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.
The octopus had a nice flavour but was rubbery. The shrimp cocktail was fantastic - huge shrimp! I found the lobster ravioli disappointing - the sauce could have had more flavour - some cognac would have gone a long way, & they could have been more generously filled. Good service & nice, quiet atmosphere. Overall decent.
The best lobster roll I've had in my life. No exaggeration. Actual big chunks of lobster, the perfectly toasted, buttered & salted bun that isn't soggy. It was perfect. My best friend & I were sad when we finished them. 10/10. Will be coming back in the future!
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
Jul 26, 2026
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imo the best seafood restaurant in Montreal. Not cheap but nothing but excellent products. . Good vibe, good food. elegant setting. One of our favorites. Dover sole was great. So was the lobster ravioli.
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!
Came across this restaurant on a cold blustery night. Benoit quickly welcomed us in & hung my wife's jacket for her. We were seated immediately & offered drinks. The staff never even seemed to take notice of how underdressed we were. The waiter was amazing. The food was 10 stars! I recommend the Calamari, Lobster Bisque & Lobster ravioli. The Chef even came up with a meal for our very picky daughter. With the incredible level of hospitality that we experienced, we will visit Benoit & his team time & time again when we're in Montreal! Thank you for such a romantic, memorable evening.
Some dishes at Chez Damlo truly shine, offering delightful surprises that keep you eager for your next visit. The service is impeccable, making you feel welcomed, & the ambience creates a relaxing vibe that enhances your dining experience.
The star of the menu was the octopus entrée - succulently tender & bursting with flavour, it was a highlight. On the other hand, the lobster bisque fell flat, being light on lobster & lacking the rich flavour one would hope for.
For mains, the local giant scallops stood out with their impressive size & delightful taste, showcasing the young chef's skill. Conversely, the lobster club sandwich was disappointing; it was light on lobster & overwhelmed by bacon, overshadowing the seafood.
Based on my experience, I recommend exploring other, non-lobster seafood options here. Overall, you can enjoy a fantastic meal at Chez Damlo.
I had the pleasure of dining at Chez Delmo this evening & it was delightful in every way possible. I dined at the bar & had the pleasure to meet the owners, who are a joy to converse with, as was the incredible staff. The lobster bisque & the staff recommended walleye were divine. You can truly taste the love that goes into these dishes. It is places like this that remind us how special a dining experience can be. Thank you Benoit, & everyone I had the pleasure to meet!!
What an amazing experience! My wife & daughter & I were visiting Montreal recently & wanted seafood. Based on Yelp reviews, we chose to try Chez Delmo & made reservations. Our table was ready right away, & the service was fantastic from beginning to end. From great recommendations about must-try dishes (the Lobster Club, for example) to wine pairings, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. To top it off, we were there at the same time a celebrity (who shall remain nameless here) was dining there, & as we were finishing our dinner we got chatting with Benoit who graciously spent a lot of time with us chatting about life, family, & everything else. We didn't just have a terrific dining experience, we feel like we made some new friends.
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.
