With urban Montreal as a backdrop, a chic and elegant decor, a refreshing musical band and an irreproachable service, the Bateau-Mouche sails their patrons into a gourmet cruise where creativity is the guest of honor. Discover menus created by the star chef, Louis-François Marcotte, in collaboration with Benoit Hogue from La Brigade Volante.
Reviews of Bateau-Mouche Souper Croisière describe a visually stunning, immersive dining cruise with heated domes, breathtaking views of the Old Port and Montreal by night, and a romantic or festive atmosphere that many consider memorable. Visitors frequently praise the concept, ambiance, and some dishes and drinks as excellent, and the service is often described as friendly and attentive when well executed. At the same time, opinions vary on execution, with several mentions of slow or disorganized service, long waits between courses, and meals arriving tepid or cold. Pricing is consistently noted as high, with some feeling portions do not match the cost, though others view the experience as worth it for the overall immersion and atmosphere. Logistics such as locating the venue, signage, and balancing heat and comfort inside the domes are noted, along with occasional heat or temperature issues. Many reviews highlight the setting for special occasions, romantic evenings, or group celebrations, and several say they would return for a future event or the summer version. Overall, the reviews present a mix of magic and frustration: a unique, splashy experience can be extraordinary, but consistency in service and meal timing can make or break the night.
My boyfriend & I flew in to Montreal for a romantic New Year's getaway & booked Le Bateau-Mouche hoping for a special, memorable dining experience on NYE. Unfortunately, it was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
When we arrived for our reservation, we were told to wait outside in the cold for over 30 minutes. Guests were clearly frustrated & confused, & there was no organization or communication from staff. Once seated, we were packed in extremely tightly-so much so that my chair was constantly being bumped by people trying to squeeze past throughout the night.
The service was, without exaggeration, the worst I've ever experienced. It took 20 minutes for our server to even introduce himself. When I asked a simple question about a cocktail ingredient, I was told he was'far too busy' to explain anything that evening. I had been looking forward to a curated cocktail experience but instead ordered something I was familiar with. We waited another 20-25 minutes for drinks to arrive.
The DJ played music so loudly during dinner that we had to shout just to hear each other. Several guests asked for the volume to be turned down, but nothing changed. The New Year's Eve prix fixe menu also became an issue, as we had an allergy at the table. When we asked if accommodations could be made, the server sighed audibly & questioned whether the allergy was even real. He said he would check with the chef & that we'd be lucky if anything could be done.
I was asked how I wanted my beef cooked & requested medium, only to be rudely told that only medium-rare or well-done were options. While I understand kitchen limitations on a busy night, the way this was communicated was unnecessarily abrupt. To make matters worse, my boyfriend's soup course was skipped entirely, the pacing of the meal was completely off, & my soup arrived cold. Overall, the food was just okay-certainly not worth the experience.
We did enjoy the ambiance & the lights on the boat & truly tried to make the best of the evening despite everything. At one point, the servers' attitude & situation became so absurd that it felt like we were being punked. I asked for our bill in time to step outside for the fireworks, but the request was flatly refused. Stating he was once again too busy to deal with it even though we gave him amble notice. Then, incredibly, the DJ missed the New Year's countdown altogether.
All in all, it was a deeply disappointing experience. Thank goodness for good company-without it, the night would have been a complete loss.
Came for the frosted dome experience. Service was 10/10, the guys were super friendly & attentive.
Environment & atmosphere was magical at night. We didnt feel cold at all, heaters & blankets were provided & we didnt feel the need to use them, but they warned us ample times so we dressed warm.
Only half a star deduction is for the food itself. Again credit to the team, they use this ingenious method of transporting foods in big thick bags & carts & obviously the labour & service is appreciated. But naturally with food being walked outside in -20 its going to get cold. So do not expect a piping hot fresh out the kitchen meal. Our steak was warm but not hot & gets cold easily & quickly in our dome if we took our time to eat.
Lastly another half a star deduction for the overall price. You pay a fee to book the experience (over $100) & then you pay table d'hote (119$) & then you pay for extras like 8 oz steak (which is totally optional) so overall for two people you're spending well over $250 easily at MINIMUM. We got drinks too so you're looking at $450 + tax & tip.
Its a once a year experience which we don't mind paying & obviously its old port prices but still damn that hurts the wallet.
Jan 31, 2026
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I got the duck & it was amazing!! It was a tad bit dry but still good even alone. However, when you pair it with the sauce & mashed potatoes, it was phenomenal! I got an Amaretto Sour & a Pink Paradise & they were both such amazing drinks! The service was nice but it would've been nice to be checked on a bit more throughout the night. It also took a while to receive our drinks & they took the water bottle & didn't refill it until the end. Our server Mary was amazing as well!! she was super kind & helpful! The place is beautiful & I would definitely dine here again!
We were there for NYE, had reservations in one of the Frosted Domes for 21h. The service was so slow. The servers did not seem happy at all, it looked like slavery, they just went back & forth like mules with their trolleys. It took two hours for our drinks to arrive. Our 1/2 cup of soup was poured out of a thermos. Our main course was delivered at 23h50. The portions, wait time & service was not worth the 750$ we were required to pay between reservations & choosing menu options. After speaking to other guests there we found they had the same bad experience. One dome's zipper was broken so the guests were freezing while waiting 2.5 hours for their meal. The domes were nice, cheaply decorated but the lighting ambiance made up for that. There's a Bluetooth speaker to play your own music. There was one bus-girl with an orange toque who was pleasant & had a sweet personality. She would have been a good server to be honest. For a NYE dining experience, we felt robbed, it was a total cash grab.
