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.
Un endroit à découvrir! Nous avons beaucoup aimé la nourriture, le personnel ainsi que le calme de la salle à manger. Même si l'endroit était relativement plein, il était facile d'entretenir une conversation. Les prix y sont honnêtes ou nous avons aimé tout ce que nous avons consommé. Excellent restaurant!
The meatballs were honestly the best I've ever had! Our server, Sandy, was so friendly & attentive, which made the experience even better. The tiramisu was absolutely delicious, & the overall ambience was amazing - cozy, welcoming, & perfect for a nice meal out. Highly recommend this place!
Nov 11, 2025
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This is now an annual stop during our visits to Montreal. The food is great- everything is fresh, & the space is cozy but not crowded. Service is always exceptional.
What an incredible dining experience! The moment we walked in, we felt transported straight to Italy, warm atmosphere, welcoming staff, & the smell of fresh pasta & herbs in the air. Every dish was beautifully prepared & full of authentic flavours.
The service was attentive & kind without being intrusive, & we truly felt taken care of. Whether you're looking for a romantic evening, a dinner with friends, or a family meal, this place is a gem. Highly recommended, i'll definitely be back!
Beau resto , bon choix de menu , bouffe tres bien , service tres bien , ambiance tres tres bruiyante , musique beaucoup trop forte on s'entends pas parler a une table de 2 personnes , desagreable ...
Some of the food was okay, some was good, & some was problematic. The seafood pasta had only a single flavour, which was extreme amounts of salt. They took it back, to send it out again, this time it was not more flavourful, simply cut with what tastes like more cream & high amounts of black pepper. It's one of their more expensive main dishes & it's hard to understand how no one is tasting before sending out plates. They offered the first dish for free & offered a replacement free of charge, but as a dining experience it was underwhelming & disappointing.
On the positive side, the waitress was extremely friendly & understanding.
We had an incredible lunch at this lovely little Italian resto - probably the best Ceasar we've ever had. I had a wonderful Polpete meatballs that were tender & delicious. Finished off with a tasty little Malasada-like dessert. Only downside was that we couldn't sit by a window even though almost all those spots were available because they were filing a commercial. Other than that, 5+ stars!
We were sat at the bar, nobody came to greet us for 10-15 minutes before i stood up & asked someone to serve us.
When finally served, i was totally disappointed with service the whole night (staff didn't even spoke to us, rather chit-chatting between themselves). The food itself was pretty good; We really enjoyed it but couldn't understand the lack of service.
It was an ok experience; wouldn't go back, but the food was pretty decent.
We came here as a group for a friends birthday. The service was fabulous, slow at the beginning, it took nearly ten minutes before someone gave us water, but the server was excellent & friendly.
I was very unimpressed however, as they delivered the appetizers at the same time as the mains. I am more used to the French way of service, so maybe this is how Italian style restaurants work, but my main was tepid by the time I finished my appetizer.
They also cleared the table before everyone at the table was finished eating, which gives the impression they were rushing us, & pressuring us to eat faster. They even brought the desserts while one of us was still finishing her main dish, which is disappointing.
I found my main dish, the Ravioli both flavourless & overly salted, but the server was friendly, & that helped.
The restaurant itself was far too hot, everyone at the table mentioned the temperature.
The server brought us a candle for the birthday, & in the end she helped make the night feel special.
Lovely experience! The staff was super attentive & kind. The food was excellent & the martinis even better! Special thanks to Max for making our night, will definitely be back !
Nov 1, 2025
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5 stars all the way. Everything was to perfection. Took the Friend Calamari as an Entrée & it was soo delicious with that dipping sauce. Let's talk about my Sirloin Steak, it was soo tender & juicy, it melts on your tongue. The portions will surprise you, as well.
Nice cozy & quaint restaurant in old Montreal. Food portions are small but very well done. Staff are very friendly. Make reservations as this is a busy place. Great drink selection as well. Music is more retro, 80s pop.
