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.
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!
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.
Bonne pizzéria souvent bondée, ce qui est bon signe. Les tables sont rapprochées & c'est souvent plein, donc il y a beaucoup d'ambiance & de bruit. La pizza est excellente & il y a énormément de choix de garnitures.
Jan 2, 2026
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Authentic italian pizzas right downtown Montreal. Love their pizzas. The price is very reasonable too for the portion. A lot of variety to choose, way too many!
Their turfuto italian ice cream is a MUST!
A must stop if you are in Montreal. We went on a Saturday evening & while here was a little bit of a line up & wait, it was well worth it. The pizzas were tasty, full of flavour & the chilli oil enhanced the taste. The desserts topped it off. Will definitely comeback for more.
Excellente nourriture, mais meilleur service !! Notre serveur Rachid nous a offert une expérience impeccable, il était toujours disponible à nous accommoder, & ce, toujours avec le sourire! Merci Rachid !
Dec 20, 2025
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This place used to be good. Very dissatisfied from what ive got there last time. Went with a classic margarita pizza. Was absolutely nothing special. Very disappointed. Not what it used to be. This place used to be so good. Dont waste your time nor money. You wont be impress… you've be warned! Did a take out & ate it immediately in my car. They were nice, cordial & offered me a glass of water. They were welcoming & felt sincere. But the food was very under par & didnt meet my expectations. Used to go often 25 years ago… ill bet they arent the same owners. Not making their pizza with the same ingredients. Sad to write this review.
