Since 1984 clients have been coming to Il Focolaio to get that authentic Italian taste that is reminiscent of their grandmother’s cooking. Il Focolaio, in fact means fireplace in Italian. The name depicts the maple wood burning oven where each and every one of our pizzas and roasted ingredients are cooked. Our fireplace, as in the old country, not only brings forth the food but also becomes the gathering place for our clients who always feel welcomed and right at home. Our recipe for success is simple, serving up pizza using ingredients that only a true pizzaiolo would use, such as extra virgin olive oil, top quality tomatoes and only the freshest ingredients, all prepared with passion and a love for cooking to bring you the end result that you will never forget. We invite you to come and enjoy the taste of Italy with a nice glass of wine from our wine list. Enjoy it all on our terrace in the middle of downtown during the summer months.
Il Focolaio offers wood fired, thin crust pizzas with a vast range of toppings and a menu that balances classic Italian staples with inventive options, all baked to perfection in a real Italian oven. The crust is consistently crisp and flavorful, the ingredients are fresh, and gluten free crust and lactose free cheese options are appreciated by many diners. The service is repeatedly described as fast, friendly and attentive, with staff making guests feel welcome and cared for even during busy periods. The atmosphere is lively yet cozy, making it a great spot for casual dinners, family nights or a quick bite after visiting nearby sights, and the location downtown Montreal adds to its appeal. Desserts like tiramisu and cannoli are frequently praised, and the wine and beer selection complements the meals well. Overall, this spot is widely regarded as one of the best pizza places in town, a must visit for pizza lovers, with many guests planning to return.
Un vrai coup de coeur ce midi ! Ayant passé beaucoup de temps à Milan plus jeune, je suis souvent à la recherche de ces saveurs authentiques qui marquent la mémoire. La pizza chez Il Focolaio m'a instantanément transportée en Italie : la cuisson au feu de bois est parfaite & les ingrédients sont d'une grande fraîcheur. C'est rare de retrouver une telle justesse dans le goût. Une adresse incontournable que je recommande vivement !
We dropped in for a Saturday lunch. It was almost full but we were seated right away. There was a real mix of families, couples & students. Our pizza arrived within 5 minutes & was delicious. Service was attentive & the price was reasonable.
Pleasant ten minute winter walk with lights & churches along the way from McGill campus. We came to celebrate a birthday with delicious wood-fired pizzas. (We hadn't made a reservation & arrived on a Monday at 5:45 PM just as it was filling up, just as a heads up! ). So many choices! Great place for having many amazing options for vegetarians as well as not-so-vegetarians. They arranged a cake slice with a candle, a rousing start of the birthday song, & a superb little cannoli dessert for each person at our table. Thank you! Can't beat a roaring fire & a warm welcoming staff for a March birthday celebration in Montreal! We don't eat out very often, but this place is definitely on our list.
Mar 15, 2026
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Fantastic top-quality pizza! Amazing cannolis - much better than even in their birthplace - Sicily! Quality & attention that only honest family-run business can deliver.
Une des meilleures pizzas que j'ai mangé de ma vie! Très beau restaurant, situé en plein coeur du centre-ville de Montréal. J'étais en sortie père-fille, nous avons pris une pizza pepperoni fromage. La pizza est tout simplement délicieuse. Au niveau du service, nous sommes servis par un serveur d'expérience, sans trop d'émotions, le reste de l'équipe est souriant. Comme dessert nous avons pris les cannolis ils sont bons mais goûtent beaucoup la cannelle. Nous reviendrons assurément!
By far, the best pizza I've had in Montreal. I went with a group of 7 friends. All our pizzas arrived in a reasonable time. I ordered a simple peperonata pizza. The crust was perfect in crustiness & the tomato sauce was rich & well balanced. Our waiters were very welcoming, friendly & professional. I highly recommend Pizza II Focolaio. They have over 70 options to choose from in terms of toppings combinations, so I'll definitely be coming back to try another!
I went many times & it was always a treat. The pizzas are amazing, the menu has plenty of interesting options (77 pizzas) & the service is really good, even when the restaurant gets crowded.
Mar 6, 2026
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Our experience was exceptional. The food came fast, it was delicious & the service was very kind. As the restaurant got crowded, it was a little hard to talk, but still, we loved it.
Quand le serveur a pris notre commande, il nous a « remercié « avec sincérité! 🏆La pizza était excellente & le service rapide,très courtois. Je n'ai pas goûté aux salades mais elles semblaient délicieuses. L'espace entre les tables est restreint mais l'ambiance est chaleureuse. Je recommande vivement! Si vous arrivez plus tard que 17:30, faut peut-être mieux réserver.
One of the best Italian pizzas I've ever had! The taste was absolutely fantastic, with high-quality ingredients & perfect flavor balance. The staff were very respectful & welcoming, & the service was right on time.
We waited around 15 minutes before getting a table outside, which was reasonable. One pizza is definitely enough for two people. Overall, a great experience, highly recommended!
L'une des meilleures pizzas italiennes que j'ai jamais goûtées ! Le goût était absolument fantastique, avec des ingrédients de grande qualité & un excellent équilibre des saveurs. Le personnel était très respectueux & accueillant, & le service était ponctuel.
Nous avons attendu environ 15 minutes avant d'avoir une table en terrasse, ce qui était raisonnable. Une seule pizza suffit largement pour deux personnes. Dans l'ensemble, une très belle expérience , je recommande vivement !
