Bar Kabinet presents a stylish, intimate vibe with warm lighting and thoughtful design that draws you in, but the space can feel cramped and the small tables can undermine comfort. The bar is the strength, offering creative, well balanced cocktails and a solid wine list, while the food tends to be underwhelming for the price with bites that are serviceable rather than memorable, though some dishes such as duck and certain tartares earn praise for flavor and execution. Service is consistently described as friendly, welcoming and attentive, contributing to a positive overall mood, and the venue is repeatedly recommended for drinks before or after dinner or a girls night out, with some noting improvements under new management. Overall the experience blends a craft cocktail scene and attractive decor with variable food value, making it feel more like a destination for drinks and ambiance than a standout culinary spot.
nice atmosphere, decent service, mid food. nothing special regarding food, its actually underwhelming & very small portions considering its not a fine dining restaurant.
i think kabinet ir better for grabbing drinks after a dinner.
It wins you over at first glance. The space is undeniably charming-warm lighting, thoughtful design, & an intimate atmosphere. It's aesthetically pleasing in a way that suggests a carefully curated experience.
Unfortunately, the reality doesn't quite live up to the setting.
We were seated at a wobbly table-a small detail, perhaps, but one that instantly chips away at comfort. It's something that's easy to fix & hard to ignore. The tables themselves are also notably small, packed tightly together in what feels like an effort to maximize capacity. While understandable from a business standpoint, it comes at the expense of ease & intimacy. Instead of feeling cozy, the space can feel cramped.
The cocktails were creative, well-balanced, & reasonably priced. It's clear that the bar is a strength. The wine list, though short, is well-selected as well.
The food, however, was underwhelming. The bites are serviceable but not particularly memorable. The beef tartare, in particular, lacked the depth & seasoning one hopes for-it felt flat & uninspired. At those prices, you expect something that excites the palate, not something you struggle to recall the next day.
This works well as a pre-date night stop: a place for a good drink in an attractive setting before heading somewhere else for dinner. We're glad we gave it a try, but between the cramped layout & the forgettable food, it's not somewhere we feel compelled to return to.
My friends & I walked into this beautiful place on a Thursday night without a reservation & were immediately sat at the bar. The staff was super friendly, the drinks were excellent, & the decor is so chic! I had a pornstar martini, which was one of the best drinks I've ever had. I can't wait to try the food here next time!
Kind of chose this on a whim in our 30hr visit to Montreal from Vermont. Greatest whim in a long time Grigor was out server & he was great. He described the dishes & drinks perfectly. Guided us towards house specials & for our food order, made sure we not only had enough, but also made the experience so enjoyable. Grigor offered tastes of all of the wines by the glass & also described them to a t. Made me want to stay & have more but family...
As for the food, we had one of each dish & every one was prepared very well. From the opener of Hamachi crudo which was so simple but the flavors of the tomato base & the Hamachi itself made a great marriage in the mouth. As the food progressed, the layers of flavors increased to the showstoppers in my opinion, the potatoes & then the duck.
The potatoes were on a base of what I'd call ajvar, a pureed red pepper sauce but with some vinegar in there too. This offset the richness of the duck fat potatoes & I could have ordered more of them until I passed out from a food coma, but family...
Then the duck came out. On a base of pureed apple, the duck was perfectly cooked medium rare & the flavors melded so perfectly.
Along with the food, the cocktails were expertly crafted & again, worth seeking out.
Overall, this was a crazy good experience that I'd come back to Montreal from my home in Brooklyn for. I have a reason to drive further to ski Tremblant
A beautiful apéro with Gregor as our server! Thank you so much for the great recommendations, & big thanks to the kitchen & the bar for the amazing dishes & drinks! 100% would recommend!!
Fantastic experience! The duck was delicious, & the fries with the bell pepper sauce were incredible. The tartare was also amazing-even for someone who isn't a big fan of salty dishes, it was perfectly balanced & flavorful. & the drinks were amazing,truly a Craft bar. Carrigan was so friendly, welcoming, & funny-she made the meal even more enjoyable. Ixchel was also wonderful, & their great teamwork really stood out. Looking forward to my next visit!
The most amazing spot for a drink & a laugh. Carrigan & Laura were the most phenomenal servers I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. The cosmopolitan was DELICIOUS, I cannot wait to return. Thank you for everything
Popped in for a couple of cocktails on a warm early spring day. The drinks were excellent & surpassed only by the pleasant staff. Great place all around!
Cocktails are good & the terrace is nice, perfect spot for a drink & share olives & nuts. Unfortunately the food was very disappointing. Whatever you do, do not order the Focaccia. Its a toast with cold roast beef cubes topped with fresh cranberries, it has no taste & nothing to do with a focaccia. Fish crudo was mainly a cucumber/tomato salad.. put aside the food & it's a great place to go for a drink before dinner.
