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.
This place is phenomenal I absolutely loved the ambiance & overall scenery of the restaurant on first glance. We came pretty late as they were near closing, but they were still very attentive in getting us our food & the waiter was very kind & helpful. I ordered the Cavatelli Alla Pesto & the pasta was perfectly cooked & I loved the balance of the crispy pine nuts & the tomatoes added so much flavor. I also got the focaccia which was delicious as well. I will definitely be back next time I'm in Canada!
So glad we stopped by for a quick bite while in the city. It was delicious. The staff was great! & they seemed to tolerate my daughter's unique pasta eating style.
Mar 19, 2026
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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.
A classy restaurant in Old Montreal. We had made a reservation 3 weeks in advance so that just tells you how much we were looking forward to it. The night dinner was great. We had 4 different dishes. 2 small & 2 main meals. I love pasta & I approve this place. We skipped dessert but we had some wine & it was nice. The atmosphere was classy & the staff was friendly.
My boyfriend & I decided to go here for our anniversary. I'm gluten free & the pasta was amazing not to mention we had the best Cesar salad we've ever had in our lives. My boyfriend had the veil & I don't think anything he ever eats again will live up to it. Fantastic place highly recommend.
Feb 27, 2026
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Had a lovely dinner at Dinette Marcella. We enjoyed a sauvignon blanc from Italy & it was really fruity & lovely. I had the special which was a butternut squash ravioli. It was honestly unreal, the flavours were so unique. I only wish there had been a few more pieces of ravioli, the portion felt a little small. My friend had the arancino & pesto pasta & loved both. For dessert, I had the beignets with caramel & they were so delicious. The restaurant itself is beautiful with stone walls & warm cozy lighting. Our server was very friendly & helpful! Just note, it is quite small (you will want a reservation) & a bit loud but you can hear the person across from you.
Absolutely loved my experience at Dinette Marcella! The food was amazing, & the pasta noodles had the best texture I've had so far in Montreal - perfectly cooked & incredibly satisfying.
The staff were warm & attentive, which made the whole evening even more enjoyable. I was also pleasantly surprised by how many vegetarian options they offer.
Appetizers & Pasta are delicious. We had the Burrata, & Ravioli - super yummy.
Market fish & seafood was just ok. The service is great, & the atmosphere fun & rich like the neighbourhood.
Excellent restaurant! Delicious food & generous portions. The service was very good, & the place is cozy & well located. We went twice during our vacation in Montreal. We loved it & highly recommend it. The only suggestion for improvement would be to offer more meat-based dishes, such as steak with pasta, for example.
Feb 3, 2026
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First time in Montreal & came across this Italian restaurant, they allowed us to walk-in & gave us window seats. Unfortunately we had to split our group into two. Pasta (I had the Gnocchi Bolognese) was great, saucy & a good portion size. I was stuffed. There were a variety of appetizers, we order Calamari & Tuna Crudo, both fresh & enjoyable. I would recommend this place & hopefully come again whenever I visit Montreal.
The restaurant is nice but the food is TERRIBLE & overpriced for what you get. 1000% tourist trap. Anyone on here taking about it being as good as pasta in Italy is lying. Also the waitress was super bizarre. They also never answer their phone. Skip it. We went to Garage Beirut - HUGE DIFFERENCE. Skip this place & go there instead.
Edit response to the owner: I was being restrained in my original review. To be specific: our server ignored us for long stretches, took an unusually long time to take our order, made no effort to engage, & was unhelpful when we asked basic questions about the menu. That is not standard or acceptable service, which is why I described the experience as bizarre.
What's more concerning is the defensiveness in your response. When a customer shares a negative experience, professionalism looks like curiosity & accountability, not dismissal. Suggesting that a bad review must be dishonest simply because others enjoyed their visit says more about how feedback is handled than about the feedback itself.
I had a poor experience & shared it. Readers can draw their own conclusions.
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.
Jan 18, 2026
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Enjoyed their lunch menu on our first day in the city. The spaghettini pomodoro was incredible while my partner had the pesto pasta. Food was great, vibes were high. Will definitely visit again!
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
You HAVE TO eat here! The vibe & space is immaculate & the food/wine is even better!
They can also make most of there pasta dishes vegetarian if you ask!
