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.
Appetizers & Pasta are delicious. We had the Burrata, & Ravioli - super yummy.
Market fish & seafood was just ok. The service is great, & the atmosphere fun & rich like the neighbourhood.
The place is beautiful, & the people who are serving are very professional, but the food, I think it was only us, but the food was cold, we waited for 30 minutes to receive our dinner, & the spaghetti that I ordered was simple, ir wasn't seasoned. 3/5 stars
Feb 16, 2026
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.
J'ai été mangé la bas hier soir, l'ambiance du restaurant est incroyable: les employés sont friendly, la musique est très bien & l'intérieur du restaurant est très beau. J'ai mangé la meilleure brushetta à ce restaurant & les pâtes sont tellement délicieuses 10/10
This place made for an amazing night out on Valentine's weekend. The staff was very welcoming, service was fast & everything was so delicious! I had the dry aged steak special & my girlfriend had the gnocchi bolognese would highly recommend both!
Belle découverte, bel endroit intime & plein de cachet. Nourriture excellente si vous avez la chance d'essayer l'arancino 🤌🏾 Service impeccable. Je recommande!
Première fois chez Dînette Marcela & non la dernière. Succulent, service impeccable par Mégane, atmosphere cozy. Excellent resto italien. Fortement recommandé.
Calmars caoutchouteux, sans goût & trop chers pour la qualité - 22$. Focaccia à l'ail ordinaire - 12$. Les rotelles au boeuf manquaient d'assaisonnement - 38$. Les tortellinis à la ricotta savoureuses & délicieuses - 28$. Cependant, belle ambiance. Le service est bon : attentionné, professionnel & rapide (Leo).
Excellent restaurant! Delicious food & generous portions. The service was very good, & the place is cozy & well located. We went twice during our vacation in Montreal. We loved it & highly recommend it. The only suggestion for improvement would be to offer more meat-based dishes, such as steak with pasta, for example.
Une expérience culinaire incroyable, les propositions de la carte sont variées & donnent envie de tout découvrir . Mais quand enfin le choix est fait la dégustation est à la hauteur des espérances ! Un accueil chaleureux & une ambiance cosy bien agréable en ce jour d'hiver à Montréal ! Un restaurant qui fait partie des souvenirs gustatifs que je ramènerai en France !
