Bocca di Lupo — Casual Italian in Old Montreal

Bocca di Lupo opened its doors in April 2026, wearing several hats at once: trattoria, café, and bar, all under one roof. You can drop in wearing jeans for an espresso and come back in the evening in a button-down for a long, lingering dinner. Any excuse works to stop by.

The address is the brainchild of a duo you’ve likely heard of: Joe Franchini and Jamie Sunny, who have been working together for nine years and each bring more than 20 years of industry experience to the table. The two have been hard at work on the Bocca di Lupo project for no less than two years. “We’re two guys who chased the same dream for a long time, and we made it real,” sums up Jamie. Joe, for his part, is “full-blown Italian,” as his partner puts it with a laugh. Since their teenage years, the two had been nurturing the same fantasy: their very own café-trattoria. And here it is!

The idea behind Bocca di Lupo is clear: to be THE neighbourhood spot where everyone feels at home. “We want everyone to be able to eat here,” Jamie insists. No dress code, no impossible-to-get reservations: just come in for a coffee, a drink, a plate of pasta. The wine list, curated by sommelier Felix (formerly of Jatoba), is intentionally Italian and approachable, with a few bigger Barolos for those who want to go all in. The cocktails also stick to that Italian DNA, including a pomegranate drink that Jamie is especially fond of, alongside several other excellent options.

In the kitchen, chef Nick translates the partners’ vision onto the plate: traditional Italian, but with their own twist. And let’s be honest, we already have our favourites: the chicken parmigiana, indulgent in all the right ways; the sausage and rapini cavatelli, exactly the pasta dish you order when you’re craving comfort; and the crudo, which delivers with quiet finesse. Prices are reasonable given the portions and quality, especially for an address in Old Montreal. “We really didn’t want to fall into pretentious or overpriced territory. That doesn’t fit with the idea of a place where you hang out,” Jamie explains.

The dining room was designed in collaboration with designer Alexis Johnston-Benamou. The classic Old Montreal stone walls, long hidden under a coat of grey paint, were uncovered through sandblasting, and the floors were redone in tile. The alcoves behind the bar echo the shape of the windows, and velvet sits side by side with leather. It’s an address with serious charm, blending chic and casual beautifully.

Service is set to go 7 days a week soon, with lunch, coffee and sandwiches on the way (we can’t wait!). In short, Bocca di Lupo is exactly the kind of spot we were hoping would land in Old Montreal. Happy discovering!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Updated on May 01, 2026

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