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.
Guests consistently praise the wood fired pizzas and pasta, generous portions, and friendly, attentive service, creating a warm and dependable Italian dining experience. The location along the canal and the waterfront terrace offer a beautiful backdrop that many reviews say enhances every meal. The menu is described as flavorful and comforting with standout pizzas, lasagna, and seafood, while the staff are repeatedly noted for being welcoming and accommodating. Occasional notes about sound levels or price are mentioned, but the overall sentiment remains positive with many saying they will return and bring friends. In short, Il Fornetto is pictured as a reliable favorite for meals with family and friends, balancing great food with a memorable atmosphere.
The place is really nice inside, great terrace e overlooking lachine canal. We ordered 2 margaritas pizzas & a salad. The pizzas were good , the salad was basic. For 75$ & takeout it might not be for everyone but they do offer good food , staff is very good & the place is really nice. Would definitely go back.
The pizza is good & the pasta as well. I liked the salmon fetuccine but the portions are a bit small.
Definitely worth a visit to be near the canal sitting on the terrasse. The atmosphere is intimate but it can get very busy.
Apr 8, 2026
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Nice terrace on the canal. Tasty pizza & funny staff. Thanks for giving us the chance to enjoy a good meal & spend some quality time. Hopefully, one day, dogs will be welcome on the terrace 😀
Guylaine & Jasmine were absolutely the most welcoming & competent of servers. Even though the restaurant was very busy & the terrace was full, we were served as if we were the only ones. Fish well prepared, lots of crispy veggies. Eggplant appetizer is outstanding. Tiramisu made fresh every day. Price very reasonable. One of the nicest terraces on the Island of Montreal. It in has a first class view on the Lachine Canal. We will return often.
Aug 5, 2025
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Mashallah! Great place to dine. Showed up with a five-person party without a reservation on a Sunday afternoon & got seated in less than 10 minutes. Waited by a very polite & courteous set of serving staff.
The food came in quickly & turned out to be amazing. It was very delicious & full of flavours.
The restaurant's ambiance was very pleasing. Calm, serene outdoor seating is available next to the canal. It is an excellent choice for first dates, group gatherings & Tinder dates.
Kid-friendly.
We had an outstanding family meal at Il Fornetto. We were fortunate to have a table on the second floor in a lovely room with a fabulous view of the canal. The staff was, as has always been our experience, very friendly amd accommodating. Service was prompt & helpful in every way possible (as we were with 2 young boys). Our cocktails were perfect as was every part of our meal, from appetizers to mains. My grandsons loved their spaghetti bolognese & we all loved our calamari, salad, spaghetti puttanesca, linguini alle vongole & my veal piccata al limone were all delicious! We were too full for dessert but we will definitely try to save some room for it when we return. We have never had anything but a fantastic meal at Il Fornetto!
Por supuesto, aquí tienes la versión en francés del review:
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Une expérience spectaculaire du début à la fin.
Il Fornetto nous a agréablement surpris avec une combinaison parfaite de saveurs, d'ambiance & de service. Nous avons commandé des scaloppini, des cannelloni, une pizza Américaine & des pâtes puttanesca - chaque plat était parfaitement préparé, savoureux & présenté avec soin.
Le service était impeccable. Le personnel était chaleureux, attentionné & a su interagir naturellement en français, anglais & même en espagnol, ce qui a rendu l'expérience encore plus conviviale & personnalisée.
L'ambiance du restaurant est à la fois élégante & détendue, avec une magnifique vue sur le canal si vous choisissez la terrasse. Parfait pour un dîner en couple ou une sortie entre amis ou en famille.
Un véritable coup de coeur pour ceux qui recherchent une cuisine italienne authentique à Lachine.
We were very disappointed with our last visit. The food is mediocre at best & overpriced for what it is. Service was lacking. We sat for a long time before anyone came to take our drink orders, & it felt like we were inconveniencing the waiter by being there. The drinks we ordered were not made correctly. I ordered a Hugo spritz & it tasted like watered down saint germain, without mint. Not sure what their recipe is for it but it is definitely not the standard. Only reason this gets two stars is the location, beautiful patio nearby the canal.
Jun 26, 2025
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We visited this place for Mother's Day & they accommodated us last minute for a party of 12. The service was great, food amazing, I loved the Foccacia ! & the veal scallopini.
I found the dessert to be a bit pricy.. granita for 10$. However, 5 stars for this restaurant I will definitely returning!
The view is stunning as well overlooking the lachine canal.
Il Fornetto is a great spot for Italian food with a beautiful view of the Lachine Canal. The pizza was very delicious, with a perfect crispy crust & fresh toppings. The service was friendly & professional, but the rocket salad was overpriced for what it was, not much flavor for the cost. Still, it's a solid choice for a date night or a casual meal with friends.
Another great meal at Il Fornetto. Been coming here for years, not only for the food but the ambiance inside & out, with a great view of the Lachine canal. The staff are super friendly & always welcoming. Shared a large Caesar salad which was perfect for 2 people as a starter. Then enjoyed the Lasagna which is always consistent & tasty, & had the Rucola pizza which was absolutely delicious. All their pizzas are fantastic, you can't go wrong with any of them, & so many to choose from! In addition also had a Table d'hôte of Braised Short Rib with some spaghetti. The meat was so tender & succulent. This included a mista salad or minestrone soup. Sadly no room for dessert on this visit, but their tiramisu & crème brûlée are worth the extra indulgence.
Il fornetto is my go-to for Italian food in Montreal. With a beautiful view over the Lachine canal, wood stove pizza cooked in house infront of you with scrumptious pasta dishes & imported desserts. Do not skip this place!
Excellent service. The food is very good. We ordered veal parmigiana & risotto with mushrooms. Good wine selection by the glass. Nice location by the canal.
