We could tally our year by the number of Zoom calls endured, the steps tracked on forgotten walks, or the times we scrolled past sunset. But we choose to measure ours by savoring the only moments that truly lingered: the best meals we shared. These Italian gems in Saint Laurent—from cozy trattorias to modern osterias—offered plates that turned ordinary evenings into memories. And for that, we raise a glass to these eight spots.
Restaurant La Piazza
$$ | (514) 337-0030 | WEBSITE
I spent about six weeks this year dining at Italian spots multiple times a week, which made me feel like garlic and Parmesan had become my bloodstream’s primary constituents. Of all the versions I tried, La Piazza’s in Saint Laurent was the one that significantly raised my standards for the neighborhood’s Italian fare. The veal scaloppini has just as much bright acidity from the lemon sauce as it does from the tender, thinly pounded cutlets.
And even though there’s not a mountain of prosciutto visually blanketing the pizza, there’s still enough savory, salty depth from the authentic prosciutto di Parma to inspire an image of contented pigs grazing on Emilia-Romagna hillsides. When you order it, make sure to savor the occasional creamy burst from the garlic mashed potatoes—that’s my favorite aspect of the meal.
Pizza Gourmetti
$ | (514) 739-7707 | WEBSITE
There’s nothing inherently glamorous about poutine. It’s messy, it’s heavy, and it doesn’t exactly whisper sweet nothings about your waistline. But eating the poutine at Pizza Gourmetti (a welcoming Italian spot in a Saint Laurent strip mall that’s been serving generous portions since it opened) changed that for me. Digging into its fresh, made-to-order version was one of the more satisfying comfort-food experiences I’ve had in a year of overly fussy dining.
It arrived steaming hot, which meant I got to admire a glorious cheese pull stretching from the plate like a golden bridge over crispy fries and rich gravy. I leaned in as close as possible before taking a bite, like I was a poutine appreciation student. This was glorious junk food.
Restaurant Du Collège
$ | (514) 747-5335 | WEBSITE
One or two bites of the pasta with garlic and shrimps were enough for me to declare the dish at this Saint Laurent Italian spot the best thing I’d eaten in recent memory. Then a couple spoonfuls of the lemon sauce from the filet du sole, which starts out bright before becoming increasingly rich and buttery, pushed the timeframe to a month.
And once I’d gotten through the huge portion of salmon with honey and chili sauce that’d been glazed perfectly the whole time – flaky fish, crispy skin, and that sweet-spicy balance – I knew I had a shoo-in for this guide.
Ottavio St-Laurent
$$ | (514) 335-7966 | WEBSITE
I’m not going to pretend like any restaurant conceivably made me forget about my dietary restrictions or the anxiety that comes with them. But eating a massive plate of gluten-free pasta outside of this Saint Laurent Italian spot with a friend made me feel temporarily at peace with dining out. The dish is made with authentic Italian flavors and a modern touch, as well as pieces of what they call zucchini fritter and tons of bright herbs on top.
It’s welcoming and professional, and travels exceedingly well for takeout.
Plaza Volare
My understanding of event planning has shifted quite a bit this year. For example, right now a perfectly placed floral arrangement is enough to catch my eye, whereas back in March, it took considerably more. But even back then, as I stood in one of their magnificent rooms at Plaza Volare, and watched the communicative staff coordinate every detail of a corporate party, I realized I was witnessing something truly exceptional.
That feeling persisted when the braised beef was served to guests, creating a dining experience about as memorable as a wedding day.
Restaurant Vino Rosso
$$ | (514) 337-6664 | WEBSITE
Italian food is my favorite comfort cuisine, and I finally got around to trying Vino Rosso in Saint Laurent this year. This was easier said than done with just one dining partner, because we had to pick between the highly-recommended swordfish and the Pollo sulla griglia, but months later I’m still feeling confident about the path we chose. As is typical, they use fresh ingredients, which keeps both the Mozzarella caprese and the arugula salad remarkably vibrant.
The warm atmosphere holds up against the affordable pricing, and I’ll just say that we wished we had opted for the homemade pistachio ice cream rather than just the fresh cannolis.
Trattoria La Villetta
$$ | (514) 337-1999 | WEBSITE
I’d heard of angels taking human form. But I’d never heard of an angel taking the form of a thick, crispy, parmesan-crusted chicken cutlet smothered in marinara and melted mozzarella. That is, until I tried Trattoria La Villetta. Each chicken parm from this cozy trattoria came topped with a small edible heart, and upon finishing one generous portion, I felt a sense of comfort—like a blissful nonna had just released a little extra warmth and contentment into my body.
This sympathetic dish made it so much easier to enjoy a fantastic family dinner.
Birreria ITALI.CO
$$ | (514) 331-7172 | WEBSITE
On weekends especially, Birreria ITALI.CO at Côte Vertu serves a very special wood-fired pizza with plenty of tomato sauce and authentic Italian flavors. This spot offers a warm and cozy atmosphere, and it’s the kind of place where you feel immediately comfortable because the staff, including Paula, are pleasant, attentive, and welcoming, like how I imagine a favorite neighborhood host to be.
One evening, I settled into the rustic yet modern decor, selected from their 48 imported beers on tap, ordered the Chicken Parm and a pizza in a relaxed tone—and now I understand why this place comes so highly recommended.