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.
Food was amazing! The arancini was very good, would recommend. I got the gluten free pasta & as a celiac I appreciated having the option of gluten free pasta, however it was a bit pricey making it $5 extra. We sat in the corner & the seat itself was comfortable & nice, but extremely hot. Made us feel very tired. Our server was phenomenal & gave us some recommendations on places to go around Montreal! Would recommend this place to a friend!
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.
Great spot & highly recommend to anyone.
Jul 10, 2025
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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!
Dînette Marcella est l'endroit que je préfère au vieux port! La nourriture & les cocktails sont délicieux (spécifiquement les pâtes au pesto) mais surtout l'ambiance & les employés qui y travaillent! On se sent à la maison! Si vous avez la chance d'avoir Malo comme serveur, vous n'allez pas être déçu! Je recommande à tous d'y aller :)
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!
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.
May 24, 2025
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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!!
Une première au Marcella! L' ambiance, le service, la qualité des plats, les excellents cocktails & les recommandations d'une bonne bouteille de vin d'importation privée. Juste Wow ! tout est parfait! Je le recommande sans hésiter.
Apr 6, 2025
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Juste WOW!!! Nous avons adoré notre repas & notre soirée. C'était tout simplement délicieux! Je recommande X1000 & quand je reviendrai à MTL c'est certain que j'y retourne.
Merci!!!
Superbe restaurant ! La nourriture est excellente ainsi que le service. Je vous le recommande sans aucune hésitation. J'ai mangé les meilleurs bâtonnets de fromage de toute ma vie !!
Ambiance & service au top !
La nourriture est assez fade, ce qui est décevant pour un restaurant italien. :/
Je ne recommande pas les calamars : trop gras, sans saveur & pas du tout croustillants.
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.
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.
