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.
We visited Montreal for a week in early November & discovered Pizza Il Focolaio by doing a quick search online. We walked from our hotel on a rainy Monday evening & were surprised to find the restaurant full! We soon discovered why - this small, cozy, local neighbourhood restaurant has a real family feel about it & the wood-fired, thin-crust pizzas were authentic & delicious. We also shared a fresh Italian salad to start & cappuccinnos at the end. Great service, fantastic food & reasonable prices. 5+ stars! Merci beaucoup!
My favourite pizza in Montreal. Thank you so much for having lactose free cheese! It makes the world of a difference for our family. The margherita is also consistently one of the tastiest pizzas I've ever had!
We had wonderful service by Rachid during our dinner, he was attentive especially as we had our young son with us. Provided some colouring paper for him & also gifted him a toy car when we left!
The food was wonderful as well, excellent portions. He also volunteered to replace some slightly burnt toast that went with our salad, with no prompting. Excellent service & would visit again!
The restaurant, as usual, food & atmosphere amazing! However, i was thrown off when the waiter gave us our receipts without mentioning a 15% tip is already included, so i ended up tipping double! That was unfortunate considering the waiter did not make any effort to come see us throughout the night. So be aware when paying!
La pizza que j'ai mangée était incroyable (4 fromages), c'est une pizza qui te laisse vraiment rassasié. En plus, le service était très bon & les prix m'ont semblé très justes, très accessibles.
The pizza dough was amazing - light, perfectly crispy, & full of flavor! One of the best pizza experiences I've ever had. Truly exceptional taste & texture.
They have so many pizza options to choose from, & it can be really hard! I was craving for seafood so I went by their seafood option, & they didn't let me down at all.
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The pizza here is amazing! You can really taste the difference - it's baked in a real Italian oven, super crispy on the outside & soft inside. So many choices & every one is delicious. The service is fast & friendly. Totally worth it!
