D’excellents restaurants italiens à Montréal
Gastronomie Italie
L’histoire d’amour entre les gens de Montréal et la cuisine italienne remonte à loin et ne montre aucun signe de faiblesse. Voici donc quelques établissements qui se spécialisent dans la préparation de pâtes et d’autres plats emblématiques de ce merveilleux pays européen. Vous avez plutôt envie d’une pizza ? Consultez notre grand guide de la pizza de Montréal.
Luciano Trattoria
Le chef Luciano D’Orazio met à l’honneur les ingrédients de marché et sa cuisine se veut simple, mais apprêtée avec le plus grand soin. Les pâtes fraîches qu’on y sert figurent d’ailleurs parmi les meilleures de Montréal.
1212, rue Saint-Zotique Est
Impasto
Ici, on prépare tout sur place : les pâtes, les charcuteries, les cannolis… Le Impasto propose des mets inspirés par le marché Jean-Talon (situé tout près du restaurant) et la cuisine italienne traditionnelle; son menu saisonnier se montre toujours savoureux, peu importe la période de l’année. On prend d’ailleurs un immense plaisir à s’attarder dans la somptueuse salle à manger de l’établissement, conçue par le célèbre designer intérieur Zébulon Perron.
48, rue Dante
Il Miglio
Le Il Miglio a d’abord été une boutique de pâtes artisanales située dans le Mile End, mais l’entreprise opère désormais trois restaurants à Montréal, dont un au Time Out Market. L’établissement sert une grande variété de pâtes fraîches et prépare également des repas prêts à manger.
Plusieurs adresses
Restaurant Graziella
L’élégant restaurant de la chef Graziella Battista s’avère un lieu idéal pour se réunir et savourer un bon repas dans le Vieux-Montréal. On y propose une cuisine italienne contemporaine qui fait honneur aux traditions; chaque plat témoigne d’une finesse exemplaire, mais leur raffinement ne déstabilise pas la clientèle pour autant.
116, rue McGill
Mano Cornuto
Ouvert tous les jours de 11h à 23h, le Mano Cornuto est un casse-croûte italien où l’on offre des focaccias, des pâtes fraîches et du café, mais aussi un menu du soir plus élaboré qui comprend quelques plats à base de viande et de poisson. L’ambiance y est détendue, alors commandez un spritz ou un verre de vin nature et profitez-en pour relaxer dans son décor branché.
988, rue Ottawa
Moccione
Le Moccione est un restaurant de quartier convivial situé dans Villeray, à quelques rues du marché Jean-Talon. Son menu « italo-montréalais » met à l’honneur des ingrédients frais et saisonniers. N’hésitez pas à commander un antipasto ou un plat de pâtes, puis accompagnez votre repas d’un cocktail maison ou d’une bouteille choisie parmi la généreuse carte de vins nature.
7495, rue Saint-Denis
Lucca
Le restaurant Lucca, une véritable institution culinaire de La Petite-Italie, est un lieu accueillant et chic qui jouit d’une réputation exceptionnelle. Son menu du midi s’inspire de la cuisine de marché tandis que celui du soir met en vedette les plats emblématiques de l’établissement, comme ses linguines aux fruits de mer garnis d’une sauce tomate maison.
12, rue Dante
Antonietta
Antonietta is a cool and casual Italian osteria (tavern) in the trendy Rosemont neighbourhood. Fresh pasta and great appetizers are on the menu at this charming restaurant where modern and seasonal Italian cuisine shines.
6672 Papineau Avenue
Il Pagliaccio
Located on chic Laurier Avenue behind an unassuming façade, Il Pagliaccio is one of the best Italian restaurants in Montréal. Their cuisine is authentic Italian using the very best quality products, whether local or imported. Wine lovers will find their match in their list that counts over 800 labels!
365 Laurier Avenue West
Ristorante Da Emma
On the west side of Old Montréal is where you’ll find Da Emma, an institution frequented by locals and tourists alike. The basement restaurant is surrounded by thick grey stone walls typical of that part of town. The cuisine here focuses on Roman specialties and recipes passed down at this family-run establishment.
777 De La Commune Street West
Nora Gray
Nora Gray is surely one of the best-known Italian restaurants in Montréal. The sleek yet cozy dining room is welcoming and romantic. The menu is rooted in traditional Italian cuisine spanning the entire country but it’s also seasonal and features the very best local ingredients found in Québec.
1391 St-Jacques Street
Café Gentile Westmount
This family-run business has been fueled by passion for great food and excellent coffee since the original Café Gentile opened in 1959. The more recent Westmount location operates all day-long and offers the same top-quality Sicilian-inspired specialties such as their famous chicken cutlet sandwich, a variety of handmade pasta, or the grilled branzino.
4126 St-Catherine Street West
La Panzeria
La Panzeria specializes in street food from Puglia (the “heel” of the Italian boot), and more specifically, focaccias, orecchiette (a pasta shape from the region) and panzerotti, or savoury stuffed pastries that resemble small calzones. They also offer an amazing “panino polignano”, an overfilled sandwich filled with octopus, burrata and all the trimmings.
4084 St-Denis Street
BarBara
BarBara is a neighbourhood wine bar, restaurant, grocery store and café all rolled into one. It’s a casual place to hang out, have some pastries and a caffe latte in the morning, a sandwich and salad for lunch and perhaps some antipasti and fresh pasta for dinner with a nice bottle of natural wine. La vita è bella at BarBara.
4450 Notre-Dame West
Il Bazzali
If you enjoy some music with your Italian food, then head to Il Bazzali where the chef doubles as an opera singer between courses. The tenor chef’s menu is made up of classical dishes such as seasonal risotto, a linguini alla carbonara or a marsala semifreddo.
