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.
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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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 ordered pizza to our hotel & it arrived more than 30 minutes past the estimated delivery time. I waited in the lobby, & after calling twice for an update, the staff were incredibly kind & professional. On the second call, the customer service representative let us know the order would be complimentary because of the delay.
We truly felt cared for & valued. The pizza itself was absolutely delicious - even a little cool, it was outstanding. Great food, & even better customer service. We will definitely order again.
Feb 14, 2026
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We visited from Hamilton, Ontario. We walked in the freezing cold & were so happy to stumble across this warm & cozy place. It was busy but very welcoming. We ordered the pepperoni pizza & it was probably one of the best I've ever had. Hot, delicious & made on the spot in plain view of the dining area. The crust was thin, crisp & perfect.
If I lived in Montreal, this would be a regular go-to place. ⭐?⭐?⭐?⭐?⭐?
We stopped here to escape the -25°C cold, but I wish we hadn't. The pizza was just okay, but the service was shocking. We felt like a burden, especially when the server cleared my husband's plate while he was literally still chewing. It felt dismissive, as if our presence was an inconvenience, despite plenty of empty seats. Between that & the cramped, uncomfortable seating, this was the worst dining experience of our trip. Avoid.
Feb 10, 2026
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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
Pizza insipide, grossière, chargée, aucun goût. Nous sommes trois à être unanimement très déçus. Rien d'une pizza italienne. Je ne comprends pas les avis qui mettent plus que 4. Service plutôt sympathique & rapide.
Jan 31, 2026
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Probably one of the best pizzeria in Montreal. They offer a wide variety of pizzas, all cooked in a wood-fired oven. The four-cheese pizza with blue cheese is especially outstanding. The place itself doesn't look like much - it's small, not particularly attractive, & there isn't much space - but the pizza more than makes up for it.
Picturesque terrace (patio) across from a square. If you're wasp adverse, sit inside. Pizza was great, Caesar salad good, & service was decent. It'd be much nicer if they'd use glassware for water rather little plastic cups…minor point!
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.
6/5 stars! Best service I have ever had at any restaurant ever. The staff were all so friendly & attentive. The food was also amazing! Great pizza & tons of options. Huge portions for the salads too.
Excellente pizza, avec une pâte vraiment remarquable - bien cuite, savoureuse & parfaitement équilibrée. Le restaurant était très occupé, mais l'atmosphère demeure sans prétention & conviviale, ce qui contribue beaucoup au charme de l'endroit.
Le service était bon & efficace, surtout considérant l'action & l'achalandage constant dans le resto.
L'ambiance rappelle un peu les pizzerias de New York : animée, décontractée, & centrée sur l'essentiel - une bonne pizza bien faite. Une très bonne adresse à Square Phillips pour manger rapidement & bien, sans flafla.
