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 se présente comme une adresse italienne chaleureuse et intime au cœur du vieux Montréal, où une ambiance cosy, un décor élégant et un service attentif soutiennent des plats riches en saveurs et en fraîcheur. La cuisine est globalement saluée pour son authenticité et ses textures soignées, avec des gnocchi, tortellini et ravioli souvent loués pour leur cuisson, et des antipasti comme bruschetta et arancini qui reviennent comme des incontournables; burrata et tiramisu ou cannoli reçoivent aussi des eloges, même si certains plats manquent parfois d'assaisonnement ou paraissent un peu chers. Le cadre est prisé pour des repas romantiques, entre amis ou des occasions festives, mais le volume sonore peut être élevé lors des soirs bondés et quelques plats peuvent arriver tièdes ou trop salés. Le service est décrit comme chaleureux et efficace, avec une attention constante même en salle comble, tandis que la carte des vins et les cocktails font souvent leurs preuves et les desserts renforcent l impression positive. Réservations recommandées; globalement, c est une expérience italienne qui se distingue à Montréal, malgré quelques bémols sur l acoustique, le chauffage et le rapport qualité prix.
Restaurant has a nice atmosphere & a wonderful vibe.
All the food items we ordered were pretty tasty, except the steak. Ordered the steak because it was on specials, but it was very over-cooked when ordered medium: very chewy & just not a good cut of meat at all. When something is on special, we would expect a better piece & cooked as asked. But like I said, every other dish was delicious.
My main issue, however, was one of the bus boys. While our server was very friendly & she handled us well, the bus boy was spilling everything from soup to grease while collecting our plates after every dish, & it was obviously deliberate. He was aggressive as if he was disgusted to work, with no care at all & absolutely deliberate in the spills.
I don't want grease & soup spilling all over my suit. The server lady was nice & apologizing & cleaning after the bus boy's mess every time. But I don't understand how he still has a job if he cannot do the basic function he is supposed to do, when the customers are nothing but pleasant & generous.
Went for a friend's birthday dinner. & with such a good vibe, food (other than the steak), & friendly staff in general, the experience was completely messed up by one disgruntled employee.
Sat at bar. Excellent food & service. Noise level a bit above what we would have preferred, but cannot complain about being surrounded by diners enjoying themselves!
8 juil. 2025
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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.
Food was ok, however it took very long to come out. The service was average & basic. I had made a reservation in advance & I mentioned it was our anniversary however no mention of that in any moment we were there. Would not return.
What a fun place to have a great dinner! In addition to the yummy food & cocktails, loved the mid-70s soundtrack playing & the comfy bistro vibe. Things to note - cavatappi pesto, carbonara, meatballs, focaccia bread.
1 juil. 2025
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The food was good, service was prompt & the atmosphere was quaint. We enjoyed our meals, only thing I personally would have preferred was more meat entrees. I ordered the striploin & it was cooked perfectly.
Yum!! Wonderful, if you are looking for authentic rich Italian, this is the place to stop. In a beautiful room nestled in Old Port, this place is a vibe. It would be amazing for a date night. I had the tortellini alla ricotta & a beautiful glass of Chianti. It was great!
26 juin 2025
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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.
It was my first time, & I can tell you , by far the best Italian restaurant I've tried. I had the passion fruit spritz drink, Amazing. The Polpetta, it just melted in my mouth & the tomato sauce was made to perfection. Gnocchi DI Marcella was orgasmic for me. Honestly its a must do.
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!
Dînette Marcella est l'endroit que je préfère au vieux port! La nourriture & les cocktails sont délicieux (spécifiquement les pâtes au pesto) mais surtout l'ambiance & les employés qui y travaillent! On se sent à la maison! Si vous avez la chance d'avoir Malo comme serveur, vous n'allez pas être déçu! Je recommande à tous d'y aller :)
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!
