Cabaret L'Enfer offers a bold, intimate dining experience with an open kitchen and counter seating that many reviews describe as energetic and engaging. The menu is inventive and expressive, blending coastal, Latin and Asian influences with intricate plating and strong wine pairings that often complement each course. Dishes like otoro and handmade pastas regularly receive praise for creativity and balance, while the atmosphere is repeatedly noted for candlelit warmth and a lively, showlike vibe. The staff and sommelier are frequently highlighted for knowledge and hospitality, though service can be slow and pacing uneven on some nights, and portions are sometimes considered small for the price. Reservations are essential due to the small space, and the experience can feel like a night out rather than a traditional fine dining meal, with some guests embracing the spectacle and others wishing for more restraint. Overall, Cabaret L'Enfer is seen as a standout culinary adventure that rewards an open mind and may inspire a return visit, despite occasional inconsistencies and cost considerations.
Everything is perfect. But small reminders: sommelier should not be called the Italian sparkling wine'champagne',& for red wine, the temperature is a little bit'warm', minimum already 23ºC+ . The service is excellent, but if I evaluate objectively, there are still some issues that do not meet the fine dining standards. Tips are included after tax.(this is my second time come to this restaurant)
The best part is that their dessert wine (in wine pairing)is actually l'hydromel de Miellerie King! This is a good local Quebec wine(28cad in SAQ), & its flavor is even somewhat similar to Louis xiii(I have 2 Louis xiii at home). I have also had l'hydromel de miellerie king at other restaurants before, such as Le Mousso, which was very good. Actually I respect Italy,so, very sad hear about'champagne' for Italian sparkling wine... & I can't forget it in my mind hahah 🤣😭 service is 3 star because sommelier, not chef 😭
We had the chefs counter experience & it was so amazing to see the magic our head chef incorporated into our meal. The vibe was great. The food was really good but the highlight for us was the angolotti, their hand made pasta dish. The flavors they combined to create all the dishes were creative & delicious. Would visit again when visiting Montreal.
Aug 29, 2025
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By far one of the best culinary experiences I've had in my life. Chef Massimo truly out does himself, & the food is incredible. Each dish was curated to perfection, balanced & full of flavor. The full tasting menu is a must if you are planning to visit. The atmosphere is a laid back fine dining vibe, & truly unique. The kitchen is open concept, so you can see the chefs in action which give it that extra touch. It's truly something special to see them all cooking together as one. The Otoro & the Morue were the stand out dishes of the night, but everything we had was great. Will be visiting regularly when I come back to the city.
Didn't come in with much expectation other than knowing Massimo had been on Top Chef, but we were blown away. Every course was incredible. The dishes were creative & like nothing we'd ever eaten. The flavors were so well balanced & interesting. The service was perfect. We feel lucky for having the opportunity to come here!
I went to Cabaret l'Enfer for a birthday celebration & had such a great experience.
The space is cozy & intimate, with a dim, warm atmosphere that makes you feel instantly comfortable. The dishes were excellent, thoughtfully prepared with great attention to flavor & detail. Big shoutout to the staff, who were professional, attentive & clearly passionate about what they do.
Just make sure to plan well ahead, as reservations often need to be made months in advance if you want a chance at getting a table.A fantastic spot for a special night out in Montreal.
The best dinner of the year! The set was very well designed, with a lot of complex yet interesting flavors. My personally favorite are the first dish & the lobster. The scallops is delicious & extremely tender. The bread & the desserts are also awesome! You will be interacting with not only the server, but also the chefs. Everyone is welcoming & knowledgeable. We enjoyed the food a ton! It would be 💯 if the set can be finished a little faster. Last time we spent 3.5h on a meal was at Kikunoi in Kyoto.
Truly incredible experience. Masterful use of fermented ingredients. Perfectly balanced acidity that bursts flavors at the tongue tip like fireworks. Worth a 6-hour drive, & so look forward to coming back.
Apr 5, 2024
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Probably one of the best restaurants in Montreal. Lots of flavors & effort in each plate. The staff were on point & very polite. Good wine selection. Portions are a bit small but the experience was perfect. Thanks Massimo!
Be prepared for a gastronomical experience...this is not a place to go out for a quick bite but to take your time to enjoy all the thoughtful flavors assembled by a team of chefs for your culinary delights...literally! Cabaret L'enfer offers an outstanding service of very small portions, prepared & presented over an extended period of time...usually coupled with an excellent wine paring. Just know that this meal takes time...budget around 2 1/2 hours to fully enjoy the experience (see below for more). The set menu was presented to us as we sat down...with 7 included courses & the option to add on two others (for an additional charge). Note that everything is prepared in house (bread, purees, etc...) so it is super fresh. The wine pairing is an additional $85 but includes a 100ml glass for almost each dish so it is worth the value. The starter is the Anti-Pasti board (a mixed of meats & purees with a side of bread), then a pasta Agnolotti with Hazelnuts, then a Scallop & Potato service, then a Cardeau fish serving, then a Hazelnut Tetela Mexican tarte, the Lemon Parsley Granita palate cleanser, the meat service in a Bordelaise sauce, followed by two dessert dishes, Meringue Skull with Black Apple & Blackberry Mille-Feuille. As mentioned, the portions are relatively small & we did not feel stuffed or overwhelmed in any way & everything truly tasted wonderful. Although I commented on the length of the meal service, in fact it was barely noticeable because of the company I had. We had a chance to catch up with each other & re-connect as it were in a perfect setting. So it made our meal that much more enjoyable...& that would be my point; go with a small group 2-4 people where you can spend quality time together. It will be well worth the visit & create a warm, loving memory. Enjoy!
Incredible experience - easily one of the best meals my wife & I have ever had. Each course was beautifully presented & full of unique, delicious flavors. The smell & flavor from the Japanese style, wood-fired grill were particularly delicious. The wine pairings were spot on as well. Also, my wife is vegetarian the substitutes she received in place of the meat courses were excellent. We live in New England but I'd happily make the drive to Montreal every time their menu changes - it's that good. Thank you so much to Massimo & team for a great experience, we cannot wait to return!
Service was top notch. You can tell they are extremely passionate about their craft here. Ambience was fun & low key. Being really honest here I had the tasting menu & I really was not wowed by the food. They tried to mix unique flavors & do interesting techniques but in terms of just pure taste it was just ok. Not really worth it imo.
Oct 21, 2023
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Wow. Absolutely mind blowing. Food was exceptional, unlike anything we usually see in restaurants. The flavors are through the roof & every plate is a thing of beauty.
The Chef is brilliant & charismatic, & the open kitchen is wonderful to see.
Highly, highly recommand.
