Pasta Pooks serves handmade pasta shaped by traditional techniques and seasonal ingredients. The kitchen produces delicate ravioli and tender gnocchi that carry authentic flavors in every bite. Each bowl relies on fresh components to define the character of the preparations. The interior space remains compact, creating a sensory environment that centers entirely on the warmth of the food. These dishes provide a focused exploration of texture and flavor, where the natural quality of the dough remains the primary feature of the meal. Simple preparation methods ensure the integrity of every noodle, providing a direct connection to the kitchen's approach to scratch-made staples.
Pasta Pooks is widely celebrated for its exceptional, high-quality handmade pasta and standout dishes like the ricotta and spinach ravioli, gnocchi, and signature tiramisu. Many diners describe it as a premier destination in Montreal for authentic, seasonal Italian cuisine, often praising the vibrant atmosphere, warm service, and thoughtful wine pairings. While some visitors find the restaurant to be on the pricier side with smaller portion sizes, and occasionally note challenges related to the small, loud space or long wait times, the majority of patrons consider the culinary experience to be well worth the visit and frequently return for the heartfelt, top-tier food.
We had been waiting a long time to try Pasta Pooks it did not disappoint. From the first touch of service all the way to the to go box we took home, this was a perfect dining experience. Service was attentive without being overbearing, recommendations for wine & course flow we're excellent & the food was perfect. You can tell everything is handmade, fresh & seasonal. The homemade bread & butter are a must. We went with the Spaghettoni (favourite dish by far) then the Ricotta & Spinach raviolis that were nice & light. Incredible evening, their patio would be a great shout for earlier in the evening if you can snag a spot
July 26 update
4th visit to Pasta Pooks, & it's just as good every time.
Even after just getting back from Italy, this Montreal Italian staple continues to impress & consistently delivers.
We didn't have a reservation, so we put our name down, grabbed a drink, & about 40 minutes later we were seated on the terrace. The service was lovely from start to finish.
The fennel salad to start was fresh & delicious. We shared the Ravioli di Ricotta e Spinaci & the Triangoli con Stracchino e Funghi, & both were outstanding. Paired with a nice Montepulciano, it made for another memorable meal.
Four visits in, & Pasta Pooks never disappoints. 🇮🇹🍝🍷❤?
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.
Tout était franchement exceptionnel! Nous avons laissé notre serveur choisir nos plats & c'était renversant. Une note parfaite pour les pâtes au homard, raviolis ricotta & épinards + triangoli aux champi. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jul 14, 2026
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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.
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.
