A significant slice of the Italian diaspora lives in Montreal so it’s no surprise that the city is filled with world-class trattorias and ristorantes. For a memorable pizza party with family and friends, for a romantic date night with sexy pasta or for a fun aperitivo with flowing Aperol spritz and cicchetti, the best Italian restaurants in Montreal await all around the city.
A downtown institution has served osso bucco and other classics in a striking Victorian space for over 60 years. Top-notch pizzas and Tuscan-inspired pastas are the draw at a casual but lively bistro in Little Italy. For outstanding aperitivo, there’s a cool cicchetti bar in Old Montreal.
Whether you’re in the mood for a vintage red-sauce joint or a market-driven hotspot, these places fit the bill. Read on for a guide to Montreal’s 12 best Italian restaurants to book now on OpenTable.
The best Italian restaurants in Montreal – read on for a guide
For spectacular pasta – don’t miss Stellina in Old Montreal
Noodles are a must at Stellina, a self-described pasta factory. Chef Jonathan Agnello’s menu is tiny but mighty, featuring lesser-seen shapes such as the pea pod-like capunti. While there are classic sauce options, the menu also features out-of-the-box choices such as duck ragout and oxtail with bone marrow and sugo, a slow-simmered tomato sauce. Exposed brick interiors and dim lights make Stellina a sought-after spot for date nights.
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For an Italian aperitivo with spritz, pizza and good vibes – visit BEVO Bar + Pizzeria in Old Montreal
This lively restaurant and bar on a charming cobblestoned side street is a versatile hangout. You could stop in for wood-fired pizzas topped with prosciutto and fior di latte, but BEVO Bar + Pizzeria is also a go-to spot for a casual spritz and nibbles with friends or colleagues. The convivial vibe is fueled by a robust antipasti selection (salumi platters, arancini). The good times continue on Fridays and Saturdays when live DJs spin.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Downtown Montreal – try Restaurant Tbsp. in Downtown-Quartier International
This sleek space in the W Hotel is home to one of the city’s more inventive Italian spots. Restaurant Tbsp.’s menu highlights Quebec produce such as whelks (served with umami anchovy butter) and sea buckthorn, which shows up in a vinaigrette on a smoky bean salad. Consider, too, the restaurant’s flexible tasting menu to dip into a variety of dishes including Cornish hen with olive polenta and handmade agnolotti with parmesan broth and cauliflower.
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For special occasions – book a table at Le Muscadin in Old Montreal
Le Muscadin, the grand old signora of Montreal’s Italian dining scene, is known for a gigantic wine cellar with thousands of bottles stashed underground (ask and they’ll usually give you a glimpse). Italian staples abound on the menu: start with prosciutto from Parma or nonna-style meatballs. Then proceed to pasta dishes such as carbonara and clam linguini and meaty mains including veal scallopini with a lemon white wine sauce. For the grand finale, there’s a winning tiramisu.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Little Italy Montreal – visit Il Bazzali in Little Italy
Davide Bazzali, chef and owner of cozy bistro Il Bazzali, made his name by hosting five-course dinners that paired Italian cuisine with opera. While there’s no stage here, you might still be treated to an impromptu aria—Bazzali is known for singing in the kitchen. Expect hearty dishes such as Tuscan-style ravioli, seasonal risotto and top-notch pizza with a twist, such as La Giovanni with goat’s cheese, smoked bacon, caramelized onions, and rocket salad. French influences surface in the form of tender beef macreuse (braised beef shoulder).
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For an Italian neighbourhood gem – try Graziella Restaurant in Old Montreal
Chef Graziella Battista’s eponymous restaurant Graziella Restaurant is arguably the finest Italian dining destination in town. Take a seat in the elegant dining room with its high ceilings, leather chairs, and white tablecloths for especially attentive service. The menu is concise with no more than four antipasti, primi, and secondi to choose from. But there’s always handmade pasta topped with seasonal sauces, plus tender cuts of guinea fowl and striploin steak. Don’t skip the vino: sommelier and co-owner Pierre Jullien is an exceptionally knowledgeable guide.
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For one of the best pizza restaurants in Montreal – visit Ristorante Donato in Westmount
Ristorante Donato is a sleek Italian chop house that landed in west Montreal in 2021. The meaty parts of the menu are its strengths (think milk-fed veal with aged balsamic and ribeye dressed with salt and olive oil). Other standout mains include ricotta gnocchi with tomato sauce and green pea ravioli stuffed with Calabrese sausage. Round it all out with a killer negroni or a pick from the Italian-leaning wine list.
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For an Italian feast with a group – book at Kesté in Mile End
Don’t be fooled by its ultra-cool industrial digs—despite its concrete floors and massive windows, Kesté is well-suited for a warm and inviting evening. Chef and owner Gianluca Esposito is all about crisp Neapolitan-style pizzas, serving a mix of red and white toppings such as creamy gorgonzola with radicchio and cherry tomatoes with smoked mozzarella. Throw in imported Italian beers and faithful accompaniments including fried calamari and a Caprese salad and you’ll have a feast to remember.
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For a romantic date night – book at Da Vinci Ristorante in Downtown-Concordia
Da Vinci Ristorante has ruled downtown Montreal since 1960. A gorgeous 19th-century stone building sets the classy scene for a meal here, as do mahogany and marble fixtures in the dining room. This spot is known for decadent meat and seafood dishes such as grilled octopus, lamb with Calabrese-style sauce, and an array of steak cuts. For toasting special occasions there’s plenty of sparkling wines to choose from.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Old Montreal – don’t miss Da Emma in Old Montreal/Cité-du-Multimédia
A clandestine vibe fills Da Emma, a nearly 30-year-old Old Montreal institution. The refined Roman spot is tucked below a historic stone building and strikes a delicate balance between fancy and laidback. Da Emma’s offerings swing between traditional dishes and more modern creations, depending on what you’re craving. Crisp salads, pillowy pastas, and herbed and sauced meats are always part of the ever-evolving menu.
