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The 7 Best Italian Restaurants in Montreal [2023]

When it comes to Italian food, Montreal is definitely a city that knows what it’s doing. From classic old-world pasta dishes to modern seafood creations, the options are endless when it comes to finding an amazing Italian meal. 

So, if you’re looking for the best of the best, check out our list of the 5 best Italian restaurants in Montreal!

1) Lucca

Since opening in 1999, Lucca has become known as the restaurant ” par excellence ” for enjoying an authentic traditional Italian meal. The warm atmosphere and friendly staff that you’ll find here will make your experience feel like home while they whip up some of their delicious dishes to take away!

They offer a variety of dining options for every taste and budget. From its daily specials that change with the seasons to its unforgettable house specialities, such as Linguine Frutti di Mare alla Marinara (pasta and fresh seafood simmered in a homemade tomato sauce) or Costata di Vitello con polenta (veal chop with mashed cornmeal), Lucca has something for everyone. 

Lucca’s wine list is the perfect accessory for any meal you’re trying. With its diverse selection of wines from all over Italy, there will be one that perfectly compliments your dish and flavours like no other. Lucca’s team of staff, cooks and sommeliers are perfect gentlemen who take great pride in providing you with an utterly wonderful experience. 

They’ll help you choose the dish and wine that will make your meal memorable. It can be difficult to find a great restaurant when there are so many options, but their team is here for every step in making sure everything goes smoothly!

Business Information:

Website:restaurantlucca.ca
Email:restolucca@gmail.com
Telephone:+15142786502
Address:12 Rue Dante, Montréal, QC H2S 1J5, Canada

Customer Review:
“ If you've never tried restaurant Lucca, what are you waiting for!! I'm Italian and this has to be my favorite Italian restaurant in Montreal. It's one of the more upscale Italian restaurants in Montreal. Very cozy, great food and the staff is very friendly!! Finally got to go back last week after a year! My favorite dishes are the burrata as an appetizer, the seafood pasta (ask for it with red sauce) and the chocolate soufflé!! And if you are lucky enough to be there when zucchini flowers are in season... Get them!!Thank you for a wonderful evening!! “

2) Café San Gennaro

San Gennaro is a family-owned restaurant that specializes in authentic Italian cuisine. They are committed to using only high-quality ingredients and making everything themselves from scratch, which gives them full control over the food preparation process as well as allowing for an unparalleled level of customer service where every dish comes out prepared just how you like it! 

The food at this family-owned restaurant is influenced by southern Italian cooking and coffee culture, making it a great place for anyone who loves either one of these things. San Gennaro is a favourite place in the area for its delicious pizza, gelato and pastries. 

They make one of the best pizzas in Montreal, with a crispy crust and fresh ingredients and its size will make you feel full for hours. And also don`t forget to treat yourself to a delicious desserts menu, from bomboloni to tiramisu. 

The cosy, small neighbourhood cafe is the perfect place to try something traditional. The service here has always been fast and efficient with great customer care from all of the staff!

Business Information:

Website:sangennaro.ca
Telephone:+15142736868
Address:69 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montréal, QC H2S 1K7, Canada

Customer Review:
“ Medina, the Manager, is incredible and helpful. The pizza and dessert are fantastic. Cannolis, which are my favourite dessert, are to die for 😋. And the two young men who served me, Deven and Isidoro, gave an excellent service. We would need one Cafe San Gennaro in Terrebonne ☺️ “

3) Il Pagliaccio

Il Pagliaccio is a restaurant that specializes in traditional Italian cooking. Whether it is a plate of oysters, the artichoke and eggplant appetizer, pizza, the special pasta dish, a special veal dish or homemade pasta – everything is here! 

They take their inspiration from the rich traditions of theatre and music, which can be seen through both designs as well food choices for this place. They use only the finest ingredients to ensure that their dishes are both flavourful and healthy. 

They carefully choose from artisanal producers in Quebec, Italy or elsewhere around the world for a unique experience every time you dine with them. 

They are always excited to introduce their extensive wine list. They have over 800 labels and expert knowledge of each vineyard, so whether you’re looking for a dry red or sweet white wine they’ve got what’s right for your taste buds! 

They want to invite you into their dining room, where the atmosphere is uniquely Italian so come enjoy a meal steeped in pure tradition and history with the best customer service ever!

Business Information:

Website:restaurantilpagliaccio.com
Email:ilpagliaccio@videotron.ca
Telephone:+15142766999
Address:Canada, 365 Avenue Laurier Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H2V 2K5, Canada

Customer Review:
“ Genuine, authentic, laidback is, a low key experience with big, big returns. The freshness of ingredients, the simple presentation that highlights the food, beautiful tastes and great service. A memorable experience. Can't wait to go back. If I lived in Montreal it would be weekly."
- John

4) Mucca

When you want to experience the authentic flavours of Italy, head on down to Mucca.The food here is extraordinary and the atmosphere couldn’t possibly feel more welcoming. A hidden gem in the heart of Little Italy, this restaurant offers some truly delicious food. 

They offer a variety of pasta, bread & cakes to satisfy your taste. They have homemade gluten-free pasta in addition to the more traditional varieties you’ll find at other restaurants around town. This homemade pasta is a delicious way to enjoy an authentic Italian dining experience.

They also offer Prime Canadian beef and lemon tiramisu that will leave you wanting more of this perfect dessert for any occasion. The decor in this restaurant is minimalistic and trendy, making it a great place for those looking to break from the mold of traditional restaurants. 

