The Best Pasta in Montreal: Our suggested addresses
Ah, pasta! It’s impossible not to love it. What’s your favorite type? Gnocchi, farfalle, spaghetti, bucatini… there’s something for everyone, from classic recipes to creative twists. Traditional or reinvented, pasta is an iconic part of Italian cuisine, prepared in countless ways.
Italian cuisine captivates with its fresh, flavorful ingredients, elegantly enhanced with simplicity. Herbs, olive oil, parmesan, prosciutto… so many rich flavors that make every bite irresistible. Whether you lean toward pizza or cannoli, there’s always a specialty to satisfy your cravings.
Luckily, Montreal is home to incredible Italian restaurants! If you’re searching for the city’s best pasta, gnocchi, or pizza, you’re in the right place. And for a sweet touch, indulge in the best cannoli, transporting you straight to Italy.
But a great pasta dish requires skill. Talented chefs at these restaurants master the art of pasta like no other, and we’ve selected the top spots to enjoy them. Whether you crave a creamy sauce, fresh pesto, or pasta paired with market vegetables, you’ll find dishes that satisfy your appetite and awaken your taste buds.
Buon appetito!
Il Miglio
Il Miglio is the project of Giovanni Rasile, Michele Mercuri, Claude Pelletier and Hubert Marsolais (Le Filet, Club Chasse et Pêche and Le Serpent). This excellent little Mile-End address offers a formula of simple and well-made Italian-style delights. The concept is that of an Italian cafeteria; you take a tray and choose among three starters, five pasta dishes and a few dishes in sauce, that you can enjoy on the spot or for take-out. The pastas are all cooked to perfection and the sauces offer invitations to travel. You can even accompany your dish with wine or beer, served in small cups – just like at the canteen in Italy. Il Miglio is a great address to try! Photos Dominique Lafond
Montréal
Le Serpent
Le Serpent is a contemporary Italian restaurant that offers a superb decor, a pleasant atmosphere, a delectable menu and warm service; it is one of the restaurants not to be missed in Montreal. Owned by Hubert Marsolais and Claude Pelletier (Club Chasse et Pêche, Il Miglio and Le Filet), this restaurant offers delicious, well-made food, and excellent pasta. Stop by Le Serpent for great pasta, amazing wine and dinner in a beautiful and unique space. Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Elena
From the same owners as Nora Gray, Elena is the natural evolution of its sister restaurant: “Coffee, pizza, wine” is the central concept of the establishment, as described by Ryan Gray. Here you can savour some of the best pizza in Montreal, but also some very good pasta! The restaurant offers three to four pasta dishes, as well as a pasta of the day, executed according to classic Italian recipes, but revisited with flavours from Quebec. The space is very Italian, modern-retro and the atmosphere is very friendly; we love this address! Very nice selection of natural wines, as well. Photos Dominique Lafond
Montréal
Nora Gray
Open since September 2011, Nora Gray is one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal and has become a staple in the city. Its small location on St. Jacques Street has delighted many gourmets since its opening. Nora Gray stands out for its consistent quality and mastery of food. The menu is simple and exquisite. The house offers two to three delectable pasta dishes perfectly executed and featuring local ingredients. We love the warm atmosphere of the place and its generous, efficient and friendly staff. Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Restaurant Graziella
Graziella is one of Montreal’s finest restaurants and home to some of the best gnocchi in town. A master of pairing and of the freshness of the ingredients she cooks, chef Graziella Battista has been preparing exceptional Italian classics since 2008. As one of the best Italian kitchens in Montreal, this restaurant surprises by its simplicity, its respect for tradition and the accuracy of the combinations of its dishes. The Osso Buco is to die for and the house pasta is truly exquisite. We love Graziella! Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Fiorellino
Fiorellino is one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal. It impresses first upon walking in with its original and colourful decor, then of course by its cuisine. You can enjoy one of the best pizzas in town, good salads, but also excellent pasta and gnocchi. Whether it’s with pork ragout, wild boar, roasted zucchini or simply cherry tomatoes and parmesan, the pasta at Fiorellino is exquisite. The space has a warm, festive and romantic atmosphere that lends itself well to all occasions. Photos Patricia Brochu
Montréal
Bottega
The restaurant Bottega opened its doors in 2006 as a high quality Napolitan pizzeria. Being a forerunner of an important pizzeria movement in Montreal, the Covone family owned establishment (Bottega Laval, San Gennaro), offers the most delectable Italian dishes. Although the house is known for being one of the best pizza places in Montreal, it also offers excellent gnocchi as an appetizer and a pasta dish of the day that is worth the detour alone. The meatballs are also exquisite and, in the summertime, can be savoured on the terrace. Bottega is a classic and chic place that is guaranteed to please. Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Impasto
Impasto is a must-try restaurant, as well as being one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal. We come here to savour among many things some of the best pasta in the city. The menu changes every three months or so and everything is good, very good. Impasto is an exceptional address to try! Photos Julie Perreault
