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.
Une expérience absolument remarquable.
Dès l'arrivée, l'accueil est chaleureux & d'un grand professionnalisme. Le service est attentif, discret & parfaitement maîtrisé, ce qui rend le moment particulièrement agréable.
L'atmosphère est élégante & apaisante, avec une décoration soignée qui invite à la détente. Chaque détail semble pensé avec goût, créant une véritable expérience immersive.
La cuisine est d'une grande finesse, avec des saveurs équilibrées & une présentation irréprochable. On sent le souci du détail & la recherche de l'excellence à chaque instant.
Un lieu idéal pour une occasion spéciale ou simplement pour s'offrir un moment d'exception. Je recommande sans hésitation.Une expérience absolument remarquable.
Dès l'arrivée, l'accueil est chaleureux & d'un grand professionnalisme. Le service est attentif, discret & parfaitement maîtrisé, ce qui rend le moment particulièrement agréable.
L'atmosphère est élégante & apaisante, avec une décoration soignée qui invite à la détente. Chaque détail semble pensé avec goût, créant une véritable expérience immersive.
La cuisine est d'une grande finesse, avec des saveurs équilibrées & une présentation irréprochable. On sent le souci du détail & la recherche de l'excellence à chaque instant.
Un lieu idéal pour une occasion spéciale ou simplement pour s'offrir un moment d'exception. Je recommande sans hésitation.
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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Life long Montrealer though now live off island. On a whim made reservation & did not disappoint. Great location food was fresh & pasta was served hot (as is rarely). Definitely recommend. Service was very attentive.
Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food & fantastic, friendly & timely service. Our server (blonde lady with some tattoos - I wish I knew her name) was amazing & even gave us a little duck as a souvenir :) 10/10 would recommend
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.
Such a cute restaurant! The food was amazing, & the vibe is so cozy. Our server Sandy was the absolute best! She was so attentive & helpful. Everyone is so sweet!! Definitely recommend (:
What a great spot! The staff were fantastic & very sweet. The food was excellent - highly recommend the tuna credo - it was amazing! Great small intimate restaurant with an incredible vibe!
Mar 22, 2026
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We had a reservation at the bar as there were no tables left within 90 minutes of our preferred time. Unfortunately, our seats were the two directly in front of the bartender & it wasn't ideal. Our server had to talk to us from the side since he couldn't stand in front & the bartender was busy so it was constant drinks being prepared right in front of us. Our bottle of water (that the waiter placed down) was apparently in the bartender's way so he moved it directly between our two plates? It was all just a bit weird & awkward. I would recommend the restaurant not make those two seats a place for eating. There were lots of other seats at the bar which looked fine, just these two kinda spoil the atmosphere. Food was good, the Bailey's pudding for dessert was yummy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Had an incredible experience at Dinette Marcella in Old Port Montreal. The service was outstanding from the moment we arrived, & the atmosphere was warm, lively, & perfect for a night out. Every dish we tried was absolutely amazing - fresh, flavorful, & beautifully prepared.
If you're in Montreal & looking for a great place to eat in the Old Port, I highly recommend Dinette Marcella. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to!
Très bel endroit pour souper entre amis dans le vieux Montréal. Très belle ambiance vintage-moderne. Bon service de la part du personnel. Les pâtes sont bonnes sans être exceptionnelle. Cependant, excellent rapport qualité prix surtout pour l'emplacement. Je recommande pour un souper sans arrogance.
Mar 3, 2026
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Went there alone a short birthday trip, im from Ottawa. Very cozy vibe, food was good. Servers were really nice especially the pretty woman with the eyeglasses. Will definitely recommend to my friends ☺?
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.
This place made for an amazing night out on Valentine's weekend. The staff was very welcoming, service was fast & everything was so delicious! I had the dry aged steak special & my girlfriend had the gnocchi bolognese would highly recommend both!
