La Boqueria is a tapas bar in Old Montreal where warm atmosphere and Mediterranean authenticity meet. From fresh seafood to Iberian cold meats and paellas, Boqueria will take you on a journey with every bite.
Boqueria comes across as a lively Spanish spot with a warm, stylish interior and a bright terrace that creates a festive mood; the cuisine is praised for fresh seafood, tapas, croquettes, and paella with flavors that feel authentic, and cocktails and sangria are frequently highlighted as well; service is described as attentive and friendly by many, contributing to a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere, though a few visits note menu items being unavailable and pacing that can be slower at peak times; overall the impression is of a vibrant, flavorful dining experience in the old port with good value and a memorable sense of hospitality.
Had a brunch at this excellent Spanish restaurant last summer in Montreal, & the paella is cooked to the perfection, from the tender of the seafood to the divine mixture of the paella rice & sauce.
Raw oysters are fresh. Spanish style foccacia with tomato & garlic spreads taste is excellent, good for an appetizer!
I was very disappointed with the food. The paella was far from what it should be. The service was also frustrating - the server kept speaking French even after I mentioned I don't speak French at all, so I had to remind him multiple times. The restaurant was empty, but everything still came very slowly.
Jan 27, 2026
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We went to Boqueria in the summer & had a wonderful experience. The terrace was great, & the food was genuinely delicious. We ordered gambas al ajillo, anchovies, & paella, & everything was on point.
That's why I was so surprised & disappointed when I brought friends back last night (we were 6).
The ambience & interior design are beautiful-boho, Mediterranean style-& the background music was a fantastic selection. I didn't drink, but my friends really enjoyed the cocktails.
The food was honestly terrible, & it felt like a completely different restaurant compared to the summer.The gambas al ajillo had nothing to do with what we had before. The patatas bravas were basically just fries.& the paella was the worst I've had in my life.
I lived in Spain for four years, & I'm not exaggerating when I say: please don't call that paella. More broadly, the food last night didn't resemble what you'd expect from Spanish cuisine at all.
I truly hope the owners take this comment seriously, because I left feeling really disappointed-& honestly, embarrassed in front of my friends after recommending the place based on my previous experience.
I just didn't like the paella rice, has nothing to do with the spanish paella rice 🥲, but the restaurant is really comfortable & the crew was super nice at all time.
Première visite à La Boqueria, & malheureusement, je ne crois pas y retourner.
Le décor est charmant, le service attentionné & la pieuvre grillée absolument délicieuse !
Cependant, plusieurs déceptions ont assombri l'expérience :
• On nous a fait goûter un vin avant de commander, mais au moment du service, il n'en restait plus.
• En cuisine, nos entrées ont été oubliées, qu'on nous a proposées de recevoir après ou en même temps que le plat principal.
• La brochette de porc était froide & excessivement grasse, la paella très singulière & les croquettes de canard simplement correctes.
• Pour les desserts, il ne restait que deux crème brûlées sur trois, nous obligeant à changer notre choix. Pourtant commandé dès le départ.
Fait cocasse : la table voisine a dû retourner sa brochette non cuite, & alors qu'on lui annonçait manquer aussi de crème brûlée… des churros sont apparus comme par magie ! & ce sans avertissement
Bref, un beau potentiel & une équipe sympathique, mais une soirée ponctuée de petits ratés qui, ensemble, ont laissé un goût d'inachevé.
Nov 8, 2025
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Lack of training in staff + kitchen cleanliness issue.
Although the waiter was nice & he mentioned it was his first day, it was annoying that he got our order wrong three times. First it was my friend's drink, then it was the size of our paella. Then it was about the milk-ingredients in a dish.
My friend is from Spain, & she knows the names of the dishes on the menu. She told our waiter that she has an allergy to milk protein & wants to know if the sauce of an asparagus dish has any, since she knows it can be cooked with milk or cream. The waiter double checked with the cooks & told us'no, there is no milk in the sauce'. But when the dish turned up, the asparagus tasted like butter & there was cheese grated on top.
The second problem is the cleanliness of their cooking practices. I got food poisoning an hour & a half after eating at their restaurant. I was in a lot of pain that night with fever. I called in this morning to ask about the ingredients of the dishes & explained I had food poisoning. The floor manager discredited the validity of my testimony & didn't believe me. Then the phone went mute, the call held on for ten silent seconds & then cut off. He likely hung up.
Les croquettes de jambon étaient excellentes & le service également. Notre serveuse était tout sourire & très gentille, nous l'avons toutes appréciée.
Malheureusement le reste de la nourriture n'a pas suivi. La paella manquait de goût, & n'avait pas beaucoup de fruits de mer. Les croquettes au homards étaient également bonnes mais on se sentait pas vraiment le homard.
Great location & beautiful outdoor dining area. The Paella was mediocre at best, & way overpriced. Sadly not the worst Paella I've had, but nowhere close to the best.
Excellent food!! We had the lobster croquettes & they were incredible! Followed by the lobster & potatoes which was delicious & then the paella with beef & added seafood which was amazing! The white sangria was very tasty & refreshing! A wonderful experience! Thank you!!
Excellent food. had the seafood paella. Despite being a bit understaffed, the service was great, especially considering the high number of walk-ins. Will definitely go back.
Their paella was sadly very dry & burnt we asked for it to be changed because it is usually very flavorful. Nothing was changed & we left disappointed.
Quel resto incroyable! Une cuisine espagnole impeccable, la paella était parfaite. Les fruits de mer étaient si tendres, & le riz d'origine espagnole était cuit à point & croustillant en surface. Sublime, à prix raisonnable, & le gérant Manuel était très sympathique. Je reviendrai à ma prochaine visite à Montréal!
