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.
A group of six girls who booked over a month in advance. Each spent around 100$ each & when leaving the manager was extremely rude to his staff. The waitress was so great, Isabelle, girk you deserve a better job at a restaurant where the manager isn't going to speak to you like that. In front of a full dining room is mind blowingly unprofessional. We won't be going back. The management is going to rush you so choose a better place to spend your money & enjoy your night.
Very loud, & too packed. I had reserved weeks in advance for 4 people. When we arrived 3 minutes late, we were told by the hostess to wait while she went in & out for a few minutes. We were under the impression that she had given our table away. She then sat us at a table next to the bathroom, such that one person was facing a wall & the entrance to the bathroom, while the other 3 people were facing each other. It was after I complained that she insisted that it was a proper table & that she had not given our table away. She moved the table so that we could at least all 4 of us could kind of face each other, but it was clear that it was not meant to be a table for 4.
Too bad that the experience with the hostess started us off badly. At least our waiter was AMAZING, & the food was excellent.
Dec 18, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I accidentally booked the wrong day & the hostess found us a table on busy night. The food was delicious, the staff went above & beyond, & the atmosphere was fun. Highly recommend
To start with, the food here is on par with Italian I've had in Venice, Florence, New York & Boston. The arancini was filled with mushrooms & rice in a white sauce. Dinner was cacio e pepe for me & gnocchi with bolognese sauce for my wife; both were outstanding. I like the fact that I didn't want to have mine with ravioli but instead spaghetti & the bartender told me that was no problem. The bar tenders were personable, nice to talk with & put together outstanding craft cocktails. If you're in Montreal & want a very pleasant dinner, this where to go. The atmosphere is relaxing, well appointmented & the music is perfect. If I were to start a restaurant, this is my vision.
Belle expérience globale, autant pour la nourriture que pour le décor, qui est vraiment charmant.
Mon seul bémol concerne l'ambiance musicale : le style rock joué ce soir-là ne s'harmonisait pas du tout avec l'atmosphère du restaurant, & le volume était assez élevé, ce qui nuisait aux conversations.
Avec une musique plus cohérente avec le lieu, l'expérience aurait été parfaite.
This place is great, Frederick, Max & team are incredible. If you are looking for great Italian food, great atmosphere, look no further than Dinette Marcella!
Dec 15, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Really enjoyed my time here with my friend, the food was good & the service was really great our waiter was really friendly & always making sure everything was ok with us.
Thank you to the entire team at Dinette Marcella for the wonderful service & food! Everything was perfect! Food is amazing, drinks were great & wait staff was exceptional. Definitely a must stop in the old port!
