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.
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.
Went here for brunch. Food took a bit to arrive, but it was definitely worth it. Our server was very fun & nice. The only downside was that three menu options were not available when I went, but we went late (13:00).
Dec 28, 2025
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Wow! Le meilleur croque-madame en ville. La nourriture est fantastique, fraîche, bien présentée. Notre serveur Adam a été merveilleusement accueillant & accommodant avec notre petit bébé 👶:)
Went for a quick bite in the city! Ce, our bartender, was an angel! Excellent conversationalist. Food & ambiance were great quality even during the transition time between lunch & dinner :)
Super endroit!! Très bon service avec une très belle atmosphère! Nous étions juste déçus par la quantité de morceaux de boeuf dans le boeuf bourguignon, il n'avait que 3 morceaux de viande. Sinon, super expérience gastronomique, le brownie était délicieux!!
C'était vraiment très bon, mais malheureusement l'attente était interminable. Un samedi midi, on a du attendre environ 45 min pour recevoir le premier plat :-( (& on était dans les premiers à avoir commandé)
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.
The atmosphere is adorable!
The wait staff is charming, attentive, patient, fun, & willing to do the extra just because they clearly love their jobs & want you to enjoy yourself.
The food is…ridiculously marginal. Seriously. How do you make insipid onion soup? The food comes out very quickly (there's your first evidence) & it clearly is not made with love or attention. It actually makes me angry that a place with so much going for it just can't get the food to match. I also had a middle appetizer that was tasty but on bread so tough I asked for a steak knife to cut it (still doesn't work).
I wanted to love this place so much. Instead, I love the interior, & I love the waiters. But I hate watching them have to make up for the food.
Dec 5, 2025
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Nous avons pris la peuvre & merguez..ainsi que le bourguignon
quel dommage le mélange de saveurs tue le gout de la pieuvre. je me suis fatigué la machoire a mastiquer la viande du bourguignon, le plat était tout simplement raté
un side de purée a 16$... Vraiment trop che
The food melts in your mouth , the atmosphere & staff are so welcoming . You feel like family. I've been here twice & it's my favourite place. Montreal has so many great places to eat , drink but this one in my opinion was the best . Merci Thank you
Nov 27, 2025
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La Buvette Nicole est un restaurant incroyable ! On s'est arrêté pour un verre car le décors est magnifique & chaleureux, puis on a finalement commandé a manger sur les recommandations du barman & c'était extraordinaire ! La Pieuvre en entrée puis la fondue au fromage wow & aussi un dessert au chocolat maison.. on recommande fortement
Mon mari & moi avons découvert ce charmant restaurant en marchant, intrigués par leur menu distingué. La nourriture est excellente, belle ambiance & service impeccable! Je recommande fortement!
Stumbled upon this place looking for delicious French onion soup. 3hrs later… we finally left. We loved this spot. The happy hour is daily from 2 to 6 , was part of the reason we stayed so long. The soup was delicious & the gnocchi… outstanding! We really enjoyed the atmosphere, a comfy, not too big, French background music playing restaurant . The service was outstanding especially, Callum. He was so attentive, full of helpful tips for dining & seeing things in town. We throughly enjoyed our experience at Babette Nicole, a genuine French restaurant.
Was at a cocktail event here the other night & wanted to comment how awesome & friendly the staff were to everyone. The food was great too but what really stuck out was the awesome customer service & genuine friendliness of the staff. Would definitely go back !
