Jacopo in Old Montréal serves tableside fettuccine inside a hollowed wheel of cheese

Tucked into Old Montréal on Place Jacques-Cartier, Jacopo is an Italian restaurant offering authentic dishes made from fresh, seasonal ingredients in a two-level space that blends rustic Italian charm with modern elegance.

Inside, exposed stone walls, warm wood accents, hanging greenery and soft lighting set a scene that feels like a small trattoria in Rome rather than a Montreal restaurant. During warmer months, a terrace overlooks the historic square, offering a dreamy spot to linger over dinner and wine.

Chefs Giovanni Vella and Jason Jang take inspiration from rustic Roman trattorias, building a menu of fresh dishes and Italian classics. Antipasti include house bruschetta, beef carpaccio, homemade focaccia and calamari fritti—fried calamari served with lemon aioli. Handmade pastas feature classics like spaghetti amatriciana with guanciale, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, chili, pecorino and basil, and linguine pescatore topped with lobster, scallops, cherry tomatoes, pangrattato and a creamy bisque sauce.

Heartier "secondi," or second courses, include salmon fillet with mashed potatoes, asparagus and black fish roe served with lobster bisque, and braised short ribs with asparagus and gremolata polenta.

Jacopo's signature experience is its fettuccine pasta special, prepared tableside inside a massive wheel of aged cheese. Fresh fettuccine is combined with a creamy white wine and truffle sauce and prepared directly in a hollowed-out wheel of pecorino cheese. The heat melts the rich cheese into a silky sauce, creating both an entertaining presentation and a creamy, cheesy pasta that is simultaneously simple and deeply flavoured.

The wine menu features a wide selection of private imports, with an in-house sommelier available to find the perfect pairing for your meal. Desserts include tiramisu and three flavours of cannoli.

The restaurant's blend of elegant atmosphere, authentic Italian flavours and the showstopping cheese-wheel pasta experience has made it a go-to spot for both locals and visitors seeking Italian dining without the transatlantic flight.