Il Cortile is widely celebrated as a charming hidden gem in downtown Montréal, offering a beautiful terrace that transports guests to an authentic Italian atmosphere. Many visitors highlight the cozy, magical ambiance and the high quality of the Italian cuisine, often praising the generous portions and well-prepared pasta dishes. While experiences can vary depending on how busy the restaurant is, numerous guests emphasize the exceptional and attentive service provided by the staff, who frequently go above and beyond to make celebrations and special events truly memorable. It remains a popular choice for those seeking a welcoming environment, professional hospitality, and a distinct dining experience that feels like a quiet escape from the city.
Went there for dinner for the first time on a Sunday with a reservation.
When we came in it's like a zoo. Nobody is at the helm. We just stood there looking for someone to check us in.
Suddenly someone came out of the kitchen & showed us to a table.
The decor is magical. Can't say enough about the atmosphere. Service was so so.
We asked if we could have something off nenu, pasta carbonara. The waiter said sure but let me ask the cook.
I had to ask twice bc he had forgotten.
We ordered as well 2 caeser salads.
Takes forever to be served with 1 large group & nobody else but us in the restaurant.
Salad, my husband liked, me I thought it was very generic. Just ok. No lard or bacon, no parmesan slices etc.
I eat it.
Then came the Pasta carbonara. I had asked for spaghetti & received some flat noodles. They were cold & the sauce was like a thin lake in our plates.
I returned mine.
My husband ate them anyway ( I'm the picky one.) when you pay $38 a pasta plate, it better be good.
His noodles were busy trying not to drown. The sauce had not been reduced properly. My plate came back & it was much better. You can compare with my video & pictures.
When I stopped eating I asked the man taking back the plate to bring mine home. He said « of course ». Never saw that pasta again!
I asked for gelato. The waiter said yes . I picked raspberries. I received some raspberries granita full of ice pieces.
My husband ordered key lime pie, he left part of it. He said it tasted artificial.
We finally asked for the bill. It took FOREVER. I had to get up & asked 3 times during the meal for service.
My meal had been thrown out so they gave me another pasta instead.
Would never recommend this place to eat anything they sell.
Oh yeah & to use the bathroom you have to take an elevator one floor down
Not wheelchair friendly, in the expensive side. 0 parking.
I have contemplated coming here for weeks, after seen social media posts.
I had high expectations & we finally came today.
Unlike the pictures posted in social media, the open terrasse is very small, no fans, no air...hard to breathe.
Service was mediocre, I mean really mediocre.
We waited 1 hour or more for our meals,.during which time I poured whine in my glass my self.
We got my son's filet Mignon with sauce, not as we ordered so we send this to back to the kitchen, the second take came way too cooked & we return it to the kitchen again.
Their pasta is definitely not home made regular supermarket pasta, nothing to it.
Unfortunately the pancakes came with additional dressing, a nice hair in the center of them.
I'm sure my experience was unlike others, never the less, I wouldn't go back for any reason.
Favourite place we have visited in Montreal! Beautiful environment & atmosphere, our waiter James gave the sweetest most attentive service i have ever experienced. He was patient with us explaining the menu options & was always offering suggestions for drinks, desserts & meals. Great italian food, the ceasar salad & gnocchi pasta was 10/10! Would 100% recommend trying this place if you're in the area.
A hidden gem. Book your table outside & feel transported! Pastas are delicious, personal favorite here is the vongole. Delivers each tine. A lovely spot to bring out of town guests especially after the fine arts museum - it is just down the street!
Great atmosphere, was seated in the outdoor courtyard. The vibe was very pleasant.
The food was amazing, we went for F1 weekend, & the menu was very nicely put together. All of the entrees we tried was delicious, as well as the pasta, gnocchi, & desserts were amazing.
Hicham took good care of us, Dino & the other staff were excellent as well!
Very underwhelming food experience. For the price of the dishes the taste was not really there. I ordered the seafood linguine with a white wine sauce, although the pasta was cooked perfectly the sauce was watery & the dish itself lacked flavour.
Where they lacked in flavour, they gain in service. All waiters/waitresses were attentive & making sure everything was ok for our large group.
I have heard a huge plus for this restaurant was for the courtyard, however the night we went it was pouring rain. The staff was very kind & offered outdoor seating as they did have heaters, however we opted to still sit indoors.
Il Cortile offers an exceptional Italian dining experience with authentic flavors, elegant ambiance, & top-notch service. From the perfectly cooked pasta to the rich, homemade sauces, every dish feels like a warm invitation to Italy. The staff are friendly & attentive, making the entire evening smooth & enjoyable. Whether you're going for a romantic dinner or a family gathering, Il Cortile never disappoints. Highly recommend!
Service was really good but food is not. I had the pastas with "wild" mushrooms that weren't wild.. lol. Pastas were not cooked & the sauce had no taste.
