Pl. Jacques-Cartier

It's a nice space and the people watching is really good. Patio is where it's at although indoor has a good ambiance. Ok, that's the only good things to say really. Service is bad, they're trying just felt like a combination of inexperience and poor communication with kitchen and servers. We waited an hour for apps, didn't really get adddressed until I tracked down our server, the activity in the square distracted us, but what a joke. We had the ambrosia and calamari to start, boring. Gnocchi pesto and penne with sausage for entrees, also boring. Wine list, unimpressive as well. Pizza might be the direction to go on this menu. Come for the patio but temper your expectations.

We came in here after walking around to get an alcoholic beverage, which we found out we had to order something to eat as well or else they wouldn't serve us. The waitress was very nice and gave suggestions of something small to order. We got our delicious drinks and a tiramisu for the table and enjoyed a quiet restaurant for the time we came in which was mid afternoon.

Located in the heart of old town Montreal, we found this Italian spot to have lunch at. They had an outdoor patio and someone playing the guitar right outside. When the guitarist was done, other musicians came and started playing Peruvian music with the flutes. Looking at the menu, I saw they had lasagna, so of course I ordered it! I also ordered the burrata salad and caesar salad. The lasagna was really good and hearty. It came with about 8 delicious layers and I finished it all! It was a nice day out and an enjoyable lunch. Service was good.

We were craving some pasta since we're from NY and the pasta here just tastes so good compared to home so I wanted to try some. Most places at this point were closing in the night and so we made a quick stop here after some bar hopping. This restaurant did not disappoint! Service was quick and the atmosphere was so lovely. We took an outdoor seating which had live music from the streets. We ordered the Penne alla gigi and insalata di ruccula. Perfect combo and polished both dishes. I highly recommend trying this place out!

Most dishes we had were extremely tasteless and overpriced. Our waitress was nice, hence the two stars

Tristan was an amazing server. We are travelling with 4 dogs and we were able to get a table outside, out of the rain. He even put the outdoor heaters on for us. The food and beverages were delicious. The service could not have been better! I hope we will make it back again soon.

Most disappointing experience, for an Italian restaurant was the worst pasta and pizza missing flavour. We had the LINGUINI AGLIO E OLIO, overcooked pasta, no seasoning, missing the garlic. $20 for equivalent to Kraft dinner. The AMANTI DELLA CARNE was missing flavour, old ingredients. Red wine served chilled.

We walked by comparing menus across the places here. Very tourist district, but we liked the dishes here. Wound up ordering appetizers and entrees, and were very impressed. The Caprese salad and Pulpette (meatballs) were terrific, and we really enjoyed the spaghetti bolognese and the pasta Arabiatta. Service was excellent, from primary server to food runners. Highly recommended!

Service was good, food was uninspired. Montreal has too many great places to spend a meal here. Ambiance benefits from the location.

Nice AC helps bump it up to 4 stars. Service was more like a 2. Food was a 4+ so it's a shame the waiter was not very attentive or punctual. Give it a try as long as you have time to spare.

TRISTAN THE MOST INCREDIBLE SERVER! Not only did he provide top class service to me and my partner, but he was also so kind and more than helpful! He gave us great pointers on the area and fun places to go visit well on our trip! By far one of the best places to stop and grab a bite, and of course their service is top-notch! Just asked Tristan!

The ambiance of the restaurant can't be beat! It is located centrally in Old Port Montreal. Great patio and views of the square. The service was questionable. The server was annoyed and looked like he hated his life. Which is fine. I'm sure seeing tourists all the time is annoying but this establishment is centrally located in a tourist spot so maybe deal with it?! Our actually server was pleasant. He changed the vibe of our experience. I can't say the food is anything special. The calamari was yummy and my friend enjoyed her salmon. My pasta with sausage and peppers was ok. There was three small pieces of sausage. I had to hunt for them. I requested extra sauce. What annoyed me is that they charged me $3 for that extra sauce. So cheap! I've never experience that. They food is mediocre and you charged me for a extra spoon of sauce? I would never come back here for food. Maybe just drinks. Most of the places surrounding the square are tourist traps anyways so I wasn't expecting much. Service was good. I tipped him well. Would recommend if you just want to enjoy the atmosphere of being in Old Port but don't expect amazing food.

