Il Cortile offers an enchanting Italian dining experience in a charming downtown courtyard, with authentic flavors, generous portions, and a warm, attentive staff that makes celebrations feel special; the atmosphere blends cozy European charm with a beautiful terrace that transports diners to Italy, and the menu features well executed pastas, gnocchi, seafood, and dessert options that consistently impress. Service can be slower during peak times or larger groups, but guests describe the staff as going above and beyond to accommodate requests and to create memorable evenings worth repeating.
It was a nice experience that atmosphere was really on top but when we ask the waitress to change our plate & bring the balsamic she forgot so we had to ask another waiter to give us that service. The food was good but I prefer more cream in the pasta & fettuccine sauce, which was feeling a bit more dry in the seafood fettuccine plate. The Caesar salad was tasting good as well as the other fettuccine plate with meatballs. Visit my instagram for more experiences of restaurants & places to visit: @fatimadiaryy
Sep 29, 2025
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Everything was great: food, service( had a great waiter), the courtyard. However, how can such a lovely restaurant, downtown, have less than a 3-star bathroom? Some of the decor feels a little tired, but a visit to the restroom made me feel a bit.... Icky.
My friends & I were able to visit for dinner & it was easily one of the best dining experiences I've had. Our server James was amazing & made time for us even while busy & went above & beyond to make our evening memorable. The food was delicious, every single dish was loved by everyone at the table. The courtyard is beautiful & makes the whole experience even better. Would highly recommend this place & we are looking forward to visiting again on our next trip!
we came in for dinner during our trip & it was an amazing experience. not only were the staff super accommodating to us being late for our reservation, our server james was amazing & every plate of food was a 10/10 & that's not an exaggeration. they made something as simple as a caesar salad so elevated that it was easily the best i've had. if you're visiting or live in the area you need to come here
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!
Sep 25, 2025
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Très bon franchement bonne ambiance & surprise à la fin de notre repos avec un tiramisu excellent offert pour notre anniversaire de mariage nous avons apprécier notre repas & entrée merci à eux
Honestly , I have wanted to try this place for a while for its outdoor courtyard dining. As you enter the building & arrive at the Helm , no one is there to greet you . It could use a bit more charm . The courtyard is super cute & you expect that you are about to discover a hidden gem & most importantly eat an unforgettable meal . Before I begin , I want to mention that the service was exceptional. A lot of attention was given to our particular changes & requests in our order & this is something I greatly appreciate . Now the food was just ok . That part definitely needs to be worked on . It doesn't take much more to design flavors up a couple of notches. & please , if you talk about having fresh pasta , use more semolina . The pasta was not flavorful nor great quality . As for the sauces , definitely missing some Italian love , especially at the price point you're charging for those dishes . My daughter who adores lamb , would not eat her dish . You are in a great location & have the potential to do more . Glad I tried it but won't be returning . The thing that made me happy was being with my children on my birthday & their generosity.
Quelle expérience parfaite ce soir! Je célébrais mon 21eme avec ma famille. Le
décor est magnifique, on se sentait en Italie. Service chaleureux & efficace, délicieux les plats de pâtes, aperol spritz, vin! & pour finir, ma mère avait appelé avant, elle a demandé si on pouvait amener un gateau, elle ne savait pas quoi trop choisir, le propriétaire lui a dit'pas de problème, je vais aller acheter un gateau chocolat crème glacée pour vous'! Jamais vu ça. Ils m'ont donc amené un gateau entier à la table qu'ils s'étaient procurés pour moi, avec un bonne fête écrit dessus. Vraiment une superbe expérience. Ce resto existe depuis 40 ans, du père au fils. Je recommande fortement!
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.
Bread was boring, oil but no wine vinegar.
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Sep 8, 2025
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Very charming place with a hidden courtyard in the heart of the city. The food was authentic Italian & was so good my father in law (a very picky eater) asked for another plate - which he inhaled!
Pricey at first glance, but then you realize your plate comes with an appetizer & the portions are very generous (Italian style!)
The food is absolutely incredible, but service suffers if there's a large group dining at the same time. Accept the grated parmesan at your own risk- we saw birds eating it from the serving bowls. Will probably give it another go on a slower day because the food is delicious.
Il Cortile is the real deal. The food is always excellent, the service is sharp, & the atmosphere makes you want to stay all night. Dino runs a tight ship & his staff know how to treat people right-you feel welcome without any of the fake stuff you get at other places. It's consistent, it's classy, & it's the kind of spot you can count on every time. I definitely recommend it.
I've been to Il Cortile a couple of times & it's always a great experience! Last week, I organized a dinner for my cousin's bridal shower & we really loved the service we were given by our waiter James. He made sure we were having a great time & that we enjoyed the food! Highly recommend this hidden gem, the atmosphere is amazing.
