Overall, Buvette Nicole comes across as a warm, intimate French bistro in Old Montreal with a welcoming atmosphere, chic yet cozy decor, and a team that is consistently described as friendly, attentive, and helpful. The menu earns praise for comforting French classics and standout dishes such as fondue, beef bourguignon, duck, gnocchi, and tartare, complemented by well crafted cocktails and thoughtful wine pairings, with brunch and happy hour also receiving high marks. Service is frequently highlighted as fast and personable, though a few visits note occasional slow pacing during busy times and occasional missteps that affected the flow of the meal. The value is a point of contention for some, with several diners calling prices steep or portions variable, yet many reviewers regard the quality and presentation as exemplary. Most reviewers intend to return, describing the place as a gem, a spot to linger with friends or family, and a destination that captures the spirit of a neighborhood French bistro in Montreal.
The food is great, good & unique combination of flavors. We had the special, the beef skewers & poutine. The special lasagna was delicious.
Good service as well.
Great service & cute spot, but the food was pretty underwhelming for the price. The beef we got had decent flavour but very salty, & the duck was low in flavour & tough. Expensive for what it was too.
The restaurant has good potential though.
Dec 29, 2025
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Great place to grab a bite in Montréal! We sat outside & enjoyed great weather. Our server was friendly & made great recommendations. We tried the Beef Tartare, Gnocchi, & Roasted Chicken & everything was excellent.
Dropped in at this lovely French restaurant on a whim! The food is absolutely incredible! I had the beef skewers with chimichurri which were charcoal grilled & super tender. The chimichurri was also well balanced & paired so well with the beef. I also had the salmon with beurre blanc, also insanely good!
The food was amazing from the starters, including ceasar salad & foid grass, to the mains that we shared. I had the roasted duck (medium rare was perfect), & my friend had the braised beef. The wine we selected was perfectly paired. The portions were so amazing that there was no room left for dessert. We arrived at 19h00, but by 20h00, the place was packed & alive. Our two staff members were very helpful & chatty. By far, the best French bistro experience we could have hoped for in this area.
The restaurant had a lovely & unique ambience that made for a memorable setting. Our server was incredibly nice & welcoming, which really added to the experience. We had requested outdoor seating & were promptly ushered to a table outside.
As a group of five, we ordered a variety of lunch dishes including the beef tartare, beef sandwich, & black garlic gnocchis. While everything was presented well, the food itself was unfortunately a bit mediocre & didn't quite live up to our expectations.
That said, the sunny weather made for a pleasant outdoor meal, although it did start to get quite hot. Overall, it was a decent experience with standout service & atmosphere, but the food could use a little more refinement.
Wonderful service & banter from the moment we walked in. We spoke French of course but sprinkled in some English with staff easily. Arrived 10min before our reservation & it wasn't an issue seated a min or two later. Food was delicious from the escargot, beef tartare to the duck. Perfection. Note I was asked & notes were taken for allergies , favoured water & language choice. Also asked multiple times if the music was too loud but we loved the ambiance. The large windows also helped for a great view hustle & bustle of the city. Will return again !
We were here earlier this week following. a recommendation from a friend. We had a very good French Onion soup & beef tartare as appetizers. Then we had the bouillabaisse -- outstanding!! -- & the duck, which was very good also. Service was delightful & place was charming. Definitely we will return next time we're in Montreal!
We tired the Mtlatable menu. The beef tartare was so chewy & fatty. expected a better quality from a French restaurant. the steak was good but not close to the best one I've had.
If I could give this place more than 5 stars, I would. My husband & I went for lunch today & sat at the bar because it looked so cozy. The decor of the place is super stylish & inviting. We had the pleasure of being served by Ce. She was amazing! So hospitable, friendly, attentive & overall a fabulous person. Jordan wasn't our server but he was also awesome, as the second he heard us ask Ce for extra tissues, he was right there with them, & it shows they have a great team that works together while having fun. The food & drinks were delicious. We had the beef tartare with fries with shaved truffles & the beef sandwich. Everything exceeded our expectations. It was our weekend away visiting Montreal & we felt the warm hospitality of the city right in this place. We are both very grateful to the staff of Buvette Nicole for making our visit a very fun & welcoming one.
Oct 12, 2024
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Adding yet another strong review for Buvette Nicole. The meal was delicious resulting in a lively debate afterward about which of the five delicious items we shared was our favorite (a tie between the tuna sashimi & cheesecake - remarkable because I don't even like cheesecake - honorable mention to the beef tartare). Bravo chef & crew. Our server Jordan was a hoot; the entire front of house team was first rate - friendly, professional, efficient. A bonus to sit outside on perhaps one of the last evenings this year that will be possible.