Went in for an early dinner and had an excellent experience. The staff were very attentive and friendly. The brussetta was wonderful and the arugula salad had a light and flavorful dressing (my husband and I split it as it was very large) We had lasagna and the spinach ravioli. Both were delicious. The pasta was very fresh and cooked to perfection. Highly recommend!

When the restaurant nearby doesn't care about walk in customers, Trattoria Gio do care about you. No seat available outside when we were there but they have lots of room inside. Food was good, one of pasta dish cooked perfectly but another pasta dish was overcooked. Wine is ok and I like the most was salad. Cheese was fresh and there is a vegetarian option.

I can't stop thinking about the Gigi pasta I had here. The tiramisu is also amazing. The place is super central, around many other restaurants but I highly recommend this one. The prices are VERY good for the amount of food you receive and I liked that. I really enjoyed their wine and their juice. I feel like everything here taste just right. No exaggerations. The workers are helpful with the menu and super understanding of service animals. Thank you so much for your great service I will be back!

I rate 5 star on Service and Food. Insalata Mista; Ravioli with Ricotta and spinach. AWESOME!!!! Sister had Sea Bass and she didn't even share. Great cocktails. Nice wine list ... food exceptional. Thank you Tony. You were a love and you took good care of us. Kevin, Lisa and I will be back to see you. Thank you for sharing your stories with us. Grazia Tiramisu AMAZING. Great to share. Marissa & Lisa Furnari

The bread was delicious (la casalingua), the pasta was great, and the seafood was cooked perfectly. We came here on a short vacation and ate here twice. Suggested to everybody; please enjoy!

Had dinner here. Service was slow and the food wasn't that good. My wife had penne with sausage and peppers. You had to hunt for the three small slices of sausage. I had spaghetti bolognese. First off it was angel hair pasta, that tip off it came out of a box. The bolognese was missing. Pass by this one.

I had supper this evening at Trattoria Gio. It was really warm but nice so I sat on the patio and I wasn't the only one with the same idea. There was entertainment on the square just outside the restaurant. I ordered lasagna. It was hearty and just okay. Tatiana was my server. She was friendly and helpful and took good care of me.

Delicious italian food- the pasta was just divine!! Staff very pleasant and attentive. Menu items were quite extensive. Can't beat the location!

WOW, everything was delicious! The salmon was cooked perfectly, great flavors and the ravioli was amazing and HOMEMADE, salads fresh, wine recommendations excellent and tiramisu sooo yummy! The service was also fantastic! This was my second time and there will be many more. Thank you, enjoyed the experience!

Lobster ravioli was a good serving size and came with a decent amount of great tasting lobster. Sauce was great. The ravioli itself seemed a little bit under done. Overall a decent meal. Dog friendly patio was a plus.

The place is superb!!! Blows away all the other restaurants near it. I had the salmon and it was perfectly cooked with a light sear and soft flaky inside. The accompaniments added the right tastes to make it sooo delicious. I have also had their pasta dishes and they were outstanding. Authentic Italian and everything on the menu is top notch. You will love this place. The atmosphere is elegant and the wine list and cocktails are also excellent.

The food and service was very good here. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because it was a little bit expensive for the amount of food that was given. Overall this was still a delicious meal and a place I would love to come back to. A great tip - make sure you check out their daily specials. I got their tortellini with meat and burrata and it was one of the best pastas I've had in a long time.

I went to this restaurant with my girlfriend and had an overall great experience. Right in the heart of Place Jacques Cartier, this restaurant offers a really nice industrial vibe, with dim lighting and private eating areas. I ordered the 'gnocchi al arrabiata' and really enjoyed the tanginess quality of the sauce. They even have homemade tiramisu which is a must for all you coffee cake lovers!

3 Stars cause a little expensive for the quality of food & experience. Friendly staff, neat & clean place. Dishes were well made & well presented - we were left hanging outside by the waitress who "went in" to call the host. Host graciously made up to us by offering us a private space for our party of 9.

