Elena centers its culinary focus on expertly prepared thin crust pizzas and authentic Italian pasta dishes crafted with high quality seasonal ingredients. The kitchen utilizes traditional techniques to achieve the perfect blistered crust on every pie while maintaining a commitment to regional Italian flavors. Guests encounter a spacious environment designed for casual interaction characterized by minimalist aesthetics and industrial design elements. The menu emphasizes fresh, locally sourced produce alongside imported specialty goods to ensure consistency across every plate. Beyond the classic sourdough pies, the selection includes rotating pasta offerings that showcase seasonal vegetables and artisanal grains. This establishment prioritizes a focused culinary vision, delivering a distinct experience through its precise handling of dough and carefully curated flavor profiles that define its approach to modern Italian cuisine.
Elena is widely regarded as a premier destination in Montreal for authentic Italian cuisine, frequently praised for its exceptional wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and expertly crafted pasta dishes. Guests often highlight the warm, lively atmosphere and the sophisticated, inviting design as key components of a memorable dining experience. The restaurant is frequently commended for its knowledgeable staff, who provide attentive service and thoughtful wine recommendations, contributing to a welcoming environment that is perfect for both casual outings and special celebrations. With a consistent focus on high-quality ingredients and inventive menu items like the popular honey-infused pizzas and flavorful gelatos, the establishment continues to build a loyal following of patrons who appreciate its unique charm and consistently delicious culinary offerings.
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.
I really wanted to like Elena, especially after seeing so many great reviews, but overall it fell a bit short for me.
We started with the kale ceasar salad, which was quite salty, probably from all that Parmesan, so maybe that's just how it's meant to be. For pizzas, we tried two. The Amatriciana wasn't really my thing, I didn't like how the flavours came together, so it might have been a bad choice on my part. On the other hand, the pizza Dany was an expected delicious surprise: the spinach & hot honey were delicious; the sesame seeds a nice touch.
That said, the dough on both pizzas was very good. The spicy oil, however, wasn't spicy at all, which was a bit disappointing. Maybe they have different versions, but the one we got had no heat.
One of us wanted a tea, but they don't offer tea at all. For dessert, I got a decaf latte to have with the cake, but it arrived way later, more than halfway through it. The cake itself, though, the hazelnut with the gelato…very good.
Service was another weak point. The wait for everything was long, & at one point, the waitress came to clean the table, but just quickly wiped around without actually picking any of the pizza crumbs, which felt a bit careless.
The place itself is beautiful, nicely dimmed lights & a great atmosphere visually, but the music felt too loud for this type of restaurant.
All in all, I guess it wasn't that bad of an experience, I definitely expected better given the hype. I might give it another try, but this visit didn't quite live up to expectations.
Great pasta & starters. Good spot for a quiet date for two. Dining room is a little tight for larger groups. I've been here a few times & have loved the food every time. Kale Caesar salad is a must.
My daughter had a reservation for 7pm on the 26th of December for a birthday, it was confirmed a month ago. We received a call this morning to confirm the reservation & saying the was a glitch in the system, the reservation was for outdoor seating, the hostess offered 6pm or 8h15pm, the times didn't work for us, she sarcastically offered to set up a table outside warning they have no warmers, today is minus 21!
I worked 35 in hospitality, I would layoff this not qualified hostess today. If employees cannot work with public they should look for other opportunities, the first impression is what makes or breaks the experience.
She created more damage for your business than her wage.
Pizza pour emporter.
Si vous aimez la pizza à croute très mince avec pratiquement presque rien sur le dessus & bien cette pizza est pour vous.
Très décevant pour le prix mais malgré tout c'était correct sans plus.
On n'y retournera pas.
The minute we stepped in we were greeted & seated. The service was amazing , they really know their menu & are very friendly. The food was wonderful. We had the fried cauliflower with a red pepper coulisses, a pasta dish & a sesame, spinach & hot honey pizza wow !!
Excellente expérience chez Elena à Montréal ! Tout était absolument succulent, des plats savoureux & parfaitement exécutés, jusqu'aux moindres détails. Le service était exceptionnel : attentionné, professionnel & chaleureux. Une adresse incontournable que je recommande sans hésitation.
Déçue par la taille des pizzas.
Complètement différentes de celles qui sont affichées sur tiktok.
Payer aussi cher pour des pizzas qui sont petites.
Insipide & chargée de sésame & trop salée.
Déçue !
Images trompeuses.