Who doesn’t have a thing for Italian food? Beyond the tomato sauce, the pizza and the pasta, it evokes a comforting cuisine, full of flavor and, above all, made with a lot of love. In Montreal, Italians are the third largest ethnic group after the French and the English; so it’s no surprise that they’re the purveyors of a lot of the best food in town. Downtown Italian restaurants are no exception, offering menus to suit all tastes and budgets.
Montréal centre-ville
Montréal centre-ville
Here are 5 addresses that will make you travel across the Italian peninsula, from Piemonte to Puglia.
Fiorellino
Fiorellino, which means “little flower” in Italian, strikes the balance between the traditional family dinner and the atmosphere of a trendy bar. The simple recipes of la nonna are all highlighted, made with the freshest ingredients, by the young talented chef Erik Mandracchia: antipasti, house salumi, tasty gnocchi. The centerpiece of this restaurant is the wood-fired oven, which bakes what some people are calling the best pizza in town!
470 de la Gauchetière W.
Osteria Mkt
With its chic but unpretentious decor, the Osteria MKT offers a menu infused with authenticity and passion. Nestled in the former rectory of Christ Church Cathedral, in the heart of the business district, this restaurant serves the unique flavors of Italy: grilled squid and other seafood, perfectly prepared meats and fish, and more.
1333 Robert-Bourassa boulevard
Santa Lucia
Serving lovers of la cucina italiana since 1985, the Santa Lucia restaurant on Stanley street offers wood-fired pizzas, pasta and veal dishes in all their delicious simplicity. Calzones, those oven-baked turnovers that look like a pizza folded in half, as well as homemade soups, especially the stracciatella alla romana, are particularly popular specialties. Available for delivery or for pickup.
1264 Stanley Street
Peroni
The Peroni restaurant is located in the Sun Life building, one of the most prestigious addresses in the city center. Renowned for its fresh homemade pasta, and more specifically the seafood tagliatelle with Alfredo sauce, Peroni offers a variety of exquisite dishes, all in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
1155 Metcalfe Street
Da Vinci
Located in a beautiful 19th century Victorian gray stone house, the Da Vinci restaurant has been delighting lovers of Italian cuisine for over 40 years. In addition to a variety of pastas such as cavatelli, gnocchi, ravioli and pappardelle, their take-out menu is impressive. Not to be missed, one of the house specialties: osso bucco veal shank with gremolata… a pure delight!
1180 Bishop Street
