Funky & Cool Japanese bistro/Izakaya in Montreal! Biiru is a nice Japanese bistro located downtown, on City Councillors Street, hidden in the shadow of St-James church, a few steps from Ste-Catherine Street. The chef is pleased to offer traditional and refined dishes; you will enjoy the tender and juicy pork chops, marinated in a caramelized sauce. They just melt in your mouth! The tempura vegetables, cooked to perfection, are irresistible. In short, the menu leaves you speechless as its specialties are one better than the other. You will also find a variety of delicious tapas, ideal for enjoying as appetizers! The friendly and courteous staff will be happy to welcome you and promise you an excellent Happy Hour with friends or colleagues. Enjoy tasty specialties at this lovely bistro, very appreciated by its customers!
Reviews paint Biiru as a lively, stylish izakaya in downtown Montreal with a warm, attentive staff and a vibrant, shareable menu that blends Japanese izakaya flavors with a touch of fusion. The food earns frequent praise for quality and variety, with standout dishes such as okonomiyaki, karaage, salmon tartare, gyoza, ribs and tataki noted for flavorful sauces and inventive twists. The service is repeatedly highlighted as friendly, capable and efficient, even on busy nights, though a few comments mention occasional pacing issues or variability. The terrace is a recurring favorite, described as cosy and well heated, offering a pleasant alternative to indoor dining. Some reviewers find portions small for the price and note that prices can be high, but many feel the overall experience, food, drinks, ambience and service, justifies the cost. There is a strong appeal to sampling a wide range of tapas style dishes, with reservations often recommended due to demand. A couple of notes mention the minor exclusion policy, suggesting booking communications could be clarified. Overall, Biiru is framed as a go to spot for fans of Japanese tapas with dependable quality and a friendly, lively vibe.
I went to Biiru during my trip to Montreal because my friend suggested the place. She's been there a couple of times before & liked the food so she wanted me to try it to while we're in town. It was a Thursday night & we tried to get a last minute reservation online but there's no table available for 7:30 pm on the system. But we did get lucky with walk-in though because they actually have a table available for us at the outdoor area.
We decided to order a bunch of dishes to share between the two of us & here are some of my favorites from our meal:
🍵 Matcha Matcha • 8/10
I ordered the Matcha Matcha mocktail. Nice matcha, not too strong, not too bitter, not too sweet. It has a nice earthy taste.
🍽? Korn Korokke • 7.5/10
The croquettes were nicely fried & the curry wasn't too strong.
🥟 Pork Gyoza • 8/10
Great pork gyoza. The gyoza skin wasn't too thick & the pork was flavorful.
🍽? Kaisen Don • 8/10
The Kaisen Don was pretty good. It tasted fresh & & light.
All & all, although I liked some of the dishes better than the others, the food overall was pretty good for a modern Japanese fusion izakaya spot. Service was great & the staff who waited our table was nice. The noise level at this place was pretty high since it is a drinking place.
If you're looking for a good Japanese fusion izakaya spot with great drinks menu & lively atmosphere in Montreal, this place is worth to try.
I've been to Biiru a few times now for both work dinners or out with friends. Every time has been an amazing experience. Staff is on point & actually takes the time to check in & make sure you're having a good experience. Food wise incredible especially for the price. Each dish has amazing sauces & is full of flavour & has some slight twist on traditional Japanese izakaya food.
Update:
Going back a year later, the food & service are just as good. Will helped us tonight & had strong recommendations, including the haru karaage, okonomiyaki, unagi skewers, pork ribs, salmon bonbons, & more. Amazing dinner.
Feb 3, 2026
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Amazing Japanese restaurant in the heart of downtown! We were seated outside on the terrace, but as it is completly closed & has large warmers, we felt very comfortable even if the temperature was bellow 14°C the day we went.
As for the food, OMG, almost everything we tried was delicious, everything was fresh & the service was quick & efficient. I highly recommend the saumon bonbon, the salmon tartare, the Okonomiyaki & beef tataki. The Veggie Gyoza & the fried chicken were just okay.
I went to Biiru with a large group of friends (over 15 people) & we had the loveliest dinner, with amazing service, waiters that were eager to help & accommodate any food restrictions & an overall impeccable vibe!
