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.
I wanted a cocktail that wasn't on the menu anymore & they were nice enough to make it for me anyway. The waitress was very nice! The atmosphere was warm & agreeable. The pasta was al dente & delicious. The Bruschetta was delicious. I just wish they didn't put capers in it.
Very Nice restaurant in the old port area. The staff was really nice & welcoming. Great service. The restaurant is nice & well decorated. Cocktails were amazing & we enjoyed the food as well (we both had pasta).
The space is quiet & appeared understaffed when we went for lunch. The single waiter was very busy. The decor was warm & charming. The food was a surprise - the pasta amazingly delicious & very fresh. I would definitely return, as this is a true delight in today's Barilla world. I left very happy.
Cozy little Italian restaurant in old port area. Maybe because of the location, the price is a bit higher. Service was good, food potions were okay. I like their pasta. Recommend to reserve a table during weekend.
The place is cozy & beautiful but very loud & the choice of music (that was also a bit too loud) did not match the vibes. The pasta sauces were super salty, we couldn't finish our plates. The tiramisu was quite underwhelming (the chocolate chips & the top layer of cream are just not refined).
The food was 10/10. My partner & I both had pasta & both dishes were incredible. Our server, Michael was so friendly & attentive. The restaurant decor & vibe is great too. Would highly recommend!
Dec 30, 2023
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The ambiance is really cute, the pasta was cooked perfectly & delicious. The service was good until we saw a baby rat running around the dining room. The staff didn't really react or seem to care until 5 min went by & one tried & failed to trap it in a glass. No one apologized or tried to reassure us that this is isolated incident. We know it can happen but say something to your customers!
Great Italian food, a little on the expensive side but the dishes are very well executed. The drinks are fun & creative, Pear Pressure is brought flambée at the table. Pastas are good, best ones is the ragù. Would recommend the mini cannolis as dessert.
Beautiful vibe with extremely comfy chairs. We unfortunately had poor service; we waited a good 20min (if not more) after being seated before being noticed & giving our order in. Our drink order was forgotten (we had to order again), the waitress told us she would bring extra plates for us to share our dishes & those never came. In the end, the waitress felt bad & offered us free focaccia for apologies, which was very thoughtful of her. The busboy however was very attentive & our water glasses & needs (extra parmesan or pepper) were met very fast. The food has wonderful presentation, but lacked greatly in taste. Both pasta dishes were bland in my opinion & the focaccia was a bit dry (maybe a stale batch?). The tomato sauce for the meatballs were definitely the highlight, very salty & delicious sauce, perfect for dipping.
Dec 4, 2023
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Love all the details in the restaurant. Impeccable service. The food is extremely fresh, tasty, & made with care. I highly recommend the lobster pasta with fresh lobster meat. Tremendous value with big pieces of lobster throughout. The burrata was a hit, too. Nestled in Vieux Montreal, I recommend sitting next to a window to take in an immersive experience.
Had a mushroom tagliatelle - it was easily one of the worst pastas I’ve had at a restaurant. The waiter seemed inexperienced for a middle-range restaurant & spilled wine but cute atmosphere
Aug 9, 2023
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A perfect meal! We sat at the bar & Michael was amazing, great drinks & amazing service. The antipasto was superb as was the veal & pasta dishes. Will be back on our next visit.
