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.
Les plats sont bons & bien cuisinés
Par contre ils sont un peu chers
Nous n avons pas eu d'eau en carafe proposée ... juste une eau italienne en bouteille San Bernardo à 6.50 CAD qui n avait qu une petite contenance & donc ... très chère
Pas de pain proposé non plus
Notre note tient compte de ces éléments & du rapport qualité prix
Nous avons également regretté qu'il n y ait pas de bières canadiennes
Les bières italienne - Peroni - & hollandaise - Heineken ne sont pas bonnes
& pourtant nous sommes ... de France
Excellent food! Incredibly tasty & well made. Our server was also very attentive & helpful. My only complaint would be portion sizing. The tortelini was really good. Although incredibly flavourful, the Cesar salad for $21 was disappointingly small.
$5.75 for decaf coffee is definitely on the pricey side.
Aug 27, 2025
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The restaurant was charming with an airy feeling. We started our meal with the eggplant Parmesan which was cooked well & had a delicious sauce. For mains, we ordered the pesto pasta & spaghetti carbonara. Both dishes were excellent. Finished off with pistachio cheesecake which I highly recommend. Good service & great evening
Food here was really good but the star of the night was the customer service. The entire crew was absolutely amazing. Our server Sandy was especially an exceptional person. Would definitely recommend for a nice casual dinner in Montreal with great food & good service.
Great vibe, music & decor! We had the gnocchi & ravioli for our entrees, & we enjoyed these. Highly recommend starting with the arancino - was the best we've ever had! My only complaint was that there was no air conditioning & we went on a super-hot night, so it wasn't a comfortable dining experience. Other than that, I would definitely recommend.
Our Six visit to Dinette Marcella in the last 3 years. Without question a hidden gem in the heart of Old Montreal. From our server Sandy to Freddy the Maitre D everything was tremendous. We will continue to return as they never disappoint. Thanks to the staff for looking after all our needs. Cheers from New Brunswick 👍
Dinette Marcella is without a doubt our favorite spot in Montreal. The food is delicious, the drinks are excellent, & the elegant decor creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. My wife & I shared the tortellini & the New York steak, & we couldn't have been happier with our choices. If you're lucky enough to see veal steak on the menu, order it! It's a real treat. Our server Sandy was friendly, attentive, & professional, making our meal even more enjoyable. We always leave already planning our next visit!
Aug 4, 2025
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We had a great meal at dinette Marcella. Everything was delicious - we had the Calamari, focaccia, cacio e pepe ravioli & the tortellini. For dessert, the pistachio cheesecake is incredible. Make sure to book a reservation- our reservation was at 9pm on a Sunday & it was busy. Service was a little slow at times but not horrible.
Nous sommes allés manger chez Dinette Marcella pour mon anniversaire & c'était vraiment super.
La nourriture était excellente, le restaurant à l'intérieur est vraiment cute & il y avait une belle ambiance.
La seule chose que nous avons moins aimé est la vitesse à laquelle nous avons reçu nos assiettes. Nous avons commandé & littéralement 5min plus tard nous avions nos assiettes. C'est vraiment trop rapide. Quand nous allons au resto, nous apprécions prendre le temps de discuter un peu avant de manger, prendre un verre & profiter de l'ambiance en général. Là, c'était un peu précipité & ça nous a surpris de manger aussi tôt en arrivant. Prochaine fois, nous demanderons au moins un 20min avant d'avoir les assiettes.
Ça a coûté environ 110$ pour deux assiettes & deux drinks. Nous n'avons pas pris d'entrées.
