Mare Porto Vecchio offers a distinctive Italian and seafood experience, focusing on expertly prepared pasta dishes and the freshest catches from the sea. The kitchen showcases a commitment to authentic flavors, utilizing quality ingredients to craft memorable meals that reflect the essence of Mediterranean coastal cuisine. Diners can anticipate a vibrant atmosphere where classic Italian culinary traditions are celebrated through a menu designed to satisfy discerning palates seeking both familiar favorites and refined seafood preparations. The restaurant's dedication to excellence is evident in every plate, promising a culinary journey inspired by the rich tastes of Italy's shores.
Online ordering is not directly available on this page for Mare Porto Vecchio. You can call (514) 365-4848 and see if the restaurant takes orders by phone.
Mare Porto Vecchio is widely celebrated as a sophisticated gem in the Old Port, offering an elegant and serene atmosphere that is perfect for romantic dinners or special gatherings. The restaurant is frequently praised for its stunning, chic interior design and consistently high levels of professional, attentive service that make guests feel truly welcomed. Many diners are deeply impressed by the extraordinary Italian cuisine, highlighting dishes like the homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and flavorful appetizers as standout experiences. With its craft cocktails and top-tier hospitality, the restaurant has quickly become a favorite destination for those seeking a memorable and refined fine dining experience in Montreal.
Overall, Mare was a great experience, but there were a few details missing for me to consider it an excellent fine-dining experience.
The arrival was very smooth. We were warmly greeted by the hostess & quickly shown to our table. Our waiter, Bas, was also great-friendly, warm, professional & attentive throughout the evening.
For the starters, everything was good overall. The entree i originally wanted was sold out so I ordered the burrata with lobster. I love burrata & have tried some really memorable & unique versions, so I was expecting a little more from this one. It was good, but I felt it was missing some dressing, acidity or another element to bring everything together. It essentially tasted like lobster with burrata, so for me it was fairly simple & could be elevated a bit more. The ricotta dish was very good, as was the tartare.
For my main, I had the braised beef pasta. It was nicely presented & tasted good, although again, it didn't quite have that'wow' factor I would expect at this level. My friend's pasta was also well prepared but needed a little salt & pepper, which would have been nice to have offered at the table.
The atmosphere is definitely one of Mare's strengths. The restaurant was clean & beautifully decorated. I loved the paintings, checkered flooring, dark lighting & overall romantic ambience. It feels elegant & intimate.
One thing I really think management should reconsider, though, is the music. At one point it sounded like regular radio music was playing, which felt very out of place with such a classy & carefully designed environment. A designated playlist matching the atmosphere would make a surprisingly big difference because the music created a noticeable contrast with the fine-dining setting.
The cocktails were decent but not particularly memorable. I had a Negroni-style cocktail under a different name; it was good, just not something I would specifically return for. Next time, I would probably stick to wine.
Overall, very good service, beautiful atmosphere & good food. Mare has a lot going for it, but with a little more refinement in the food details, cocktail program & especially the music selection, it could easily feel like a more complete fine-dining experience.
Most places in the Old Port are tourist traps. Mare is a GEM among these. It is aesthetically perfect. The service is incredible - so professional, polished, poised & welcoming. The food is very yummy & very fairly priced especially when compared to the overpriced meals you'll find scattered around the Old Port. My piece of advice for any of you visiting the Old Port, choose Mare & have a meal you will enjoy every aspect of. Thank you so much to Bruno & Bass for their wonderful service & the rest of the staff as well. I cannot wait to come back.
One of the best meals period we had in Canada . Bass was the restaurant manager & hands down made the evening even more incredible. We were so impressed by how professional he was & how he seemed to really enjoy his job. His recommendations were great! We had the tasting menu & everything was so flavorful. The gnocchi w porcini mushrooms was phenomenal. The appetizers were delicious. Wine pairing recommendation was spot on. They were very kind to my son too. Everyone was great.
Truly excellent experience! Beautifully crafted dishes, refined flavors, & top-quality ingredients. Impeccable service: attentive & professional. A special thanks to Bruno for his recommendations on both the dishes & wine pairings, which made the dinner even more memorable. Highly recommended!
Servizio professionale e molto attento ai dettagli. Il personale è cortese e sempre disponibile, rendendo l'esperienza davvero piacevole. Il cibo è eccellente, con una qualità delle materie prime altissima e piatti curati in ogni minimo particolare. L'atmosfera è elegante e raffinata, e il locale si presenta impeccabile e molto pulito. Consigliatissimo!
We came back after a few months & the service was noticeably better. The two Italian guys who welcomed us were professional & very attentive.
The food was great, but the real highlight was the cocktail list, truly exceptional drinks!
At the end of the dinner, Bruno prepared a tableside Sgroppino for us, which was a wonderful touch. Special thanks to him.
Highly recommended.
The music selection was amazing, such a great vibe!
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
A true gem in the Old Port. Designed with class, & a beautiful atmosphere. We were greeted by an excellent waiter (Andy) his smile, his experience, so professional & he guided us throughout the evening. Thank you Andy . The presentation & flavours of each dish was just mind blowing . Definitely returning to Mare .
Very expensive, & poor food quality. Everything (filet mignon, pasta, etc) was way too salty, barely edible. The tuna tartare appetizer was good but barely three bites. The place is nice though & service professional.
The service truly stood out above everything else. Every detail was given such care, & the entire team was exceptionally professional. The food was also outstanding, & our waiter guided us beautifully throughout the evening. The restaurant itself is stunning - it perfectly blends a trendy, modern look with Old Port charm & subtle Italian touches. Overall, it was an excellent experience, so much so that we immediately booked to return the following weekend with friends.
