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.
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!
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 !
Stopped in for a quick bite & was pleasantly surprised by how many pizza options there were. We ordered two & in both cases they were super delicious & baked to perfection. Drink wise it's wine or four beer options, I had an amber off the tap & it was fresh as well. Highly recommend Pizza Il Focolaio!
Great place in every possible way. The server ( at the counter on the right side of the picture) was a cheerful, professional & welcoming gentleman. Great smile on his face & helped us through picking pizza choices.
A highly recommend place to eat authentic Italian pizza.
I went here on my trip to Montreal, & the pizza was excellent. One of the best I've ever had! The waiter was so kind & helpful, & told the kitchen of my nut allergy - & they were careful to accommodate me. Truly a great experience here - highly recommend!
This is one of my favourite pizza places in Montreal! There are so many varieties that you can have, & I haven't even tried the calzonis or the salads. Last time I went, we were able to get a reservation for 11am & were immediately seated when we got in. This time, I got a Campagnola, without olives, & it was absolutely delicious. I devoured the whole pizza. I noticed it was slightly smaller than it was when I visited in past years, but it was no less delicious! I highly recommend this place for lunch or dinne
Absolutely amazing! The food was incredible - hands down the best pizza I've ever had. The staff were so friendly, warm, & genuinely compassionate. The atmosphere was lovely, & everything about the experience was just perfect. Can't wait to come back. Highly recommended
Amazing pizza every time! Consistent, always fresh, & not shy with toppings. Plus they have delicious gluten free crust available & lactose free cheese for people with dietary restrictions! The servers are also very knowledgeable & friendly. Highly recommend!
Jun 26, 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.
Absolutely loved this pizza shop! The pizza was genuinely tasty - fresh ingredients, perfectly cooked crust, & just the right amount of cheese & toppings. The price was very fair for the quality & portion size, which is always a plus. What really stood out, though, was the staff - they were incredibly nice, welcoming, & made the whole experience even better. You can tell they care about their customers & take pride in their service. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or dining in, this place is worth a visit. I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend it!
Delicious oven-baked pizzas with plenty of options, including a great selection of vegetarian & vegan choices, thanks to tasty vegan cheese & dough alternatives.
We shared a half-&-half pizza with a salad & really enjoyed the combination. Overall, highly recommended!
I recently dined at Pizza Focolaio in downtown Montreal & was thoroughly impressed! I ordered the vegetarian pizza ratatouille & the Giardino salad, & both dishes were fantastic. The pizza was stone-baked to perfection, with a crisp crust on the outside & a soft, chewy interior. The ratatouille toppings were generous & beautifully seasoned, creating a delightful medley of flavors. The Giardino salad was fresh & well-composed, providing a refreshing contrast to the pizza. Pizza Focolaio offers a wide variety of pizzas, both vegetarian & non-vegetarian, catering to diverse tastes. Each pizza is stone-baked, enhancing the flavors & giving it an authentic, rustic touch. The ambiance is cozy & welcoming, & the attentive service made the experience even better. I'd highly recommend this spot for anyone craving delicious, high-quality pizza in Montreal!
Pizza was great! Had the chance to try types, number 74 & the other one was the portobello mushroom pizza. Both were delicious but I'd highly recommend number 74, super tasty & flavourful! Great service & easy to find in the heart of Montreal.
This place is a pizza lover's paradise! You can find a pizza for every taste & preference here, with an extensive menu that caters to everyone. I decided to try the number 65, & it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend!
We were pleasantly surprised by this establishment. Rashid, who helped us choose an order, was very friendly & pleasant to talk to. Everything was so fast! & delicious. The pizza was amazing. I have never tried such interesting & multifaceted pizzas. I highly recommend visiting this place, preferably in the morning. Because in half an hour there will already be many people who want to try the best pizza in the world.
