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.
I visited this local pasta restaurant as a walk-in & was seated at the bar, which was much appreciated as a solo traveler. Not needing a reservation & still being accommodated made the experience feel welcoming & relaxed.
The food was absolutely delicious, with very generous portions, I left feeling extremely satisfied. The service was attentive & friendly throughout. A great spot with excellent pasta & a comfortable atmosphere, I would definitely recommend it to groups & solo travelers alike.
Absolutely loved this restaurant. Arrived around 5pm on a Saturday night & was able to get a table immediately. Got the buratta & the tortellini & a side of focaccia bread & it was all amazing! Best Italian I have had in a really long time. The server was also great as they never let your water lower than halfway in your glass. If I'm ever back in Montreal I will definitely come here again.
Jan 17, 2026
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Cute spot for lunch on a Friday & was my 1st time here. The decor brings Old Montreal to life & the service was very professional, but also warm & friendly.
I had the Tuna Crudo, a green salad & focaccia. Very delicious & the leftover focaccia had to come home with me, it was that good. My companion had a Caesar salad & arancini, which was served in a creamy, truffle-y, garlicky sauce that was oh so delicious.
Shout out also to the coffee cherry martini.... really enjoyed that :)
Notre première soirée à Montréal ce fut littéralement magique l accueil le service mais surtout les plats … nous étions 7 & tous le monde étais enchanté. Nous avons promis de faire la dernière soirée ici … merci a clément de nous avoir aussi bien reçu & conseille
Amazing spot. Both dinners we ordered gluten free & were fantastic. I loved the cannolis! Michael was a great bartender & very knowledgeable. Highly recommend & will be back!
Food was solid. Great portions, reasonably priced & tasty all around. Had a Cesar salad & tortellini. Caesar was garlicky like it should be. Tortellini was really nice. It's a smallish restaurant with plenty of bar seating & was incredibly busy for a Thursday night. It does get a little loud. Nitpick: bartender uses his hands on occasion to put ice in drinks.
La déco est magnifique, on se sent très bien dans ce restaurant, l'endroit est assez petit mais pas du tout bruyant malgré la présence de nombreux jeunes enfants quand on y est allé. La nourriture & les cocktails sont très bons, les prix sont similaires aux autres restos du quartier.
Par contre notre serveuse n'était pas super souriante ou aimable c'est un peu dommage. Mais le serveur français était très sympa par contre!
I ate at this place a year & a half ago & I am still thinking about it. Just put it down as one of our most memorable meals on our wedding website tidbits :)
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.
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!
