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.
Came here twice during my visit in Montreal. I was absolutely blown away. The service was on point & the food was fantastic. The meatballs were perfect & the mozzarella sticks were a great pairing. The cocktails were curated to perfection. Frederick served us our second time around & was so hospitable & was so genuine & got us in right before last call. Will be frequenting this spot on my upcoming trips. They also offer gluten free pasta which I'm excited to try. You will not be disappointed.
Several months ago was a first experience at Dinette Marcela. We were three at lunch prior to attending a play. . We were warmly welcomed & treated with friendly & professional service throughout. I had a gin cocktail, recommended by the waiter, delicious. All 3 of us had the arancino appetizer & we shared an order of focaccia. The arancino is delicious & succulent, a crunchy & light exterior with the soft risotto filling. The sauce was so good we mopped up every bit of it with the focaccia. We finished with coffee. A delightful experience throughout.
Yesterday we dined for the 4th time at Dinette Marcella. We were greeted as friends. We each enjoyed our meals. One of our group had the Tuna Crudo, a second chose Beef Carpaccio, & I had the pasta special. All were excellent. The service was friendly & thoughtful. We received a gift of beignets in a delicious caramel sauce with our coffees. Highly recommended.
Apr 20, 2026
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La dinette Marcella est un charmant petit restaurant italien. J'ai adoré l'esthétique & l'ambiance du lieu. Mon coup de coeur nourriture: l'arancino (oui il y en a qu'un mais il est délicieux). J'ai aussi pris les cavatelli au pesto qui étaient bonnes mais sans plus. Les prix des plats sont un peu élevés pour ce qu'on reçoit mais c'est typique du vieux Montréal. Les cocktails sont recherchés & très bons. Somme toute ce fût une belle expérience !
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!
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!
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 :)
