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 came here on a date, they have an extensive pizza menu. The wine was good. However I think it's expensive for what it is. I paid almost $50 for a pizza & 1 glass of wine.
On our first trip to Montreal we were looking for a place to eat that close to our hotel. We found Il Focolaio & were able to get seated inside immediately. The atmosphere was very energetic & somewhat loud, but fun.
Neither my wife or I speak French & as soon as we spoke the servers immediately responded in English & once seated provided us with English menus.
We ordered pizzas & wine both of which were fantastic. The servers never stopped moving the entire time we were there & they were all super friendly.
If you are looking for a great pizza in a fun & friendly atmosphere this is the place.
Their pizza menu is wildly extensive. They have this note on their menu saying they make their own tomato sauce, cheese & pizza dough , which sounds fantastic. Really tasty pizza to be honest.
Absolutely amazing! The food was incredible - hands down the best pizza I've ever had. The staff were so friendly, warm, & genuinely compassionate. The atmosphere was lovely, & everything about the experience was just perfect. Can't wait to come back. Highly recommended
Jun 30, 2025
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Amazing pizza every time! Consistent, always fresh, & not shy with toppings. Plus they have delicious gluten free crust available & lactose free cheese for people with dietary restrictions! The servers are also very knowledgeable & friendly. Highly recommend!
Maybe I came at an'off moment', maybe it's just a matter of taste, but this pizza was so lackluster for the price & I left confused by the overwhelming amount of positive reviews this place has.
I'm surprised not a single reviewer has mentioned the tomato sauce here, either as a positive or a negative. Because that was my biggest issue. The crust was amazing. Classic thin crust Italian baked in a super hot oven. Exactly what I want. But the sauce was like battery acid. Just pure acid & salt & zero sweetness, no fresh tomato taste. Tasted like it was poured out of a store brand jar. The cheese was also cooked pretty dark & pulled off in large chunks which was disappointing.
Great service. Nice views of the square. But overall I wouldn't subject myself to a pizza this pricey & this mediocre again.
I would expect this quality if I was ordering late n
Jun 25, 2025
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Saw the reviews & wanted to try. Lived up to the hype. Great pizza. Crispy crust. Good quality toppings. Decent prices depending on what you order. Like the larger style cuts for slices. Free WiFi. Great comfortable atmosphere. Clean facility. Clean washroom. Friendly staff who can speak English well.
