It was in 1934 that Mr. Delisle and Mr. Morissette first opened Chez Delmo just up the street from where it is now. Back then it had 3 floors; a seafood restaurant on the main floor, a gaming house on the 2nd and brothel on the 3rd.
In 1964, Mr. Roland Périsset took over the operation and closed the 2 top floors.
Our menu has changed little over the past 80 years. Quality fish and seafood prepared and served in a traditional way. The house specialty is the Dover sole meunière. Our chefs take great pride in this dish, which used to be de-boned table-side, but now done just before serving. Our lobster bisque takes 2 days to create and the classic cream of tomato remains virtually unchanged for decades.
We have stayed true to cuisine classique, resisting the popular tide of nouvelle cuisine. Traditionally prepared quality seafood; unadorned and unembellished.
Over the years, Delmo has had its share of facelifts; the 18 bar-stools surrounding the granite bar are all that are left of the original 38. The iron sign outside and its original lighted tulips, were salvaged and still greet all our clients. The destruction of the original porcelain tile frieze that decorated the walls behind the bar prompted us to ask local muralist and celebrated artist, Carlito DalCeggio, to reproduce his version of the scenic garden party adorned with the verse from 18th English poet John Gay, “from wine what sudden friendship springs”.
Chez Delmo stands out as a premier seafood destination in Old Montreal, offering top quality, fresh ingredients, generous portions, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that blends historic charm with modern elegance. Diners repeatedly praise house specialties like the Dover sole Meuniere and lobster ravioli, the seafood tower, and a variety of seafood pastas, all prepared with skill and care. The service is consistently described as friendly, attentive, professional, and knowledgeable, with a strong emphasis on hospitality and a personal touch that makes guests feel at home. The interior and location near Notre Dame Basilica contribute to an appealing setting, from intimate bar seating to refined dining rooms, and the overall experience is often described as memorable and ideal for celebrations or special occasions. While prices reflect the quality and setting, many reviews note excellent value for quality, thoughtful wine pairings, and accommodations for dietary restrictions. Overall, Chez Delmo is portrayed as a reliable, high-end yet welcoming choice for seafood lovers visiting Montreal, with a reputation built on great food, superb service, and a distinctive atmosphere.
Food was really really good me & my dad ordered the seafood tower & it was probably one of the best ones I had in my life. The owner super friendly & the service is great.
Great seafood restaurant! Top quality, fresh ingredients & generous portions. The greeting is fast & professional, the service is efficient & very
friendly. Arguably the best seafood restaurant in Montreal, certainly the oldest, just a 2 minute walk from the Notre Dame basilica in the Old Port. As you come in you are greeted by one of the owners through the bar section, where you can see the original stools & lamps from the 1930s. You get the feel of a classic neighbourhood joint, full of regulars, very busy. The cocktails are very generous (6 oz martinis). They have an nice seafood tower, very festive . The seafood pasta is outstanding. The Dover sole Meuniere is the house specialty, & it's the best i've had anywhere. Also we tried lobster ravioli, which was a highlight. The staff is young, super friendly & professional, & the owners are charming. Strongly recommend, overall a great value. They offer indoor valet parking for $15
Mar 3, 2026
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Great seafood restaurant. Nice clean decor with artistic murals, professional management. Friendly , & professional waiters. The drinks are fabulous, great bloody caesars & huge martinis. We had soups (lobster bisque) & different entrees. All were great. One of us in our party is allergic to seafood, so I mentioned when I reserved & they had planned accordingly. OveralI a great experience, quality food, reasonable prices on everything, even the wine. The seafood pasta is the best: fresh pasta with large chunks of lobster, jumbo shrimps, scallops & huge clams, in a lobster sauce. I could eat it everyday. Also the lobster ravioli was a hit, generous & fresh.The tables are far apart which is nice, & there are large windows overlooking beautiful buildings. Can't wait to go back!
Iconic Montreal seafood restaurant that my grandparents took my mother to in the 1930s. The decor has been updated needless to say. Exceptional food, drinks, service & old world charm continue.
Nous avons apprécié le service & l'ambiance!
Pour la nourriture c'est correct sans plus,pour un restaurant qui mise sur l'expérience on a été déçu.
Raviolis au homard généreux mais vraiment pas cuit & trop salé,filet de doré un peu trop cuit & accompagnements simple,bouteille d'eau pétillante à 8,50$ un peu élevé comme prix.
Trop chère pour ce que l'on a eu comme expérience culinaire!
?utstanding service from Jordan & Louis!
We came specifically for the frog legs (& even mentioned this when making the reservation), & they were absolutely delicious! The texture was delicate, & the presentation was beautiful. We also really enjoyed the wine recommendations that paired perfectly with the dish.
Jordan & Louis created a wonderful atmosphere throughout the evening, which made our experience at Delmo truly exceptional.
I sincerely recommend visiting this restaurant if you're planning to be in Montreal!
Jan 19, 2026
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Chez Delmo: Restaurant quasi centenaire du Vieux Montréal situé tout près de la Basilique Notre-Dame de Mtl. Vous y retrouvez un menu du midi de grande qualité, un menu complet & carte des vins haut de gamme. Le service courtois de Jordan nous a permis d'apprécier en toute quiétude notre bon repas multi-services. Salutations à toute l'équipe, dont ceux qui y sont toujours en arrière scène même après 70 ans de loyaux services ! Chez Delmo, un incontournable !
Lovely seafood restaurant has a great history close to Old Montreal. Starting from friendly welcoming, nice story of the interiors, comforting soups for appetizers & a full list of delicious seafood meals. Highly recommend for any celebrations. A big shoutout for our server, Jorden for great survive tonight. Can't wait to come back!
Our server Jordan warned me about the spiciness of the crab dish, he was not kidding. It was delicious though, the crab's flavour mixed well with the heat.
I came to get a little drink with my friend & the service was excellent. What was initially a little detour to get a glass of wine ended up being a wholesome experience!! The owner Benoit offered us a warm welcome. Our waiter mandjou kept us entertained with the history of the establishment, the barman Jordan served us wonderful glasses & made insane cocktails. The runner Cedric was extremely polite & it showed that this restaurant is filled with professionals I love it!
We loved our meals of walleye & tomato soup - so tasty. Our server Jordan was exceptional & has a great sense of humour. We were welcomed by the owner & treated well by all staff. Highly recommend!
Nov 20, 2025
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Pour une soirée de MTL table avec des amis. Nous sommes arrivé 45 minutes à l'avance & avons eu accès direct à notre table. L'accueil chaleureux du proprio Benoît ainsi que ses conseils pour le vin. WoW!!!!! Le service de Jordan était super, rapide, professionnel, personnalisé. Nous avons passé une soirée extraordinaire. L'ambiance, le service, la propreté du restaurant, mais surtout les plats plus goûteux & frais les uns que les autres. Merci pour cette soirée inoubliable.
We stumbled upon Chez Delmo because it was close to our hotel. We ordered the seafood tower & were delightfully impressed. The service, food & drinks were top quality. What impressed us most was the dining experience. We had the pleasure of having a drink with the owner Benoit & learning about the history of Chez Delmo. Truly fascinating. I highly recommend this place.
The staff were so friendly & welcoming. Jordan was a fantastic waiter - giving us recommendations not only in the restaurant but for things to do in Montreal! Thanks for making our trip to Montreal memorable with moments like this! Food & drinks were great too!
The food was amazing - everything was fresh, flavorful, & perfectly cooked. Big thanks to Jordan for the great service! He was friendly, attentive, & made the whole experience even better. Definitely coming back!
