Moccione: One of our favourite Italian restaurants in Montreal

Moccione, a charming and quaint Italian restaurant on Villeray Street, opened its doors on December 5, 2018. With a beautiful setting, friendly staff and remarkably tasty dishes, this address has very quickly became one of our favourites!

Moccione is the very first restaurant venture of Maxime Landry and Luca Cianciulli, and their heart and soul are imprinted on ever corner of the establishment. Having never opened a restaurant before, the duo impressively participated in all of the preliminary work – they even hand painted their sign themselves! “We’re kind of like cowboys, and I think that’s reflected in the restaurant. We did the work, and there was lots of it!” Maxime and Luca’s passion for the establishment really translates into the quality of the service and food.

When asked about how they chose their name, they explained that they wanted to emphasize the restaurant as the neighbourhood’s local Italian friend. “We’d been looking for a name for months. Moccione is the nickname of the Cianciulli family, and it also means a ‘little snot’ or ‘little brat’ in the Calabritto dialect. It gives you an idea of our personalities!” (Laughs)

As a humble and unpretentious Italian restaurant, Moccione is the perfect place to enjoy a pleasant and relaxed evening with friends or family. The owners explained how they wanted the community to feel welcome in all capacities. “It was important to us that people could come here under all circumstances. In sandals, in suits, or when returning from the chalet on Sundays with the children.” Moccione is a restaurant that opens their arms to everyone, all in the spirit of joy and community! They also leave the Italian stereotypes behind – you may even hear some Led Zeppelin, Tupac or Charles Bradley in the dining room.

Having lived in Villeray  for a very long time, Maxime and Luca developed a strong affinity for the area’s people, architecture and lifestyle. They knew immediately that Villeray was where they wanted to open their new business – it was the perfect setting to bring their dream restaurant to life! The space Maxime and Luca selected for Moccione has the right low-key vibe to compliment the neighbourhood’s personality.

The menu typically features ten plates – four starters, three pasta dishes and three fish or meat dishes – all of which are absolutely delicious! At the head of the kitchen is Luca Cianciulli and, especially when surrounded by his crack culinary staff, the dishes he creates are always amazing. The menu is simple and traditional, but every element of the dishes are executed with precision and care. We have a soft spot for the pasta here, which is prepared on site every single day. And of course, we cannot forget to mention the gnocchi and Tiramisu – both are amazing. The menu changes seasonally as it focuses on highlighting the freshest ingredients available.

On the side of drinks, this address offers a very nice wine list curated by the talented Maxime Lavallée. Moccione proudly works with the private import houses Symbiose , Rézin and Ward et Associés to source the best wines. The wine list is constantly evolving along side the menu! We also give credit to Maxime Lavalleé for the cocktail menu. The menu is short and sweet which includes a few in house signatures as well as a seasonal mocktail!

Designed in collaboration with Tendances Concept Montréal and designer Gabrielle Lafond, the owners created an interior that is timeless and as welcoming as any family home. The dining room is open-concept, making the intimate 24 seat space feel a little roomier. Best of all, the kitchen is right in the centre of all the action!

Maxime and Luca explained how their favourite part about Moccione is the simplicity and ease of its character. “The atmosphere is always good and joyful. We feel at home.”

Written by Sydney Carter
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: February 26, 2024

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