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.
Tried Dinette Marcella for the first time. Absolutely recommend the meatballs & the bruschetta!! Great cocktails too! Above all loved the service, Melissa was amazing! 10/10 will recommend.
La déco est magnifique, on se sent très bien dans ce restaurant, l'endroit est assez petit mais pas du tout bruyant malgré la présence de nombreux jeunes enfants quand on y est allé. La nourriture & les cocktails sont très bons, les prix sont similaires aux autres restos du quartier.
Par contre notre serveuse n'était pas super souriante ou aimable c'est un peu dommage. Mais le serveur français était très sympa par contre!
Jan 9, 2026
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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 had an incredible time here this past weekend for my 35th birthday. The ambiance is fabulous. The food was 10/10. The wine selection was perfect, & the cocktails were exciting & potent. The service was lovely.
My only feedback would be that the restaurant is quite loud & can be steamy in the winter.
What a wonderful surprise & memorable experience. Cocktails were A+, appetizers A+ & dinner deserved a standing ovation 🙌 Oh & the staff were also exceptional, especially our server (I can't remember her name but she was great)
Nov 17, 2025
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November 2025: really enjoyed my seafood pasta with bisque sauce, tiramisu was better than last time & same large portion, efficient service, my cocktail was nice as well. My colleagues really liked their food & drink too.
December 2024: Decor & music were nice for the holidays.
Calamari was basic for the price, just lightly battered with marinara sauce on the side.
Pasta with ragu was pretty good, nice blend of ingredients, might have needed a little more salt. My colleagues enjoyed their carbonara & tortellini.
Tiramisu was a good portion & nice presentation but nothing special aside from that. Pistachio cheesecake was delicious, great texture, more Basque style. The ciambelle were good.
The martini with the espresso, chocolate, & pumpkin purée worked well, definitely recommend. My colleague enjoyed her bitter cola mocktail.
Service was pretty efficient & polite
Honestly one of the greatest dining experiences i've ever had. The food was unbelievable, the drinks were made exactly the way a picky cocktail snob like me wanted, & the service was fantastic (thank you Melissa). Beautiful ambiance & music. Genuinely an amazing night.
Le restaurant est vraiment joli, esprit Lounge. Les cocktails étaient très bons (notamment le Negroni !) & les Carbonara délicieuses !
Merci à Frédéric pour son accueil, allez y les yeux fermés
What a fun place to have a great dinner! In addition to the yummy food & cocktails, loved the mid-70s soundtrack playing & the comfy bistro vibe. Things to note - cavatappi pesto, carbonara, meatballs, focaccia bread.
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!
Jun 12, 2025
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Dînette Marcella est l'endroit que je préfère au vieux port! La nourriture & les cocktails sont délicieux (spécifiquement les pâtes au pesto) mais surtout l'ambiance & les employés qui y travaillent! On se sent à la maison! Si vous avez la chance d'avoir Malo comme serveur, vous n'allez pas être déçu! Je recommande à tous d'y aller :)
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!!
Absolutely outstanding in every way. The pasta Carbonara was right up there with the best I've ever eaten. The cocktails were also simply superb, as were the atmosphere & service.
Absolument exceptionnel à tous points de vue. Les pâtes carbonara étaient parmi les meilleures que j'aie jamais mangées. Les cocktails étaient tout simplement superbes, tout comme l'ambiance & le service.
Une première au Marcella! L' ambiance, le service, la qualité des plats, les excellents cocktails & les recommandations d'une bonne bouteille de vin d'importation privée. Juste Wow ! tout est parfait! Je le recommande sans hésiter.
Best restaurant experience I've ever had in Montreal. 5/5 food, 5/5 ambiance, 6/5 service. Sandy & Frederick (& the rest of the staff) took great care of us & great joy in what they do. The food was ON POINT. Eggplant & burrata starters crushed it (especially when combined). The pastas were tremendous . Try the beignets for dessert. & if you like cocktails, be sure to ask sandy to make make you a Last Word. My favorite part about dinette marcella: it's all totally genuine. Don't miss out on this gem in old Montreal
