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.
Me & my family love the pizza here, lots of options for toppings, & the thin crust is delicious. Otherwise, the restaurant seems mostly intended for tourists who want to eat & keep moving. I recommend it for lunch. They could fix a little the atmosphere, it's too dark in some areas & the tables are quite small. The service sometimes is good, but sometimes it seems they just want you to leave as soon as possible.
Aug 10, 2025
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One of the best pizzas in town.
Suggestion : such a good pizza with BG beer. Seriously? Terrible beer for those who don't like it in bottle.
I didn't give you 5* beacuse the pancetta was way too spicy. I know Montreal has become a spicy food spot the last couple of years, but still. You should warn your clients. It felt like mexican/bolivian/indian level of spice. The other pizzas were great.
Aug 2, 2025
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This is one of my favourite pizza places in Montreal! There are so many varieties that you can have, & I haven't even tried the calzonis or the salads. Last time I went, we were able to get a reservation for 11am & were immediately seated when we got in. This time, I got a Campagnola, without olives, & it was absolutely delicious. I devoured the whole pizza. I noticed it was slightly smaller than it was when I visited in past years, but it was no less delicious! I highly recommend this place for lunch or dinne
They have a wide selection of delicious pizzas (probably the biggest I have seen) & despite the crowd on weekend evenings, they do a good job of quickly bringing the pizzas.
This is one of the best Italian pizzas, I have ever had outside of Italy.
You have a huge selection of pizzas, more than 70 types of pizza.
I recommend it for sure.
