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.
They were very busy, highly recommend that you have reservations. Even with reservations we had to weight. Their customer service more than made up for the weight. They were all about ensuring that you a great experience.
The restaurant was charming with an airy feeling. We started our meal with the eggplant Parmesan which was cooked well & had a delicious sauce. For mains, we ordered the pesto pasta & spaghetti carbonara. Both dishes were excellent. Finished off with pistachio cheesecake which I highly recommend. Good service & great evening
Great vibe, music & decor! We had the gnocchi & ravioli for our entrees, & we enjoyed these. Highly recommend starting with the arancino - was the best we've ever had! My only complaint was that there was no air conditioning & we went on a super-hot night, so it wasn't a comfortable dining experience. Other than that, I would definitely recommend.
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.
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!
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!
Jun 1, 2025
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Excellent food, very busy & still excellent service by our server, Melissa. Manager also took some after dinner to follow up & chat with us. Fantastic experience overall. Highly recommend.
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!!
Highly recommend - Go see Michael & Mégane at Marcella! Atmosphere is top notch & situated in such a lovely area of Old Montreal. From the bolognese & spaghetti pomodoro (add the meatballs!) to the pistachio cheesecake dessert, the food is excellent. Above all, the service is truly unbelievable - we realized after our second night at Marcella that the entire bar & dining floor were being serviced by Michael & Mégane. Service was seamless & still had time to chat with us about the food & local sights on a few packed house nights. Marcella - must try!
Feb 26, 2025
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A true Italian gem in Old Montreal! The flavors were rich, the ingredients fresh, & the service impeccable. The charming ambiance made it even better. Every dish was perfection-highly recommend! Make a reservation ahead of time as the restaurant is very busy.
Everything about this restaurant is amazing! The food, atmosphere & staff are phenomenal. We went for a friend's birthday & the manager & server went above & beyond to make our night special. Best service I've ever received. As well, our new favourite restaurant. Highly recommend 🤍
We had a wonderful dinner at Dinette Marcella. The service was excellent, the mock tails (we didn't feel like drinking) were super tasty, & the food was exactly what we were looking for. Highly recommend the calamari & the pesto. The chicken limone was also very good.
Feb 10, 2025
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5/5 for everything!! The entire vibe, location & decor is beautiful. Washrooms were very clean & the seating is spacious. The service from Sandy was outstanding. She was friendly, knowledgeable of the menu & always checking up on us. She went out of her way to also sanitize the counter in the washroom for us to change our babies diaper. Some of the best customer service I've ever experienced. The food was fantastic, you can tell fresh ingredients were used, everything came out so hot but the wait times were not long. Our group had a large variety of the dishes & everyone was so happy with their meal. Overall, I highly recommend this to anyone & everyone. We'll 100% be back when in Montreal.
Thankful that the team at Marcella saved me with a bunch of hangry young women. Great food, better vibes. The place was packed on a Monday night & the service was incredible. Wine selection is solid. Bartender is so engaging. Talk about Unreasonable Hospitality from the entire staff who seem to really love their guests. Best meatballs & cannolis. I mean, isn't that the true test of a fabulous Italian restaurant? Highly recommend this little gem. We will be back.
We recently celebrated my spouse Dom's 41st birthday at Marcella, & it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, Fred, the manager, & our wonderful waitress Steph made us feel completely at home. Fred went above & beyond by playing Blues music for us & even gifting Dom a glass of his favorite scotch. He checked on us multiple times, ensuring we were enjoying every moment. The ambience at Marcella is always vibrant, with the restaurant full of great vibes that make you feel right at home. Their cocktail & wine list is impressive, adding the perfect touch to an already fantastic dining experience. The food was phenomenal! We highly recommend the Caesar salad, burrata, calamari, bruschetta for appetizers. Cavatelli alla pesto, Agnolotti cacio e pepe, pasta carbonara, lobster raviolis. & for dessert - you truly can't go wrong with any choice; they were all delicious. If you're looking for a warm, welcoming place with incredible food, drinks, & service that feels like family, Marcella is it. We'll definitely be back!
