Knuckles Cantine & Vins presents a refined approach to contemporary Italian cuisine by emphasizing bold, creative flavor profiles. The menu showcases artisanal pasta dishes prepared with seasonal ingredients alongside inventive small plates designed for sharing. Each recipe highlights traditional techniques paired with modern culinary experimentation to ensure a distinct gastronomic experience. The dining environment maintains a focus on curated pairings where selected bottles complement the complex profiles of the food. Every component is sourced to emphasize quality, resulting in dishes that balance classic Mediterranean roots with a forward-thinking perspective on technique. Patrons encounter a methodical progression of tastes that challenge conventional expectations of Italian fare while respecting the integrity of the primary ingredients.
Knuckles Cantine & Vins is widely celebrated as an inventive neighborhood gem in Montreal, offering a menu that artfully bridges the gap between elevated comfort food and creative fine dining. Guests frequently praise the lively, cozy atmosphere and the impeccable, enthusiastic service, often highlighting specific favorites like the spinach gnocchi, the Big Wac tartare, and the signature deep fried panzerotti. While the vast majority of visitors rave about the balanced, flavorful dishes and the adventurous wine list, a few patrons have noted that the restaurant can become quite loud when busy, and experiences regarding portion sizes or specific menu policies occasionally vary. Overall, it is regarded as a must-visit destination for those seeking a playful, well-executed, and memorable dining experience in a warm, welcoming setting.
Nous sommes allés pour le mardi pâtes pepe à volonté. Très déçu de leur règlement, si vous voulez les pâtes à volonté tout le monde à la table doit prendre les pâtes, si une personne veut prendre du poisson par exemple, tous les autres ne peuvent pas prendre les pâtes, alors elle doit payer pour les pâtes & payer en plus pour le poisson sinon tous les autres ne peuvent pas manger de pâtes ??? Ben voyons. Les pâtes étaient très bonne mais un peu trop poivrée. Les cocktails sont beaucoup trop cher pour la quantité. Aucune décoration, fruits, paille, pas de présentation.
La serveuse a pris beaucoup trop de temps avant de venir prendre notre commande & n'est pas venu nous voir assez souvent pendant le repas. A part ça bon petit resto, cool décor.
I had a wonderful experience here because of the diverse range of options for all. There is a good option for absolutely every single person who visits us. The whole environment feels deeply welcoming, friendly, bright, & kind. The customer service is speedy & handled well. I will certainly make plans to return & explore more.
Knuckles is an inventive neighborhood gem in Montreal's dining scene that masterfully sits at the intersection of a fine-dining kitchen & a nostalgic greasy spoon. They excel at turning comfort food classics completely on their heads, offering a menu that is equal parts playful, indulgent, & seriously well-executed.
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The clear standout of the meal is the Tartare Big Wac, a dish that proves to be an absolute triumph. It arrives styled exactly like a classic fast-food double cheeseburger, complete with a toasted sesame seed bun, a mountain of shredded iceberg lettuce, melted cheese, thick pickle slices, & a signature sauce that captures that unmistakable, nostalgic fast-food tang. Instead of a beef patty, it is packed with a generous, impeccably seasoned beef tartare that is rich, tender, & beautifully studded with whole-grain mustard. The crunchiness & structure of the bun offer a fantastic textural contrast to the soft, velvety tartare, while the acidity & brightness of the sauce perfectly cut through the richness. It delivers exactly the flavor profile you hope for, wrapped in a genuinely impressive presentation. It is easily the winner of the night.
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Equally essential to the experience are the Signature Panzerotti, a staple born from a beloved recipe passed down from the co-owner's Nonna. These deep-fried, savory turnovers eat like a premium, elevated'pizza pocket' with the flavors cranked up to eleven. Fried to a deep, golden-brown perfection, they boast an incredible, bubbly, & shattering crust. Knuckles serves up a rotation of creative fillings like Spicy Roni (pepperoni, jalapenos, & pecorino) or Cheesesteak (ground beef, onions, marinated hot peppers, & ricotta). Skewered with a pickle or hot pepper to balance the fried indulgence & served alongside a wonderfully creamy dipping sauce, they are incredibly satisfying, delightfully messy, & a mandatory order for the table.
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For a softer contrast, the Fresh Herb Gnocchi showcases the kitchen's dedication to scratch-made pasta. These pillowy, vibrant green herb gnocchi swim in a rich, buttery, & translucent emulsified sauce, heavily dusted with a snowcap of finely grated Parmesan cheese & a sprinkle of toasted, aromatic spices or breadcrumbs for texture. The gnocchi themselves are beautifully cloud-like. While the sauce is exceptionally savory & well-executed, it leans into a more delicate, comforting profile compared to the bold, punchy flavors of the tartare.
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?Ultimately, Knuckles masterfully blends a cozy, lively neighborhood vibe with a menu that doesn't take itself too seriously but delivers serious technique. Sharing a meal here passing around a basket of fried panzerotti, cutting into a'Big Wac' tartare, & passing around bowls of fresh pasta makes for an incredibly fun, indulgent, & memorable dining experience in the city.
May 27, 2026
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You feel the liveliness the moment you step into this restaurant! The deco is classy/funky/cozy at the same time.
We had the beef tartare'Big Mac' which was really interesting, I really like the crunchiness of the bun & the sauce has a good balance of acidity.
The fried bread is their famous dish but wouldn't say it was my favourite thing of the night. Gnocchi was soft & sauce is nice but I'd say the tartare was the winner of the night!
Special shoutout to the service! As we saw there were like 2-3 servers only at that night, but they were all really nice & were as attentive as they could. The girl that served us was very enthusiastic, great energy! Thank you :)
Arrêt midi au Knuckles & franchement, ils ne déçoivent pas. La table d'hôte offre un rapport qualité-prix imbattable : saveurs au rendez-vous, service efficace. Seule ombre au tableau, pas de bartender sur l'heure du dîner, donc impossible donc de se gâter avec un bon cocktail, ce qui est dommage parce que l'endroit s'y prête parfaitement. À part ça, rien à redire. Je vais clairement y retourner.
Ambiance is nice but the food was super salty & the sauce was so acidic! Need tweaking in the recipes to be honest but love the vibe of the space … not the best pasta, very basic.
The absolute most delicious gnocchi I've ever had! & the dessert was so amazing. I'm not usually a huge fan of mousse but the combination of jam & popcorn make the dish so interesting & irresistible. Such a cute restaurant & neighborhood to visit on top of that.
Un plaisir sans cesse renouvelé. Le menu est réduit tout en offrant une belle diversité. L'originalité des plats offerts est excellente. Le personnel est dynamique & très agréable.
On se revoit bientôt!
