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.
Yum!! Wonderful, if you are looking for authentic rich Italian, this is the place to stop. In a beautiful room nestled in Old Port, this place is a vibe. It would be amazing for a date night. I had the tortellini alla ricotta & a beautiful glass of Chianti. It was great!
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!!
We loved our visit to Marcella. The initial vibe was odd in that we were left standing in front of the hostess who was playing about with another staff member but once we were acknowledged & seated, our waiter was awesome & the food overall great. We have to give the burrata salad an 11/10. It was to die for. We were split about the bolognaise - my partner's was quite watery but mine was great! Super ambience!
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.
Thankful that the team at Marcella saved me with a bunch of hangry young women. Great food, better vibes. The place was packed on a Monday night & the service was incredible. Wine selection is solid. Bartender is so engaging. Talk about Unreasonable Hospitality from the entire staff who seem to really love their guests. Best meatballs & cannolis. I mean, isn't that the true test of a fabulous Italian restaurant? Highly recommend this little gem. We will be back.
Jan 21, 2025
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We came on a Thursday night , & the place has such a great vibe, love the music in the background, the atmosphere, & then the food ! Everything we had was great portions & delicious! Bruschetta, house salad , we had the specials of the night - strip loin steak, fingerling potatoes, veggies in a jus, my husband had ravioli in the most rich & decadent sauce & we finished off with the pistachios cheesecake (l forgot to take a pic of our main meals ;-(.
A Perfect Blend of Flavor & Festivity at Dinette Marcella Dining at Dinette Marcella was an absolute delight. From the moment I stepped in, I was captivated by the cozy & festive atmosphere. The holiday decorations were tastefully done, & the Christmas vibe was truly enchanting. The highlight of the meal was the Carbonara Spaghetti-perfectly cooked pasta with a creamy, flavorful sauce that hit all the right notes. Every bite was a testament to the chef's skill & dedication to quality. Adding to the experience was the thoughtfully curated music playing in the background. The tunes complemented the warm, cheerful ambiance & made the meal feel even more special. Dinette Marcella is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy amazing food in a setting that feels like a warm holiday embrace. I'll definitely recommend this place for a date night or family night!
We recently celebrated my spouse Dom's 41st birthday at Marcella, & it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, Fred, the manager, & our wonderful waitress Steph made us feel completely at home. Fred went above & beyond by playing Blues music for us & even gifting Dom a glass of his favorite scotch. He checked on us multiple times, ensuring we were enjoying every moment. The ambience at Marcella is always vibrant, with the restaurant full of great vibes that make you feel right at home. Their cocktail & wine list is impressive, adding the perfect touch to an already fantastic dining experience. The food was phenomenal! We highly recommend the Caesar salad, burrata, calamari, bruschetta for appetizers. Cavatelli alla pesto, Agnolotti cacio e pepe, pasta carbonara, lobster raviolis. & for dessert - you truly can't go wrong with any choice; they were all delicious. If you're looking for a warm, welcoming place with incredible food, drinks, & service that feels like family, Marcella is it. We'll definitely be back!
Nov 11, 2024
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I came here for a late dinner reservation at 9pm & we waited about 5 mins to be seated. The waitress was very enthusiastic & offered to answer questions about the menu & chef's special. We ordered the calamari, pesto, & cacio e pepe. The calamari came out first & it was delicious! The sauce went great with it & I definitely recommend. However, our mains took more than 30 mins to come out. The restaurant was busy with several large tables so it's understandable, but we had watched other people who seated after than us get their food sooner. We asked a different waitress for an update & watched her walk in & out of the kitchen, but she did not come back to give us a time estimate or anything. When the food came out, the waiter sprinkled black pepper & freshly grated cheese on our dishes which was a nice experience. The cacio e pepe was a bit bland in my opinion (even with the grated cheese), but the pesto was great! Other than the long wait times & lack of communication, the environment was cozy & the food was fresh & yummy. This is a great spot near old port if you're in need of a good vibes dinner spot.
the vibes of the restaurant were very lovely the atmosphere was very cozy & warm, the service that absolutely amazing super friendly & pleasant went above & beyond to make sure we had a wonderful experience. the food was so amazing very dish we order was absolutely delicious there was nothing we order that we didn't like.
Came by at Marcella's & they did not disappoint. The place was super relaxing, toilets were clean, & you'd really get the European/Italian vibe. The team was very kind & friendly, particularly Stephanie, awesome service from everyone, delicious dishes & good plating. Great place to go to in Montreal.
Very good vibe. Amazing food & drinks. Friendly staff. Our server/bartender, Jay, even gave us some great tips for cool bars in the area. We liked it so much we went twice during our 4 day trip!
May 25, 2024
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This place feels like home wow Excellent food, service & vibes Great for a date night, or dinner with friends/family Thank you Adell Michael & manager Fred for an absolutely incredible experience Will be back!!
Incredible Italian food in Old Montreal. The charcuterie board was out of this world. Impeccable service. We went here two nights in a row it was that good. Also, the music/vibe is the perfect date night spot. Highly recommend!