The service at this restaurant is top-notch and their waiters always make some excellent recommendations for the wine, steak or dessert!

Business Information:

Website:mucca.ca
Email:muccamtl@gmail.com
Telephone:+14383753033
Address:236 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montréal, QC H2S 1L1, Canada

Customer Review:
“ Honestly incredible through and though. Service was good and the food even better. I've never had a steak like that in my life and redefined cooked to perfection! The owner and his wife were so welcoming and friendly, spent a lot of time with us talking about their culinary experiences and teaching us about the food we ate... They are proud and very passionate about what they do. We'll be back for sure 🙂 “

5) Le Serpent

Le Serpent, a world-renowned Italian restaurant in Montreal is known for being one of the best places to eat. Whether it’s for a business meeting or just to enjoy an evening with friends, Le Serpent will make your experience something special. 

Their menu features a selection of fresh seafood, including oysters and maple mignonette. They also offer crudo (a raw dish made from fish) as well as risotto or tarted dishes like the maple-squash tart for those who enjoy dessert before their meal ends with an authentic Italian coffee ceremony. 

You won’t be disappointed if you go there and it will probably become one of your favourite places to eat when visiting this city. The cocktails are perfect and the service cannot be beaten. 

The staff at the front desk is also very friendly and they do everything they can to make your visit as enjoyable and informative as possible!

Business Information:

Website:leserpent.ca
Telephone:+15143164666
Address:257 Rue Prince, Montréal, QC H3C 2N4, Canada

Customer Review:
“ Excellent food and impeccable service. Highly recommend! I'm not much of a seafood eater but every plate I tried was delicious and we couldn't put it down, highest compliments to the Chef and his team! “

6) Beatrice

Nestled in the heart of downtown Montreal’s Golden Square Mile district, Beatrice is an Italian eatery with a flair for flavour and style. They are confident that their one-of-a-kind gastronomical experience will leave you with an unmatched taste for modern Italian food. 

Whether it’s the delicious food, or how friendly and professional everyone is in this restaurant – everything about this place makes you feel like a million bucks. 

Their menu features delectable Italian dishes like Squid ink pasta, Lobster Spaghetti and Risotto. They also offer Caesar salad and Gnocchi which is a delicious dish made out of potatoes served in a rich creamy sauce with puff pastry dough topped off by grated cheese! 

The food at Beatrice is a reflection of freshness, flavour and simplicity. They craft each dish with care, using seasonal and artisanal ingredients cultivated in Quebec. 

Their terrace and garden is the perfect spot to enjoy refined dishes in historic surroundings while soaking up some sun on your vacation from life! 

They are committed to offering you a unique dining experience that will leave your taste buds satisfied and will bring you back again for more!

Business Information:

Website:beatriceristorante.com
Email:mcaprio@beatriceristorante.com
Telephone:+15149376009
Address:1504 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal, QC H3G 1L3, Canada

Customer Review:
“ We were 10 and every single plate we tried was outstanding, from the taste to the presentation all of which served at a perfect temperature. The service was amazing, quick and courteous, the server was always close by. It was our first time there and we were all very happy with the experience, thanks to all the staff 🙂 We also got one of the best table in a decor like never seen in Montreal. Definitely recommend! “

7) La Panzeria Café - Panzerotti - Cuisine

La Panzeria Café is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious Italian meal. The restaurant features homemade dishes that are cooked in traditional southern Italian style. The staff members are passionate about their work and strive to make each customer’s meal a unique and memorable experience. 

La Panzeria features top-quality focaccia, pasta, coffee, Mojito, and much more. In addition to this great selection of food items, the café also offers a secret drink on its menu – the Mojito! They also serve bombolonis (a type of doughnut) which are some of Montreal’s best!

They believe that the key to making great Italian food is using fresh, high-quality ingredients. This means sourcing the best tomatoes for your pizzas, the freshest herbs for your pasta dishes, and the creamiest mozzarella for your lasagnas. 

If you’re looking for a truly authentic Italian experience in Montreal, then La Panzeria Café should definitely be on your list!

Business Information:

Website: lapanzeria.ca
Email: Lapanzeriamtl@gmail.com
Telephone: +15142191110
Address: 4084 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec H2W 2M5

Customer Review:
“La Panzeria is absolutely spectacular. The owner and staff take such great care for all food and drink they make. And you can’t get any fresher of high quality Italian products and food anywhere else. The owner was fantastic and treated all guests as family. This is one of the best places I’ve ever been and some of the best food I’ve had.”
FAQs about Italian Restaurants

Italy is a country that has been associated with lower levels of cancer, heart disease and inflammatory illnesses. The use fresh ingredients in their cooking practices can be one way to enjoy longer life span!

There are some common ingredients that appear in many Italian dishes like olive oil, tomatoes, pasta, and cheese are all staples of Italian cooking. These ingredients can be used in a variety of different dishes, from simple pasta recipes to more complex multi-course meals.

There are many delicious Italian dishes that everyone can enjoy. Here are a few popular dishes you can choose from; spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, pizza, ravioli, and chicken parmesan. Each of these dishes are all incredibly tasty.

The cost of Italian food can vary depending on the type of restaurant you go to. However, on average, you can expect to pay around $10-$20 per person for a meal. This includes an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert.

Conclusion

Montreal is a city that offers a variety of Italian restaurants, each with their own unique flavors and dishes. Whether you are looking for a classic Italian meal or something more modern, these five restaurants are sure to please. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start sampling!