Pasta Pooks invites diners to a pasta-forward experience in Montreal's vibrant Mile End. This lively neighborhood hub blends urban energy with a welcoming, neighborhood bistro feel, and Pasta Pooks fits right in with its warm tones and inviting scent of Italian comfort. The menu focuses on pasta as the centerpiece, pairing simple, bright flavors with thoughtful technique. Diners will appreciate a relaxed atmosphere, where rustic noodles meet contemporary presentation and a selection of wines and non-alcoholic options. It is an approachable spot for casual weeknight dinners, friendly gatherings, and leisurely weekend meals. Pasta Pooks promises a memorable sense of place, where familiar shapes become new favorites, and the city's affection for good pasta shines through.
Overall, reviews describe Pasta Pooks as a standout for fresh handmade pasta, bold yet balanced sauces, and a warm casual vibe in Little Italy with a small, cozy dining room and a lively energy, and diners repeatedly call it the best pasta in Montreal, praising dishes like ricotta and spinach ravioli, gnocchi, casoncelli mantovani, bolognese, and tiramisu while noting strong wine recommendations and friendly, attentive service; caveats include sometimes small portions for the price, occasional heavy use of butter in some sauces, a cramped or noisy space, and occasional pricing or takeout glitches, with some visitors finding the terrace worth it in summer and others preferring takeout due to crowding. Overall, Pasta Pooks is a must-try for pasta lovers, delivering standout flavors and a personal touch that makes many want to return to explore more on the rotating menu.
Delicious food, quick service, & a reasonably sized outdoor patio. Definitely need to come back & try the rest of the pasta options, as this order was mostly non-pasta dishes.
On the menu:
• Salade de Fenouil & Olives
• Baccalà Mantecato (Creamed Cod)
• Piatto di Antipasti Misto (Mixed Appetizer Platter)
• Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci (Ricotta & Spinach Ravioli)
• Poutine Pooks Italienne
• Lemon Pookie Cheesesteak
J'avais de grandes attentes après en avoir tant entendu parler, & j'ai enfin pu tester ce restaurant maintenant que les réservations sont possibles.
Les pâtes étaient excellentes. À trois, nous avons goûté presque toute la carte (4 plats de pâtes + 1 entrée), ce qui donne une bonne idée des portions qui sont plutôt petites, (mais cela permet de goûter à plusieurs plats). Tout était très réussi, avec un gros coup de coeur pour les pâtes aux champignons ainsi que les raviolis épinards-ricotta, vraiment au-dessus du lot.
Les choix de vins au verre sont également appréciables. La nouvelle salle est agréable, même si c'est un peu dommage qu'il n'y ait pas plus de tables.
J'y retournerai sans hésiter. Parfait pour une soirée entre amis ou une date.
Apr 26, 2026
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Pretty disappointing overall. I tried the spinach/ricotta ravioli, & the sauce was basically melted butter, not creamy, not flavorful, just… there & plain. The ravioli filling had no real taste, & the spinach was completely bland.
The tagliatelle bolognese had plenty of meat, but the flavor profile was flat. On top of that, the pasta was overcooked, which didn't help. There are definitely better pasta spots out there.
The cheesesteak was another miss. The meat was chewy, the bread was chewy, & the whole thing was hard to get through. Not my style of cheesesteak at all.
Overall, not worth the hype. If you're already in the area, maybe give it a try, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it.
'Best pasta in Montreal'? Not even close. This place is all hype, zero substance.
The ricotta & spinach ravioli had about as much ricotta as a green juice. It was basically spinach wrapped in dough. Bland, unbalanced, & honestly embarrassing for a dish that simple. This is entry level pasta & they still managed to miss.
The fennel salad was completely destroyed by a heavy, confused dressing that overpowered everything. No finesse, no restraint, just a mess on a plate.
Then you look at the menu & it all makes sense. Four mains & a wine list that reads like a novel. Over 200 bottles. Priorities are clearly not in the kitchen.
I keep seeing people call this place'the best.' Compared to what, airport food?
At best, it is a 2.5 on a generous day. Save your money & go somewhere that actually knows how to cook pasta.
The food is delicious. Pasta as it would be in a very good trattoria in Italy. What does not work at all is the price, that is outrageous. 55 dollars (with taxtes & tip) for a bowl of ricotta-spinach ravioli & a tiny glass of natural wine, you know the one that looks like pineapple juice & tastes worse. In fact the wine list is insanely priced & utterly hip, as if this was a Michelin-starred joint, run by a dude fom Williamsburg. In fact you just ate at the bar, perched on a stool, & looking at the wall. Avoid the place, save some money & try to visit Bologna instead.
Pâtes somptueuses & authentiques. Gnocchi alla ricotta comme un nuage en bouche. N'hésitez pas à essayer les autres plats comme les entrées, très originales. Beau choix de vins aussi. Pasta Pooks, à découvrir absolument!
This is the pasta restaurant I've been dreaming of & that comes closest to the authentic homemade pasta that I had in Italy. We skipped the appetizers so that we could try all three of the daily pastas: spaghettoni al ragù d'anatra (thicker spaghetti with a ground duck sauce), casoncelli mantovani (pasta stuffed with squash & coated in a brown butter sage sauce), & ricotta gnocchis in a parmesan & pomodoro sauce (they were like little pillows!). Each pasta dish was cooked to perfection with the right texture & the right balance of flavours. I debated reordering the casoncelli mantovani but refrained since I was trying to be responsible!
We finished the meal with the tiramisu, which we agreed was the best we had ever eaten.
Beautiful wine selection & the service was also really great. The atmosphere in the restaurant was really vibrant, maybe a little too loud for our tastes but totally acceptable given the excellent experience overall. The prices were VERY reasonable for the quality of the meal. I can't wait to return.
Jan 25, 2026
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Pasta Pooks in Montréal is absolutely delicious. The food is first rate & well worth the visit. The space is small, though they are expanding, which will be welcome given how popular it is.
We shared the fried zucchini flower to start, followed by the bean salad, pesto gnocchi, & spinach ricotta ravioli. Every dish was excellent. We sat at the counter , staff was really friendly .We waited about thirty minutes for a spot, but it was absolutely worth it for such outstanding food.
A very casual, small pasta shop that focuses on producing homemade high-quality pasta dishes. It's a nice addition to Montreal's Little Italy neighbourhood. The menu is very limited with only 3-4 pasta choices, & I wasn't able to order the gnocchis for takeout for some reason. But I was able to find a dish I liked, the spinach ricotta ravioli. Which to be honest, was absolutely delicious & quite filling that it literally melts in your mouth! However, in general, I think the portions are on the smaller side because the restaurant seems to be focused on the quality of ingredients. I would go back again since they seem like they switch up their menu every few months, but I was disappointed the outdoor patio wasn't available when I went to the restaurant. Therefore, it might be better to order takeout since the restaurant has limited counter seats & can get quite cramped during the busy hours. I recommend eating at the nearby Little Italy Park, as there are tables available.
Aug 9, 2025
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Ravioli was a 10/10 - soo good & perfectly filled! You get to actually taste the flavour of the ricotta & spinach filling because there is a generous amount inside. Probably one of the most delicious pasta I've ever had!
Excellent resto! L'entrée de salade de fenouil est excellente & généreuse, & nous avons pris les raviolis Ricotta Épinards qui étaient vraiment bons!
Peu de places assises, mais un petit comptoir qui amène du charme à cette place. On va revenir assurément.
Ps: les portions ne paraissent pas énormes, mais on est plein très rapidement. Parole de bon mangeur 😉