This place was exactly what we were looking for! We were intent on some filling Italian, and Gio delivered. The waitstaff was attentive and kind, the drinks were great, and the dishes were the perfect size. I got the fettuccine Alfredo, and we'd also recommend the gnocchi pesto and the spinach ravioli. Billy the server was great!! Will be returning.

This place was good. We went there for dinner on a Saturday night and got seated quickly. We got to sit outside and enjoy the music. We started with the bruschetta and calamari. Loved the bruschetta but the calamari had a little too much pepper for my taste. My brother got the pesto pasta with chicken, my parents both got pizzas and I got the seafood linguini. Everything was decent. I think I expected a different sauce for my pasta as it was just a regular tomato sauce but overall, no complaints.

Walking into the restaurant, we were met with warm and cozy ambiance. We were greeted right away and sat down at our table. The menues were in the form of a QR code, so be mindful and bring a device. The staff wore their masks due to it being a tight knit area. Our waitress was very sweet, but not very attentive to our table. There were many tables, and we ended up being served by two other people. We ordered our food quickly. The wait was longer than usual but tolerable. We were given free bread baskets with butter while waiting. Drinks were way too pricey, yet the food pricing was reasonable. When the food arrived it was delicious! Next time, I wouldn't order the SPAGHETTI ALL'ARRABIATA again due to the spice level. I do very well with spice, but this time it was overpowering the flavour. Still very good, and fresh! Though the service was not consistant, the vibe of the restaurant was great! Great for family dining, business and even a date! -Lindah J.

Definitely one of the best restaurants in Old Montreal! Authentic italian food and home made desserts, worth every penny. The restaurant is clean and the service is great. Familly members are in the kitchen, it truly is the perfect setting. Don't forget to try the espresso, best in the city.

I do not leave comments often, but for an experience this poor I felt it was necessary. We waited 20-30 minutes between interactions with our waiter. Our drinks were empty for 10-15 minutes a time. My wife's food specifically said it came with 4 shrimp. When it arrived, it had 0 shrimp. Ambience is nice, locations is perfect, but the service could not be worse. Only reason I'm giving 1 star is because I can't leave 0 and the food was actually decent.

This place reminds me...always check Yelp before being drawn in by outdoor dining and a guy playing guitar in the square nearby. Drinks were 5 star. Really. Some delicious cocktails. However, the pizza was no better than frozen. We ordered a "Margherita" pizza that should have had Fresh Basil on it. Got a cheese pizza. When we asked, the waiter said, yeah they left the basil off. The pictures show how they took care of the situation. Totally a joke. Drink, don't eat.

Enjoy the service and the view. The food, on the other hand, is not very good. Vegetable lasagna: Limp vegetables, heavy sauce. Calamari: Rings only and no flavor. Seafood linguini: Like the above dishes, wasn't fresh at all. The location is good as well as the service.

This is probably the worst Italian restaurant I've ever eaten at. The food was definitely overpriced for the quality of its food. I didn't finish half my plate. Also, they charged everyone at my table an extra $2.50 for Parmesan on the side without giving notice for the charge. Most Italian restaurants I go to tend to not charge a fee for Parmesan on pasta. In addition, they had asked if I wanted cheese on my ravioli and it ended up being basically a baked lasagna. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Definitely a tourist trap...placed in a very convenient location.

Lovely meal in a perfect location. We sat outdoors and enjoyed a beautiful July evening. The house made pappardelle pasta was spectacular!

We ate here for our second night in Montreal. While the outside was full, we had the best seat inside. We sat next to a large window that overlooked the common area. The appetizers were delicious (calamari and arancini). The dinner portion sizes were great. My husband and I got the lobster ravioli. There was a children's menu that offered plenty for my picky eaters. The desserts were excellent (tiramisu, cannoli, ice cream). While the service was a bit slow, it was just fine for us to take in the Montreal experience (and digest our food).

Good for kids and groups. One of the only places in Montreal that is stroller friendly. Above and beyond table service. Great wine selection. Reasonably priced for what you receive.

