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 is widely celebrated for its extensive menu of authentic, wood-fired pizzas featuring a perfectly thin and crispy crust. Guests consistently praise the fresh, generous toppings and the variety of choices, which include options for vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions. The atmosphere is described as lively, energetic, and welcoming, making it a popular destination for both locals and visitors. While the restaurant can become quite busy and occasionally loud, the service is generally highlighted as efficient, friendly, and professional, often leaving a lasting positive impression on those who dine there.
We had a great meal here, the pizza was excellent, we went with the four cheese & the Pizza Pazza. The giardino salad was amazing, & as someone with Mediterranean roots, it was so nice to have well-grilled veggies done right.
The real highlight, though, was our server, Joey. When we arrived there was no table available outside, & she immediately brought us water & menus & made sure we were taken care of from start to finish. That kind of attentive, genuine service is hard to find in Montreal these days , it had been a long time since I'd experienced hospitality at this level.
Absolutely one of the best wood-fired pizzas I've had! The crust was perfectly crisp with that authentic smoky flavor, the toppings were fresh & generous, & every bite was delicious. The staff were friendly, the service was excellent, & the atmosphere made the whole experience even better. I'll definitely be coming back & highly recommend this place to anyone looking for authentic wood oven pizza! 🍕🔥
Jun 27, 2026
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This review is long overdue. Having read lots of positive reviews ourselves & feeling like a really good wood fired thin crust pizza, we stopped in for a very late'long' lunch on our last day in Montreal. The outside is really quite unassuming - easy to miss - but it is the food that is worth going in for. Trade was quietening down (had clearly been very busy). The choice of pizzas was immense (never seen so much choice). We were assisted by a great guy (who's name I have sadly forgotten - should have done this review sooner - sorry). He asked what we liked, gave recommendations, followed by time to ponder. He also highlighted that some of the Calzones could be done as a'regular pizzas'. Decision made- two pizzas, salad to share & a bottle of red wine - absolutely delicious! Seemed almost rude not to consider a dessert. More recommendations - cheesecake, cannoli & limoncello. - Done! Wow fantastic! Completely exceeded expectation, which was already high. & amazing value. I cannot recommend highly enough! (Shame they can't deliver to the UK.)
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!
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.
