The Best of Little Italy: Our suggestions
Please note that in order to compile this list of the best addresses in Little Italy, we deliberately chose to define the boundaries of Montreal’s Little Italy using the following geographical markers: Beaubien to the south, Jean-Talon to the north, Saint-Denis to the east, and Clark to the west.
Little Italy has so much to offer: charming small parks, a picturesque atmosphere with character-filled homes, the Jean-Talon Market, countless delightful boutiques, and of course, excellent restaurants.
The neighbourhood first began to develop as a residential area favoured by Italians who immigrated in large numbers at the end of the 19th century, many coming to work on the construction of the Canadian railways. Over time, this wave of Italian immigrants infused the area with their culture, shaping it into the Little Italy we know today — adorned with iconic landmarks such as the majestic Notre-Dame-de-la-Défense Church.
After the Second World War, a second wave of Italian immigration further solidified the neighbourhood as the epicentre of the Italian community, where you can find many Italian churches and specialty grocery stores on nearly every corner. Today, Little Italy is home to some of the city’s best Italian restaurants and cafés, as well as a number of our favourite spots that aren’t Italian at all!
For visitors, the area offers countless discoveries. Food lovers will be spoiled for choice, whether preparing a picnic with treats from the Jean-Talon Market, relaxing in Dante Park, or savouring a meal in one of the many Italian restaurants. Little Italy is truly a gourmet’s paradise.
Enjoy your explorations!
Here are the best addresses in Little Italy.
Mon Lapin
Mon Lapin has forged its reputation as one of the best restaurants in the metropolis thanks to the consistency it maintains at all levels. The Saint-Zotique street restaurant has stood out since its opening by offering refined cuisine, personalized service, an exceptional wine list, and a unique atmosphere. In 2023, the restaurant was ranked first in the prestigious Canada’s 100 Best list. So, we are not the only ones who love this establishment.
Montréal
Pasta Pooks
Pasta Pooks is a counter serving up delicious fresh pasta and hearty sandwiches, founded by a group of passionate friends. Housed in the former Dinette Triple Crown space in Montreal, the project will unfold in several phases. For now, it offers a small selection of handmade pastas each day — and they’re absolutely delicious!
Montréal
PIAZZA SALUMI
Everything prepared at Piazza Salumi is excellent. You’ill find a sandwich counter, arancinis, Roman pizzas, and fresh pasta. The sandwiches are Piazza Salumi’s trademark: served on focaccias, they are generous, flavourful, and soft.
Montréal
Caffè Italia
A true institution in the heart of Little Italy, Caffè Italia opened its doors in 1956 and has since become a cornerstone of the neighbourhood. It is undoubtedly one of the best Italian cafés in the city. With its modest décor and old-world charm, the café transports you across the Atlantic to one of those timeless establishments that regulars treat as a second home.
Montréal
Rôtisserie La Lune
La Rôtisserie La Lune, the latest project from the team behind Mon Lapin, reimagines Québec-style rotisserie with flair and creativity. Located in Little Italy, it offers a poultry-forward menu, top-quality local products, an exceptional wine list, and a warm, convivial atmosphere.
Montréal
Le Petit Alep Bistro
Le Petit Alep and its immediate neighbour, Alep, which now flow into one-another, are the perfect example of the multiethnicity that our Little Italy proudly embraces. Here, one can savour delicate, generous, and delicious dishes inspired by Armenian and Syrian cuisines. The staff is exceptionally friendly and patiently explains the nuances of the various dishes one may be considering. The owner is ever-present, adding a warm touch to your dining experience. Beneath the restaurant lies one of the city’s most beautiful wine cellars.
Montréal
Pumpui
Pumpui is a small counter-style restaurant that opened its doors in November 2017 on St-Zotique Street, offering an excellent menu with flavours from Thailand! The establishment is among our favorite Thai restaurants in Montreal and also on our list of preferred places to enjoy fried chicken!
Montréal
Bottega Pizzeria
Bottega opened its doors in 2006 as a high-quality Neapolitan pizzeria. A pioneer in a significant movement of pizzerias, the restaurant still offers one of the best pizzas in Montreal, and, in our opinion, the best Neapolitan pizza. All other dishes on the Bottega menu, from appetizers to desserts, are sources of immense pleasure. The service is exemplary, attentive, and well-timed.
Laval
Restaurant nozy
Nozy is a charming little neighbourhood spot, now in Little Italy, serving authentic, affordable Japanese cooking. With a laid-back atmosphere, friendly service, and excellent-quality fish, it’s an ideal place to enjoy classic Japanese dishes.
Montréal
Louise Boulangerie
Boulangerie Louise opened on Saint-Laurent Boulevard on March 7, 2018, and prepares excellent fresh bread throughout the day. With its beautiful variety of high-quality products at very reasonable prices and its exceptionally friendly service, it ranks among the best bakeries in Montréal. A detail that speaks volumes about the establishment’s values: after a comment from a customer with reduced mobility was relayed to the business, Boulangerie Louise installed a small access ramp to make the space more accessible.
Montréal
Joe la Croûte
Charming bakery on the edge of the vibrant Jean-Talon Market, Joe la Croûte has been kneading, baking, and selling its delights for years. Here, you can enjoy fresh bread every day, delightful pastries, and various flavoured rolls to satisfy all the food enthusiasts!
Montréal
Crêperie du Marché
We always try to talk to you about restaurants, bars, cafes, and various other topics related to food, always keeping in mind that all these subjects must adhere to our slogan “If we talk about it, it’s good good!” La Crêperie du Marché, located in the Jean-Talon Market, is exactly that, and to the letter.
Montréal
Patati Patata Jean-Talon Friterie Deluxe
Known for its mini-burgers, delicious poutine, homemade soups, and much more, the Patati Patata at Jean-Talon Market offers exactly the same comforting menu as its establishment on Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Why change a good thing?
