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.
I was skeptical at first because of the limited menu but I was pleasantly surprised. The food was phenomenal & parking was so simple on the street which was contrary to what I imagined.
Nov 30, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I rarely leave bad reviews, but this was the worst dining experience I've had in Montreal. It took 40+ minutes & two servers just to place our order. The waiter gave us'on the house' lemon shots we didn't ask for (nice gesture), but then charged us for them…? We had to ask for the bill to be corrected.
After finally getting our food (which was good), the waiter offered to pack the remaining 1/4 of my pizza to go. Many minutes later after he didn't bring it, I asked about it, & he just says'sorry I think someone threw it out'. No real apology, just'Do you want a free dessert?' I said no, & he replied,'Okay, well have a good night.' Then I proceeded to pay for a whole meal, even though they threw out a quarter of my meal.
It may have been an off night, & it happens to everyone, but the lack of accountability or even a proper apology on any occasion was unacceptable.
Gorgée d'Amaro à 12$ (à peine une once), très bonne bouffe, mais on nous a averti qu'il fallait quitter dans les prochaines minutes, quand ça faisait moins de 2h qu'on était là.
2 bouteilles de vin, pain, entrée, une salade, une pizza & 2 plats de pâtes pour 500$. On est en mesure de s'attendre à plus de 15 minutes de préavis, non?
As you can see from the spread, the food was hearty yet delicious. It was immensely satisfying whilst remaining not too heavy. The NA drinks were perfect & they seated us as such a money table in the corner. A lovely experience overall…we'll definitely be back!
Nov 16, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
The food was absolutely delicious, & the desserts blew my mind. The ambiance of the restaurant feels elevated: medium-low lighting, great sound system, & carefully curated art pieces decorating the walls. The best part of it all was the exceptional service from Anthony & Ribs, who were very attentive & made sure we had a great experience.
Food is good but the staff is incredibly attentive & nice. We never had to look for them or ask for more water. They were always one step ahead. Very rare to find service like this these days
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.
Got together with some friends for a meal & one friends had reserved. We were warmly greeted upon entering & were seated at Justin & Anthony's table. They were both excellent. Service was fun, efficient & friendly with excellent recommendations. We started with the Kale Caesar which was good. Then we shared the Amatriciana pizza which I was super surprised to see an actual wood fired oven. Pizza dough was excellent with good hydration & good flavours. Then we shared the Mafalda al ragu which was delicious. What I didn't like was the lack of English menus & the lackluster reason why there weren't any, wasn't a fan of the kale Caesar, place was quite loud & finally, the little sign outside wasn't big enough to see when driving or even walking by. All in all, an excellent place & definitely recommended.
