Overall, reviews of Rita describe a warm, inviting Italian spot with a focus on house-made dishes and fresh ingredients, where pizzas, pastas, and imaginative twists are repeatedly praised for flavor and quality. The atmosphere is repeatedly called cozy and charming, with a lively, family-run vibe that many enjoy, though the space can get noisy when busy. Service is often described as friendly, attentive, and capable, with several outstanding mentions of helpful staff, while a minority of reviews note moments of rushed pacing, pushiness, or inconsistent attentiveness. While value is generally seen as fair and meals frequently described as generous and satisfying, some readers point to occasional pricing surprises or a less satisfying takeout pizza. In short, Rita is often recommended for a delightful dining experience with strong dishes and a welcoming vibe, with a few caveats about noise, service rhythm, and occasional menu hiccups.
On Monday May 19,2025, we were there at 6:30 with 4 people, First time in Montreal. My kids dropped a folk on floor, right away, they bring you a new one with a smiling face, the food was amazing & you could taste the favours of the food. The decor, plates & utensils look clean. I would recommend this place who love Italian food, clean place with great customer service.
May 21, 2025
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This restaurant was introduced by my Italian friend. The tastes is local. It's fresh pasta. The restaurant was pretty packed, but fortunately we were able to get a reservation one hour after we came. (Came about 8, got a table about 9:30). (Ps. They don't have tiramisu.)
Rita in Verdun has been one of our go-to spots for the last 5 years, & it's been amazing every single time. It's hard to find a place that not only meets but constantly goes beyond your expectations, & Rita nails it. The staff, many of whom have been there for years, really care about giving you the best experience possible. You can feel their passion, & it makes the whole vibe super warm & welcoming. The kitchen team, led by one of the most down-to-earth & talented chefs in Montreal, deserves a huge shoutout. Every dish-from their fresh salads to their delicious pastas & pizzas-shows just how much skill & love goes into the food. The energy in the restaurant is contagious! you can see how much the chefs, servers, & bartenders enjoy what they do, & it totally rubs off on you as soon as you walk in. The cozy, charming dining room just adds to the overall experience, making it 1 of my top 3 Italian places in Montreal, which says a lot considering how many there are. Whether you're dropping in for a casual dinner or something special, Ritaa always delivers. Big thanks to the whole team for making every visit so great-keep it up!
I have been to this restaurant a few times, it's always full even in the week days, highly recommend make a reservation before you go. The menu is small, mostly are pizza & pasta,like other italian resturants. The sauce of pasta was simple & fresh, very tasty; The crust of pizza was so thin that it's a bit super burnt. I would like to recommend their starter - Gâteau Savoureux, it's well mixed with charcuterie, cheddar & salad, perfect egg on the top of dish, brought all flavors in the mouth, amazing! About the services, depends on which waiter/waitress. Although some are in rush, they always clean the table between starter & main course, & change the cutlery
I recently had the pleasure of dining at this wonderful Italian restaurant, & I must say, it was an absolute delight! The menu offered a wide array of classic Italian dishes, & everything we tried was bursting with flavor & authenticity. The pizzas were particularly outstanding! I would highly recommend trying the pizza over the pasta, although both were delicious!
I've been to rita twice now & wow one of my favourite little italian restaurants! The ambiance & service are perfect, but the food is excellent! Parts of the menu change with the season & I find that so fun m/ original & it's why it makes me want to go back. A must try in verdun!
Mar 6, 2024
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Rita is one of the better restaurants in town (superb food, superb service, superb dining experience), right now. Smart move on their part not to go with yet another classic Italian formula (there are many good classic Italian restaurants, already, in & around Montreal), but to inspire themselves from Italy & come up with something that is cosmopolitan & contemporary exactly like the city where they are situated, Montreal, which allows them to think outside the box when need be (even though, the core Italian flavour profiles are there, for the undistracted minds), & that is a good thing. Here's what I found impressive about Rita: they could have walked away with some approximate Italian food with the excuse that "Hey...I already told ya that I am just a bit of Italy but mostly a lot of Montreal", as per what they clearly mentioned on their instagram, but No...they have opted to be Italian where it should be & doing it very well. That is the kind of action that deserves high respect. Top respect! As for their Pastry Cheffe, wow wow wow (her creations taste great, superb finesse in those creations too). A gifted Pastry Cheffe. I'll happily go back.
Best Italian in town, hands down. Every dish will blow your mind, I promise-I've been here multiple times & never leave disappointed. The service is always above & beyond, & the atmosphere is always buzzing. Perfect for birthday dinners, date nights, or "just because I'm craving a pizza, & it's Wednesday" kinda meals.
Rita is amazing, an authentic Italian food experience, I've been multiple times & always left more than satisfied & very pleased with the service. Shout out to chefs Erica & Joey who made our the dessert for our wedding, Rita's amazing olive oil cake, I would highly recommend if you have room for it ;)
Rita is DELICIOUS! My mouth is salivating just thinking about the food. We had Nonna Lia's cake, the cavatelli with fresh buffarella, & the Verdun hot honey pizza (highly recommend trying the spicy oil on top!) What I really loved too, were the portions. Everything was so fresh, & not too overwhelming. It was just the right amount of food for us. Overall great atmosphere, mouth-watering Italian food, charming back story, & superbe service. I would 100% come back!
