Dandy operates as a sophisticated bistro that emphasizes the intersection of artisanal culinary techniques and market-driven ingredients. The interior design reflects an industrial aesthetic characterized by high ceilings and expansive windows that illuminate the open dining area. Menu offerings focus on elevated classic dishes, featuring thick-cut sourdough toasts topped with seasonal produce and house-made ricotta. The kitchen consistently utilizes fresh, locally sourced components to construct balanced plates that favor structural simplicity over complex plating. Patrons experience a lively atmosphere where the focus remains strictly on the quality of the prepared food and the functionality of the workspace. This establishment balances the casual nature of a market-inspired café with the technical precision of a focused bistro kitchen. Every element, from the beverage selection to the curated seasonal vegetables, demonstrates a commitment to ingredient-led preparation methods.
Dandy is widely celebrated for its exceptional brunch offerings, particularly the ricotta pancakes, which many guests describe as the best they have ever tasted, and the crispy fried chicken sandwich, which frequently earns high praise for its quality and flavor. Visitors consistently highlight the fresh, high-quality ingredients and the beautiful, modern atmosphere that makes the restaurant a must-visit destination in Old Montreal. While the popularity of the spot often results in lines, especially on weekends, many guests feel the delicious meals, vibrant energy, and attentive, welcoming service provided by the professional staff make the experience entirely worth the wait.
Food is magnificent. I've tried their'big breakfast', pancake, & the crispy chicken burger. The latter was my favorite, crispy on the outside, VERY tender chicken & generous portion. Getting the bill makes me question if the price really worth the hype though.
Went there first lunch today. There was a line outside since they don't take reservations. My hubby & I didn't wait long & got seated in about 10 minutes. I ordered chicken salad, & sourdough bread & a fried egg as extras. Everything was so fresh & yummy. Highly recommend the chicken salad if you like crunchy ones. My hubby ordered the smoke salmon sandwich with tomatoes & greens. He loved it too. Super fresh!
Wait staff was lovely. The kitchen seemed a bit backed up, so we had to wait a little longer for our food than we expected, but I had a delicious spritz to keep me occupied during the wait, so all was well. Then, once the food arrived, it was so freaking good that we stopped caring that there was a wait at all. The buttermilk fried chicken sandwich was hands down the best I've ever had in my life. My dining companion had the halloumi focaccia & raved over her sandwich too. It was a wonderful addition to our day.
This was our second time at Dandy.The first time, we had a great experience, but unfortunately, today was completely different.
I ordered the cottage cheese pancakes with strawberries. The pancakes were extremely dry, almost like cardboard. I also paid an extra $5.50 for strawberries & literally received five strawberries, bringing the dish to $26.50 for dry pancakes & five strawberries.
My boyfriend ordered the fried chicken sandwich, which was also very disappointing. The bun was soggy, & the chicken didn't even seem fried. It was bland & had none of the crispy texture you would expect from a fried chicken sandwich.
Also, it took 55 mins to get are food & we arrived at opening. A table of 7 that got seated after us got served first & had order same dishes as us, very disappointing.
We spent around $80 & left extremely disappointed. For that price, there are so many better & less expensive places in Montreal. Unfortunately, we won't be coming back.
We enjoyed the breakfast here 1000%, we had Ricotta pancakes, buttermilk fried chicken & the endless summer breakfast all was 1000%, oh, don't forget the side order potatoes. P.S. the servers are very hot😀
I can't say enough good things about this place. Friendly Service, interesting lemonade & the best chicken sandwich!!!!! Nicolas & others are outstanding. Keep up the great work.
Worth the line, worth the hype. Good on every level. Don't leave without trying the pancakes. The size of the chicken sandwich? Stacking 2 fried thighs & an egg is diabolical. The potatoes would have disappeared if we weren't so full. The buttery sausage roll with that honey mustard was a perfect bite. The service was so attentive my water cup was full for every sip, even though I was drinking a great IPA. My family loved their drinks. Now it's on the must-go list for every future Montreal visit.
We loved Dandy so much the first time we came during our long weekend in Montreal that we came back the very next day! We made sure to get there right when it opened so we didn't have to wait in line. The first day we both got the endless summer breakfast, which was fantastic & had great flavors & textures. I saw people get the pancakes & knew I wanted to get those the next day, so we can back & ordered the pancakes on top of the fried chicken sandwich & the grilled halloumi sandwich (it was a lot of food, but we ate it all & it was SO WORTH IT!). What really makes each dish stand out is the amazing bread (the sourdough & focaccia are to die for) & high quality/fresh ingredients. The service is a bit slow at times, & there is a longer wait for food than at some places, but the food is worth it. We would recommend this place to anyone for brunch!
