When I think about stereotypical Montreal Italians, my mind goes straight to the east end of the city, 3 am paninos at Milano’s and a “yo bro” attitude. But the thing is, I’m a Montreal Italian and I barely fit into any of those cliché roles! So I started to think about how I grew up and all of the great Italian memories from my childhood. Making sauce in the garage with the nonni, watching nonno in the giardino and nonna in the kitchen making biscotti, RAI on the TV 24/7, having “weird” things like rabbit in sauce for lunch and of course, waking up every single freaking Saturday morning for Italian school. The good, the bad and the ugly, I love every single aspect of being Italian. And where I grew up on the island of Montreal wasn’t going to change that.
Having lived in NDG, Cote St. Luc, Roxboro-Pierrefonds and now, Lachine, one might think that I have been deprived of east-ender deliciousness. Little did you know, each of these “west” sided cities has granted me with some Italian gems that I didn’t need to travel far to enjoy. With the help of some of my amazing Instagram followers, here are some favourite Italian eats for those of us on the not-so traditionally Italian side of Montreal.
Notre-Dame-de-Grâce (NDG)
NDG Bakery (5801 Upper Lachine Rd, Montreal, QC H4A 2B6 and another location in Lachine)
This place. This place is what my childhood is all about (which is probably why my cousin Gabriella also recommended it!). Coming here on Sundays with my nonno Italo to buy bread for our big Sunday night dinners. Stopping by after Italian school and Mimma giving me one of those purple and pink sparkle sea-shell cookies to munch on (which they sadly don’t make anymore). Heading over during my lunch hours with 8-10 orders from all of my colleagues who wanted “a fresh panino and cannoli from that great Italian place you always go to”. This place gives me all of the feels. Don’t forget to order your bread and pizza in advance as they quickly sell-out (and for good reason!).
Pasta Casareccia (5849 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H4A 1X4)
Home made pasta in a family-style restaurant. You won’t want to miss this adorable place! In a rush? They have a bunch of fresh pasta and sauces (or even pre-assembled lasagnas) to go!
Café de’ Mercanti (6128 Monkland Ave, Montreal, QC H4A 1H4)
A wonderful addition to the bustling Monkland avenue (with a second location close to the old port), Café de’ Mercanti has an old school Italian bar feel with delicious coffees to match! I haven’t indulged in any of their other items yet but their coffee? SO good!
Lasalle
Boucherie Marchigiani (1715 Rue Thierry, LaSalle, QC H8N 1X8)
There’s a reason why Google has this place rated at 4.8/5 stars! They’re advertised as a butcher shop but all of the reviews rant and rave about their sandwiches. I don’t doubt that their fresh cuts of meat and other Italian products are any less amazing but I do want to highlight my obsession with their porchetta sandwich. All I have to say is go. Go now. Don’t wait. This porchetta sandwich is the absolute BEST I’ve had across the city. This place is a hidden local gem that seriously shouldn’t be missed. Which is why I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up there after work today to pick up some deliciousness for dinner! This place was also recommended by one of my Insta-friends, @tina_mor! (excuse the grainy picture below…but between you and I, I don’t mind that they focus on their porchetta making instead of fancy social media pictures!)
West Island
La Dolce Vita (3776 St.Charles N, Kirkland, QC H9H 3C3)
Could you imagine an Italian food post without mentioning a gelato shop? Yeah, neither did I! For those looking for a great place to bring the family for some absolutely delicious and relatively authentic gelato (I only say relatively authentic because obviously nothing beats the gelato I had in Italy this summer), then this place is it! My favourite flavour? Nocciola (hazelnut)!
La Verità (11680 Salaberry Blvd, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, QC H9B 2R8)
This recommendation came from a trusted source and good friend, Steven Baranello. Considering he comes from the east-end of Montreal and is as Italian as they get, I don’t doubt that this is a fabulous place. Although I’ve only been their once for a 5 a 7 cocktail style evening, the drinks and appetizers were SO good!
Bar Laitier Nonna (475 Avenue Dumont suite 102, Dorval, QC H9S 5W2)
Nonna’s is my absolute favourite place for dipped ice cream (soft serve dipped in various delicious flavours) but as they don’t serve gelato, I’m putting them on this list for their yummy Italian cookies! Nonna’s resident Nonna (I can see how this can get confusing, but hang in there) bakes all of the delicious fresh treats that they have to offer! Run by an insanely sweet family, their lemon cookies are to die for…definitely worth the trip! And while you’re at it, why not get a dipped cone at the same time? My favourite? Sucre-a-la-creme!
Additional recommendations from my amazing Instagram followers:
La Trattoria in Kirkland – pinkprincess_lp
Boulangerie Lasalle in Laval – katkat_yababy
Cavallaro in Marche de l’Ouest – jessicasgold
Cavallaro on St. John’s – clumsy_jess
Trattoria Micco in Montreal West – erica_lbg
Impasto – miss.lima_official
Riccardo’s in Dollard-des-Ormeaux – evita_seven
And how can I forget Frutta Si! This recommendation comes directly from my beautiful mother-in-law! Thanks Mamma G <3
You don’t need to be Italian to appreciate good quality food. And generally speaking, every grandma/nonna is notorious for trying to feed you until you explode! There’s nothing like sitting down with the family and sharing a bottle of wine, good food and of course, lots of laughter. Chin chin!