Amber is widely celebrated as a standout destination in Montreal for authentic Indian and Pakistani cuisine, frequently praised for its delicious, flavorful dishes and generous portion sizes. Guests often highlight the warm and welcoming atmosphere, which makes it an excellent choice for both celebratory gatherings and casual dinners. The BYOB policy is a popular feature that enhances the dining experience, especially when paired with the restaurant's consistently attentive and professional service. While most patrons have exceptional experiences, some have noted occasional inconsistencies in service or pricing, but the overall consensus remains highly favorable with many visitors eager to return for another memorable meal.
Old: It was super flavourful with good portions that come with unlimited rice ! My friend & I shared the eggplant & the veg korma. Staff were sweet
2026: I got the dal makhni desi style with rice. It was really delicious but I found the lentil to sauce ratio a bit too low. while you can order a second rice at no extra cost, the second rice came pretty cold which felt kinda cheap / petty of them (& they made a whole difficult speech about it when I asked if there's unlimited rice instead of just saying'yes you can get a second rice free of charge if you need just ask'). The service by my waitress was ok. It seemed like she was a bit impatient & pushy with me but she kept on a nice smile & energy when talking. She was still likeable but it kind of put a damper on the experience of eating in a relaxing restaurant for me (which you definitely pay more for but you get gourmet food too.) I ordered 2 appetizers to take home & she was kind of pressuring me to pay a 18% tip on all 3 things I ordered instead of what I just ate in house. I corrected her & asked to pay 15% tip & she acted like she didn't realize & was cool with it. I doubt it but ok. I'm looking forward to trying the gobi bites & baingan dahi (eggplant raita) tomorrow. The other waitress was really calm & sweet
This was our favourite place to order Indian from, but the recent price hikes are insane & we can no longer afford it. $27 for a curry & $6 for a single basmati rice before taxes & fees is highway robbery. Sad because it was very tasty :(
Went there twice. 1st time I visited the food was decent for me (not a consensus in the group). Service was good.
2nd time, for the Tuesday special menu, the onion bhaji was the best part of the meal (though a bit cold/ room temperature). The rest was subpar, especially the butter chicken. One of the worst I tasted. Surprisingly they have beef on the menu, & it was alright.
Of the ones I visited, a rare indian/Pakistani restaurant that includes the rice with the meat/ main dish.
If you're coming by car, parking will be hard to find as it's the case for most places in the area. Probably best to park further or use public transport.
We stumbled upon Amber Restaurant when the nearby Japanese place was full - & we're so glad we did! The dal makhni & chana masala were absolutely delicious, rich in flavor, & cooked to perfect desi style.
The rice came topped with crispy fried onions, adding just the right crunch & depth of flavor - it totally blew my mind! We also got a bowl of onions on the house.
Special compliments to Chef Ali & our wonderful hostess Hafza - their warmth & hospitality made the meal even better. I literally licked the dal makhni bowl clean, & my Punjabi husband said the chana tasted just like authentic North Indian chhole.
We were so hungry, we didn't even take a photo - that's how good it was!
👉 Tip for future visitors: If you want that truly authentic Indian taste, just ask them to prepare the food desi style - they'll happily do it. I hope you love it as much as we did!
Ordered dinner to go in person. The location is easily accessible & tucked away from the high traffic areas. Their spicy sauce ambience is perfect for dinning with friends or family.
The staff were polite & very pleasant. They provided recommendations on what to order. I ordered rice, naan & gobi. The naan was delicious.
Ok where do I start. So many gluten free options.
I took the mango salad. Tasty, juicy & not too spicy. Afterwards I took the butter chicken. The flavours are well balanced. & then, ladies & gentlemen, I tried lamb korma. OMG it was like a food hug. So good i wanted to curse LOL. I ate everything with rice because their bread is not gluten free.
The place is pretty & chique. During summer they open the big windows so you can sit near the street.
We showed up right at 5PM for their weekday happy hour deal: order any main & get 50% off appetizers & drinks. For real, that kind of deal in Montreal feels like a unicorn. Bonus? It's BYOB! Bring your favorite bottle or try their mocktails-surprisingly bold & worth it.
Mocktail highlights:
🍍 Ginger Pineapple Fusion - Bright, zesty, & just the right kick.
🥭 Mango Virgin Mojito - Sweet, tropical, & super refreshing. Perfect sidekick to all the spicy bites.
What we ate (& loved):
🥟 Chana Samosa - My MVP appetizer. Think crispy samosas loaded with spiced chickpeas, yogurt, & tangy chutneys. Like Indian nachos, but better.
🫓 Keema Naan - Fluffy naan stuffed with spiced ground meat. Tasty, but I'd ask if they could make it spicy next time!
🫓 Cheese Naan - Fluffy naan with cheese inside
🫓 Garlic Naan - Delicious with the butter chicken 🤤
🍗 Chicken Pakoras - Crispy, juicy, would love a little hot sauce with it.
🥗 Paneer, Tomato & Mango Salad - Gorgeous & fresh but a bit mild flavor wise. Wanted a bit of crunch or spice to round it out.
Main dishes = full flavor mode:
🍛 Butter Chicken - Creamy, rich, & total comfort food goals.
🍤 Shrimp Karahi - Light, flavorful, & packed with peppers & onions.
🍖 Lamb Biryani - Fragrant rice, tender lamb, & cozy spice. Everything you want in a biryani.
🔥 Mixed Grill Platter - All the tikka you could want-chicken, lamb, malai, & seekh kababs. Juicy & sizzling. Perfect for sharing (or not).
Sweet ending:
🍮 Cardamom Crème Brûlée - Dreamy custard with a toasty caramel top & that warm cardamom hug.
The vibe? Cozy, colorful, & full of personality. The staff handled our giant order & many questions with patience & smiles. This spot is perfect for date night, squad dinner, or spoiling yourself midweek.
💡 Foxy Tip: Bring a bottle, ask for extra spice if that's your vibe, & don't skip the chana samosa.
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Visited as part of a social media collaboration. This review reflects my honest experience.
This is the most white people Indian food I've ever had. I'm talking'Midwestern retired boomer with a house on Florida' white. Absolutely no flavour, no complexity, no spice. Hospital food. The presentation is good, but the pictures for the lunch menu lie to you as they show the main dish being the larger plate, while on delivery it's on the smaller side, way smaller than the rice. So, it's basically a side dish. I'm not complaining about the spiciness levels, I understand why it would be mid being in Canada, I prefer mid personally too. But, Indian food is not about the hotness, but the complex flavours, mixing & elevating each other in the curry. There was none of that. It was like a tomato soup but even that is acidic. I could not taste any of the spices, where was the cardamom, where was the turmeric? I tried two curries, couldn't tell them apart. No depth at all. I feel like getting a COVID test after eating there, just in case it's me. The vegetable side dishes were overall better than the main dish. The naan was fine, but a bit undercooked. Never coming back.
