Il Cortile is frequently celebrated as a hidden gem in downtown Montreal, offering a stunning outdoor courtyard that transports guests to Italy with its beautiful decor and charming atmosphere. Many visitors highlight the authentic Italian cuisine, often praising the fresh pasta, gnocchi, and flavorful seafood dishes, while noting that portions are generous and thoughtfully accompanied by appetizers. Service is a frequent highlight, with numerous guests expressing appreciation for attentive and hospitable staff members who go above and beyond to make celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, and bridal showers truly memorable. While some experiences with timing and service consistency vary, particularly during busy periods, the overall consensus points to a welcoming environment that is perfect for a special meal or a relaxed evening outdoors.
Underwhelming. Nice terrace but food was nothing outstanding & definitely not worth the price. We had the tomato & mozzarella as a starter which was stingy portion & tastes like supermarket cheese. My partner had lamb ragu pasta which was decent, & I had the seafood linguine which at 44$ had 4 baby clams & 4 dried gummy unfresh shrimp - having looked at the photos, I was expecting other types of seafood on the plate. After the disappointment of the pastas we decided not to have any dessert. Also waited for 30 minutes to get my water refilled. We will not be returning nor recommending this place. I can think of much better Italian restaurants well worth visiting.
We threw a party for my friend - a group of 15 people. Dino was incredibly accommodating for placement. The service was spectacular all throughout. The food & the decor are second to none. This was the best Italian food I had outside of Italy. I love the saffron dish.
Jun 16, 2026
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Great Italian restaurant with a lovely terrace atmosphere. The food was fresh, delicious, & full of authentic flavors. Friendly service & a relaxing outdoor setting made the experience even better. Highly recommend!
I had high expectations going to this restaurant but alas, left disappointed.
Positives: Nice courtyard, excellent service
Negatives: The only things Italian were the meal names & the music in the background. Weak welcome but very good service throughout.
Negatives: Very underwhelming food. Penne tasted store bought & the pesto on the tomatoes were flavourless. & the dessert menu? Key Lime pie? Blueberry cheesecake? Not exactly Italian staples!!
Given the very expensive meal, I wish I could have had a delicious meal & authentic experience. Hopefully the restaurant takes note & improves things.
A nice restaurant with an authentic Italian vibe. The food is very nice &, as someone who visits Italy often, very close to the authentic Italian cuisine. Our waiter James was very accommodating to our needs & friendly. Absolute must visit restaurant if you love genuine Itailan food!
service was really slow, food took forever to came out. waiter was a nice man but it seemed like he was the only waiter taking care of customers in that entire restaurant. i did not see other waiters, only bussboys.
- the ricotta crêpe w spinach was 10/10, melt in your mouth really amazing
- linguini + meatballs was perfectly cooked but wayyyyyy too salty & sauce was a bit too watery. nothing crazy. i didn't ask for it to be changed because the service was *that* slow that i couldn't risk waiting another 40 mins.
- apple tart with ice cream was a flat 0, it was blatantly obvious that it wasn't house-made which you'd expect better from a restaurant like this. it was gummy & soggy & overall really bad. the vanilla ice cream paired with it was definitely breyer's, it sure tasted like it.
the atmosphere, however, is really beautiful & home-y, very traditional italian. i loved it.
The food here is excellent - authentic Italian food in the heart of downtown Montreal. My table was in the terrace & on a warm evening, it was lovely to enjoy the atmosphere.
The service was good - friendly but not overly involved. The wine list is excellent & varied, catering for all budgets. I would definitely return.
I had an amazing experience at this Italian restaurant! From the moment we arrived, the service was warm & welcoming. Our waiter, James, went above & beyond-he not only explained the menu in detail but also shared some of the history behind the restaurant, which really added a special touch to the evening. Mansour, the bar manager, was also incredibly kind & attentive.
As for the food-absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh, beautifully presented, & packed with flavor. From the starters to dessert, every dish was a hit.
Overall, a fantastic dining experience with excellent service & amazing food. I'll definitely be coming back & recommending this spot to friends & family!
