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.
I'm sorry but I think this place is super overrated. I've come here twice & the pizza is super disappointing & expensive for what you get. It's really bland & soggy. The service is ok & the ambiance is pretty nice though.
Aug 20, 2024
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This place is a pizza lover's paradise! You can find a pizza for every taste & preference here, with an extensive menu that caters to everyone. I decided to try the number 65, & it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend!
I have eaten at Il Focolaio several times, & it never disappoints! #40 Al Prosciutto has to be my favourite, & paired with sangria, it makes it that much better. This is the place to go if you're looking for a solid pizza spot with a good atmosphere. 🍕
This is a long review but worth the read. I lived in NYC for a long time & visited all over the world & frequently eat at the best pizza places like lucalli Brooklyn, original prince street, sallys ct, spago smoke salmon pizza, Savoy Tokyo etc. Having experienced all these venues, I would say this place is fantastic. Obviously for global pizza fans its still not quite at the global top level like the one mentioned above but this place without question the best in Canada. I am very impressed by consistency as well as its very hard to find good chefs willing to make just pizzas in Canada. This is why Prince Street in Toronto tastes absolutely terrible & does not even taste 5 percent of original one in NYC. I recommend everyone checking out this place in Montreal to come here. Try their truffle pizza & their cold jar of sangria. I have respect for the owner family as I know how hard its run a pizzeria in Canada.
We were pleasantly surprised by this establishment. Rashid, who helped us choose an order, was very friendly & pleasant to talk to. Everything was so fast! & delicious. The pizza was amazing. I have never tried such interesting & multifaceted pizzas. I highly recommend visiting this place, preferably in the morning. Because in half an hour there will already be many people who want to try the best pizza in the world.
