We named our restaurant Bistro Nolah, an acronym for New Orleans, out of a love for the style of comfort food they serve down south. This style of food will be the inspiration behind some of the dishes we will be serving at Nolah.
Bistro Nolah is described as a warm, intimate spot with a small but lively dining room and a vibe that nods to New Orleans. The food receives high praise across the board, with standout dishes including gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, brisket, catfish, hush puppies, bread pudding, and beignets, noted for rich flavors, generous portions, and thoughtful presentation. Brunch is a major draw, offering inventive southern favorites and a few guests calling it among the best, though the restaurant can be busy and reservations are often advised due to limited space. The service is repeatedly described as attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, contributing to an overall welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like a special occasion without being overly formal. Several reviews mention a charming interior and, in good weather, a terrace experience that enhances the mood. Occasional notes of spice balance and timing show that the kitchen can be very busy on weekends, with a few patrons noting long waits or specific dishes that could have more heat or variety. Overall, Bistro Nolah is seen as a top choice for southern comfort cuisine in Montreal, delivering consistent quality, strong hospitality, and a dining experience that fans are eager to repeat.
I absolutely enjoyed every single meal at Bistro Nolah! First of all, I had no reservations & was assuming I could just show up & be seated as it might not be too busy on a Sunday night but to my surprise it was full! Regardless & irrespective of the fact that I was not expecting them to accommodate us, they were able to make it work! The service was great & the food was even better. Everything was so hot & fresh when it came out. We started with the Mac & cheese, fried chicken, jambalaya & gumbo. Everything was delicious, I found the gumbo a little strong on flavour for my preference but the fried chicken was decadent. Perfect amount of chicken to batter ratio, very fresh & delicious honey glaze to top it off. For mains, we went with the jerk shrimp grits & braised short ribs. Both were delicious! Lastly, for dessert we enjoyed the bread pudding which was also delicious! Overall I would go back over & over just for the amazing food & service. It was beautiful to experience a little bit of NOLA here in Montreal!
One of my absolute top spots on the island. From the warm, impeccable service (special shoutout to Chris), to the well?stocked bar & spot?on cocktails, to-most importantly-the magic coming out of Chef Richard's kitchen, everything is a 10/10. Portions are generous, every dish hits exactly how you want it to, & I genuinely dream about the shrimp & grits. No notes.
Feb 14, 2026
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'Nolah is a total showstopper! The interior is absolutely beautiful-elegant enough for a special occasion but with a warmth that makes you feel right at home.
We started with the Sausage Gumbo, & the rich, dark roux was perfectly authentic. If you're a fan of Shrimp & Grits, their Charleston-style version is a must-try; the mascarpone-infused grits are incredibly creamy. Masha loved her ribs, & my Buttermilk Fried Chicken had the perfect balance of tenderness & a heavy-duty crunch.
We finished with the Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce (an absolute essential) & some airy, powdered sugar-dusted Beignets. It was easily one of the best Creole meals we've had. Highly recommended!'
1st time experience with my girlfriend & her husband. Was recommended by a co-worker & drove from the east end to try this spot.
WOW!!! EVERYTHING was on point! The blackened catfish, the fried chicken & the Creole shrimp plates were extraordinary. The grits are so good, creamy & rich with a mascarpone cheese.
I'm a critique when it comes to taste & quality. All 3 of us were in AWE. Aw wonderful experience for the taste buds.
We shared the bread pudding with the bourbon sauce. OMG
We will definitely be back for the terrasse in the summer 😊
No photos for food. We simply enjoyed the culinary experience !!
I had the jerk shrimp with grits, I thought it wouldn't be filling but turned out to be a good portion. The mac n cheese lacked seasoning it was not what I expected but tasted like homemade.
Went for a dinner on a Sunday night. Making the reservation was easy & service was great. I have dined here before & the food is consistently delicious. We ordered the bao buns, mac & cheese, & shrimp & grits.
Dec 15, 2025
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The food here is always incredible. So much flavor & really good quality. The restaurant is small & I think this adds to its charm as a must eat place in the West Island & perhaps the whole city! We had the shrimp Creole & the shrimp with grits & they were both deliciously seasoned & beautifully plated. We had the fried chicken as a starter & it was juicy, tender & just the right amount of sweet & spicy.
Service & atmosphere is great small & quaint restaurant. The food itself is awesome everything is fresh & you can taste it. Grits are awesome & so are the desserts makes me feel like I'm having some real home cooking definitely recommend southern food in Quebec is rare & this place does it for real so if your like me & love some southern comfort food come check it out you won't be disappointed
Had dinner last night November 19th
Me & my friend . Wished I'd remembered the servers name cause he was amazing 😀
The service was spectacular!!!!Food was above my expectations & I've been to New Orleans ♥?
