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.
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.
This is a late review, so I don't remember all the details of the dishes. What I do recall is that the food wasn't particularly impressive, especially considering the price. Service was okay, accommodating enough since we were a big group, but overall the experience didn't feel worth the cost.
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!!
Sep 24, 2025
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Le service & la nourriture sont bons de manière générale. Par contre, un plat de pâte trop cuite à 75$… c'est trop cher. Le serveur, averti, s'est confondu en excuses. De plus, on consommait nos apéritifs & les entrées sont arrivés en même temps… problème de coordination. Enfin, le serveur & le service étaient très bien. Globalement, c'était bien mais on s'attendait à mieux compte tenu des prix pratiqués.
It was a pleasure to have dined at this restaurant. The food, atmosphere, & service were all impeccable. I would certainly recommend this establishment.
I visit Montreal twice a year & despite all the choices in restaurants, I always go to Chez Delmo in Old Montreal. We never thought we could replicate the awesome experience we had 3 years ago but each time we go there, they blow us away with their service & quality of food. Last Night Alex our waiter & the support staff were amazing. Very professional, attentive & polite. It's always a pleasure to talk to the owners as well. p.s. the beef tartare & the mushroom ravioli were outstanding.
Aug 29, 2025
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La nourriture est excellente!!!! Mais ce qui est encore mieux ce sont les serveurs (en particulier Camille) & les propriétaires! Un service clientèle excellent! Nous avons célébré notre anniversaire de mariage à ce magnifique restaurant & nous n'avons aucun regret!!! Je recommande cet endroit 100% Bon travail à toute l'équipe!!! (Venant d'une personne très critique).
I wish I could post the video of the Dover Sole'Meunière' - it is the best fish dish in the city & I'll take my chances & say across the country.
It's worth the price because you can't really make this exquisite dish at home. You have it Chez Delmo where it's always like visiting your favorite relative.
Everything is excellent on the menu. My friend wanted to try the Chowder so I went along with it… oh man was it ever good. Everything here you may have had somewhere else but they deliver a dish always a notch above. The Octopus had a discreet citrus nuance to it - so so good.
The service is on par with any Michelin Star restaurants across the ocean EVERYTIME (without the attitude); it's not loud, & you are not rushed.
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Montreal.
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.
Aug 16, 2025
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The seafood was all jumbo & not as flavorful as it could have been, but still rather good so I can't complain about that. I was confused to be served a caviar dish without a pearl spoon, i had to ask for it & was told that' not many people know this', which I'm not sure if I should take as a compliment or an insult? The first interaction I had when I came in was the owner who was at the host stand, writing something down & not acknowledging my presence, so I greeted him to make sure he saw me. He doesn't look up for a couple minutes, looks me up & down & asks me what I want... So I asked him how he was doing, he said'good' & just nothing else. I really think that if I hadn't had a reservation he would have refused me service. He seemed very intense on not serving me. It's a shame because the rest of his staff is excellent, but he needs an attitude check. You can't treat customers like they're a bother when they spend $300 to have dinner with you
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.
