Ristorante Donato is described as a refined Italian dining spot with a chic, modern ambiance that suits everything from business meals to special occasions. Dishes range from arancini and fennel salad to seafood specialties and pastas, with many noting flavorful, well prepared plates and highlights such as mushroom pasta, branzino, octopus, and the tiramisu. Service is frequently praised as efficient, attentive, and considerate, with staff able to adapt to guests rhythm and even offer thoughtful touches like candle desserts and prompt refills. The atmosphere is often lauded for its decor and lighting, though the space can be noisy and busy at peak times, which can affect the dining experience. Pricing and portions receive mixed feedback, with some calling prices high for the amount of food and others finding the quality and setting worth the cost. Overall, Ristorante Donato emerges as a reliable choice for high quality Italian fare, elegant design, and strong service, while visitors should be mindful of possible pacing, crowding, and price relative to portions.
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Donato is a nice Italian restaurant with a small menu. The pasta was really good the first time we went, though I wish there were more options. The second time, I tried the steak, but it was overcooked - I had asked for medium, & it came burnt, so I wouldn't recommend the steak unless you make it very clear.
The pistachio tiramisu was absolutely delicious! I really hope they keep it on the menu. Overall, it's a good spot, but they could definitely add a bit more variety.
Enjoyed lunch yesterday with a friend at Ristorante Donato. The ambiance is elegant & lovely. The flowers at the entrance were so gorgeous we thought they were fake!
I selected the Table d'hôte, while my dining companion just ordered the pasta with mushrooms.
The fennel salad was the star of the meal for me, crisp & fresh with a tasty dressing. It was so good, I forgot to take a photo of it! I found the pasta slightly undercooked, however did not want to bother the kitchen to re-cook it. It was still tasty with a generous portion of mushrooms, served with freshly grated Parmesan. The portion was a good size.
The tiramisu was underwhelming. Although it was creamy, there was not much flavour of coffee or chocolate. The accompanying fruit was great!
Being a tea drinker, I found it odd that the restaurant doesn't offer the option of tea with the table d'hôte (only coffee).
My friend & I both enjoyed the complementary garlic focaccia, fresh & served warm. She enjoyed her glass of Prosecco!
Service was good but not overly warm or friendly (though the hostess was welcoming!).
We were celebrating my friend's birthday, & they were kind enough to put a candle in the dessert, which was appreciated.
Oct 21, 2025
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Walking in, the vibe immediately whispers fine dining meets business power lunch 💼🍷 - but don't worry, even in a dress with sneakers, I felt totally at home (& maybe even a little chic 😏). The place oozes elegance with its lush greenery 🌿, statement furniture, & those dreamy lighting fixtures that make you feel like you've stepped into a magazine spread. Bonus: the flowers at the entrance? So stunning we thought they were fake 🌸😂.
👨?🍳 Food Highlights:
• Arancini = fantabulous little golden bites of joy 🤌🧀.
• Beet salad = fresh, earthy, colorful - a plate that could double as art 🎨🥗.
• Fennel salad stole the show - crisp, refreshing, & dressed perfectly. It was so good I forgot to take a picture 📸 (food blogger fail!).
• Mushroom pasta 🍄: generous portion, beautifully cheesy with Parmesan snow ❄?🧀 - though slightly undercooked. Still tasty enough that I didn't send it back.
• Tiramisu = creamy but… meh. Missing that bold coffee + cocoa punch ☕🍫. The fruit on the side, however, did bring some redemption.
• Garlic focaccia = warm, fresh, fluffy carb-love 🥖💛. Complimentary, but tasted like it deserved its own spot on the menu.
🥂 My friend sipped her bubbly Prosecco with a grin, & the staff even slipped a candle into her dessert 🎂✨ for her birthday. Sweet touch!
👩?💼 Service: Good & efficient, but not overly warm. The hostess, however, was lovely & welcoming right from the start.
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👉 Verdict: Donato is where you go when you want refined dining, gorgeous ambiance, & plates you'd never whip up at home. Some dishes absolutely sang 🎶 (hello fennel salad + arancini), others could use a bit more wow factor (sorry tiramisu 👀). Still, with the elegant décor & thoughtful touches, it's a place that makes you feel like you've traveled - even if you haven't hopped on a plane 🌍✈?.
The atmosphere is nice, the owner is super NICE.
The food was below my expectations, but the owner was nice enough to come to our table & took the time to get our feedback & explain why the food can be different from our expectations & why might be different from other fungi pizza I had at the other places.
The tiramisu was very good.
This upscale Italian restaurant truly excelled in its pasta dishes. The decor was elegant & charming, the waitstaff provided meticulous & friendly service. The pasta was remarkably fresh & delicate, featuring a light & airy texture that paired exquisitely with a Tuscan red wine. Though we rarely order dessert, the Tiramisu & the Orange Olive Oil cake were both tempting & unforgettable. The espresso was rich & aromatic, that we can smell from afar.
We arranged to have my daughter's birthday party here on a Saturday evening- party of 11! We got excellent service & everything was very personable & warm. The inside is warm & inviting & very photogenic (if you're into that sort of thing, as my teen daughter is!). We ate mostly the pizzas & pastas which were great, filling & reasonably priced. Other items on the menu are significantly more expensive but the quality is definitely there. Delicious tiramisu too. I had a great cocktail too.
The tiramisu here was one of the best I've ever had. In the past I've experienced tiramisus where the coffee liqueur had been waay too strong & overpowering but here I had the most harmonious balance of all the flavours.Absolutely phenomenal!!!!
Dec 27, 2024
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Had a very good lunch at the restaurant, for a very affordable "table d'hôte". The linguine I had, tasted good. Tiramisu & the coffee at the end were very good. Nice service as well.
It was my first time at the restaurant last night & it was absolutely phenomenal! I went for a birthday & we had the group menu! Every bite was heavenly. Each plate tasted Devine & if I had to choose a place for my last meal, it would be at Donato's. lol Amazing team & service & the chefs nailed every dish! It was worth every penny & the exceeded our expectations. Keep up the great work! Oh & the Tiramisu was so amazing, fresh & light.
Have been wanting to go here forever & it finally happened!! Had such a high hopes & I was not disappointed! Our waiter was Darwiche & he was just ok. The food was excellent though! We got calamari & oysters as appetizers then we both got pasta for our main course. We finished off the night with amazing tiramisu! Music was not too loud. It was such a nice, lively atmosphere. Would definitely recommend!
Feb 10, 2024
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Located on Sherbrooke street in the commercial district of Westmount, Donato is an excellent Italian style resto with a very warm décor, classic menu options & solid service. Overall, the restaurant has a somber, subtle & quiet ambiance which makes it great for a quiet night for two. While we were there there were several larger group tables & we didn't notice until leaving. As for the menu, all the classics are there including pastas, meats, fishes & pizzas. For our group we had Caesar Salad (good...nothing great, nothing bad), Fried Calamari (very good...meat was tender, not chewy & the batter was crispy), three different pasta dishes (Conchiglie Pomodoro, Spaghetti with Lobster & Rigatoni Bianco) all of which were excellent & tasty. For dessert we had the Tiramisu & the Chocolate Terrine (both of which were very good). Services was always within reach & very friendly, with the two services delivered with little delay. Would certainly be coming back for a second visit. Enjoy!