The service is absolutely atrocious, I don't know if it was an American tourist issue or a plain bad experience, but do not come here!!! The margarita pizza had zero basil, yet was described to have it and the white wine was barely chilled. Hostess was very pleasant and nice and they had a 2 for 1 beer special, but that does not make up for the other issues, fail on fail on fail. It is my own fault for not listening to the other reviews to begin with. Learn from me and stay away! THESE MOTHER FU**ERS!!! The 2 for 1 drink special is $10... For coors light! GD it, I would never pay more then $5 for one of these anyways! AHHHHHH hate being tricked, but hats off to them for being shady as sh!t

I had a great experience here with my boyfriend! The ambiance was really cozy and romantic, and we loved our food. I had the Caprese pizza and it was really tasty. The crust was thin and crispy with just the right amount of toppings. We also had the homeamde Tiramisu, which really hit the spot after our meal! Definitely a must try if you are in the heart of Old Montreal :)

People enjoy the terrace that's all , food is very very very but very bad , frozen chicken in fettuccini , pizza is disgusting it looks and tastes like frozen pizza , pastas are tasteless manager is very nice person and the location of the restaurant is one of the best but it does not really matter when you sell low quality processed food and hire none qualifying so called waitresses your restaurant will never ever have good reviews.this kind of restaurants don't care about customer satisfaction they are there just to make quick buck during the summer season that's all , most of the restaurants in this location in old montreal changes ownership quite often why? Because they don't care about customer satisfaction and quality that's why. We will never ever go here again.

Yikes. This is what happens when you have no cell service and can't read reviews prior to dining in a new area. We stumbled into this place based on one factor, only restaurant in area to have a/c on a very muggy night. We paid for the coolness. Pizza was a notch above grocery store frozen. Ordered a margharita and got a plain cheese. Salad was lettuce and dressing. No shaved Parmesan, cracked pepper, etc. Raviolis would give Chef Boyardee a run for his money. They were horrible. Needless to say, wish we would have saved $60 and eaten at McDonald's instead.

We were seated and forgotten about. We waited and waited.....walked out. Our waitress just stared. Crap place! Please don't waste your time here.

Not bad. Had the pasta with rapini and sausage and it was pretty good. A tad pricey for the quality but hey, you are in Pl. Jacques Cartier, heart of old Montreal. Get to enjoy the scenery and entertainment at same time.

Very shitty service & crappy food!! Definitely don't recommend this place. We had to ask water 5 times, before they even attended us.

Seated in the heart of old town Montreal, this restaurant looks like a grand place to dine and smells like a tourist trap. The food is expensively price especially for what it is. My adventure starts with 10 of us at a table outside. It took 15 minutes for us to get our orders taken and then another 10 minutes for us to get some glasses of water. Maybe it's slow or maybe this is just how the do here in Montreal. Either way me no likey. I ordered the seafood pasta. It came out like Prego on Barilla pasta with little rubber balls that were "seafood" scraps. Needless to say, I was not pleased. However, the waiter kindly offered to switch the pasta for something else -- a pizza that was actually pretty darn good. Oh yea my buddy ordered an apple juice that had a fly in it and they replaced it with a gingerale?? My advice? Pasta is a no go. Pizza is solid. Service leaves something to be desired. Overall still a place you can stop by with a nice atmosphere.

Stopped into Trattoria Gio for appetizers and a drink on our second in Montreal. The bruschetta was excellent. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere was beautiful. Service accommodating considering we did have 4kids with us. The meatballs and pasta fagioli were good. Ordered limoncello which tasted like Lysol cleaner. Watered down Sangria and $12 glass of Woodbridge! I hope this place can get it together considering the location.

I don't know why this place has bad service reviews. My server and host were attentive. I didn't have to look far to find them. I had the chicken Alfredo which was good and filling. I ordered a Heineken pitcher, it wasn't that great.

This is by far the best experience I had in a restaurant. The food is simply amazing and the atmosphere is great. You can taste the freshness of food and it's great to know that this restaurant respects their clients and offers them good quality food. On top of that the view is extraordinary because of its location; the old port, Montreal. Do not hesitate and go to Trattoria Gio and you won't regret it !