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.
Beautiful atmosphere, delicious food & fantastic, friendly & timely service. Our server (blonde lady with some tattoos - I wish I knew her name) was amazing & even gave us a little duck as a souvenir :) 10/10 would recommend
Apr 8, 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.
We had our Good Friday meal in this cozy restaurant as they had quite a few vegetarian options. We were so happy to find out the arancino was vegetarian & found it very delicious especially with the cream. The spaghettini pomodoro was simple but oh so satisfying! Finally the cavatelli with pesto was perfectly light & fresh. The pastas reminded me of Italy!Our server Megane was friendly & full of smiles so made our first meal in Montreal very welcoming. Merci beaucoup for a wonderful dining experience! 😊
I stumbled upon this place last year, the bruschetta was amazing so we had to come back this weekend. The food is incredible & the service is also good.
However, while seated at the bar one employee behind the bar made us feel uncomfortable as we joyfully asked a simple question about my mothers drink, as he responded in an extremely cold manner, enough that i still thought about it today.
Service is an art & if you are not ready to welcome a comment or question from a guest, you should not be behind the bar.
Everything else was perfect, from the host (we asked to switch seats & he was very kind about it) to the main bar service (very knowledgeable & cool) to the quick service from the bussboy (he was very funny & polite)
Tried Dinette Marcella for the first time. Absolutely recommend the meatballs & the bruschetta!! Great cocktails too! Above all loved the service, Melissa was amazing! 10/10 will recommend.
Mar 28, 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.
Fantastic food, service & atmosphere. Shout out to Michael, Fred, Max & Louie for taking such great care of me!! I am already looking forward to my return visit. The food is so fresh & tasty. I had one of the best Caesar salads ever & followed that with the Icelandic cod special that was over the top delicious! Sincere thanks to the entire Marcella team!!
Was visiting Montreal for a bachelorette & we had the pleasure of being served by Sandy! She was so lovely, had excellent knowledge of everything on the menu & was a fun addition to our night!!
Such a cute restaurant! The food was amazing, & the vibe is so cozy. Our server Sandy was the absolute best! She was so attentive & helpful. Everyone is so sweet!! Definitely recommend (:
Un superbe restaurant italien ! Un charme authentique, une cuisine de qualité remplie de saveurs & un service chaleureux ! Essayez l'arancino & le tiramisu en dessert vous ne serez pas déçu ! À très vite !
What a great spot! The staff were fantastic & very sweet. The food was excellent - highly recommend the tuna credo - it was amazing! Great small intimate restaurant with an incredible vibe!
