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.
2026: nice olives & bread to start, but would be nice if olive oil had a little balsamic. The suppli Al telefono were better than typical arancini. Funguy pizza was overflowing with mushrooms. The lamb pasta was delicious. Tiramisu tres leches was perfect, best of both desserts. My friend enjoyed her chocolate cannolis.
Service was friendly. Suggested wine was great. Été something. Lighting could still be better, it felt dark rather than intimate. Maybe some fake candles?
2024: The Dany pizza was delicious & creative with the sesame spinach honey combo, but I didn't like how wet it was, like all the toppings just slide off as soon as you lift it up.
The Gigi pasta was a interesting bitter mix of flavours with the fennel & arugula, but there was barely any sausage in it.
Olive oil cake was nice but pretty dry compared to other olive cakes I've had. I know the cream+olive oil is there to compensate but it's not the same.
Cannolis were delicious & well presented, available without the pistachios if you have an allergy.
The Barbossa is a smooth young red wine accompaniment
Service was very attentive & efficient. Glasses were never empty. Decor was typical modern industrial. If there was music, it wasn't memorable.
Mar 15, 2026
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10/10 atmosphere & food!
The sourdough & kale caesar are unbeatable for kicking off a meal, & we had fun discovering some new wines. The Margherita, Dany, & Passion Patate pizzas were all incredible. Perfect'pizza night' way beyond typical.
Has a great experience dining at Elena for the first time. We ordered a peach & stracciatella appetizer, the red wine pasta, & the Dany pizza & everything was incredible. Wine & service were excellent too
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.
Intimate, vibey, very chic. Love this place & cannot recommend it enough, the pasta, pizza, & wine were delicious. beautiful selection for wine, & the server was great. Make your reservation!!
Pizzas were excellent. Apps were good. Pasta was good except for that red wine & butter concoction. Prompt service. Great staff. Ugly looking place. Looks like a big room in a house but the food is what counts.
Elena is incredible! We had no reseveration & it was quite busy but they explained that they have a takeout section & picnic tables in the back so that's what we did. We got the Kevin McAllister & the Fun Guy pizzas, as well as the kale cesar salad & some wine. Everything was incredible! I would highly recommend the Fun Guy pizza it was delicious. Really loved the outdoor picnic area, a great idea for a busy area. Will for sure go back!
Jun 2, 2025
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We travel often & the food was some of the best Italian we have had! We have a mix of appetizers, pasta & pizza & it was all delicious. The restaurant is a bit loud but we were there at a peak time so it was very full. Staff was great with wine recommendations as well. Would go again!
My friend & I are seated at the bar. We didn't know what wine to get but the waitress was very helpful. Service is top-notch! Love the ambience & food is great.
Been coming here for years ! Love it ! Sister to Nora Gray & Gia . All super solid spots . This place is so versatile. Date night ✅ Group party ✅ Pit stop in the back for a hoagie, pie & glass of wine ✅ sit at he bar, sit at a booth , sit downstairs it's all good the food is top top. The vibe is top . Love it Have eaten around the world & will always love this restaurant.
The pictures are from different dinning experiences at Elena over the years !
Check it out you won't regret it
Elena delivers decent food but falls short of being memorable. Out of three pastas, none stood out, the spaghetti ubriaco didn't quite hit the mark & felt like a less successful version of spaghetti all'assassina, & the genovese was overpowered by spice. The pizzas & entrées were solid but unremarkable. The wine list, based on private imports without cépage details, felt overpriced for the gamble. Desserts were fine but uninspired.
Tara & Elora's excellent service was the highlight of the night & made the visit worthwhile.
Apr 29, 2025
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I went with my husband & we had such a great time! We went for an early dinner, made a reservation (which turned out to be the best decision), & everything went perfectly. Our waitress was incredibly sweet & gave us excellent suggestions for both the food & wine. The surprises for me were the cauliflower entrée & their ricotta cheesecake - both were amazing! We'll definitely be back.
Our friend made reservations for us to experience pizza & wine at its finest, & Elena did not disappoint! The dimly lit ambiance set the perfect mood, & the 90s playlist added a fun, nostalgic vibe. We savored every moment, from the drinks, wine, to the risotto, olives, pizza, pasta, & flan-each dish was delightful. The star of the night? The *meatballs*-absolutely phenomenal! Our waiter was incredibly knowledgeable & gave us spot-on recommendations that elevated our dining experience. Elena is a must-visit for anyone in Montreal looking for a memorable meal. We'll definitely be back!
