Located in an enchanting setting on the shores of the Lachine Canal, Il Fornetto is a perfect place to offer oneself a moment of relaxation and change of scenery without having to leave the city. Inside, the rustic-inspired though modern décor is particularly pleasant. Yet it is above all for its superb, double-level terrace looking out directly over the canal that people love this place. Open from early in spring until late in autumn, the terrace welcomes you to come and enjoy beautiful the sunsets.
Il Fornetto’s menu takes on the appearance of an encyclopaedia of Italian cuisine. The selection is impressive and includes all of the staples: pastas available as a full dish or half portion, which is great for an entrée, various antipasti and veal and the most important staple of them all, pizza baked in a real wood-burning oven. Here, it is particularly delicious, crispy and topped with the freshest ingredients. Not surprisingly, this restaurant – open since 1987 – shows no sign of slowing down.
Il Fornetto consistently delivers an excellent dining experience with friendly, attentive service, a warm and inviting atmosphere, and a menu that showcases authentic Italian flavors. The wood-fired pizzas, fresh pastas, and well-balanced dishes receive frequent praise for taste and quality, while the canal-side terrace and cozy interiors provide a memorable setting. Guests often highlight generous portions, good wine selections, and a welcoming vibe that works well for celebrations as well as casual dinners. The staff are noted for being helpful and professional, making reservations and dining smooth even when busy. This combination of dependable food, thoughtful hospitality, and a charming location keeps diners coming back time after time.
The staff here are very attentive & helpful & pleasant. The food is excellent, & the atmosphere is lovely. The restaurant was full - but they layout is such that you feel very much in your own environment. There were vegan options for the vegan among us (me) - & for my mom's 90th birthday they gave her a tiramisu with a sparkler on the house. Highly recommend
Delicious food. Amazing wine selection. Our server Emily was fantastic, very attentive. My water or wine glass was never empty.
Can't wait to go back to enjoy the patio
May 25, 2025
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Excellent evening. The service was very attentive, the food was great & the atmosphere was welcoming. I really recommend reservations as this place can fill up quite quickly!
The experience felt a bit like stepping back in time - the restaurant could definitely benefit from a menu & decor upgrade. That said, the location is lovely & perfect for a nice walk after lunch or dinner. The service was friendly & attentive.
Nice Italian restaurant.
We got 2 pizza & Tiramisu so we can only judge that but it delivered 10/10.
Waiters were attentive & professional.
Ideal for a date, a supper with a 2 or 3 friends
Mar 3, 2025
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It became our fav Italian resto in no time.
Located by the beautiful waterfront in lachine
Their pizza is to die for! Like really amazing & I don't usually love pizza in general. It's just tastes like in Napoli, Italy… yummy! Thin, crispy, but also a bit chewy, with just perfect amount of toppings, & made in the wood oven! Perfection!
We have tried everything in their menu , but my fav is eggplant parm! Omg…. It's so so freaking good!
The veal dishes are amazing & the pastas are cooked to perfect al dente. So many tasty dishes to choose from.
Service is always great , super friendly, fast & attentive, with smiles.
This resto is very popular, so make reservations, you will not be disappointed.
I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a special night out. The ambiance was warm & welcoming, the food was excellent & the servers were attentive & kind.
I visited this place 8 years ago & got a bad experience. Coming back last week for dinner with friends, I found it quite a difference. The ambiance is cozy & the food is excellent. The service is attentive, & our host is a lively person with a touch of humor.
Between the four of us we had risotto porcini, seafood ravioli, scallopini, prosciutto & melon. All were very much to our expectations. Our server was excellent, very attentive, pleasant & helpful.
Oct 25, 2024
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Il Fornetto has been a part of my life for over 20 years-growing up, I visited often with my parents & siblings, & last night I returned with my partner. It's wonderful to see this restaurant still delivering that classic Italian experience. The food met my expectations-consistent & well-prepared, with a traditional approach to Italian cuisine. I had the Risotto al Funghi, which was creamy with a slight al dente bite, just as it should be 🙌🏽. The Polpette della Nonna were also nicely done, not overpowering with spices or garlic, making them enjoyable for all palates. Their fire oven pizza, with its thin crust, was delicious, & shall I add that the oven itself is a beautiful centerpiece. The atmosphere remains cozy & inviting, perfect for both small & larger gatherings. Service was excellent, as always-attentive & welcoming. Definitely worth the visit!
Exceptional service from Tommy, we will come back just for him. Attentive & friendly. He made our first visit an experience. Venue is wonderful. A gem!
I recently dined at this Italian restaurant, & I must say, it was an excellent experience. The food was great, each dish bursting with authentic flavors that transported me back to Italy. Moreover, the service was impeccable, with attentive staff who went above & beyond to ensure our satisfaction. I can't wait to return ! 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Friendly staff! Very attentive team (I drink a lot of water) they came to fill up my glass every time. Cheers to the team & good food! Visiting from Vancouver!
Apr 26, 2024
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This is a restaurant that has excellent food..unfortunately on a Saturday night it is packed & as a result service is slow. The waitstaff is extraordinarily attentive regardless
Alex our waiter was so attentive to our table there was no rush & he took the time to talk to us , food was outstanding & it's always such a great place to go, highly recommend Il Fornetto
Thank you for hosting us♥️. We had a nice dinner with a group of 8 people & were seated upstairs. The service is really outstanding, the staff is attentive, very friendly & professional & well organized. The food was good & served within a short time even though the restaurant was full. The restaurant has a real pizza oven which makes the pizza really delicious. Also the coffee had a nice flavor. All in all we are happy about the choice of restaurant & will definitely come back.
The place is way too loud - had to scream at my friends. This is the 8th time I have been & most likely the last as a result.
The waiter was very good, & the water person was fabulous - extremely attentive.