Overall, Cabaret l'Enfer is described as an intimate, energetic tasting-focused experience with inventive dishes, an open kitchen, and a vibrant atmosphere that blends fine dining with a punk rock vibe. The menu is praised for creativity and bold flavors, with memorable highlights like seafood courses and handmade pasta, and wine pairings that many guests find well matched, guided by a knowledgeable sommelier. Service quality is variable in the feedback, ranging from attentive and engaging to slow or uneven on some visits, which affects value and overall satisfaction. The setting, concept, and attention to detail are frequently praised, though some guests report tiny portions for the price and a mismatch between the course theme and what is delivered, leaving a mixed impression on whether the experience justifies the cost. Many reviews describe an exciting, memorable night with excellent desserts, welcoming staff, and the belief that the restaurant remains a standout in Montreal's fine dining scene.
It took 3 hours to finish a 7 course meal because of how slow the service was. There were 35 minutes between the first & second desserts. I am not new to'concept' restaurants that have small portions, but the last time I had portions this ridiculous, it was a 14 course menu. The food was good but for 150$+ a head, you'll wonder where the rest of it is. The duck dish was literally two slices of duck & a sliver of asparagus. Is the asparagus really so pricey that they have to ration it? The charcuterie board was the same for every table. There were three of us & we got one (1) slice of bread & one tiny ball of burrata. The table next to us was a couple & they got the exact same amount. Is that not a little silly? We had to beg for more bread because again, it is served one slice at a time. It's also incredible that, despite all of this, they feel confident enough to start the tip options at 18%. Good for them, I guess!
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!
Jun 27, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
It was my second time at cabaret l'enfer & it was absolutely delicious. Ordered everything. I was a little over-full by the end but I think most people would be perfect. There are a lot of restaurants here in Montreal that will give you more food, but it won't be as high quality. If you are looking for big plates this isn't the spot for you (no judgement, just an honest fyi). Everything is made in house & there's a sense of perfectionism that permeates the dishes. It's not very showy, it's just really, really good. I would kill someone for a loaf of their bread. Sauces were killer. The charcuterie plate is wonderful. Lobster & saffron was a great bite. Koji marinated beef was outstanding. Nice wine pairings, too, funky but enjoyable picks. I also had a fun time with the team, so yeah, would recommend if you're down to get spendy.
This restaurant sadly did not live up to the expectations. I really wanted to like this restaurant but it felt like they were trying to copy some playbook of providing a haute cuisine experience but without the substance behind it.
First, the portion sizes are just ridiculously small for the price you pay. Unfortunately the quality of cooking techniques & creativity in ingredients & dishes do not make up for that lack of quantity, as one might expect from similar fine dining restaurants that offer the tasting menu format.
I visited Montreal for a week trying highly rated restaurants each night, & this was both my most expensive & least satisfying meal.
I actually left so hungry after the menu was completed that I had to find a Portuguese chicken place to eat. I was still hungry enough to finish a 1/4 chicken plate.
The second issue, though much more minor, was that the service felt very artificial. Everyone was friendly, but it felt fake & like they didn't care to have any conversation beyond what they needed to say when presenting each dish.
I added a star only for the fact that the owner was actually out on the line prepping alongside his chefs, & he at least made attempts to speak to each guest at the chef's table at least once.
My husband & I went for our Wedding Anniversary celebration & were not disappointed. It was an amazing experience. They were so welcoming, like a family. The food was fantastic. We were seated at the counter it was well worth it. You were able to see all the activities of the restaurant & how well everyone worked together. It was one of the best experiences my Husband & I had. The food was exceptional & will never forget this experience & would definitely come back. The chefs were very attentive & made you feel like you were apart of their family. All the dishes were made with local products, homemade, including their Burrata cheese. All we can say is Wow! Thank you for everything.
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.
Definitely one of the top dining experiences in North America none thebless Montreal. Every course offered is so fresh & creative. The staff is very well knowledgeable as well as warm & accommodating. If you haven't been yet, you're absolutely missing out.
Just when you think tasting menus are dead, Massimo will prove you wrong. Delicious yummy food from beginning to end. great vibes, great music, great service.
I sincerely hope the owner reads this, because our experience was simply atrocious.
Waiting an hour between each bite is unacceptable. We arrived at 6:00 PM, & by 11:00 PM, we had only received three small bites. One of them was so inedible that I had to go to the bathroom to spit it out - it was literally impossible to swallow.
Hungry & discouraged, our plans to go out & enjoy the rest of the evening were ruined. All that was left was to pay a bill of several hundred dollars… & conclude this so-called'experience.'
When we asked the server about the slow pace of the service, he admitted the kitchen was poorly prepared: too many employees without direction, an ill-thought-out menu, & an overstaffed but disorganized kitchen team.
We paid a very high price for a mix of unprofessionalism & culinary pretension.
Avoid. Period.
Apr 6, 2025
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
The best meal we ate in Montreal among several excellent tasting menus. Sit at the bar, talk to the team, a great experience, the multi-layered, multi-textured chocolate dessert was the best thing I've eaten in the last year as a sweet course, complex, not overly sweet, truly a masterwork.
Dies ist einer der besten kulinarischen Adressen, die Montreal derzeit zu bieten hat: eine handwerklich Ausgezeichnete Küche auf Basis differenzierter Geschmacksnoten, und ein professioneller Service in angenehm unkomplizierter Atmosphäre.
Mtl en lumières 2025
On visite l'endroit pour une expérience gastronomique. Une minutie dans les présentations & les saveurs sont au rendez-vous. La facture est en conséquence. Harald au service impeccable. Accord des vins pas toujours à notre goût.
Pas très invitant cette tête de mort au dessert mais je présume significatif avec le nom de l'établissement
Mar 2, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
C'était très bon, mais à ce prix, c'est la base. Ça manquait un peu de créativité. Les sauces étaient un peu salées. Le service & l'ambiance manquaient de cohérence.
Une soirée remarquable au Cabaret de l'enfer ✨ L'ambiance chaleureuse & raffinée, associée à un service irréprochable, nous a immédiatement séduit Les plats, faits maison & préparés avec des produits de saison, ont révélé une qualité & une finesse exceptionnelles Un grand bravo au chef & son second dont le talent & la créativité sont clairement mis en valeur dans chaque assiette Le personnel, à la fois professionnel & attentif, a contribué à faire de cette soirée un moment particulièrement agréable Une expérience que je recommande vivement & que je ne manquerai pas de renouvele
100/10. I am in love with this restaurant. Everything from the food, to the service. Everything is done top notch. I could not recommend it enough! Do yourself a favour & visit this amazing restaurant.
What an incredible meal & experience! We were 6 fully vegan diners, & the Chef & his team prepared an insane 7 course meal for us. It was PERFECT! We were blown away, service was professional, patient, super friendly & attentive! The wines which were all recommended by the wonderful Sommelier were all AMAZING! food, taste, creativity & presentation was just out of this world! 10/10!! We will be back!
