La Diva - Montréal

We hadn't been to La Diva in a year. It has always been our go-to place for Italian when we visit Montreal. Since our last visit, it has been sold and is under new management. But rest assured it is still the best there is. The new owner, Sean, has maintained the same quality of service. The chef and his staff (who have not changed) still turn out one delicious meal after another. For our meal this time we ordered Caesar salad and mussels in marinara sauce for appetizers. My husband said they were definitely the best mussels he has ever had. And for main courses we had fettuccine Alfredo and penne Arrabiata, both prepared to perfection. Would highly recommend La Diva for either lunch or dinner. We'll be back.

I have been a customer to la Diva for many years, I do not go there often enough...I had a special event last week and the plan was to have a lunch at the restaurant but plans have changed. I have chosen to keep the plans but to go for a pick-nick instead. So I called earlier so all the food would be ready on time and as planned. Shawn one of the owner was on the premises and made sure that all was perfect. I had guests waiting in a very fancy ride and he came to deliver the food himself. The food was perfectly cooked to perfection (portobello escalopppe de veau with a few side dishes including a mix of home made pastas and a full arrangement of many colorful veggies). Service for me is VERY important, and we got plenty of that as well. Bottom line, while downtown this is one the BEST Italian food on the EAST side of downtown Montréal (10-15 walk from Old MOntréal and worth every steps! I'm sorry I did not get any pictures that time, but SO well worth it for the ambiance, service and quality of food.

I eat quite a bit of Italian food and when friends wanted to go to La Diva I groaned inwardly, since I live in Little Italy where the best Italian restos in Montreal exist. Well, apparently there are some 'best ' outside my area. La Diva is hidden, meaning, it 's on a stretch of Rene Levesque East that has nothing and I mean nothing happening, just a few non-descript buildings, some housing, no shops, no other restaurants. It 's accessible from Metro Beaudry with a short walk or a bus along Rene Levesque. If you drive, there 's plenty of parking. It was summer and we sat on the covered and enclosed terrasse. The owner was around and served us part of the meal. The feeling was that happy, Italian festive feeling of enjoying life, love, food and drink and good friends. I went to pay at the end (walking through the kitchen where the cooks were all friendly too), and the inside of the restaurant has as good an atmosphere. I enjoyed a pasta, spaghetti bolognese, that came with a small and delicious salad. I 've spent years eating a variety of pastas but spaghetti bolognese is my go-to pasta to assess a restaurant and this was excellent. Unfortunately, this is not a BYOWine restaurant. The price compares with other Italian restaurants. The atomophere, though, is what makes this place special. I will definitely return.

Been going to La Diva for about ten years, same cozy warm family atmosphere. Perfect old world italian. Whether chicken cutlet or muscles marinara.....always, Perfect ! Love this hidden treasure, just hope it continues to reside here, rent are rising and some of my favorites are falling to the way side, aka Ella Grill on Amherst and others on Rene Levesque. Just hope the family keeps it together and continues to deliver a fabulous meal at a reasonable price with friendly faces !

Years ago I discovered this restaurant when I watched the chef picking fresh herbs in the garden. We tried it and have been back about a dozen times. The food is classic Italian with the owner in the kitchen and his sons waiting tables. I always get the calf's liver. It is the best I have ever had. The last time we were there, a friend ordered the veal cutlet and said it was his best. They have a covered terrace for summer dining and in the winter, a welcoming fireplace. And, it is not too expensive. $25 without drinks)