Montréal
Taverne Sur Le Square
Tavern on the Square is a very good restaurant in Westmount. It offers generous cuisine in a chic decor. Among the favourites are the house pastas, among the best in town. Simple spaghetti, rigatoni carbonara, cavatelli and papardelle: the plates are generous and delicious. Photos Alison Slattery
Westmount
Luciano Trattoria
Luciano Trattoria is one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal! The menu is absolutely superb, but the pasta is particularly exceptional: rigatoni con carne, spaghetti pomodoro, spaghetti cacao e pépé, spaghetti bottarga, mushroom ravioli and bucatini all’amatriciana – a visit here always promises a culinary voyage to Italy! Photos Luciano Trattoria
Montréal
BOUILLON BILK
Bouillon Bilk is one of Montreal’s finest chic restaurants. Opened in March 2011, the restaurant on Boulevard Saint-Laurent hasn’t ceased to amaze since its opening. With its minimalist decor, the restaurant offers Quebecois cuisine that is off the beaten path, with a menu serving exceptional gustatory discoveries. Their menu is built on a protein – guinea fowl, cod, deer, etc. – and its accompaniments. The dishes are always delicate and complex. They are constantly evolving, but the chef’s proposals are always the most creative. When they appear on the menu, the pasta savoured there is always prepared with refinement. Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Maison Boulud
Maison Boulud is the elegant restaurant of the chic Ritz-Carlton Hotel. We particularly like the elegance of the space and the refinement of the menu offered by the house. The address is ideal to spend a pleasant gastronomic evening. Romain Cagnat, the very talented chef from Burgundy, prepares dishes with his elegant French touch. Occasionally, he makes delicious homemade pasta that is of exquisite value! Alexandre Parent / Studio Point De Vue | Maison Boulud
Montréal
Barcola Bistro Audio - Italian Restaurant - Tasting Menu - Listening bar
Barcola is the definition of excellence at a reasonable price. The restaurant’s menu changes almost every day, and you are always pleasantly surprised. The place offers a delicious menu of traditional Italian cuisine prepared with modern techniques. There is always a fresh pasta dish, which we highly recommend. The food is always so good! Photo Barcola
Montréal
Tuck Shop
Tuck Shop offers a lot of love in its small, chic space. It also offers lots of surprises that delight us with every visit. The place serves up some of the best pasta dishes in town, like the Taglierini with black truffle, sea urchin, and basil. Photos by Alison Slattery
Montréal
Restaurant Moccione
(Temporarily closed). Moccione is a tiny restaurant that opened on December 5, 2018. With a nice decor, friendly staff and delicious food, the address quickly became one of our favourites! It is now one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal, with delicious gnocchi. Short menu, but always delicious! Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Il Pagliaccio
Comfortably nestled on Laurier Avenue West since 2010, Il Pagliaccio is one of the best Italian restaurants in town. Set apart from the trends of the day, the restaurant is an ode to the traditions of the land of wonderful pasta and good wine. The house offers dry pasta from a small and talented Italian artisan. Note that, like almost everything in life, this quality comes at a price. But when the quality is there, the price remains perfectly acceptable. Photos Alison Slattery
Montréal
Pasta Pooks
Pasta Pooks est un comptoir de succulentes pâtes fraîches et de sandwichs généreux, fondé par une équipe d’amis passionnés. Installé dans l’ancien local de la Dinette Triple Crown à Montréal, le projet évoluera en plusieurs phases. Actuellement, il propose quelques pâtes faites à la main chaque jour qui sont absolument succulentes!
Montréal
ETNA PASTIFICIO
Si ce nom vous dit quelque chose, c’est peut-être parce que vous leur avez déjà rendu visite à leur ancienne adresse, qui était plutôt un restaurant. Déménagé depuis 2022 au coin de Jarry et Henri-Julien, Etna est devenu une boutique de pâtes fraîches. Et y aller avec les enfants est toujours un plaisir, pour elles et eux ainsi que pour vous-même.
Montréal
Brama
Brama is a fantastic Italian spot on Saint-Urbain Street, where high-quality ingredients take center stage. Its cozy and inviting atmosphere makes it perfect for both small gatherings and larger groups. Chef John Hanna serves up a generous menu featuring antipasti, salads, pasta, pizzas, and meats, all crafted with care. Desserts, including his famous cheesecake, are a must-try. With a great selection of wines and cocktails, Brama delivers comforting, authentic Italian cuisine at reasonable prices—an excellent choice for a delicious meal!
Montréal
Miracolo
Miracolo brings an Italian touch to Saint-Laurent Boulevard with its warm ambiance and inspired décor. Its menu features flavorful dishes with Italian and Quebec influences, designed for sharing. Oyster bar, homemade pasta, indulgent desserts—everything here is made for a generous and convivial dining experience. A great addition to Montreal’s culinary scene!
Montréal
Gia Vin & Grill
Gia Vin & Grill is the latest addition to the Elena family, offering a gourmet experience centered around Italian grilling. Located in a historic building in Saint-Henri, the restaurant captivates with its inspired decor, warm ambiance, and natural wine selection focused on Italy. Guests can enjoy grilled meats, seafood, and classic Tuscan pasta dishes, all prepared with local ingredients and a rustic touch. A must-visit for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine!
Montréal
