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 !
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!
Mar 7, 2026
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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 !
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!
We stopped here for our last night in Montreal for dinner. The staff were quick, attentive & very polite. The food was outstanding. We split a Cesar salad for starter & no word of a lie, it was just lettuce, croutons & dressing but one of the best Cesar salads I've ever had. The extensive pizza menu features tons of beautiful, freshly made items all prepared in a wood fired oven. I had the salamino (#54) & hubby had the arugula(#71). Both were fantastic. We took an order of cannolis to go, & they were out of this world. The cream was thick & delicious with just a hint of lemon. The restaurant was packed with a lively, friendly vibe. Plus it was super close to our hotel so it was a great choice. I would recommend it to anyone. Total for dinner plus hubby's two beers & tip was $122.23
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.
The pizza was absolutely delicious, flavorful, well balanced, & perfect to share between two people. The portion size is great, & one pizza was more than enough for us, although if you are hungry I recommend going for two :))
The atmosphere is cozy & relaxed, ideal for a casual dinner with friends or a date night. We also tried their cocktails & I really liked them. I would definitely come back.
Jan 10, 2026
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Très satisfaite de ma première visite avec la famille. Ce ne sera sûrement pas la dernière.
Personnel agréable & serviable.
Pizzas excellentes. Les meilleures à datw.
Je recommande à 100%
Great restaurant with traditional & fusion style pizza. A wonderful patio experience in the summer months, & a cozy spot for a warm bite inside during the winter.
Would certainly recommend.
Oct 18, 2025
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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!
Excellente expérience dans ce restaurant italien ! La pizza était vraiment délicieuse, probablement l'une des meilleures que j'ai mangées. Un grand merci à Rachid, le serveur, pour son professionnalisme & sa gentillesse. Je recommande vivement !