We had cat fish tacos, shrimp & grits & octopus with black rice. I don't even like rice, but I ate every bite. We finished with my guilty pleasure bread pudding. To DIE FOR.
Check it out!!!! You won't be disappointed
Definitely a place to try in the West Island! Very unique Southern style meals & appetizers to choose from. I would recommend the fried chicken appetizer it was delicious! For the main courses, we got the jerk shrimp & grits & the braised ribs. Everything was delicious & not overly spicy. Great service from Chris & very nice atmosphere in the whole restaurant!! Reservations are definitely needed as the restaurant is small inside. Would recommend this place to anyone !
Nov 12, 2025
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One of the best restaurants my husband & I have ever been to. The food blows my mind with the rich flavours & amazing ingredients. I am blown away every time I come here.
The staff goes above & beyond & the owner is charming & welcoming.
Top meals: octopus with black rice, lobster mango avocado salad, brisket, shrimp in creole sauce. I've never had grits but it's now my favorite thing to eat.The beignets are mouth watering & a must order!
My husband & I went to Bistro Nolah for our anniversary dinner. As soon as you walk in, you feel like you're in a different place. The atmosphere is so zen, the decor brings you to New Orleans.
We have the grits & jambalaya as appetizers. I always wanted to try grits, but never had the chance. These grits will make you slap your mama. They are tasty, smooth & full of flavour. I could eat it morning, noon & dinner, with snacks in between. If I could, I would've sneaked in the kitchen to take the rest of it home.
The jambalaya has the perfect blend of spice & flavour.
Main course: brisket & catfish. The brisket comes with mashed potatoes & mushrooms, surrounded by two different types of sauce.
The catfish lays on a bed of mashed sweet potatoes.
Again, both dishes are packed with flavour & a right size portions.
Desserts: chocolate torte & bread pudding. One word: Decadent.
What I loved about the menu is the amount of gluten free items.
The food is well worth the price. Bravo Chef Richard! We will definitely return for brunch.
5/5 would visit again. I wasn't impressed with the crab cake appetizer. I enjoyed the shrimp & grits. The food surpassed the service. The waitress did not check in often so that meant getting our bill took a long time.
Aug 10, 2025
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Best brunch spot in Montreal! We started off with Bread Pudding Pancakes & levitated to heaven. Then we got the Southern grits with poached eggs & chorizo & the angels started singing. By the time we finished our guava mimosa & the pancake bourbon sauce we couldn't come back down. Coming back fosho 🥞
We visited Bistro Nolah, a refined restaurant inspired by the rich & soulful cuisine of New Orleans, Louisiana. The name'Nolah' is a nod to NOLA (New Orleans, LA), & it's a fitting tribute-the flavors truly capture the spirit of the region.
The space is small & cozy, with a vibrant, energetic atmosphere. The lively background noise adds to the charm, creating a warm & animated dining experience without feeling overwhelming.
The menu is compact, but each dish is thoughtfully crafted. We began with the jambalaya arancini, served with a deliciously spicy sauce that lingered pleasantly on the palate.
For our main courses, we had the smoked brisket-exceptionally tender & beautifully seasoned-& the shrimp & grits. The shrimp had a bold, spicy profile, perfectly balanced by the smooth, comforting grit. Each bite was both satisfying & refined.
To finish, we shared the banana cheesecake flambéed with Jack Daniel's-rich, indulgent, & the perfect finale.
Bistro Nolah offers a more upscale dining experience, & while it comes at a higher cost, the quality, attention to detail, & overall atmosphere make it well worth it. I would gladly recommend it for a special occasion or a memorable evening out.
Group dinner for 14 people, very accommodating from the time of reserving all the way through. Food was amazing (special note to the Shrimp & Grits & the bread pudding with bourbon sauce!!!). Will go back, excellent experience!
First time dining here & the experience was excellent. The food was very good & yummy. Highly recommend the shrimp & grits as well as the jambalaya special. Also the service by our host, Mathew was top notch & made the experience that much more enjoyable. Will definitely come back again. Highly recommend!
Laid-back atmosphere, great food, & great service. Jambalaya balls & sausage gumbo are an appetiser must. Lots of great main dishes like shrimps & grits, blackened catfish, fried chicken chorizo, & brisket mac & cheese. For dessert, try the beignets & the key-lime pie.