Reserved the Dôme Experience to celebrate a special occasion with my boyfriend, & it was the worst experience we've ever had. Our 7:30 PM reservation turned into a 30-minute wait in a freezing boat with no music, no ambiance, & nothing offered to drink. When we finally got into the dome, it was freezing cold & visibly broken, yet nothing was explained to us & no solution was offered, nor were we moved to another dome. Filet mignon was no longer available, & the only remaining options were volaille or salmon, which we do not eat-despite the experience being prepaid & non-refundable. The food we did receive was terrible: the bread was cold & hard as a rock, & the soup was cold as well. We ultimately left the place after wasting two hours, & what was supposed to be a special, celebratory evening turned into an uncomfortable, frustrating, & very disappointing experience from start to finish.
The setting is really quite enchanting. The domes are so beautiful, with really great lighting, cozy atmosphere, heating ventilation, Bluetooth speakers for your own music, & great view of Montreal's old port at night.
One thing that really stuck out for us was the service. Both Felix & Jeremy were so courteous, polite, quick & really hospitable. We are so grateful for them two keeping the drinks flowing, keeping the cool dishes cool & warm dishes warm despite it being -8C outside here tonight. Not an easy task but they were very successful at keeping everything as intended.
Thank you for such a special experience.
Bateau Mouche: an overpriced, cramped & hungry cruise
On Friday, August 29, 2025, I went to Bateau Mouche in Montreal to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. We were joined by another couple &, honestly, we expected a memorable evening. What we got was a mix of frustration, involuntary laughter, & growing hunger.
❌ Cons
- Confusing location
For first-timers, finding the boat is a challenge. The signage in Montreal's Old Port is poor & not intuitive.
- Expensive & limited parking
We arrived early but still paid $35 for a spot that wasn't worth the price.
- Overpriced boarding ticket
We paid $290.90 just to board the boat - no food or drinks included. We wanted a window seat, but the price was even more outrageous for a difference of half a step between central & window tables.
- Rude check-in staff
The young man at reception was arrogant & impolite. Clearly not suited for customer service.
- Cramped seating
We're four adults averaging 1.80 m (about 5'11'), & the space between tables & chairs was uncomfortable.
- Slow service
The cruise lasted 3 hours, but we were only served after 2. The excuse: too many orders on the lower deck. Hire more cooks!
- Disappointing food
We paid $199.98 for two AAA filet mignon dishes. The portions were so small they looked like plate decorations: a handful of beef, sweet potato purée, beets, & baby cabbage (I think that's what it was).
We were so hungry & the portions so ridiculous that we all laughed. Ironically, it was the funniest moment of the night.
- Underwhelming mocktail
The Voile d'été tasted like sparkling water with a hint of flavor. Very little, though the taste was pleasant.
- Feeling ripped off
As a cook myself, I find it unacceptable to charge high prices for meals that don't satisfy. When I pay over $35 & get tiny, bland portions, I feel like suing.
- Forced tipping
I refused to leave a tip, & the waitress tried to justify it by blaming the kitchen. I disagree - service is a team effort, & the overall experience was poor.
✅ Pros
- Friendly captain
Despite our friends arriving late, the captain gave us an extra 10 minutes & was always smiling & welcoming.
- Excellent pina colada
One of the few pleasant surprises of the night. Well made & tasty.
- Kind waitress (despite the tip issue)
Although she tried to defend the tipping, she remained polite & friendly.
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⭐ Final rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
The night had its comic moments - especially when we laughed at the tiny portions served. But overall, it was a frustrating, overpriced, & uncomfortable experience. Next time I think about cruising, I might just stay on land. It feels safer… & tastier.
I found this place & spent over 400$ to dine-in which includes the reservation fees & 2x 6 course meals + drinks. The service was very good & also the food. But one issue is that it was freezing inside the boat, the waiter told us that the heating was not properly working. She was kind enough to bring some blankets after the meal. After spending 3 hours in the cold, started to feel sick after coming back home.
Loved the 60 minute Tour with the family during the summer. It was our Second time in Montreal & this time we went in the Old Port of Montreal. Found this ticket booth & thought it was interesting. We were boarded by the Captain & sat upstair. The Roof slides open so we were outside while seated. Very nice table too, modern & chique interior. We had a Nachos & a few drinks. Guide was very funny & interactive. Overall, lovely tour & I highly recommend it.
Oct 20, 2024
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Our experience on the Montreal Old Port bateau-mouche was fantastic, thanks in large part to our server Amine. Although we didn't enjoy one of the drinks we ordered, he promptly replaced it for us without any extra charge. His friendly & accommodating attitude made our afternoon wonderful. It's rare to find such exceptional service, & he truly made a difference. Highly recommend this cruise, especially with service like his!
Great one hour river cruise. You can sit downstairs which has comfy seats & large windows or sit up the top in the open whatever suits you best. There is a bar so you can have a drink while you take in the sights. Commentary is provided in both English & French which was appreciated.
