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 offers a memorable and elegant dining experience in the heart of Old Montreal, frequently praised for its exceptional seafood and inviting atmosphere. Many guests highlight the high quality of the ingredients, noting standout dishes like the Dover sole meunière, seafood pasta, and fresh lobster preparations. The restaurant is widely recognized for its professional, friendly staff and a warm, hospitable service style that often makes patrons feel like part of the family. While the experience is positioned as a higher-end choice, the combination of historic charm, artistic decor, and attentive management creates a setting that many consider an essential destination for both locals and visitors alike.
Great seafood restaurant! Top quality, fresh ingredients & generous portions. The greeting is warm & 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.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
We had a great dinner at Chez Delmo. The steak tartare was excellent-fresh, well seasoned, & one of the best I've had. The calamari was also perfectly cooked & a great starter. They have a good wine list with plenty of options, & the staff were friendly, attentive, & made us feel welcome throughout the evening. Would definitely come back.
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 memorable experience, fresh, quality food, reasonable prices on everything, even the wine. If you want the best quality this is it. 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.The tables are far apart which is nice, & there are large windows overlooking beautiful buildings. Can't wait to go back!
Jun 20, 2026
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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!
Everything about Chez Delmo is exactly what you'd hope for in a top-notch spot in Old Montreal. The moment you walk in, you feel the perfect blend of modern style with a touch of historic charm, it's classy without being stuffy.
We kicked things off with the Clam Chowder & a Shrimp Cocktail. Both were fresh, flavorful, & a great start to the meal. For the mains, we went with the Seafood Linguine & the Dover Sole, & honestly, both were outstanding. The flavours were clean & well balanced, & you could tell the ingredients were top quality.
The service really stood out too friendly, attentive, & never rushed. The partnership in which the owners present themselves matches the restaurant's brand.
Overall, Chez Delmo gave us one of those dining experiences where everything just works, & works well. Great food, great service, & a setting that makes the evening feel special. It's definitely a place we'd go back to & recommend to anyone visiting Old Montreal.
It's rare to find a restaurant that truly delivers on every front-ambience, service, & most importantly, food-but this place absolutely nailed it. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere felt inviting, setting the tone for an exceptional dining experience.
We started with a selection of appetizers that impressed across the board. The grilled octopus had a wonderful smoky flavor, perfectly complemented by well-seasoned greens. The calamari was delightfully crispy & light, not greasy. We had the following soups: the tomato soup was rich & creamy with a beautifully balanced flavor, the lobster bisque was loaded with tender lobster chunks, & the clam chowder was indulgently creamy & brimming with fresh clam meat.
For our main courses, we tried the walleye, scallops, the Creole crab & lobster ravioli. Each dish was thoughtfully prepared & bursting with flavor. The ravioli was stuffed generously with real lobster meat & none of the usual tasteless filler (cheese). Every plate was a hit with our group.
Service was top-notch, & a big part of that was thanks to our server, William. He was friendly, attentive, & genuinely made our night better. If you're heading here, definitely ask for William's table-he's exactly the kind of server you hope for when dining out.
This restaurant has earned a spot at the top of my list, & I'll definitely be back when I'm in Montreal again.
The most amazing experience!! Great food, the seafood platter was fresh & tasted amazing. The waiters are very welcoming, friendly, & knowledgeable about the food. Plus, really fun to see the celebrity autographs on the walls, lots of household names!!!
