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.
Marcella Dinette Italienne offers an exceptional lunch experience that seamlessly blends the rich history of Italian cuisine with Montreal's vibrant culinary scene. From the moment you step in, you're transported to a cozy, welcoming atmosphere that feels both modern & steeped in tradition. The lunch menu is a testament to the art of Italian cooking. Each dish is crafted with the freshest ingredients, capturing the essence of Italy with every bite. The pasta is perfectly al dente, & the sauces are rich, flavorful, & authentically Italian. The menu is diverse, catering to both traditionalists & those seeking a contemporary twist on classic dishes. The history of Marcella Dinette Italienne is as rich as its flavors. Inspired by the age-old traditions of Italian diners, the restaurant was founded with a passion for bringing the warmth & simplicity of Italian dining to the heart of Montreal. Every detail, from the rustic decor to the carefully curated wine list, reflects a deep respect for the culinary heritage of Italy. Service is impeccable, with a team that is both knowledgeable & attentive, making sure that your dining experience is nothing short of perfection. Whether you're in the mood for a quick lunch or a leisurely afternoon meal, Marcella Dinette Italienne delivers an experience that is truly five stars. I can't recommend it enough - a must-visit for anyone who loves Italian cuisine & appreciates the blend of history & modernity that this gem offers.
We had an incredible experience dining at Dinette Marcella! The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Montreal & has a classy, yet relaxed feel. From the service to the food, we had zero complaints. Highly recommend the tortellini in rosé & cacio e pepe pastas. We will definitely come back here!
Aug 25, 2024
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The pasta Carbonara was so bad, definitely not Italian.... Milanesa was too crunchy & dry for that price should be amazing, salad very regular with green hard tomatoes....& we had the misfortune to have the worst server, we sit in the bar & beside us sat a man that all the servers where very eager & happy to say hi & that's fine, i suppose is a regular, but our server was so focus on that man that he gave us the beverages while talking to him, not even looking at us, gave me a spoon to eat the chicken, gave no napkins... every-time he approached us was to talk to the man besides us, he simply acted as he didn't care at all, very disappointed of everything for a "fine dinning" place 👎🏻
Apetizers are so good. However, I ordered the pasta carbonara & oh my god it was so bad. Tasted bitter & like cheap pepper, not even close to real carbonara. Otherwise the service & the atmosphere were excellent.
Absolutely fabulous restaurant. The food is to die for - best Caesar salad dressing ever - pastas were delicious. Lambrusco was great. Service from Malo was top notch, the manager was lovely as well. Cherry on top was the playlist. Very impressed & will certainly return! Thank you team!
Visited it recently. Ambience is good, though we were there in July on a hot day & there was no AC so by the end of the meal we were sweating:(. Drinks/cocktails were really good. We had three apps & four pasta dishes, they were good but nothing exceptional & rather small portions size for the price. What I did not like, that for an Italian restaurant, we had to pay separately for bread! Server was enthusiastic, but overall service could be better - we did not get our drinks till we were half way through our appetizers. Overall bill was slightly on the high side including the "tourist trap" premium.
Jul 31, 2024
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Which came first, the Costoletta Milanese or the Wiener schnitzel?! It's like asking which came first, the chicken or the egg? In this restaurant, the chicken Milanese is pounded into thin slices & then deep-fried until crispy. The method is simple, but it is not easy to make the chicken cutlet good, it needs to be thin enough & not hard, juicy when eaten. & theirs pasta is uncommon too !
The place is really cute, beautiful aesthetic & atmosphere. My niece & I had mocktails which were not very good, but drinkable (very sour). The seafood pasta was supposed to be in a lobster bisque sauce, but it was only a tomato sauce that only tasted like tomatoes. The pasta carbona was salty & tasteless.
The chef put his/her signature on the flavours in the sauces...unique & really delightful pasta dishes. Excellent service; the general manager is a fun guy, added to the experience. We'll be back.
Really pretty place to eat & it literally feels like you are in Europe. We had the focaccia bread & the pesto pasta with pine nuts was AMAZING & staff here are super kind.
Jul 7, 2024
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Came here on a whim & the hostess was kind enough to accommodate the walk in. Food is delicious, especially the tortellini. Supper pillowy & creamy nuggets of pasta & ricotta. The seafood pasta was delicious as well but just wish there were some more prawns or shrimp for the price. The meatball was great as well is the house salad. Would definitely come again!
This is my all-time favorite Italian restaurant as of yesterday. I'm not exaggerating when I say this is the best carbonara I've ever had in my life. It was generous with pancetta, perfectly balanced, creamy & salty & topped with an egg yolk. Just divine. We also ordered the cacio e pepe which was also insanely good. The sauce was really good & the pasta was pillowy & stuffed with cheese. They offer a great selection of mocktails which I enjoy (I got the strawberry one, can't remember name) & my husband got a drink they light on fire. We didn't have to wait but we got there late on a weekday. The service is so fast. The restaurant is very romantic & charming, great for a date night!
Absolutely amazing! The price is definitely worth it! I loved the tortellini & the fried calamari. I didn't love the seafood pasta but my friend liked it.
A favourite dining experience for us in Montreal. Wonderfully kind staff who were nice enough to accommodate our requests. Stunning historic room with large windows that open up to the streets of old Montreal for a lively view. We absolutely loved the dishes we ordered & will certainly dine here again. Ordered the aubergine appetizer (similar to an eggplant Parmigiano or lasagna), beautiful tomato sauce & lightly fried eggplant. We also ordered the carbonara pasta & tartufo gnocchi (made fresh in house!) Lovely meal, generous portions, wonderful ambience & kind staff. We wish we had room for dessert! Recommend booking a table in advance, it was a full room on a Tuesday night!
Gorgeous restaurant in old stone building in Old Montreal. The food was excellent- we shared Arrancho & Polpette apps which were so good; for mains we ordered Spaghetti Pomodoro which was very tasty & the Seafood pasta which was very tasty but did not have very much seafood in it ( two shrimps & a handful of calamari rings). The service was excellent. We would absolutely return & recommend it to others.
