Elena is widely praised for authentic Italian cooking with wood fired dough, standout pizzas, and salads, and pastas such as mafalda al ragù and ragu are frequently noted as well executed; the vibe is described as chic, intimate, and lively with attentive service and a strong wine list, making it a popular spot for date nights, groups, and terrace seating when available. Some visits are described as exceptional with friendly staff and reliable recommendations, while others note inconsistencies such as pizzas arriving burnt or cold, portions that feel small for the price, long waits, and billing miscommunications. Reservations can be tight and seating at the bar or in busy times may be required; the atmosphere can be loud but the overall opinion is that Elena remains one of the top pizza and pasta destinations in Montreal, offering a reliable and memorable experience for many, though not without occasional misses.
Thursday evening - table of 4. We arrived for 6pm reservations & I assume this early for the regular clientele as only tow other tables were seated. Was seated a corner table which is large circular table making it a little awkward when your 4 unless you add a chair.
Started with come cocktails which were good. Appetizers: polpete, beet salad, supli & another dish I can't recall were all very tasty. Everyone enjoyed. We then shared two pizzas (Diavolo & Margherita) which were also excellent. A dish of sugo (ragu) was also ok, not great but not bad. I thought it lacked seasoning & was rather bland.
Service was excellent from all of staff were interacted with, friendly & professional. Wine suggestions (by the glass) were spot on. Noise level is high, but we were also seated under a speaker so music was a little loud.
Plenty of parking available out front (free) & the area is quiet & residential. I prefer coming here in the summer when you can sit outside on the terrace which is more quiet.
I had also indicated this was a birthday dinner in the Opentable reservation but this was overlooked or ignored.
We love this place, it's one of the few places we take out of towners when they come to the city. When it's busy, It's very noisy, but otherwise it's a great place to chat & eat with friends.
They always have an alternative or two on the menu that's tasty - but the pizza is why we go. You can get a spicy honey/ pepperoni pizza anywhere in town so don't sleep on the other options. They're the best ones! Big fan
Decent pizza, well cooked - only the edges were a bit burnt. The dough was the best part, the topping for me were so so. Yes they were tasty, but overall not quite Italian. We had the Diavolo, the funghi e taleggio & the marinara con stracciatella & anchovies. Chill environment, attentive service.
Really good food, & fast friendly service. I wouldn't say it's the best pizza I've ever had & it was a bit on the pricey side, but it was fresh & tasty. They had a large wine list, but the wine selection for individual glasses was not my favourite.
Jul 8, 2025
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The food was satisfactory, although not as reasonably priced as expected. Everything was decent, though nothing was particularly exceptional; the pasta dishes shown in online photos were largely unavailable. The Diavola 2.0 (Pepperoni) pizza was enjoyable, & the meatballs were quite delicious. The "carbonara" pasta was classic & flavorful. The flanc for the dessert was smokey & tasty. However, the restaurant is rather expensive, & superior options for pizza & pasta can be found in Montreal. The service was excellent.
Pleasant night out in a vibrant eatery. The service was top notch - multiple staff attentive to our table & needs, prompt without feeling rushed. The food was very tasty. The kale salad & malfada pasta were the highlights. Recommend sharing a variety of dishes among your table rather than everyone on their own menu, as the menu & service is perfected for this communal experience.
Great vibe & atmosphere- service was great - recommended dishes & wine for us to enjoy - pizza was good & pasta was tasty although vongole was very light on clams - would recommend pizza over pasta
Elena is one of the best Italian restaurant in the city. Every dish that I have tried there has been wonderfully tasty, with notable personal favourites being the mushroom pizza, the suppli (fried risotto balls) & the meatball appetizer. The service is absolutely great. When we had to wait for our table despite having a reservation, they brought us an appetizer on the house which was a very appreciated gesture. They also were very accommodating for my friend with celiacs, & were able to modify some dishes like the meatballs to make them gluten free for her. The vibe & decor are also just really nice. Will be back again & again :)
Sep 3, 2024
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Food was tasty & the ingredients were high quality. Had both the past & pizza & both surprised me with their quality. Service was also really good we sat at the bar & were well taken care of
Really cute ambiance, as much inside as outside. Big terrasse area! The Ragu pasta was DELICIOUS! The pizza was also tasty & fresh. I would definitely come back.
Food was very good. Everything was served on time & warm & tasted great. Desserts were tasty as well so worth a try if you still have room after your meal.
Nice atmosphere & great service. The arancini was excellent. I've had better pizza for cheaper in Montreal. Drinks are very expensive. Ragu was tasty as well.
Mar 6, 2024
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Food was excellent & very tasty I feel that service wasn't to the level I would expect coming from this place. Don't get me wrong, I have heard only good things about Elena. But at a certain moment, they took our unfinished plates & went immediately to the next service. Also sometimes, we were waiting for a long period of time for the waitress to come see us but I guess that it might have been a busy night & want to give the benefit of the doubt. I would still strongly recommend this place 😉
