As February arrives, Montreal offers a powerful blend of enduring tradition and grand finales. This week, savor the timeless elegance of a multi-generational Italian institution before diving into a week of concluding celebrations: the last dance of the legendary winter festival, a metal invasion, and the biggest sporting party of the year. It’s a perfect moment to honor the classics and close chapters in style.
👉 For more nightlife and dining picks, visit MontrealNightlife.com.
🍱 Restaurant of the Week: Da Emma
📍 Address: 777 Rue de la Commune O, Montréal, QC H3C 1Y1 (Located in Old Montreal since 1998)
Da Emma is more than a restaurant; it’s a cherished Montreal institution that has served as the city’s dining room for over three decades. Recently passed to the sixth generation of the founding family, this Roman-inspired haven in Old Montreal continues to deliver timeless charm, unwavering tradition, and the profound comfort of nonna’s kitchen, making every meal feel like a gathering in a classic Roman dining cellar.
Atmosphere & Décor
Stepping into the basement-level Da Emma is like being transported to a timeless Roman cantina. Stone walls, wooden ceilings, white tablecloths, and period paintings create an atmosphere of warm, intimate elegance. The space seats 140, with a lovely 70-seat terrace for warmer months. A celebrity wall at the entrance, filled with photos of stars alongside the beloved founder, Emma, is a testament to its enduring reputation as a destination for genuine Italian hospitality.
🍽️ What to Order
The menu is a celebration of classic, family-recipe Italian cuisine, executed with soul and precision. As the Tastet review highlights, you simply can’t go wrong with the house staples.
Highlights include:
Antipasti (Starters):
- Burrata e Prosciutto ($35): Fresh, creamy burrata cheese paired with delicate prosciutto—a simple yet luxurious start.
- Carpaccio di Bresaola ($25): Thinly sliced, air-dried beef carpaccio, offering a delicate and savory bite.
Pasta & Primi:
- Agnolotti al Ragù ($28): Veal-stuffed ravioli served in a rich, traditional meat sauce—a deeply comforting classic.
- Fettuccine ai Funghi Porcini ($30): Perfectly cooked pasta tossed with earthy, aromatic porcini mushrooms.
- Medaglioni al Gorgonzola ($30): Ricotta and spinach raviolis in a bold and creamy blue cheese sauce.
Carne (Meat Mains):
- Polpette al Sugo ($34): The legendary veal meatballs in tomato sauce—a signature dish of pure comfort and a must-order.
- Abbacchio al Forno ($62): The classic Roman-style roasted lamb, a hearty and flavorful centerpiece.
- Bistecca alla Griglia ($65): A perfectly grilled sirloin steak for those craving a robust, classic main.
Pesce (Seafood Mains):
- Straccietti di Pesce Spada ($48): Sautéed swordfish with arugula, offering a lighter, Mediterranean-inspired option.
- Mazzancolle Gigante al Vino ($56): Jumbo shrimp cooked in a white wine sauce.
Dolci & Drinks:
- Pistachio Tartuffo: A must-order dessert that is, in their words, “to die for.”
- Wine: The curated list is strong in Italian classics by the glass, such as a Rosso di Montalcino ($19) or a Barolo ($21).
Why You Should Go
Because Da Emma is the gold standard for a reason. It offers a rare combination of historic charm, multi-generational family passion, and consistently excellent, soul-satisfying food. Whether for a special occasion, a romantic dinner, or simply to experience a piece of Montreal’s culinary history, a meal here is a guaranteed journey to the heart of Italy.
🔗 Visit Da Emma’s website
📖 View the Full Menu
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
🧊 Featured Event: Igloofest – Final Weekend (Week-End 4)
The legendary winter festival celebrates its grand finale at the Old Port! Bundle up for the last chance of the season to dance on the coldest dance floor in the world, featuring a fantastic lineup of electronic talent.
🎵 Weekend Lineup:
- Thursday, February 5:
- Sapporo Stage: Laure (7:30 PM), Weval (DJ Set) (8:30 PM), Elderbrook (DJ Set) (9:30 PM)
- Friday, February 6:
- Sapporo Stage – Teletech: Zorza (7:30 PM), Hannah Laing (8:30 PM), AZYR (9:30 PM), TRYM (11:00 PM)
- Videotron Stage – Homegrown Harvest: badgalquirit b3b donotstealmyname b3b Traxence (8:00 PM), Traxence (9:30 PM), donotstealmyname (10:30 PM), badgalquirit (11:30 PM)
- Saturday, February 7:
- Sapporo Stage: Andrea de Tour (7:30 PM), Cole Knight (8:30 PM), DJ Seinfeld (9:30 PM), Max Styler (10:30 PM)
- Videotron Stage – Ferias: Alina B2B Guthrie
🎫 Tickets & Practical Info
- 📍 Location: Old Port of Montreal
- 🗓️ Dates: Thursday, February 5 to Saturday, February 7, 2026
- 🎟️ Tickets: General Admission starts at $49 + tax. VIP Tickets (with heated terrace, fast entry) start at $97.07 + tax.
- 🔗 For tickets and full festival info: Visit the Official Igloofest Page
🎵 Dean Lewis at Place Bell
Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis brings his emotionally resonant pop anthems to Place Bell in Laval. Known for heartfelt, globally successful hits like “Be Alright,” “Waves,” and “How Do I Say Goodbye,” his live show is an intimate and powerful experience of storytelling through song, perfect for an arena-sized singalong.
📍 Venue: Place Bell, Laval
🗓️ Date & Time: Thursday, February 5, 2026 — 7:30 PM
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🤘 Northern Invasion at MTELUS
Prepare for a night of pure, unadulterated heavy metal as the Northern Invasion tour storms into MTELUS. This multi-band package event is a prime destination for the city’s dedicated metal community, featuring a lineup of crushing riffs, blistering solos, and intense energy that will shake the foundation of the venue.
📍 Venue: MTELUS, 59 St Catherine Est
🗓️ Date & Time: Friday, February 6, 2026 — 7:00 PM
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🏈 Super Bowl LVIII Viewing Party at New City Gas
Gear up for the biggest sporting event of the year! New City Gas hosts an epic Super Bowl LVIII viewing party, transforming its industrial-chic main room into the ultimate sports den. Watch the game, halftime show, and all the commercials on massive screens with impeccable sound, surrounded by great drinks, stadium food, and an electric crowd of fellow fans.
📍 Venue: New City Gas, 950 rue Ottawa
🗓️ Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026 (Super Bowl Sunday)
🔗 For event details and tickets: Visit New City Gas
📚 Sources
