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.
Fantastic top-quality pizza! Amazing cannolis - much better than even in their birthplace - Sicily! Quality & attention that only honest family-run business can deliver.
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 !
Feb 28, 2026
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If you are looking for the best pizza in town, look no further than Pizza Il Focolaio. This spot is a must-visit for anyone in Montreal craving authentic, wood-fired goodness.
What Makes It Special:
The Selection: They have an incredible 77 different pizzas to choose from! You are truly spoiled for choice, ranging from classic Italian staples to unique, creative toppings.
The Quality: Our group ordered three different pizzas, & each one of them tasted really nice. The crust had that perfect crispness, & the ingredients felt fresh & high-quality.
The Atmosphere: It's a bustling, welcoming environment that perfectly complements the hearty food.
We had a fantastic experience & left completely satisfied. This is easily one of the highlights of the Montreal food scene. I would love to visit again next time I'm in town!
My family of 4 stopped there for lunch on our tour of Montreal on a whim & usually when we do this we are left disappointed! However Il Focolaio did not disappoint at all the food portions & quality were amazing & we were served by probably the best server ever RACHID!!! I have never had someone be so genuine throughout a dining experience. Would recommend 100 times over!
Maybe I came at an'off moment', maybe it's just a matter of taste, but this pizza was so lackluster for the price & I left confused by the overwhelming amount of positive reviews this place has.
I'm surprised not a single reviewer has mentioned the tomato sauce here, either as a positive or a negative. Because that was my biggest issue. The crust was amazing. Classic thin crust Italian baked in a super hot oven. Exactly what I want. But the sauce was like battery acid. Just pure acid & salt & zero sweetness, no fresh tomato taste. Tasted like it was poured out of a store brand jar. The cheese was also cooked pretty dark & pulled off in large chunks which was disappointing.
Great service. Nice views of the square. But overall I wouldn't subject myself to a pizza this pricey & this mediocre again.
I would expect this quality if I was ordering late n
Saw the reviews & wanted to try. Lived up to the hype. Great pizza. Crispy crust. Good quality toppings. Decent prices depending on what you order. Like the larger style cuts for slices. Free WiFi. Great comfortable atmosphere. Clean facility. Clean washroom. Friendly staff who can speak English well.
Jun 25, 2025
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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!
If you've been to Italy & know the real taste of a pizza, then here you'll find the same taste & quality. Very friendly service, definitely recommend this place 100%.
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!
Food 5/5 Service 5/5 Ambience 3/5 This is definitely my favourite pizza restaurant in Montreal. For years, I stop by this place whenever I had the chance & it never disappoints. The quality is as good as it can be, crust & toppings, simply can't get enough of those pizzas.
The food here was absolutely phenomenal & the service was great. The quality of the pizza ingredients is definitely above average. It is very busy, we were waiting in line for a seat, but it was very much worth it. The normal pizza crust has egg & milk in it, but the whole wheat crust is vegan friendly.
Best brick italian pizza in downtown, the crunchiest texture & most delicious toppings can be found here. I have been there multiple times & the quality never degrades. Their staff is wonderful & helpful & they speak fluent english which is big plus❤️
Usually a wait on busy days, especially at lunch (show up before 11:50 am & you'd be ok) but excellent pizza, & good price for the quality. Can't go wrong for a casual lunch during the week. Can be a little noisy, it's a bustling place. Waiters are usually super nice. They don't rush you even when there's a line up to get in.
Pizza Il Focolaio is renowned for its authentic wood-fired pizzas, offering a vast selection of toppings & unique flavor combinations. The cozy, casual atmosphere & the quality of their pizzas make it a favorite among locals & visitors alike. A must-visit for pizza enthusiasts.
