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.
Un restaurant sympa dans l'ensemble, les assiettes sont belles, le service & le lieu sont sympas. Malheureusement, les prix sont bien trop élevés. 115 $ pour deux assiettes de pâtes & 2 cocas. Supplément de 12 $ pour une burrata ridicule. Je demande du pain, on me charge 8 $. Le même repas moins cher mériterait 4 voire 5 étoiles.
Jan 4, 2026
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Ive been to Marcella's several times & it never seems to disappoint! Always on point, the food is great & all the staff are amazing ! You know a restaurant is top notch when they have the same staff members for 3 years + ! Big shout out to fred, Max, hiba, Elijah & Megane for making me feel at home every single time!
Regular customer, enjoy the food & service, need to sort out the front door in winter cause way too cold anywhere near it. Need to get on Open Table as the reservation process is annoying… has been for a while.. Will return
The eggplant appetizer & Burrata appetizers were amazing. The tortellini with homemade sausage & the gnocchi with meat sauce entrees were out of this world!
Jan 2, 2026
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Vraiment pour la veille du jour de l'an …j'accorde 5 étoiles à votre restaurant tout était succulent (employé , service , cuisine ) tout était super coordonnées bravo à toute l'équipe & merci mille fois pour votre accueil de dernière minute.
Bonne année à vous tous & au plaisir de vous revoir ♥?
I've never had food good enough to leave a review. The focaccia & tortellini here are the best things i've ever eaten. It's a little pricey, but you get what you pay for I promise. it's amazing.
Wonderful dining experience. The atmosphere was warm & welcoming, the service attentive & friendly, & the food was delicious. Highly recommend & will definitely return
Marcella is a very charming restaurant in Old Montreal with a warm, inviting atmosphere. We really enjoyed the gnocchi as a main - they were flavorful & well executed.
The cod with polenta, however, was a bit disappointing. I had expected the polenta to be prepared differently, & for such a lovely piece of fish, the sauce felt too heavy & overpowered the dish.
Overall, while the setting is lovely & some dishes shine, the prices felt a little steep for the level of quality we experienced.
