Dinette Marcella

Jasmine

5.0

This place is phenomenal I absolutely loved the ambiance & overall scenery of the restaurant on first glance. We came pretty late as they were near closing, but they were still very attentive in getting us our food & the waiter was very kind & helpful. I ordered the Cavatelli Alla Pesto & the pasta was perfectly cooked & I loved the balance of the crispy pine nuts & the tomatoes added so much flavor. I also got the focaccia which was delicious as well. I will definitely be back next time I'm in Canada!

Eveline

5.0

So glad we stopped by for a quick bite while in the city. It was delicious. The staff was great! & they seemed to tolerate my daughter's unique pasta eating style.

Carley

5.0

Bruschetta is a must try! Also loved the Negroni & the pesto pasta. The window seats are especially lovely.

Ash

3.0

Could have easily received 4 stars BUT…

I debated whether to leave a review, but ultimately I hope this feedback can help the restaurant improve situations like this.

Service was good from front of house to our server & the assisting staff.

The appetizers were good, but unfortunately the mains were a bit disappointing. My fiancé ordered a pasta with duck & the duck was noticeably overcooked.

Now THIS is where they lost points for me.

We were seated at the end of the bar, which I normally enjoy. However, there was a group of about 6-8 people gathered in the corner next to us who clearly appeared to be friends of management or staff. Throughout the evening, two of the men from that group were literally standing inches from where I was sitting, drinking their beers while I was trying to eat. Their beers were basically within elbow reach of my plate. It felt uncomfortable & intrusive. I mean… this isn't a pub, it's an Italian restaurant in the Old Port.

There were also two loud, obnoxious girls entertaining an older man the entire evening. Super loud & distracting. At one point I honestly thought, did I accidentally choose a bar instead of a somewhat fine-dining dinner?

Anyway, when it was time to leave, our coats had been hung in that same corner where everyone was standing. I had to squeeze through the group to retrieve them & asked politely for a bit of space. No one moved. I honestly felt like I had to force my way through while apologizing. As I was trying to make my way out with the coats, one of the girls actually put her hand on my back & pushed me along to move me out of the way, with a passive-aggressive smile when I turned around.

I was honestly shocked. If our friend visiting from another country hadn't been with us, I probably would have addressed it in the moment, but I chose to keep my composure & just leave.

For a restaurant at this price point in Old Montreal - & a $300+ bill - the atmosphere & guest experience should match the quality & cost of the food. That moment alone made the evening feel more like a crowded pub than a higher-end dining experience.

My intention in sharing this is simply to highlight how important it is that paying guests feel comfortable & prioritized, even when friends of the restaurant are present. I have friends who work in hospitality & they would never allow their group of friends to get in the way of service or the experience of paying customers.

Maybe we caught the restaurant on an off night (Friday the 13th lol), but the overall experience could easily be much stronger with better management of the bar area.

Alvin

5.0

A classy restaurant in Old Montreal. We had made a reservation 3 weeks in advance so that just tells you how much we were looking forward to it. The night dinner was great. We had 4 different dishes. 2 small & 2 main meals. I love pasta & I approve this place. We skipped dessert but we had some wine & it was nice. The atmosphere was classy & the staff was friendly.

Emily

5.0

Must go if you're in Montreal! Delicious pastas, great vibe. Very worth the price.

Clare

5.0

Had a lovely dinner at Dinette Marcella. We enjoyed a sauvignon blanc from Italy & it was really fruity & lovely. I had the special which was a butternut squash ravioli. It was honestly unreal, the flavours were so unique. I only wish there had been a few more pieces of ravioli, the portion felt a little small. My friend had the arancino & pesto pasta & loved both. For dessert, I had the beignets with caramel & they were so delicious. The restaurant itself is beautiful with stone walls & warm cozy lighting. Our server was very friendly & helpful! Just note, it is quite small (you will want a reservation) & a bit loud but you can hear the person across from you.

Shelby

5.0

My boyfriend & I decided to go here for our anniversary. I'm gluten free & the pasta was amazing not to mention we had the best Cesar salad we've ever had in our lives. My boyfriend had the veil & I don't think anything he ever eats again will live up to it. Fantastic place highly recommend.

Elizabeth

5.0

Absolutely loved my experience at Dinette Marcella! The food was amazing, & the pasta noodles had the best texture I've had so far in Montreal - perfectly cooked & incredibly satisfying.

The staff were warm & attentive, which made the whole evening even more enjoyable. I was also pleasantly surprised by how many vegetarian options they offer.

Such a lovely spot - I can't wait to come back!

Mahendra

4.0

Appetizers & Pasta are delicious. We had the Burrata, & Ravioli - super yummy.
Market fish & seafood was just ok. The service is great, & the atmosphere fun & rich like the neighbourhood.