Reviews of Nora Gray paint a picture of a small, intimate Italian spot with a warm, stylish vibe and a strong emphasis on fresh pasta and wine, but with results that vary by visit. Positive notes highlight attentive service, knowledgeable staff when it comes to wine pairings, and memorable experiences at the bar with great recommendations; several dishes and desserts are praised for their balance, texture, and originality, and the overall atmosphere is described as cozy and welcoming, making it a good choice for dates or special occasions. On the other hand, some visits are described as overpriced for the portions, with mains not always filling, and occasional missteps in kitchen execution or timing; the dining room can be cold or noisy, and service can be slow or misdirected at times, detracting from the experience. The wine list and dessert selections are frequently mentioned as strengths, while price-to-value and consistency are common points of critique, though many still plan to return to chase a more consistent, higher-impact meal. Overall Nora Gray is viewed as a refined option worth trying for confident food and wine, with room for improvement in consistency and comfort.
Great experience overall with knowledgable waitress. She pointed us in the right direction with wine choice & we pretty well let her choose our dishes, she did a fantastic job! I still prefer Gia over Nora Gray but I like how it's a different menu.
Lovely little restaurant aesthetically, great staff. I have been hearing about this spot for a while now & I have to say our experience was a letdown. We ordered most of the menu & everything was simply just okay - plus two people from our party got sick after dining here. I don't think I would try it again, especially considering the price of dishes.
Jun 24, 2025
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Nora Gray delivers a standout food & wine experience. Service is top-notch, the Italian dishes are inventive, & the natural wine list is full of surprises. Highly recommend.
Had a lovely early dinner here on a Saturday before a Canadiens game at the nearby Bell Centre. I sat at the bar & was treated to excellent service by Arianne, who masterfully guided me through the menu & the wines on offer by the glass. Very eclectic crowd including hockey fans & staff who had the night off but still brought their friends for the food, & the place was hopping very quickly after opening. I wouldn't be surprised if regulars come here just for the appetisers - the mackerel was prepared beautifully. So much flavour from such a simple preparation, & not easy to get it that moist & delicious. I'd return just to have that dish! Arianne suggested two appetiser size pasta dishes. The pasta is made in-house, & really stands out in a city with good Italian food. I tried the rotolo, which was spinach rolled in a pasta sheet, with a perfect tomato sauce. The spaghetti alla chitarra was divine - both dishes paired perfectly with the Tuscan Sangiovese red that was recommended. A strong espresso worked beautifully for the affogato to finish off a very good meal. Will definitely visit again!
The server staff was excellent. Super friendly & very welcoming. Atmosphere & ambience were also really nice & relaxing. However... The portions of each plate are VERY SMALL. It's fine Italian dining but much smaller than portions in Italy. DO NOT GO if you are really hungry. This is a really nice restaurant if you're there to enjoy their wine menu or a cocktail & are fine with trying some dishes to sample, but are only feeling moderately hungry. The serving sizes here don't justify the prices per plate & the menu is seasonal, but small just like their plates. The atmosphere & ambience though definitely give it a nice, local neighborhood vibe.
Nora Grey is a highly celebrated restaurant in Montreal. In terms of service & atmosphere, I can see why. The food though? Good, but way overpriced. Like WAY overpriced. 60$ for half a bavette, & a salad that's been hit with an Exterminatus of parmesan. To illustrate why this is crazy, a steak-frites at Au Pied De Cochon is 40$. 45$ for gnocchi, fettucini ragu & 2 other pasta dishes. The food ia good, don't get me wrong, but nothing about it stands out to justify the price point. & frankly, I make a better ragu. Being italian, it's hard to recommend ANY italian place, but unless you're trying to impress someone who's never had italian food, I would not recommend going.
Nora Gray gives Italy a run for its money. The pasta is impeccable, like someone's nonna is in the kitchen but not a regular nonna, a cool nonna. The perfect balance of simple & unexpected. Absolutely stunning every single time. Even though the pasta is the star of the show, the secondi dishes also never fail to impress. Last night's scallops were cooked to perfection. Wine recommendations consistently immaculate, exciting, recommended with a daring confidence that you'll simply adore. The hostess, Shelby, is delightful & I've never had a less than excellent waiter. Service & dining a 10/10. This spot is easily one of the best restaurants in Montreal. The perfect date spot.
