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 a lively wood-fired Italian pizza experience with a broad menu of toppings and creative combos, a crisp flavorful crust, and fresh ingredients that make many pies stand out in Montreal's pizza scene. The dining room feels welcoming and bustling, and the service is consistently friendly and efficient even when crowded, with easy options for takeout or patio seating. The menu includes vegetarian, gluten free and lactose free choices, and cannolis and tiramisu pair nicely with the pizzas. While lines and close tables are common during peak hours, guests repeatedly praise generous portions, fair prices and the overall authentic, satisfying taste that keeps them coming back.
This place is amazing. The pizza is unreal. Not having being before, the waiter recommended a pizza which ended up being the best one. & instead of me & my friend sharing two pizzas they went ahead & made the pizzas half & half which was really nice. Would go again!!
Aug 26, 2025
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I ordered half plain & Hawaiian pizza. The pizza doesn't have a crunchy crust, taste of tomato is bland & the dough flavor is average. I won't call this a high end pizza, it's just an ok, average pizza.
Great pizza & a pretty good deal. I've paid much more for similar pizza & even not as good. The choice is a little overwhelming but it's great to have that many options. Staff is friendly & lively.
Might not be the nicest atmosphere but the food is delicious, went there at least 5 times already. Even though you can't book ahead the service is nice. Great choice of pizza & just some of the best pizzas I've had. However, desserts are not homemade which makes it less enjoyable, & the place is really packed to fit as many people as possible, which doesn't create a very enjoyable atmosphere. The food covers for that though.
A 5 star experience. Had a great supper there with the family, & the service was impeccable, with very minimal wait time considering how busy the restaurant was.
The pizzas, salad, & desserts were absolutely fantastic. I'd come back to Montreal just for a meal at this restaurant again.
Over 70 pizza options! Delicious pizza & cannoli's! The service was amazing, our server Sohail was amazing, kind & patient with our table! All the staff were friendly & helpful & the pizza makers were something to watch! A must try if in Montreal!
Aug 26, 2025
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First time here but not the last. Service was excellent & the pizza very delicious. I shared a Margherita Pizza with my son & I liked that the brought the pizza already divided for us. Two pieces each which was perfect.
Pizzeria de renommée
Les pizzas sont délicieuses
J'ai seulement été déçue de la pizza au fromage de chèvre, qui ne goûtait rien
Je ne la reprendrai plus
Mais toutes les autres sont habituellement délicieuses!
Meilleure pizza au four à bois à Montréal. Belle grand terrasse. Toujours le même excellent service depuis que j'ai commencé à fréquenter ce resto… en 1998. Une valeur sûre.
J'ai testé 2 fois & je valide cette adresse déjà bien répertoriée. La pizza était très bonne & le service impeccable. Peut être bruyant quand la salle est remplie.
Meilleures pizzas que nous avons mangé. Juste magnifiques. L'accueil est très bon & les prix sont très raisonnables. Je recommande sans hésiter à 300%.
Me & my family love the pizza here, lots of options for toppings, & the thin crust is delicious. Otherwise, the restaurant seems mostly intended for tourists who want to eat & keep moving. I recommend it for lunch. They could fix a little the atmosphere, it's too dark in some areas & the tables are quite small. The service sometimes is good, but sometimes it seems they just want you to leave as soon as possible.
