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.
Dandy has been on my list forever, & with the constant lineups & hype around it, I was really looking forward to finally trying it. We went on a Monday at 10 a.m. & still had to wait in line, which is kind of crazy.
The space is cute & the service was good. We ordered the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, ricotta pancakes, fingerling potatoes, & the Endless Summer breakfast.
The fried chicken sandwich had a really nice brioche bun & decent slaw, but the chicken kept sliding out & overall I've definitely had better fried chicken sandwiches. The fingerling potatoes were easily the highlight - fantastic, especially with the aioli. The bacon could've been cooked a little more for my taste.
The ricotta pancakes were good, but again, I've had better. I did LOVE the brown sugar maple syrup though. The Endless Summer breakfast was alright, but nothing really stood out.
Overall, the food was decent, the vibes were cute, & the service was solid - but nothing blew me away enough to understand the amount of hype or the constant lineups. I'm glad I finally tried it, but I wouldn't wait around for it again.
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.
Our wait time seemed pretty normal compared with what other people mentioned in their reviews. My wife absolutely loved her food & said it was the best pancake she's ever had in Montreal. My order looked more like a regular breakfast set, but I really enjoyed the homemade sauce.
We waited for more than an hour, so I honestly can't tell whether I was just really hungry or if the food was actually that delicious. Either way, we had a good experience at Dandy & would definitely come back.
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.
First - there will be a wait. Trust the rest of the reviews. Even on a rainy Monday. 60 minutes from getting into line to placing our order.
Service & food were fantastic. Once you sit down, they are prompt about getting you served (so they can flip the seat). It does take a little bit for the food to come out - but everything we had was amazing. The ricotta pancakes were excellent, as was the avocado toast. The bloody mary had an odd taste. Would avoid that.
I would visit & eat here again, but only if I lucked into a 15-20 minute wait.
There was a line around the block before the spot opened at 10 am. It moved quickly. Nicholas took care of us outside. My latte was yummy but the ricotta pancakes were ahhhhhhmazing. The maple syrup was like praline buttery goodness.
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😀
Hands down the best brunch & all of Montreal. It's a small menu but everything tastes delicious. I come here from Toronto a couple times a year & this is always the first place I want to eat at. I dream about their ricotta pancakes & I love how they have a seasonal topping to it so it keeps it exciting & fresh every time I visit. But the potatoes are just perfect!
I wish we lived in Montreal... We were on vacation & lucky to find this place. The food was *outstanding*! We were lucky & got in line about 10 minutes before they opened & got seated pretty quickly. The line quickly wrapped around the corner, though, so definitely get there before doors open.
The Ricotta Pancakes are the best pancakes we've ever had. I tend to veer away from'fancy' pancakes because they're often too sweet, but these were perfectly balanced, light, & fluffy. (Sorry, Cafe September...but these pancakes win! 🙈) The Endless Summer Breakfast was also incredibly tasty & unique. We were so glad to have good vegetarian options! I can't recommend this place enough. The inside is, of course, also adorable. Great food & great atmosphere--would highly recommend it!
