In 1958, a young man named Pasquale Di Lena had a vision. A family man from Capobasso, Italy, he imagined a business that would bring people together. Far from his hometown, he chose to lay roots in Montreal and he decided to open Da Bologna Restaurant. It was the start of a family business with his wife, Mercedes Martucci, by his side.

He made it his life’s work during the 1960s and 70s to build his pizzeria, creating pizzas, submarines, pizza burgers and many more dishes that have been delighting customers for many years. Mercedes prepared the soup of the day along with the special of the day every day and not only helped with the cooking, but also greeted customers and made everyone feel like family. They quickly build their clientele, serving regulars daily.
When Mercedes & Pasquale retired,  Da Bologna was owned and operated by someone outside the family circle for a brief period of time. Then, in 1995, Vince Di Lena, the youngest son took ownership & made the restaurant feel like home again. He remembers being part of the business as a young boy and feeling nostalgic, decided it was time to continue his family legacy. He has invested his heart and soul, time and love for food in preparing meals that keep customers coming back for more.
The menu consists of home recipes that were passed down from father to son. The pizza dough is not only used for pizza, but also serves as the bread for their famous submarines and pizza burgers (a must-try if you haven’t already!). Over the years, new pizzas were created and named after the beloved original owners, to commemorate their love and passion for serving their customers with authentic Italian dishes. The Mercedes Arrabiatta, named after his mom who worked by his side for many years, is spicy in honor of her fierce love for life! The Don Pasquale, named after his father, is hearty with its assorted meats and vegetables. Many people who remember living in the area have remained loyal customers because they love the food, the staff and the owners. Come and see the history for yourself. You will be welcomed with smiles, great service and excellent food!