Top Best Italian Restaurants in Laval

"It’s just over six years since Little Italy’s most celebrated restaurateurs Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione opened Gema, and yet the pizzeria remains one of the best around town. It’s also the most likely to convert even the most unyielding of Hawaiian pizza skeptics with its winning pairing of smoked maple ham, oven-roasted pineapple, and mozzarella di bufala."

"Gema Pizzeria may be one of Montreal’s finest pizzeria’s, but Gema also has a counter selling extraordinary soft ice cream. Thanks to chef Michele Forgione’s recipe, Gema is now a Tastet favourite for ice cream. Whether it’s vanilla or chocolate ice cream, dipped in chocolate or caramel, the outcome is ice cream heaven!"

"What is it: It seems there’s no end to new restaurants that are upping the Italian game in Montreal, but there’s only so much room for champions. While a fresh arrival from the group behind Foxy and the popular breakfast-lunch spot Olive et Gourmando, Un Po’ di Più carries itself like a classic trattoria with its circa-1970s modernist look and feel. Chef Nick Siambattisto’s menu focuses on snacks and small plates that are traditional—think burrata, pasta, sandwiches—and of an incomparable quality."

"An aggressively touristy strip of Old Montreal got a breath of fresh air when Olive & Gourmando’s owners opened up this stunner in 2018. It’s a lighter destination than others on this guide — aperitivo-friendly bites are a focus (check out the splendid aperitivo tower), yet Un Po’ di Piu still excels across the board, from desserts (get the olive oil cake) to a small number of bigger dishes."

"Italian cuisine is hot in Montreal right now, but the first wave of this trend shouldn’t be disregarded amongst all the press about what’s new. This project in Little Italy from chefs Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione became a darling of its community in a short span of time, whether it was for fall-off-the-bone contorni or fresh pastas, all celebrations of regional Italian delicacies. It’s now Aicia Colacci in the kitchen, and by her hand the menus are that much more wonderful and worth a trip."

"Montreal’s Little Italy has tons of Italian restaurants but Impasto takes the cake. Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione’s food from every region of Italy will delight your taste buds. Open for lunch (Thursday and Friday) and dinner (Tuesday to Saturday), you can enjoy fresh focaccia with sea salt and olive oil, homemade charcuteries, linguini with confit salmon, garlic, lemon and pangrattato, Québec venison ragu and Ragusano cheese, etc."

"This is how success works – designer Zébulon Perron creates an uncluttered, unique and elegant space; star Stéfano Faita optimally markets Impasto and assures that the dining room is full; head waiter Pascal Arsenault is attentive of customers’ wishes; and chef Michele Forgione prepares her beautiful creations. Everything here is made in-house, smells and tastes good. And their meat – Oh my!"

"Considered one of the coolest spots to eat in Montreal, Le Serpent is located at The Darling Foundry – an old metal workshop in Griffintown, the former industrial fringe of the city’s downtown core. Adorned with lovingly curated contemporary art by friends of the owner Hubert Marsolais and Claude Pelletier, Le Serpent’s interior is designed by architect Annie Lebel of Montreal’s award-winning Atelier in Situ. The menu is predominantly contemporary Italian, the atmosphere friendly and the service impeccable."

"Le Serpent is not only one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal, it is also one of the most beautiful!. This wonderful restaurant is located in the same building as Darling Foundry, which helps explain the focus on the industrial materials and aesthetic that characterize the space. Black and white are the featured colours of Le Serpent, which elevates the interior to an elegant space that is worthy of hosting any special occasion."

"Don’t let the name Old Montreal fool you, Le Serpent is a newly-opened sleek and modern restaurant that attracts an urban-chic crowd. Even with the huge windows and high ceilings that characterize this converted warehouse, the restaurant isn’t too noisy for an intimate conversation. The selection of fine Italian classics are as full-flavoured as they are comforting."

"Chef Luciano D’Orazio presents casual trattoria fare in a bright and modern setting. Appetizers such as bufala mozzarella, ensalata with radish and endive, and spicy pecorino, make for an energetic start to the meal, and flavourful main courses that oscillate between classics and new creations won’t disappoint, nor will the extensive wine list. Reservations are preferred."

"Luciano Trattoria offers Italian delicacies just like la nonna. Indeed, the brief menu proposes nonna’s family Italian cuisine, simply prepared using fresh ingredients. Chef Luciano D’Orazio proposes five appetizers and two or three homemade pasta choices plus a few meat and fish dishes."

"For something more in the realm of pasta, you should try Luciano Trattoria, which is a top choice for locals and visitors alike. This place has a casual and cozy atmosphere. Their menu is splashed with spicy appetizers, classic dishes, and a splendid selection of wine."

"Built in 1876, Notre-Dame-de-Lourdes is an architectural masterpiece and a religious gem designed by famed artist Napoléon Bourassa. A dazzling mix of Byzantine and Roman style, it was called "a labor of love" by its designer – and it shows. Located between the University of Quebec and the Latin Quarter, the church instantly cuts you off from the noise and traffic of the busy downtown and transports to a completely tranquil, unabashedly sentimental world filled with color and paint."

"At the large white cross at Easo, stay on the coast road to a parking area below the small Chapelle Notre Dame de Lourdes. Steps lead up the hill to the chapel from where there are fantastic views of Baie de Jinek to the west and Baie du Santal to the east and south. The chapel was originally built in 1898 to commemorate the arrival of the first Catholic missionaries in 1858."

"Start your day at the beautiful St. Joseph’s Oratory near the south end of the Park du Mont-Royal, located a short walk from the Côte-des-Neiges metro. If you want, you’re close to Montreal’s largest cemetery. I’m a weirdo and enjoy visiting cemeteries when I travel (I find them quite peaceful and a lovely place to walk)."

"If you’re up for a little history and culture, St Joseph’s Oratory is on the far side of Mount Royal. This beautiful basilica is Canada’s largest church, and it has one of the largest domes in the entire world. Don’t walk here from Mount Royal’s chalet, it’s far. Go back down, then bike or walk over."

"The Stewart Museum is housed in Montreal’s biggest military history site: the arsenal of the British military depot located in Parc Jean-Drapeau on Île Sainte-Hélène. Built in the 19th century, the fort is now home to a comprehensive collection of some 27,000 artifacts, archival documents and rare books related to the European history of North America, from the establishment of New France to the present day. The museum also offers a superb view of the city, from the top of its glass tower and from the fort’s inner courtyard."

"Here you can find the La Ronde amusement park, Stewart museum and the Biosphere as well as more great views of the city. As you head back to Montreal over the Jacques Cartier bridge, take some pictures of the city and the St. Lawrence from this great vantage point."