Darbar is widely praised as an intimate, cozy, family run Indian restaurant in Montreal where flavors are rich and dishes are prepared with care and from scratch. Reviewers note attentive service and a warm, personalized dining experience with moments such as the staff coming to the table to explain dishes and tailor them to spice preferences. The menu is described as authentic and varied, with balanced spices and fresh ingredients and occasional seasonal highlights. The ambiance is consistently described as cozy and charming, with real candles, dim lighting, and a mix of quiet dinners and lively jazz on select nights, plus a winter indoors and summer patio vibe. Pricing is considered reasonable for the quality and for sharing plates with friends or family. Dietary needs are well accommodated, including gluten free and vegan options, and staff are noted for asking about spice tolerance and customizing dishes. While most experiences are outstanding, some reviews mention slower service in a small, busy space and a few dishes that were less impressive. Overall, this spot is seen as a standout for authentic Indian cuisine in Montreal and a must visit for food lovers.
I've been a long-time fan of this place, but hadn't been back since the father & original owner passed & his son took over. I'm so glad I returned.
We were greeted by the son/chef himself, who was warm, attentive, & clearly committed to carrying on his father's legacy with care & passion. He took the time to ask us a few questions to'get to know us,' then chose our dishes himself, which made the whole experience feel personal & thoughtful.
I love when there's a real family story behind a restaurant, & you can feel it here.
The appetizer was outstanding - a chicken kebab dish served in an oven-style presentation, full of flavor & beautifully done. Our mains & dessert were equally delicious. Best naan I have had in a while.
My friend & I both loved the experience. We ate very well & found the pricing fair for the quality & care. Service was warm & attentive.
Had a great experience at Darbar last night. The staff was so friendly, attentive, & welcoming. The food was absolutely delicious. I also loved the space. Highly recommend & will be back for sure! :)
Mar 26, 2026
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This place has just been added to my top favourite restaurants in Montréal! The food was simply excellent, especially the malai kofta & the naan, as were the drinks & the very friendly & attentive service. Thanks so much for having us for my birthday dinner, it was a great evening & I can't wait to come back!
Le meilleur restaurant indien ! Toute l'équipe est extrêmement sympathique, chaleureuse & attentive au moindre détail. Le chef Simar est exceptionnel ! Arindom, qui nous a accueillis dès notre arrivée au restaurant, m'a préparé le meilleur cocktail que j'ai jamais goûté à Montréal. Darbar : je recommande totalement. Ma famille & moi avons adoré !
Delicious food! Chef makes everything from scratch, very attentive staff & very talented head chef. All their meats are halal which is also a huge plus. Highly recommend
If we could give this place more than five stars, we would. Definitely try the Mardasi Bakra, Aloo chat & honestly, you should try something from every course to really get the full experience.
The service was super fast & friendly, & very attentive to taking our orders. The chef was also very welcoming & clearly passionate about his food, while even taking the time to talk to us about his story & Montreal as we were visiting.
The restaurant itself is intimate & quiet, perfect for a relaxing dinner. You can really enjoy & appreciate the food while not being rushed.
We would recommend anyone to try!
Dec 28, 2025
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I came here for a girls' night dinner, & honestly, everything was perfect. The food was delicious, but what really stood out was the service ; so friendly, attentive, & genuine. It's rare to find a restaurant that still has that personal touch, where you feel truly welcomed & cared for. Darbar is one of those rare gems.
An amazing experience- from the friendly & attentive staff to the superb food, we couldn't have asked for me. The restaurant was cozy, casual & felt local. The main event- wow wow- the food was incredible. Samir, the head chef, was great as explaining & recommending dishes, you can tell he's passionate about his craft. Everything we tried was 10/10.
I visited this restaurant recently & had a mixed experience. The service was excellent-friendly, attentive, & prompt, which I really appreciated. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the expectations. The flavors were very average & lacked the richness & depth typically associated with good Indian cuisine. Given how expensive the menu is, I was hoping for much better quality & taste. Great staff, but the food doesn't justify the high prices. Not sure I'd return.
