Tucked away on one of downtown’s quieter streets, La Marinara has subtlety down to an art. Warm colours and soft light, potted plants and flickering candles create a soothing, unassuming atmosphere. Music plays low and ambient, setting the tone but never intruding on the conversation. For this reason, La Marinara is best suited for romantic dinners or quiet business lunches. Designed in the style of the French bistro, it specializes in Italian pasta dishes. Primavera, bolognese, alfredo, carbonara, amatriciana: the usual suspects are present in all sorts of savoury permutations.
If you’re looking for veal, there may be no restaurant in the city better suited to your needs. Why not try the breaded veal, or bring crispy and cream together in sonorous harmony with the veal parmigiana. Did we mention the veal with lemon?
La Marinara earns widespread praise for authentic Italian cooking, homemade pasta that many describe as among the best, and a warm, intimate, unpretentious dining room. Reviews highlight friendly, attentive service from a family-run team and a cozy atmosphere that feels welcoming rather than formal. Dishes like gnocchi, fettuccine and veal marsala are repeatedly praised, with tiramisu and Caesar salad noted as standout desserts, while some nights offer generous portions and others feature smaller servings for certain items. Occasional drawbacks include a very salty soup, a carbonara with too much cream cheese, and high wine prices, but these are not universal. Overall, La Marinara is seen as a dependable downtown option that delivers comforting, well-executed Italian flavors and a consistently positive experience that keeps locals and visitors returning.
J'y vais plusieurs fois par année & encore une fois un très bon service & surtout un excellent repas. Toutes les pâtes sont vraiment bonnes. Je recommande ce resto à tous!
Nice little restaurant close to the Bell Centre, the ambiance is nice, the food is very tasty & overall we were satisfied.
Small critisism: portions are small. You'd think that a $24 bowl of pasta would be a full bowl.... (The bowl wasn't big)
So it's a trade off of great location, but not great portions.
Service was good too, not a bad thing to say there.
Bon rapport qualité prix. Service courtois & professionnel. Bonne carte des vins. Belle variété de plats bien apprêtés au goût de l'Italie. Nous recommandons chaleureusement.
Super. Avant chaque match de hockey auquel j'assiste, je me rend à ce restaurant. L'accueil est chaleureux, le service attentionné & les choix très variés. Les mets sont excellents & les prix tout à fait convenables. Je recommande le veau à la polignac & les aubergines au parmesan.
Dec 10, 2021
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J'ai rarement mangé de la nourriture aussi savoureuse dans un restaurant; souvent c'est très bon mais comme à La Marinara, c'est indescriptible. Tout est frais & les recettes du chef sont à couper le souffle. Vous pensez peut-être que j'exagère, mais essayez-le par vous-même & vous m'en donnerez des nouvelles. &, que dire de l'accueil du propriétaire Philippe & du service de Juan. Impeccables! C'est un endroit à recommander.
Dinner at Cafe Bistro La Marinara is way more than 5 Star!!! The food is delicious, the service is outstanding, the venue is excellent, & the experience is one I would recommend to anyone. Their Escargot is original & unique, & the Fettuccini is probably the best pasta I have ever had. & that includes any of the many restaurants I've eaten at in Italy. La Marinara checks all the boxes for food, service, surroundings, value & hospitality. You feel like you are having dinner in someone's home rather than in a downtown restaurant. Thanks & Merci to the entire team at La Marinara for hosting a truly wonderful evening for my wife & I at your restaurant. It was special & we will be back. David & Nancy, Toronto.
Aug 15, 2021
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Wow ! C'était notre première fois que nous essayions ce restaurant! Nous avons été agréable surpris de la qualité du service ( personnels habitués du service client ) & surtout de la qualité de la nourriture 🤩. C'est un des bons restaurants italiens que nous avons fait . Je recommande vraiment d'essayer ce restaurant très chaleureux.
