Café Gentile West Island: the tradition lives on.

Café Gentile continues its Montréal story, this time settling in the West Island, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux.

This new opening follows a lineage spanning more than sixty years, back to when the very first Gentile café opened on Avenue du Parc. Ignazio Gentile created a place just like those found in small Italian villages: simple, welcoming, shaped by a deep sense of hospitality. His son Anthony — who quite literally grew up behind the counter — took over with a clear vision: to carry that family spirit into neighbourhood-driven spaces. After Westmount and the Gentile Pizza Parlour, the family now crosses over to the West Island, true to who they’ve always been.

The new space delivers everything people love about Gentile: beautiful, spacious, casually chic without ever feeling cold. Right at the entrance, a small café zone welcomes guests on the go — a counter to grab a cappuccino, a few stools, pastries and sweet treats (the brownie deserves a special mention!). It’s the perfect spot for a quick coffee or a stolen moment in the day. Further in, the main room opens wide, lively and softly buzzing. The décor feels comfortable, the upbeat atmosphere inviting, whether you’re stopping in for a weekday lunch, a simple but well-executed meal with clients, or picking up dinner for the family. Bonus points: there’s parking!

A generous menu, true to the Gentile classics

The kitchen follows the same philosophy as the other Café Gentile locations, with nearly identical dishes. The menu is large, generous — very Gentile — the kind you can return to again and again without ordering the same thing twice. In the morning: toasted breads, hot sandwiches, overflowing English muffins, BLTs, fontina grilled cheese with bruschetta, smoked salmon bagels, avocado crostini. The Italian-style brunch playfully revisits tradition: mushroom, spinach and tomato-sauce frittata, mascarpone pancakes, or a cacio e pepe breakfast sandwich that brings a smile from the very first bite.

At lunch, Café Gentile returns to its essence: comforting, straightforward Italian cooking that’s anything but ordinary. House-style polpette, fork-tender eggplant parmigiana, fresh salads (Caesar, endive and radicchio, caprese…), and of course the sandwiches — including the famous chicken cutlet, the signature of the house. There are richer options too, like the chicken Caesar wrap or the Sal Cheechin—savoury layers of sausage, marinated eggplant, caramelized onions, bomba and mayo. And yes, the pizzas! Just as delicious as at the Gentile Pizza Parlour, with crisp dough and thoughtful toppings. The menu also features several pasta dishes, including the classic cavatelli with sausage and rapini (never change a winning recipe!). As for mains, expect plates that simply feel good: chicken parmigiana, lemon veal scaloppine, salmon alla puttanesca and more. Everything’s genuinely excellent — you can’t go wrong dining here.

There’s something incredibly fitting about Café Gentile landing in the West Island. The address is versatile and inviting, filling a real need in the neighbourhood. You can grab a coffee to go, settle in for a while, pick up a family takeout dinner, host a client or enjoy a leisurely weekend brunch. Service is warm — attentive without being intrusive — in line with what has defined the Gentile family since 1959: doing things with heart, and offering a place where people feel good, no matter the time of day. Auguri!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: November 28, 2025

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