285 Beaubien East
Gia Vin & Grill
Gia Vin & Grill is the latest addition to the Nora Gray and Elena family. Located in a historical building in Saint-Henri, the dining room is flooded with light while the trendy décor highlights the space’s heritage accents. The cuisine focuses on the grill starring seafood, fish, and meats as well as fresh pasta and other specialties.
1025 Lenoir Street
Ristorante Quattro
Located in Old Montréal, Quattro is a chic yet trendy restaurant serving classic Italian specialties. The Italian-from-Italy chef uses the very best products in his cuisine and adds a contemporary twist to all the traditional dishes such as the pappardelle al ragu, the seafood risotto or the Milanese-style veal scallop.
17 Notre-Dame Street West
Beatrice Ristorante
In the heart of downtown Montréal’s Golden Square Mile, you’ll find Beatrice Ristorante, a gorgeous restaurant with a stunning dining room and a year-round secret garden-terrasse. The menu is refined Italian cuisine with a special focus on fresh, local, high-quality ingredients.
1504 Sherbrooke Street West
Knuckles
Knuckles is a small Villeray restaurant with an intimate ambiance and great service. The menu may be compact but it’s full of great dishes such as fresh appetizers and homemade pastas. Don’t skip the eponymous “knuckles”, a tasty version of pizza fritta with tomato and cheese.
241 Jarry Street East
Barcola Bistro Audio
Barcola opened its door about a decade ago on Parc Avenue and has since garnered a solid reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in Montréal. Run by a husband-and-wife team, Barcola serves a set menu that includes an appetizer, a pasta dish and a meat or fish main. Dinner at Barcola is done in a warm musical atmosphere courtesy of the owners’ great collection of vinyl records and vintage audio equipment (which you can browse around the restaurant).
5607 Parc Avenue
Cabaret L'Enfer
After stints at Daniel Boulud, NOMA and Le Mousso when the restaurant was listed among the ten best restaurants in Canada (Canada’s 100 Best 2019), chef Massimo Piedimonte is now at the helm of Cabaret L’Enfer, one of Montréal’s best fine dining establishments. Dinner here is an exquisite experience to be enjoyed with all the senses and the dishes are all works of art.
4094 Saint-Denis Street
Mucca
Mucca is a bisteccheria specializing in homemade bread and pasta as well as Prime Canadian grass-fed beef aged on site. Expect dishes such as artisanal charcuterie, great pastas, and a choice of meat dishes for 2. Mucca also has a great list of natural wines.
236 Saint-Zotique Street East
Mercuri 109
Chef Joe Mercuri is back with this intimate restaurant located in the heart of downtown Montréal. The space boasts a couple of tables and a long bar so that most guests can enjoy watching the chefs cook. Mercuri 109 is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday.
1115 Cypress Street
Lulu’s Pasta Bar
Lulu’s Pasta Bar has quickly become an Instagram sensation thanks to their overflowing and oversized cups of luscious pasta. Their semolina pasta is freshly made daily and so are a variety of sauces. You choose a pasta shape, a sauce and enjoy your fresh portion of pasta in their signature containers.
1346 Notre-Dame Street West & 365 Ontario Street East
Bona Fide
This new, 30-seat Villeray restaurant specializes in “antipasti, fresh pasta, vino and other treats”. Bona Fide means “in good faith” and it is with that friendly spirit that the team welcomes diners into their intimate and a touch nostalgic space to enjoy their own brand of Italian cuisine.
8521 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Miracolo
Just like its older siblings Le Majestique or Darling, Miracolo is a little kitsch, a little dazzling and a lot delicious. Designed by the same team of maximalist creators, this Mile-End Italian eatery adorned with watchful Madonna statues leaves an indelible impression on diners who flock to this temple of Italian gastronomy to enjoy flawless pasta dishes and luscious burrata, among many other delicacies.
3891 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Birbante
Emulating the aperitivo scene of Milan circa the 70s, Birbante is the Mile End’s answer to savouring la dolce vita. Enjoy one of their many Campari-based drinks, their specialty, and dive into a variety of great antipasti, pasta and secondi such as grilled veal or swordfish.
5386 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
La Spada
Roman cuisine shines bright at Griffintown’s La Spada restaurant. Classic pastas such as carbonara and amatriciana share the menu with other specialties from Italy’s capital. Don’t miss out on the cacio e pepe Brussels sprouts or the burrata with heirloom tomatoes and seasonal vegetables.
3580 Notre Dame Street West
Bossa
Over the top, filled to the brim, Italian sandwiches filled with all your favourite salumi (cold cuts), cheeses and toppings are the name of the game at Bossa, a panini institution that has gathered a loyal following. Will it be the hot, pressed chicken parm or the cold mortadella sandwich? Pick one of the dozen or so choices on the menu, you can’t go wrong with any of them!
Several locations
For more Italian restaurants, try one of these:
Le Petit Italien, Bistro Amerigo, Rita, Le Serpent, Etna Pastificio, Primo e Secondo, Le Muscadin, Stellina, Jacopo, Marinelli, Nonnina Sanwicherie, Ristorante Donato,
Clarke Café, Faccia Brutta, and Fiorellino.
Article original en anglais par Mayssam Samaha, adapté en français par Vincent Fortier.
Mayssam Samaha
Rédactrice et blogueuse (Will Travel for Food) spécialisée dans le voyage et la gastronomie, Mayssam Samaha parcourt le monde entier à la recherche de sa prochaine découverte culinaire. De l’Islande à l’Afrique du Sud, elle a visité 36 pays, et rien ne lui fait plus plaisir que de déambuler dans les marchés d’une ville étrangère. Elle est également l’instigatrice de SAISONS, une série de repas mettant à l’honneur les chefs et les ingrédients québécois.