Reviews of Mare Porto Vecchio describe a stylish, refined Italian dining experience in the Old Port Montreal where atmosphere and presentation are frequently highlighted. The menu is praised for fresh seafood and well crafted pastas such as cappelletti and tagliolini, with branzino tartare, octopus and oysters among the standout dishes. The cocktails and wine list are often noted as strong complements to the meals and the service is described as attentive and professional. Some reviews flag high prices for the portions and note that a few dishes can be under seasoned, overly salty, or served lukewarm. Experiences on special occasions such as Valentine s Day or New Year s Eve are described as memorable when the kitchen and staff are in sync. Overall Mare Porto Vecchio is regarded as a standout Italian dining destination in Montreal, delivering exceptional ambiance and mostly outstanding food, though price and value and some dish consistency vary.
Great raw bar, freshfresh seafoods.
My fav pastas are the tagliolini & the cappeletti. The tagliolini looks like it would be very creamy maybe even too much... but no. It is perfectly creamy & cheesy. The plate was licked clean it was not too heavy whatsoever, very amazing that they pulled this off the way they did. Cappeletti sauce also maybe sound heav, but it is not. It is bursting with flavour & is addicting. Plate was also licked clean.
The servers offered some chili oil, which was an epic pairing with the cappeletti!! The chili oil is very delicious. Somehow a bit sweet & spicy, realllly loved it so much.
The squid ink ravioli toppings are sooo good but found the texture of that pasta to be a miss for me.
Another killer is the vanilla ice cream, its not on the menu, but ask for it because (coming from a person whos fav food is ice cream & has it everywhere i find it) it is some of the best i have ever had, creamy & icy, luscious & addicting vanilla flavour. Perfectly sweetened. I will miss it forever when i leave Montreal
I had the most incredible dining experience for Valentine's Day at Mare in Old Port. From the moment we stepped in, the coastal Italian charm was undeniable. They began by serving us bread-focaccia & sourdough-accompanied by a mascarpone & cod spread, which was exquisite. We also had two amazing mocktails-proof that even their non-alcoholic options are outstanding. We started with oysters-plump, meaty, bursting with fresh flavor, straight from PEI. For the appetizers, I had a vibrant beef tartare with an amazing chew, while my girlfriend savored the octopus, paired with crispy potato & escarole-every bite was fresh & balanced. For the mains, we shared two pasta delights: I had the cappelletti, filled with braised beef slow-cooked for hours, bathed in a rich sugo d'arrosto, & my girlfriend had the tagliolini, a silky pasta with Parmigiano, cultured butter, & caviar-pure bliss. We finished with a tiramisu that was divine & another dessert, the cioccolata pralinata-light, elevated, with a perfect crunch & subtle sweetness, the ideal end to a grand meal. & to top it off, I had an excellent double espresso. I must say, as good as the food was, the service was flawless-every staff member was so attentive, warm, & made us feel truly special. Mare is a must-visit-go treat yourself!
Feb 15, 2026
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Very beautiful evening. The service was, hands down, phenomenal. He was professional & kind the whole night; his recommendations were spot on.
We got the'Plateau Royal per 2' & the fresh fish was remarkable. I live on Vancouver Island, & this was better than any seafood I had had out there. The red wine we got was amazing too!
Would recommend to anyone who is considering it! Becuase its a newer place, it doesn't get enough praise
I went to the restaurant with my girlfriend, & we decided to try a tasting menu, which we really enjoy doing. It allows the chefs to showcase their skills, & we were able to fully enjoy the experience at the seafood bar. We were welcomed by Kenneth, who did an exceptional job: professional, talented, & attentive. The salads & dishes he served us were perfectly balanced & incredibly fresh. I highly recommend this place!
One of the best Italian restaurants I've been to in my lifetime. The flavors are bold, & the quality of the ingredients are unmatched. You truly feel like you're transported to Italy. Our service was top notch, & Andy & Juan made our night exceptional. The shellfish tower was curated with precision, & the fish was fresh. The Paccheri & Branzino were some other stand out dishes of the night. Also, the bread board that came around paired with the olive oil gave it an extra touch. Will be returning next time we're in MTL!