Montréal
Pasticceria Alati-Caserta
Alati-Caserta is a must-visit pastry shop in Little Italy. Here on offer are the most classic and delicious Italian pastries, including cannoli, biscotti, sfogliatelle, Code d’Aragosta (lobster tail), cornetto, and much more.
Montréal
Pizzeria Napoletana
Pizzeria Napoletana is the #1 place in Little Italey for comforting Italian classics. The Dante Street establishment welcomed its first customers in 1948, when Montreal’s Italian neighbourhood was still thriving. Named in honour of the first Italian immigrants in the city, who were Neapolitans, just like the Girolamo family, Pizzeria Napoletana is now one of the best bring-your-own-wine restaurants in Montreal. The space can accommodate 120 people year-round and 150 people in total during the summer season, thanks to its lovely terrace.
Montréal
Café San Gennaro
San Gennaro is both a small Italian café – an ideal spot for lunch with fresh juices, salads, and a dozen options of al taglio pizzas – and an Italian delicatessen. The simple and concise menu was designed by Giovanna and Fabrizio Covone, from neighbouring Bottega. You can also enjoy homemade pastries, desserts, and gelato that will transport you to sunny Italy.
Montréal
Mamie
Le Bar Mamie is a friendly and charming wine bar in Little Italy. The food and drinks are excellent. Head to La Cave de Mamie to stock up on good bottles of wine or to La Boucherie de Mamie for a fine cut of meat!
Montréal
Pizza Bouquet
The magical and unique recipe of Pizza Bouquet leads the owners to label it as “New Montreal Style.” The menu features highly appreciated 16″ pizzas catering to various tastes, as well as pizza by the slice.
Montréal
Gema Pizzeria
Pizzeria GEMA is a beautiful little pizzeria in Little Italy, serving some of the best pizzas in Montreal. There are various options, each more delicious than the other. The dough is homemade, fermented, using Canadian flour. Note that most ingredients come from Quebec, and the tomato sauces and all the charcuterie used are made in-house.
Montréal
Impasto
The Impasto restaurant is one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal and has become a must-visit in the city. The Impasto menu celebrates Italian cuisine with local ingredients. Associated with the names of its two founders, Stefano Faita and Michelle Forgione, this establishment is like them: impeccable!
Montréal
Caffe San Simeon
Another café that needs no introduction in Little Italy is Caffè San Simeon. Opened in 1979, the café was named in honour of the Italian soccer club, as everyone knows that Italians have an eternal love for futbol.
Montréal
Restaurant Parapluie
It’s hard not to fall under the spell of Parapluie, chef Robin Filteau-Boucher’s neighbourhood gem. Tucked into a small space on Beaubien Street, between Clark and Saint-Laurent, this French–New York–inspired bistro is as flavourful as it is affordable. The oeuf mayo, MTL-style trout, and crispy fries are now among the restaurant’s must-tries.
Montréal
Restaurant Lucca
Lucca is a symbol of Italian culinary tradition in Montreal. Just peering by the large windows is enough to see why it stands out from other Italian eateries in the city. This feeling is heightened and confirmed when one steps through the restaurant’s door to sit, whether for lunch or dinner, at one of its lovely set tables.
Montréal
Restaurant Limbo
Limbo is a heartfelt project nestled on Mozart Street, in the former home of the beloved Marconi. Led by Jack Zeppetelli and chef Harrison Shewchuk, this spot offers seasonal cuisine that’s sure to win you over. At Limbo, you’ll be welcomed like family — it’s the kind of place you come to celebrate, to eat well, and to linger a little longer thanks to the inviting atmosphere.
Montréal
Disco Mayo Dînette
Disco Mayo is a little diner where you can enjoy a delicious, generously filled sandwich or simply relax with a coffee. This retro-charm counter blends nostalgia and indulgence in a convivial atmosphere at the heart of Little Italy.
Montréal
Ratafia
Ratafia is one of those Little Italy wine bars where you instantly feel like you’re exactly where you should be. Expect precise, generous savory plates, memorable desserts, and a wine list built with care—thoughtful, unfussy, and spot-on. It’s all driven by real passion, and you can feel it: the kind of address you keep in mind (and come back to).
Montréal
Roxy Focaccia St-Zotique
Roxy Focaccia started out as a pop-up at Jean-Talon Market. Now it’s a permanent sandwich counter on St-Zotique—to our great delight. Expect generous sandwiches built around their house-made focaccia, soft and light, baked fresh on site every day. The menu changes every two to three months, spotlighting local products and well-judged Italian flavours. A simple, delicious, impeccably executed spot—perfect for a quick lunch that tastes like Montréal’s take on Italy.
Montréal
Bistrot Boisselet
Bistrot Boisselet serves well-executed French classics in Little Italy, just steps from Jean-Talon Market. Behind the project is a seasoned team from some of Montréal’s top addresses, focused on precise, approachable, comforting bistro fare—steak frites, tartare, veloutés, and other staples revisited with finesse. In a simple, airy space, the vibe works just as well for date night as it does for a laid-back evening with friends, where you eat well and take your time over a good bottle of wine.
Montréal
La Cave du Parapluie
La Cave du Parapluie is the laid-back little sister of Parapluie, tucked in right next door. Here, the cooking is lively and elegant, built around oysters, seafood, and shareable small plates, all in a warm, intimate setting. With no reservations, it’s an easy, spontaneous go-to—perfect for apéro, dinner, or a last drink.
Montréal
Salle Climatisée
Opened on December 10, 2020, Salle Climatisée quickly established itself as a wonderful addition to the Little Italy section of Saint-Laurent Boulevard, thanks in part to its delicious seasonal menu.
Montréal
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