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.
Les critiques décrivent Dinette Marcella comme un endroit italien chaleureux et intime dans le Vieux-Montréal, avec une ambiance cosy, un décor charmant et un personnel attentionné; beaucoup louent des pâtes fraîches savoureuses comme les tortellinis, les gnocchis et les raviolis, ainsi que les entrées populaires comme la bruschetta et les arancinis et une bonne sélection de cocktails et de vins. Plusieurs convives remarquent des plats bien équilibrés et savoureux, notamment la carbonara, la burrata, les polpettes et les plats de fruits de mer, tandis que certains mentionnent des déceptions occasionnelles lorsque des plats manquent de cuisson, d’assaisonnement ou ne sont pas assez chauds. L’expérience globale est souvent jugée à la hauteur du prix, avec un service constant et une ambiance animée, bien que certaines soirées soient bruyantes et que quelques clients souhaitent une acoustique plus calme et un service plus fluide entre les plats. En somme, Dinette Marcella se distingue par des saveurs italiennes authentiques, une atmosphère chaleureuse et une hospitalité fiable, invitant des visites répétées pour les dîners en tête-à-tête, les fêtes et les repas décontractés.
Food was amazing! The arancini was very good, would recommend. I got the gluten free pasta & as a celiac I appreciated having the option of gluten free pasta, however it was a bit pricey making it $5 extra. We sat in the corner & the seat itself was comfortable & nice, but extremely hot. Made us feel very tired. Our server was phenomenal & gave us some recommendations on places to go around Montreal! Would recommend this place to a friend!
We've ordered steak & carbonara pasta. The steak was too salty & hard, pasta was good. Please be aware that the waiter will put 18% of the tips into the cheque automatically - we love to support customer service, but that gesture changed the impression from the restaurant in a bad way. The place itself is pretty, but too noisy.
12 juil. 2025
sur Google
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Great food, great drinks, great service. Please do not second guess, make a reservation now! Marcella's was absolutely amazing in every category!
Very pleasant & welcoming hostess, lively environment, & the food... Just absolutely delicious! I saw someone else talk about how good the Caesar salad was... They did not exaggerate. It was fantastic. The rice balls were great. Different from what I'm accustomed to, but so much better. I got the seafood pasta & my husband got the tortellini. Both were delicious. The tortellini was so fresh & easy to eat. The drinks were just as exceptional.
The martini was so different but so good! Excellently crafted! We're trying our best to not go back because we want to try other restaurants. We thoroughly enjoyed everything! I MUST recognize the exceptional service of Megane. One of the best servers I've ever experienced. She was on top of everything.
Italian food connoisseur here. The service was absolutely spectacular. The appetizers were amazing, some of the best I've ever had. The bruschetta, arancini, & salad were amazing. I loved the cheese watermelon & pecans in the salad - sounded a bit odd, but turned out to be one of the better salads. The pasta was nothing outstanding, but sufficed. The steak was for sure one of the best I've ever had, super tender & amazing sauce. The chicken milanese was amazing, nice & crispy. Overall fantastic restaurant, must try.
If you're looking for an authentic Italian dining experience, Marcella is the place to be! Whether you're in the mood for a classic pasta or something a little more adventurous, there's something on the menu for everyone.
A special shoutout to Olivier, the bartender! His cocktails are top-notch & he always knows how to craft the perfect drink based on your preferences. He's friendly, knowledgeable, & really elevates the experience.
Highly recommend Marcella for a night out with friends, family, or even a romantic dinner. Can't wait to return!
12 juin 2025
sur Google
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This pasta? Such incredible mix of flavor. I loved it so much I considered going back there for dinner to have the exact same meal. Will definitely visit next time I'm in Montreal!
We had an incredible dining experience at this quaint Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of beautiful Old Montreal. The ambiance was charming & warm-perfect for a relaxed evening out. The charcuterie board was outstanding: generous, beautifully presented, & packed with flavour. The pasta dish was nothing short of sumptuous-perfectly cooked pasta with a rich, comforting sauce that tasted like it had been simmering for hours.
Our waiter was the definition of excellent service: patient, attentive, & helpful, yet never intrusive. It's rare to find that perfect balance, but he nailed it.
Absolutely outstanding in every way. The pasta Carbonara was right up there with the best I've ever eaten. The cocktails were also simply superb, as were the atmosphere & service.
