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.
We had a reservation at the bar as there were no tables left within 90 minutes of our preferred time. Unfortunately, our seats were the two directly in front of the bartender & it wasn't ideal. Our server had to talk to us from the side since he couldn't stand in front & the bartender was busy so it was constant drinks being prepared right in front of us. Our bottle of water (that the waiter placed down) was apparently in the bartender's way so he moved it directly between our two plates? It was all just a bit weird & awkward. I would recommend the restaurant not make those two seats a place for eating. There were lots of other seats at the bar which looked fine, just these two kinda spoil the atmosphere. Food was good, the Bailey's pudding for dessert was yummy.
I debated whether to leave a review, but ultimately I hope this feedback can help the restaurant improve situations like this.
Service was good from front of house to our server & the assisting staff.
The appetizers were good, but unfortunately the mains were a bit disappointing. My fiancé ordered a pasta with duck & the duck was noticeably overcooked.
Now THIS is where they lost points for me.
We were seated at the end of the bar, which I normally enjoy. However, there was a group of about 6-8 people gathered in the corner next to us who clearly appeared to be friends of management or staff. Throughout the evening, two of the men from that group were literally standing inches from where I was sitting, drinking their beers while I was trying to eat. Their beers were basically within elbow reach of my plate. It felt uncomfortable & intrusive. I mean… this isn't a pub, it's an Italian restaurant in the Old Port.
There were also two loud, obnoxious girls entertaining an older man the entire evening. Super loud & distracting. At one point I honestly thought, did I accidentally choose a bar instead of a somewhat fine-dining dinner?
Anyway, when it was time to leave, our coats had been hung in that same corner where everyone was standing. I had to squeeze through the group to retrieve them & asked politely for a bit of space. No one moved. I honestly felt like I had to force my way through while apologizing. As I was trying to make my way out with the coats, one of the girls actually put her hand on my back & pushed me along to move me out of the way, with a passive-aggressive smile when I turned around.
I was honestly shocked. If our friend visiting from another country hadn't been with us, I probably would have addressed it in the moment, but I chose to keep my composure & just leave.
For a restaurant at this price point in Old Montreal - & a $300+ bill - the atmosphere & guest experience should match the quality & cost of the food. That moment alone made the evening feel more like a crowded pub than a higher-end dining experience.
My intention in sharing this is simply to highlight how important it is that paying guests feel comfortable & prioritized, even when friends of the restaurant are present. I have friends who work in hospitality & they would never allow their group of friends to get in the way of service or the experience of paying customers.
Maybe we caught the restaurant on an off night (Friday the 13th lol), but the overall experience could easily be much stronger with better management of the bar area.
Mar 14, 2026
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Food was absolutely amazing & reasonably priced.
Staff was super friendly & attentive & service from the bar & kitchen was very quick.
It was my partner & I's first time visiting & without a doubt we'll be back next time we're in the city!
We shared a beautiful bottle of Chianti & bruschetta that was incredible. Sitting at the bar we had the most amazing service & experience with the bartender Michael. He is authentic as is this gorgeous, quaint little restaurant that we happened to stumble upon as a tourist in Old town. Thank you Michael for your recommendations.
I visited this local pasta restaurant as a walk-in & was seated at the bar, which was much appreciated as a solo traveler. Not needing a reservation & still being accommodated made the experience feel welcoming & relaxed.
The food was absolutely delicious, with very generous portions, I left feeling extremely satisfied. The service was attentive & friendly throughout. A great spot with excellent pasta & a comfortable atmosphere, I would definitely recommend it to groups & solo travelers alike.
Amazing spot. Both dinners we ordered gluten free & were fantastic. I loved the cannolis! Michael was a great bartender & very knowledgeable. Highly recommend & will be back!
Jan 16, 2026
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Food was solid. Great portions, reasonably priced & tasty all around. Had a Cesar salad & tortellini. Caesar was garlicky like it should be. Tortellini was really nice. It's a smallish restaurant with plenty of bar seating & was incredibly busy for a Thursday night. It does get a little loud. Nitpick: bartender uses his hands on occasion to put ice in drinks.
To start with, the food here is on par with Italian I've had in Venice, Florence, New York & Boston. The arancini was filled with mushrooms & rice in a white sauce. Dinner was cacio e pepe for me & gnocchi with bolognese sauce for my wife; both were outstanding. I like the fact that I didn't want to have mine with ravioli but instead spaghetti & the bartender told me that was no problem. The bar tenders were personable, nice to talk with & put together outstanding craft cocktails. If you're in Montreal & want a very pleasant dinner, this where to go. The atmosphere is relaxing, well appointmented & the music is perfect. If I were to start a restaurant, this is my vision.
We were sat at the bar, nobody came to greet us for 10-15 minutes before i stood up & asked someone to serve us.
When finally served, i was totally disappointed with service the whole night (staff didn't even spoke to us, rather chit-chatting between themselves). The food itself was pretty good; We really enjoyed it but couldn't understand the lack of service.
It was an ok experience; wouldn't go back, but the food was pretty decent.
Great food, service & atmosphere. Have been looking for a quaint little Italian restaurant with great tasting pasta...I've now found it...salad was amazing, watermelon & candied walnuts, eggplant was very tasty..& the tortellini was cooked perfectly & busting with flavor...we sat at the bar as it was a full house... now I know why...ill be back for sure...highly recommend.
Sep 28, 2025
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Sat at bar. Excellent food & service. Noise level a bit above what we would have preferred, but cannot complain about being surrounded by diners enjoying themselves!
If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, Marcella is the place to be! Whether you're in the mood for a classic pasta or something a little more adventurous, there's something on the menu for everyone.
A special shoutout to Olivier, the bartender! His cocktails are top-notch & he always knows how to craft the perfect drink based on your preferences. He's friendly, knowledgeable, & really elevates the experience.
Highly recommend Marcella for a night out with friends, family, or even a romantic dinner. Can't wait to return!
Nice food! Place is always super busy so make reservations. Eating at the bar is good in a pinch. Wait time for food is a little longer but that's expected with how full it always is.
On vient de déménager dans le quartier. La
Dînette Marcella est notre'go to' chaque vendredi soir, en amoureux. On adore! On se partage une bouteille, une entrée & un plat principal & on est heureux. On mange au bar, l'ambiance est toujours bonne. Merci Marcella 😊
We had the pleasure of dining at Marcella's, twice, during our visit to Montreal. The interior is charming, great vibe, delicious food, & absolutely outstanding service. On our first visit, the restaurant was fully booked, but the hostess amazingly made room for us at the bar. My husband & I shared a Caesar salad, followed by Spaghettini Pomodoro & Gnocchi Di Marcella; both meals were delicious. Our servers, Melissa & Frederic were top notch. Because of them, & the delicious meals, we decided to return before returning to New Jersey.
On our second visit, we shared the eggplant parmesan appetizer, along with the cod special & the Tortellini Alla Ricotta; again, everything was delicious. The cocktails, Ladro Di Vespa & Giuseppe Garabaldi were so delicious that two were necessary. Megane was our server, & again, she was friendly & personable.
Marcella's is highly recommended; we will definitely return on our next visit to Montreal!!
Wow ! Super soirée assise au bar avec mon amoureux. Le service était excellent, merci Michael. & la nourriture, un pur délice. Meilleur restaurant italien au Québec.
