Whether you’re dreaming of hand-rolled pasta dusted with Parmigiano-Reggiano or your Verdun winter soul needs the comfort of a bubbling wood-fired pizza, Italian cuisine delivers. Grab your fork, ready your appetite, and prepare for house-made focaccia. This neighborhood brims with trattorias serving everything from silky carbonara to slow-simmered ragù that’ll make you forget the snow outside.
Rita
$$ | (514) 419-1942 | WEBSITE
Stop by this cozy Verdun restaurant when you need to celebrate a special occasion or simply warm up with a generous portion of perfectly seasoned pizza. A slice of Rita’s San Michaele pizza will inspire you to pledge your allegiance to fresh ingredients. The pies are loaded with flavor from your choice of toppings like lamb shank or Diavola. The crust stays crisp, and slivers of mushrooms and herbs add a savory depth.
And the olive oil cake is deemed “Essential” on the menu, so don’t even think about skipping it (not that you’d want to).
Pizza Tifosi Verdun
A good pizza joint needs a solid crust, so settling for a place that offers BOGO deals might feel like cutting corners. But, the Makloub at Pizza Tifosi Verdun in Verdun will rewrite your entire pizza-eating philosophy. Thick crust is topped with a crew of quality ingredients, balanced sauce, and perfect seasoning. Drizzle on some chili flakes and dig into the poutine that’s served alongside, performing a constant, back-and-forth of chewing and savoring.
Get a cheap salad for a fresh crunch to get you out of your post-pizza food coma.
La Socca
$$ | (514) 766-2824 | WEBSITE
There’s plenty of space to settle in for a relaxed dinner at La Socca, which is excellent news when you and your companions are in dire need of highly satisfying Italian cuisine. The lamb with rosemary sauce at this cozy Verdun spot has a perfectly balanced flavor that tastes like it was cooked with genuine passion. Most of the menu here is meat-focused—you can get dishes like the chicken with forest sauce and the sumptuous Mamy salad.
They also have delightful dessert options like the raspberry panna cotta and other comforting classics.
L’in-time
$$ | (514) 227-1797 | WEBSITE
The mussels with pasta at L’In-Time is a standout. This generous bowl of seafood and noodles has a savory tomato-based sauce with enough depth to be considered its own main course. Plump, fresh mussels steam perfectly in the hot pasta and complement al dente spaghetti that we’d happily eat plain. The menu offers variety, but we always order the same dish, because we’re now in a devoted relationship with this combination and it’s never disappointed.
Basilico Pizza and Pasta
$$ | (514) 766-7777 | WEBSITE
A slice of pepperoni pizza at Basilico Pizza and Pasta on Nuns’ Island is like your favorite cozy sweater: not fancy, but comforting. Out of the many options on the menu, go for the wood-fired pepperoni pizza and carbonara pasta. The bubbling pepperoni arrives crisp-edged, is as satisfying as a warm hug, and the creamy carbonara completes the meal. This place is never crowded, making this the perfect post-riverwalk spot.
Pizzeria Geppetto Verdun
$$ | (514) 543-7424 | WEBSITE
Pizzeria Geppetto Verdun is a cozy, welcoming haven of fresh ingredients and balanced flavors. The restaurant keeps their pizzas straightforward—unlike other versions in town, theirs aren’t overloaded with excessive toppings or heavy sauces. The pie, which is larger than a dinner plate, is loaded with crisp crust, the perfect cheese-to-sauce ratio, and toppings that never lose their freshness.
Service is friendly and attentive, too, so you can settle in, savor a satisfying meal, and be out within an hour. The open kitchen adds to the warm atmosphere, making it a spot where you can enjoy dishes like the Mushroom crostini or Piazza Mazzarian without any fuss.
Restaurant Crescendo
$$ | (514) 766-2171 | WEBSITE
Restaurant Crescendo’s pasta tastes like it’s been crafted long enough to earn a Michelin star—it’s rich, perfectly al dente, and topped with freshly grated Parmesan to add a little sharpness. While you won’t find overly experimental fusion dishes, each plate of traditional Italian fare arrives in portions so generous you barely need to consider ordering dessert. Don’t be shy about asking for an extra basket of bread to soak up the sauces.
Bistro Entre Ciel et Terre
$$ | (514) 768-0740 | WEBSITE
There are few options in the neighborhood when it comes to cozy Italian bistros, but the standout among them is Bistro Entre Ciel et Terre. The restaurant has been serving Verdun since its opening and they continue to offer their beloved mussels and fries. The atmosphere is warm, but layered like the comforting embrace of a well-loved home. The generous portions of sweet potato fries accompanying each dish add just enough satisfaction to each visit.
