Overall, reviews describe Buvette Nicole as a warm, intimate gem in Old Montreal with charming ambiance, attentive service, and a menu that many find delicious and well balanced, from cheese fondue and beef tartare to duck, gnocchi and Brussels sprouts, with cocktails and wine pairings praised by many guests; brunch and the happy hour are popular, reservations are recommended as weekends can be busy, with occasional longer waits or minor service hiccups noted, yet the warmth and attentiveness of the staff are repeatedly highlighted; the experience is often described as worth it for the atmosphere and the French inspired cuisine with a Canadian touch, all set in a lively yet relaxed vibe of the area.
On a recommendation from both the hotel concierge & a a sweet server from another pub, we chose Buvette Nicole.
Made a reservation, since it was a busy weekend.
Greeted by Jordan, literally a ROCK star of the house. His recitings of the dishes were all poetry worthy!
Started with Wine by the glass, fairly priced & a nice pour.
Table was a bit tight but the whole place was abuzz, good music & nice vibe - for sure.
The menu is delicious sounding just to read.
We started with the mussels appetizer.
NDUJA & MOULES - Plump mussels on toast with fried capers & the Nduja paste.
Life changing flavors. We were amazed at how all the ingredients melded & were just perfect. Cannot say enough about this dish.
Main course was the Bavette steak. Also super flavorful & a wonderful salad with it.
The dessert was a chef's special. A cheesecake style mousse with amazing cookie crusts mixed into raspberry sauce. Heavenly. Truly world class ending to a wonderful meal.
We went back the next night just to say hi & how much we enjoyed it, since it was that good.
One of the best experiences ever - here.
Apr 27, 2026
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A true gem in Old Montreal ✨
Beautiful ambiance, incredible food-& Adam at the bar? Absolute standout. Charming, attentive, & his recommendations were chef's kiss.
Wonderful wonderful restaurant! Our Server Cè was so delightful & made the experience very memorable. She was knowledgeable on the menu & even asked the Chef to make me a dish that was not on their reduced menu at the time, which was very special! If you are visiting old Montreal this is an absolute must stop!
Buvette Nicole is a true gem in Old Montreal. The space has a natural charm , warm, intimate, & effortlessly stylish. It's the kind of place that immediately puts you at ease, & the food only adds to the experience. A standout part of my visit was meeting Chef Alex. He has a calm, grounded presence & a genuine passion for what he creates. He takes the time to connect, answer questions, & share small insights about the dishes without ever feeling intrusive. You can feel his influence throughout the restaurant, thoughtful, balanced, & welcoming. The rest of the team matched that same energy: attentive, friendly, & professional. A charming spot with personality, great food, & an impressive chef. I'll gladly return.
Si vous êtes à Montréal & que vous cherchez une expérience gastronomique inoubliable, Nicole - Buvette de Quartier est une adresse incontournable. Nous étions en ville pour le week-end & avons eu la chance de tomber sur ce bijou dès notre première soirée. L'expérience était si incroyable que nous sommes revenus le lendemain pour une nouvelle dégustation de plats exquis, de cocktails sublimes & d'une ambiance parfaite.
Ce qui rend cet endroit unique, c'est avant tout son équipe. Tracy, notre serveuse, a partagé avec nous de superbes histoires de voyage, rendant la soirée encore plus mémorable. Maïthé, la barmaid, est une véritable artiste-elle crée des cocktails sur mesure en fonction de vos envies, & chaque verre est une réussite absolue. Ses accords mets & vins subliment encore plus une cuisine déjà exceptionnelle.
En cuisine, c'est tout aussi impressionnant. Alex, le chef, est un véritable virtuose, & Nico, le sous-chef que nous avons rencontré la première soirée, nous a captivés par sa passion pour la gastronomie. Leur créativité & leur engagement transparaissent dans chaque assiette, & il est évident qu'ils insufflent cette même énergie à toute l'équipe.
Les plats ? Un régal. Les cocktails ? De haut niveau. L'ambiance ? Un parfait équilibre entre élégance & décontraction. On a l'impression de dîner dans un restaurant étoilé tout en profitant de la convivialité d'un bar de quartier branché.
Nicole - Buvette de Quartier nous a laissé un souvenir impérissable, & nous avons déjà hâte d'y retourner. Si vous êtes à Montréal, faites-vous une faveur & venez vivre cette expérience par vous-même!
If you're in Montreal & looking for an unforgettable dining experience, Nicole - Buvette de Quartier is an absolute must. We were in town for the weekend & luckily stumbled upon this gem on our first night. We loved it so much that we had to come back the next evening for another round of incredible food, cocktails, & vibes.
The staff here is what truly sets this place apart. Tracy, our waitress, shared wonderful travel stories with us, making the night even more enjoyable. Maïthé, the bartender, is a true artist-she crafted off-menu cocktails based solely on our descriptions, & every single one was a masterpiece. Her wine pairings elevated an already delicious meal to another level.
Then there's the kitchen team. Alex, the head chef, is a culinary genius, & Nico, the sous chef we met on our first night, blew us away with his passion for cooking. Their creativity & dedication shine through in every dish, & it's clear that they foster that same energy in their entire team.
The food? Phenomenal. The cocktails? Next-level. The atmosphere? The perfect balance between upscale & effortlessly cool. It feels like dining at a Michelin-star restaurant with the laid-back, inviting energy of your favorite neighborhood bar.
Nicole - Buvette de Quartier left a lasting impression on us, & we can't wait to return. If you're in Montreal, do yourself a favor & experience it for yourself.
I wandered the streets of Montreal looking for a place to eat but nothing was grabbing my attention. I was about to return to my lodging when I stumbled upon this place & thought I would give it a try. What a fortuitous decision! I had one of the best meals of my life but more than that the conversation with Adam the bartender, Andrew the chef, & patrons that was so enjoyable, so engaging that I will absolutely come back the next time I'm in Montreal. I didn't have a main course but two appetizers, grilled octopus & foie gras which were heavenly. Then Andrew bought out the dessert in the photo I've included. If my life had ended right then & there it would be complete! I truly cannot recommend this charming place more highly! I know you will feel the same.
Feb 9, 2025
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Incredible experience. Chef Alexander Zelina brings his experience from the highest level at a decent price. It's a given that this restaurant is underrated for what you get & the price you pay. Would recommend to anyone who wants authenticity in the old port.
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.
Absolutely fantastic dinner where Chef Alex & team took wonderful care of us. We are fortunate to like everything so we asked Chef to feed us, & that was the best decision. We were treated to an unbelievable spread of everything from tartare, bone marrow, charcuterie, pâté & cheeses, & octopus. Main course was a tomahawk with fries, mash, Brussels sprouts, rapini & asparagus, chimichurri & demi-glace. The video doesn't do justice to how spectacular this meal was, & I think we made the rest of the restaurant envious... bring your appetite, you won't regret it!
Great atmosphere & a welcome addition to the neighbourhood, the chef clearly thought out & executed the menu well. The sweetbreads are absolutely fantastic! Merci to the crew & we will be back!