I would recommend the okonomiyaki to anyone who wants the best Japanese pancake they've ever had - truly delicious, & I couldn't get enough of it!! Will definitely be coming back to Biiru for that dish alone.
Also, special thanks to Juliana, who was an extraordinary waiter & really went out of her way to make this a great evening for everyone in our group. Her drinks were wonderful . She was kind, always smiling, super quick on her feet & just an overall ray of energy. Definitely a highlight of the dinner!
Best japanese ever / un des meilleurs japonais que j'ai pu faire dans ma vie de globtroteuse Le maguro etait incroyable! Les takoyaki valent aussi le detour. Gyoza & karaage aussi, vraiment, allez y!!! Le service tellement agréable, un sans faute!
Amazing place! Delicious authentic Japanese food. The Chinese brocoli with sesame paste was particularly tasty. Went there with my family to celebrate my dad's birthday & it was pouring outside. We wished to have a seat inside rather than on the covered terrace which was colder but they didn't have seats left. To apologize, the restaurant offered us sake & free dessert. The manager was super kind & attentive. She felt we were a bit disappointed & first & kept checking on us to see if she could make things more comfortable or enjoyable. Service was fast, & the lanterns & flame heater on the terrace were super cosy. Will go back!!
My favourite Japanese restaurant! Impeccable service, amazing location, & best food. Truly made my Montreal trip memorable, would be back again! Merci Biiru
Visited on a Friday night & was served by the incredible Jessica. Jessica paid great attention to details & went above & beyond to ensure that we got everything we needed. Even though the kitchen was a little backed up (which we didn't even notice or mind at all) Jessica communicated with us highly professionally & offered alternative solutions to make sure we weren't feeling left behind. Jessica surprised us with sake shots & a very delicious dessert at the end of the night, all making the dining experience at Biiru extra memorable & enjoyable. Wonderful menu with creative & delish Japanese fusion dishes & cocktails. The tapas style dishes allowed us to try many options. Highly recommend the Korn Korokke, a croquettes dish paired with delicious curry sauce, creating a great balance between texture & flavour. The atmosphere is comfortable & great for conversations. Love the interior design & decors.
Aug 3, 2024
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Biiru Japanese Resto is a hidden gem in the heart of the city. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by the warm & inviting atmosphere, which sets the tone for a truly unforgettable dining experience. The staff at Biiru are friendly & knowledgeable, always ready to offer recommendations or answer any questions you may have about the menu. They truly go above & beyond to ensure that every guest has a memorable dining experience. Thanks again for the amazing service Mike!
Overpriced, low quality food. Also the cleanliness was questionable, tables too small, terass chairs & bench very uncomfortable. Not all items on manu were available. I would not recommend this place for some one who is looking for REAL Japanese cuisine & flavors.
First time visit in this new Japanese restaurant that was strongly recommended by friends. I have to say that we had a great evening, the food was terrific. We were suggested to try sampling a dozen of various entrees tapas style hot & cold. I also had sake, Hakutsuru - Junmai. The service was very good & we were able to get last minute seating on the terrace. I is strongly recommended to make reservations. #Japanese #tapas #ramen #japaneserestaurant
Apr 20, 2024
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This Izakaya offers delicious food but comes at a higher price. The atmosphere is lively but can be cramped & noisy. Recommended for those seeking tasty Japanese cuisine in a bustling setting, despite the cost & noise level.
Biiru is one of my favourite Japanese spots in Montreal. The service is top tier & the small dishes to share is perfect when going out with a group. Everything on the menu is super tasty & rightfully priced.
Honestly the best japanese restaurant ive ever eaten at. The service staff was super friendly & helpfull. They recommended some plates. They were all delicious.. especially the ribs omg!!!! The restaurant is pretty small so I recommend making reservations in advance. You can eat many plates as they arent too big & you get to taste a lot of diffrent dishes. The price is very good for the quality you get. The drinks are delicious as well. HIGHLY recommend!
Very fun experience, the food was amazing & was the closest to the japanese food I had over there. The place has a fun atmosphere that made our dinner even more enjoyable. The staff was very nice & a pleasure to talk to, our waitress even gave us a free dessert because it was our first time dining there. 10 out of 10, would very much recommend.
