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.
My wife & I had the pleasure of dining at Dinette Marcella on F1 weekend. The atmosphere in Old Montreal on F1 weekend is unbeatable, especially when the Montreal Canadians are deep into the playoffs. The vibe of the restaurant Is very good. It is not big, but the staff move with ease around each other. After chatting with a few of them, I came to learn that most of them have worked there since it opened 4 years ago! The fact the staff stayed together says a lot about quality ownership in my opinion as a small business owner. Megane was our server & she was fantastic! Very engaging, funny, helpful, informative, a total super star! I had the lobster Macaroni which was the best I've ever had. My wife had the tortellini & enjoyed it very much. The lightning & open air windows were perfect & thankfully, so was the weather. I gave it 4 stars for food because I did not enjoy the bruschetta or the Marcella Martini. The Martini was a but to sour for my liking. I'm a total Bruschetta snob. It is very hard to impress me with this appetizer. It had a nice taste, I just thought it was too busy especially considering the bread was cut so thin it could not support the toppings. Other wise, I am already looking forward to booking our reservations for next year's race & we hope to revisit this wonderful restaurant again for many years to come!!
Just when you think the best restaurant in the city can't get better, Fred & his people show you that you are wrong. This is one of the all time best dining experiences ever. The best, warmest people & most amazing food & drink you can find anywhere! I would give more than 5 stars if that were an option!
Nos encantó este restaurante italiano. Pedimos pasta y la verdad estaba riquísima y muy fresca. Buen producto hecho con amor. Para terminar pedimos un tiramisú que estaba riquísimo 🤤 Muy recomendable!!
This restaurant delivered an exceptional dining experience from start to finish. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared & full of authentic flavor. The polpette were perfectly seasoned & tender, while the arancino had a crisp exterior with a rich, savory filling. The insalate Cesare was fresh & well-balanced, & the focaccia was warm, airy, & absolutely delicious.
The tortellini alla ricotta stood out as a highlight-delicate pasta filled with creamy ricotta & served in a beautifully crafted sauce. To finish, the tiramisu was the perfect ending: light, indulgent, & not overly sweet. The service was attentive & welcoming, adding to the overall experience.
This is truly a must-visit spot for anyone who appreciates authentic Italian cuisine done right.
A huge shout out to Mike, Asia & the whole staff & cooks.
May 24, 2026
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We ordered the eggplant Parmesan, a salad, & two pastas. The eggplant was overcooked & the sauce was flavorless. The pastas were shockingly bland & mediocre. Saltless food with no flavor - our server at no point asked us how the food was. Stay away, the place is nice with a good vibe so you get sucked in - but a 10 year old could cook me a better meal.
This place had the absolute best arancini I've ever had in my life with truffle inside, it was amazing! I wish the entree was a bit more flavorful, the subtle taste was nice but a bit larger portion of smoked cheese would have been nice. I did really like the dessert, the special was a fluffy pistachio cheesecake, which was not overpowering it was quite nice!
Food was pretty good (but limited vegetarian options) & the service was fine. The atmosphere would have been great but there was a bachelorette party with around 16 girls at the table behind us so it was too loud to hear each other speak on our date. That element really hindered our experience.
May 17, 2026
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This is a delicious restaurant. The food is excellent, & unfortunately, so is the racist attitude. It took an extremely long time just to place our order, & afterward, the service & overall care we received felt discriminatory because we were Korean.
