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.
This small room was very crowded, but we know why. The food is delicious! The service was knowledgeable & efficient. We had the specials of the night, salmon & spinach gnocchi. Both were great.
yesterday
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Service was friendly although quite slow. The food was extremely average, especially given the price point. The bruschetta was way over dressed & soggy. Pomodoro definitely tasted like it was from a can. At close to $200 for lunch for 2, unfortunately it should have been much better.
Came here twice during my visit in Montreal. I was absolutely blown away. The service was on point & the food was fantastic. The meatballs were perfect & the mozzarella sticks were a great pairing. The cocktails were curated to perfection. Frederick served us our second time around & was so hospitable & was so genuine & got us in right before last call. Will be frequenting this spot on my upcoming trips. They also offer gluten free pasta which I'm excited to try. You will not be disappointed.
Trendy place with youthful vibe. Very busy plus waiting line of folks without reservations. Creative menu with some classics as well. Tuna crudo app was tasty with fried capers, pistachios & candied citrus. Tortellini ricotta & sausage sauce had potential but pasta was overcooked. Spaghetti with polpetto was solid. Quite noisy so conversations were challenging.
Apr 23, 2026
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Several months ago was a first experience at Dinette Marcela. We were three at lunch prior to attending a play. . We were warmly welcomed & treated with friendly & professional service throughout. I had a gin cocktail, recommended by the waiter, delicious. All 3 of us had the arancino appetizer & we shared an order of focaccia. The arancino is delicious & succulent, a crunchy & light exterior with the soft risotto filling. The sauce was so good we mopped up every bit of it with the focaccia. We finished with coffee. A delightful experience throughout.
Yesterday we dined for the 4th time at Dinette Marcella. We were greeted as friends. We each enjoyed our meals. One of our group had the Tuna Crudo, a second chose Beef Carpaccio, & I had the pasta special. All were excellent. The service was friendly & thoughtful. We received a gift of beignets in a delicious caramel sauce with our coffees. Highly recommended.
Food was delicious. Only disappointing meal was the tiramisu 💔, I do not reccomend it. Other than that pasta was delicious, the sauce, the foccacia, YUMMM. Super cozy & cute inside with great service.
Apr 19, 2026
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Life long Montrealer though now live off island. On a whim made reservation & did not disappoint. Great location food was fresh & pasta was served hot (as is rarely). Definitely recommend. Service was very attentive.
Of all the places we dined in Montreal, Dinette Marcella truly stood above the rest. From the moment we arrived, the level of customer service was exceptional ... warm, attentive, & genuinely welcoming without ever feeling overdone.
The food was outstanding across the board. It was beautifully prepared, full of flavor, & clearly crafted with care. Every dish felt like something special, not just another meal.
A special mention to Michael, who was incredibly charming & friendly. He made us feel like valued guests rather than just another table, & his presence elevated the entire dining experience.
Dinette Marcella struck that perfect balance of excellent food & truly memorable service. If you're visiting Montreal, this is one place you don't want to miss.
Food was amazing! My friend & I shared three appetizers, the gnocchi & focaccia. Way too much food but it was all delicious! Service was amazing & answered any questions we had about the menu. Reservations necessary
La dinette Marcella est un charmant petit restaurant italien. J'ai adoré l'esthétique & l'ambiance du lieu. Mon coup de coeur nourriture: l'arancino (oui il y en a qu'un mais il est délicieux). J'ai aussi pris les cavatelli au pesto qui étaient bonnes mais sans plus. Les prix des plats sont un peu élevés pour ce qu'on reçoit mais c'est typique du vieux Montréal. Les cocktails sont recherchés & très bons. Somme toute ce fût une belle expérience !
Apr 16, 2026
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J'y retourne, c'est certain! J'ai apprécié qu'on me donne des options végétarienne hors menu. Les portions sont bonnes, le goût excellent & le service très bon. Un peu cher, mais très comprenable avec la qualité de la nourriture.
The service was top notch - came in with a friend without a reservation. The hostess did her best to find us a seat, checking the bar, the reservations, even calling people who were late for their reso.
The atmosphere was also great - it's very cozy & unpretentious.
Food was 10/10. Previous reviews recommending the tortellini weren't kidding. The sauce was rich, creamy, delicious!
