmosphere is an absolute dream-cozy yet lively. You can really sense the vibrant energy of the historic streets right to your table. The warm lighting & charming decor create a perfect blend of rustic Italian charm & modern elegance, making it an ideal spot for a memorable night out.
The food was phenomenal, with the handmade tortellini & gnocchi stealing the spotlight. The tortellini, stuffed with creamy ricotta, was perfectly cooked & bathed in a rich, flavorful sauce that left me savoring every bite. The gnocchi, light & pillowy, melted in my mouth, paired with a sauce so well-balanced it felt like a hug from an Italian nonna. Every dish showcased fresh, high-quality ingredients prepared with genuine care.
The service was fantastic, elevating the entire experience. Our server was attentive, warm, & made great recommendations, ensuring we felt welcomed from start to finish. The staff's passion for the food shone through, making us feel like honored guests. Paired with a beautifully crafted mocktail, the meal was pure perfection. Dinette Marcella is a true gem-highly recommended for anyone seeking incredible food & an unforgettable atmosphere!
We had an incredible dining experience at this quaint Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of beautiful Old Montreal. The ambiance was charming & warm-perfect for a relaxed evening out. The charcuterie board was outstanding: generous, beautifully presented, & packed with flavour. The pasta dish was nothing short of sumptuous-perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, comforting sauce that tasted like it had been simmering for hours.
Our waiter was the definition of excellent service: patient, attentive, & helpful, yet never intrusive. It's rare to find that perfect balance, but he nailed it.
During my recent visit, I was fortunate to be served by Leo, whose exceptional service significantly enhanced the evening. Leo's attentiveness & warm demeanor made us feel truly welcome.The ambiance at Dinette Marcella is both cozy & refined, making it an ideal spot for a memorable meal. The menu boasts a variety of delectable dishes. For those seeking an authentic Italian dining experience in Montreal, Dinette Marcella is a must-visit. The combination of exquisite food, inviting atmosphere, & outstanding service-exemplified by servers like Leo-ensures a delightful experience.
We ordered the calamari, braised beef ravioli, the tortellini, & the tiramisu. Everything was exceptional. The cocktails were also very creative! Very attentive staff. Perfect date night.
Enjoyed our dinner here in old montreal. Server was great, very attentive & informative of specials, ingredients etc Had the milanese, cod, pesto, focaccia, polpette & arancino. All of them were delicious! Would def recommend for a nice talian meal.
Sep 3, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Marcella Dinette Italienne offers an exceptional lunch experience that seamlessly blends the rich history of Italian cuisine with Montreal's vibrant culinary scene. From the moment you step in, you're transported to a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that feels both modern & steeped in tradition. The lunch menu is a testament to the art of Italian cooking. Each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, capturing the essence of Italy with every bite. The pasta is perfectly al dente, & the sauces are rich, flavorful, & authentically Italian. The menu is diverse, catering to both traditionalists & those seeking a contemporary twist on classic dishes. The history of Marcella Dinette Italienne is as rich as its flavors. Inspired by the age-old traditions of Italian diners, the restaurant was founded with a passion for bringing the warmth & simplicity of Italian dining to the heart of Montreal. Every detail, from the rustic decor to the carefully curated wine list, reflects a deep respect for the culinary heritage of Italy. Service is impeccable, with a team that is both knowledgeable & attentive, making sure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfection. Whether you're in the mood for a quick lunch or a leisurely afternoon meal, Marcella Dinette Italienne delivers an experience that is truly five stars. I can't recommend it enough - a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian cuisine & appreciates the blend of history & modernity that this gem offers.
The food, service & atmosphere (decor) were excellent. Food is great, wine as well.! Service is friendly & attentive, the place & decor simply lively & lovely :) a great experience.
We enjoyed this restaurant so much that we had 2 meals here in our vacation. A late lunch on Friday, eating Carbonara & caccio e Pepe. Both Amazing! For lunch we sat at the bar & marveled at the liquor selections, especially Monkey 47gin ( almost impossible to find in a restaurant) We shared a tiramisu for dessert, VERY sweet, but very good! We returned on Saturday evening for dinner. We sat at a table in an open window ( so romantic) we enjoyed an appetizer of fried calamari... lite & fresh!! I ordered something I've NEVER ordered in a restaurant as I make "the best" I had spaghetti pompadour & a side polpetta ( meatballs) I thought I'd died & gone to spaghetti heaven! My husband, who fancies himself a pesto expert had the cavetelli all a pesto. He said delicious! In the middle of dinner we decided we needed some bread to soak up some sauce & added an order of the cheese garlic bread it was the only MINOR disappointment. Too much mozzarella, not enough garlic, & a bit softer than expected. Other than that, our server, the runners, & the overall staff were attentive & not over bearing! Wonderful experience!
Jun 16, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Absolutely delicious food, attentive friendly staff, great atmosphere - we are here for a week, & we will be making another visit to Marcellas before we leave - thank you for a perfect start to our vacation.
It was a wonderful meal with very attentive staff. We had 14 people in our party including 7 young teens. All were taken care of expediently. The atmosphere was great with an old city flair. Cozy & inviting. Would recommend as a great place to attend whether your group is large or small.
The food was 10/10. My partner & I both had pasta & both dishes were incredible. Our server, Michael was so friendly & attentive. The restaurant decor & vibe is great too. Would highly recommend!
I'm only mad I didn't eat here sooner. We came for an early dinner on Friday & I am so impressed with the food, service, drinks & ambiance of Dinette Marcella. For starters we ordered the mozzarella sticks & eggplant, both fantastic but my favorite was the eggplant...it wasn't over breaded or cheesy so the eggplant flavor really came through. For mains I ordered the ricotta tortellini with sausage & my husband had the veal ossobuco which was unreal. We were so impressed with the quality of the food & I ended up taking half my meal home & I can say it reheated spectacularly. I had the caramel dessert & I could have ordered three just for me. Our server, Malo, was a true gem & he made our night. He was attentive & gave great recommendations. We enjoyed our conversation with him & will for sure return. Malo was even kind enough to have the manager come over so we could book a dinner during the Christmas holiday. Definitely come here for excellent quality meals if you are in Montreal & the Old Port area.