Absolument exceptionnel à tous points de vue. Les pâtes carbonara étaient parmi les meilleures que j'aie jamais mangées. Les cocktails étaient tout simplement superbes, tout comme l'ambiance & le service.
23 avr. 2025
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Best restaurant experience I've ever had in Montreal. 5/5 food, 5/5 ambiance, 6/5 service. Sandy & Frederick (& the rest of the staff) took great care of us & great joy in what they do. The food was ON POINT. Eggplant & burrata starters crushed it (especially when combined). The pastas were tremendous . Try the beignets for dessert. & if you like cocktails, be sure to ask sandy to make make you a Last Word. My favorite part about dinette marcella: it's all totally genuine. Don't miss out on this gem in old Montreal
In the heart of Old Montreal, the cozy & warm atmosphere of Marcella was welcomed on a cold January night. A bottle of Valpolicela was a great way to start the night. Two appetizers, the Polpette which are tender & delicious, served in a beautiful tomato sauce, & the Arancini in a truffle cream sauce. Both were exceptional. The cream sauce with the arancini should be bottled because it is so wonderful. Our mains were the bolognese, & we lucked out as the special was a braised beef ravioli served in a cream sauce with a nice portion of chopped lobster claw. Pasta was cooked to perfection, & the sauces were delicious. You cannot go wrong with this restaurant. Strongly recommended!
A Perfect Blend of Flavor & Festivity at Dinette Marcella Dining at Dinette Marcella was an absolute delight. From the moment I stepped in, I was captivated by the cozy & festive atmosphere. The holiday decorations were tastefully done, & the Christmas vibe was truly enchanting. The highlight of the meal was the Carbonara Spaghetti-perfectly cooked pasta with a creamy, flavorful sauce that hit all the right notes. Every bite was a testament to the chef's skill & dedication to quality. Adding to the experience was the thoughtfully curated music playing in the background. The tunes complemented the warm, cheerful ambiance & made the meal feel even more special. Dinette Marcella is a must-visit for anyone looking to enjoy amazing food in a setting that feels like a warm holiday embrace. I'll definitely recommend this place for a date night or family night!
We recently celebrated my spouse Dom's 41st birthday at Marcella, & it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, Fred, the manager, & our wonderful waitress Steph made us feel completely at home. Fred went above & beyond by playing Blues music for us & even gifting Dom a glass of his favorite scotch. He checked on us multiple times, ensuring we were enjoying every moment. The ambience at Marcella is always vibrant, with the restaurant full of great vibes that make you feel right at home. Their cocktail & wine list is impressive, adding the perfect touch to an already fantastic dining experience. The food was phenomenal! We highly recommend the Caesar salad, burrata, calamari, bruschetta for appetizers. Cavatelli alla pesto, Agnolotti cacio e pepe, pasta carbonara, lobster raviolis. & for dessert - you truly can't go wrong with any choice; they were all delicious. If you're looking for a warm, welcoming place with incredible food, drinks, & service that feels like family, Marcella is it. We'll definitely be back!
Booked a reservation for the bar top & ended up literally right infront of the bar mat & bartender. It was a bit awkward as the bartender on duty was training & kept receiving constructive feedback regarding his drink preparation. With a Birds Eye view of our drinks being made, unfortunately I saw short pours happening. The manager was there in the background supporting & serving behind the bar (Andrew I think) & he was lovely. He made amazing cocktails so we asked him to make ours & saw he never short poured. He provided great hospitality, made amazing cocktails & knew what he was doing. The spot right in front of the bar is NOT where you want to sit. It ruined the experience due to over hearing all the chatter from the servers & bartenders. Although we were directly in front of them, our glasses remained empty for 10+ mins & were not offered another drink, so, that was a bit disappointing as we would have ordered more. The food was quick & delicious. The Caesar salad was one of the best, pastas were cooked perfectly & great portions & the tiramisu was lovely . Food 5/5 Overall great experience but would have had a different result at a table or a different spot at the bar.
Our experience did not live up to the google rating. We sat at the bar & our server kept forgetting what we ordered. Food was quite disappointing. Charcuterie was dowsed in oil & the tastes & textures were not balanced. The arancino sauce was too spicy. The pasta was mediocre at best (when we received the right one). The atmosphere was noisy & very warm.
We loved the cacio e pepe pasta! My wife first ordered the pasta pomodori, but the sauce lacked sweetness. The waiter replaced it immediately without charge.