Samosa: 2/5
Murgh Malai: 1/5 ( It was very salty)
Murgh Tikka Masala: 3/5
Garlic Naan: 1/5 ( Didn't have any garlic flavor)
Mango Lassi: 4/5
Darbar is a wonderful family-run restaurant that truly cares for its customers. You feel it in the warm hospitality & the consistently excellent food.
The entire team-both in the kitchen & at the front-was kind, attentive, & really knew what to recommend to enhance our experience.
We started with the murg malai, served in a sizzling pot-such a unique & fun presentation! The seekh kebab was beautifully plated, & both dishes were absolutely delicious. The yogurt sauce with the kebabs was light & refreshing, while the spices in the murg malai built up to a deep, flavourful finish.
For our mains, we had the chicken jalfrezie & the nihari lamb. Paired with their crispy, doughy butter naan, the lamb was one of the best bites I've ever had. I literally had to close my eyes to take it in.
We ended with two orders of gulab jamun because my wife loved the first so much-she said it tasted just like her grandmother's, & we couldn't leave without having another.
From the food to the staff, RestoDarbar offers a truly unique dining experience. The authentic dishes are carefully crafted to excite the palate, with each bite showcasing a blend of flavors & textures. The service was attentive & knowledgeable, enhancing the overall ambiance. As a standout in Montreal, it's a must-visit for foodies & anyone who appreciates exceptional cuisine.
Darbar is by far my favorite restaurant in Montreal. The flavors are amazing & everything is just spicy & delicious. The service is on point, always friendly & attentive. I highly recommend it, you won't be disappointed. It's a family owned restaurant & I have fond memories of the father, Babu. I've been eating there for years. Believe me, you'll want to go back!
We had the pleasure once again of an evening at DarBar. This time we asked Chef Simar to choose our food for us. He treated us to some new dishes he is experimenting with. We are so glad to have made that decision. It's difficult to imagine the food could get even better, but this moved the meal into the handful of my "Once in a Lifetime" experiences. All I can say is PLEASE try out this fabulous place, especially if you enjoy Indian food. & do take the plunge & let the chef show you what magic he can produce. Original review: This is an unassuming little gem tucked away in an interesting but somewhat run-down stretch of "The Main". The food is wonderful! The spices are complex & the heat in the dishes is deep & embracing. Just what one would expect from the very best Indian cuisine. Service is very attentive & the owner is always willing to discuss his vision for the food & the restaurant. In addition to the overall quality of the food, there is great attention to detail. For example, our bowl of rice was not merely seasoned & fragrant, it contained pomegranate seeds that had been marinated in rosewater, so there was an interesting note of sweetness & crunch from the flesh & kernels of the seeds. Nothing on the menu could be considered plain. Everything is an adventure in flavours & textures. Montreal is home to countless great places to eat, so it's quite an achievement for an eatery to stand out, but DarBar certainly does in my opinion.
Dec 28, 2024
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Darbar deserves all the stars! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm & inviting. The food was simply incredible-authentic Indian cuisine at its finest. The attention to detail in the flavors made each bite unforgettable. You must also try their one-of-a-kind drinks! The service was just as impressive-attentive, friendly, & efficient. They went above & beyond to make sure our dining experience was perfect. If you're looking for an exceptional Indian meal, Darbar is the place to go. Highly recommend!!!!!!!
Warm & friendly service! Extremely attentive & kind. Wonderful choices with healthy vegan, meat or seafood options & each dish has a unique flavour. Authentic cuisine. Fun wine choices & enjoyed the terrace. Can't wait for our next visit!
My wife & I had a wonderful meal here on a recent trip to Montreal. The service was friendly & attentive. We each had a Thali but one vegetarian & one meat version to get a mix of curries that we shared. We really enjoyed their curries - spiced just so as to be not overpowering hot but enough that you could still taste individual spices & the food. That takes some skill to get that spicing right! Sides of samosas, naan & rice were very good. We liked the cumin seeds in the rice. Plates were attractively garnished with tasty pomegranate seeds & coriander. We tried their version of Shahi Tukra, a dessert we've never seen before, made in a puff pastry shell instead of ghee fried bread, with rosewater, cardamom, thickened sweetened milk & nuts & garnished with pomegranite seed. It was excellent!
