Reviewers consistently praise Darbar for meticulously crafted flavors and dishes that feel both authentic and thoughtfully modern, from butter chicken and dal makhni to nihari, murg malai, seekh kebabs, and a variety of naans, all prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients. The atmosphere is described as intimate and cozy, with warm, attentive service and a welcoming, family run vibe, and the chef often greets tables to discuss the menu and tailor dishes to spice tolerance and dietary needs, including gluten free and vegan options. The dining experience is frequently complemented by personal touches such as table conversations, seasonal recommendations, and occasional live jazz or a refined beverage program, making it a strong choice for dates and gatherings alike. Many reviews call it a hidden gem and among the top Indian eateries in Montreal, noting high consistency over years and a sense of warmth that balances flavor, presentation, and value. While most responses are glowing, a few criticisms surface regarding occasional slower service, smaller portions relative to price, or limited vegetarian options on some menus, yet these do not substantially dampen the overall impression of a special, chef led dining experience.
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!
This is such an amazing restaurant! The staff are amazing! The chef came out to our table to talk to us & customized our meals for us! Highly recommend!
Dec 7, 2025
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We discovered this place (without realizing it's a fine dining) by chance during our last trip to Montreal, & it turned out to be a hidden gem. The food was delicious - full of flavor, authentic yet modern, & perfectly balanced. What really made the experience special was the service. Chef & owner Simar was so welcoming, patient, & gave great recommendations. We'll definitely be back to try more!
This place deserves nothing less than 5 stars, more if possible
First - the ambiance is perfect: cosy, great smell, comfortable, the colours the music volume - all top notch!
Second - the service! The chef introduced himself to us & he is also the owner & proposed that we have a bunch of share plates brought to the table that he would decide - what a pleasure!
It was all a surprise & everything was delicious, fresh & super flavourful
Fantastic Indian food & cocktails & wine - the place really has it all!
An absolute gem I didn't expect to find at the bottom of st Laurent. I will definitely be back!
My friends & I love to try a new restaurant each month, & we chose Darbar as our pick for October. Let me tell you it didn't disappoint.
Not only did each dish surpass our expectations, it was so nice to hear the back stories of each dish from Chef Simar himself. & the ambiance was absolutely delicious! & the cutie photo of his parents on the take-out box, so wholesome.
We had the butter chicken, lentil soup, & thali, & for dessert, we tried the gulab jamun & rasmalai, everything was absolutely delicious! The chef personally came to our table to introduce himself & checked in a few times to make sure everything was perfect. I really appreciated that. We'll definitely be coming back!
Nov 2, 2025
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Food was unbelievable, one of the best indian food i've ever had. Its was full of flavors & the presentation was original. Also, the chef was very hospitable & nice to us.
I found the tables were inconvenient (too small) for the amount of food on the table, & the service was a bit laggy but I also understand that it's a very small location & we got in very late, 1 hour before their close.
Overall a great experience, would recommend to everyone!
I've been going to Darbar since before the pandemic. Amazing every time. When the dad was running it & now when the son has taken over: still just as excellent. Family business with very reasonable prices. Such nice people & great attention. Food is delicious. The chef comes & talks & listens to every table. Another wonderful evening.
This time, we had the vegetarian thali, bhindi bhaji, garlic naan, tamarin & cumin lassi, & a Taj Mahal. We ordered way too much a as always because everything looks & smells so good. Had a good-sized doggy bag after stuffing ourselves.
One of the best curries I have ever had, certainly in top 10 ever! Chef asked how hot we wanted & personalised it to our tastes, he put his personal stamp.on each dish, my Jalfrezi was wonderful, my wife really enjoyed a slightly spicier tikka.
Sep 22, 2025
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Une vraie de vraie groupie. Came back for our friend's bday & we had the best time. FOOD & SERVICE WERE OUT OF THIS WORLD (as per usual) EXQUISITE ❤?🔥 Au chef & à toute l'équipe de feu du DARBAR, Merci du plus profond de nos coeurs.
Amazing experience! We celebrated my dad's 60th birthday here & the food was amazing - the chef Simar was so kind & gave us recommendations based on our tastes, things to do in Montreal, & took the time to get to know us! All the food was delicious - we had the most wonderful time & will be coming back again when we visit Montreal.
We dined at Darbar on Sunday evening & had a truly memorable experience. The chef personally introduced himself, walked us through the menu with recommendations, & even took our order before preparing it - a thoughtful touch that made the evening feel special. The food was outstanding, the staff were warm & welcoming, & the chef returned during our meal to ensure everything was perfect. Five stars all around - Darbar is an absolute must if you're looking for authentic Indian cuisine in Montreal!
Truly such a pleasure & wonderful experience eating at Darbar with my family. Having grown up in the GTA, I've had great Punjabi food but this place is exceptional. Chef Simar & his staff are so warm & welcoming. The food itself is incredible, you can taste the authentic technique & use of fresh ingredients in all the dishes. We will be back again for sure.
Sep 1, 2025
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I had one of the most delicious, flavorful Indian meals ever at darbar the other evening. I am so glad I discovered this special place. The vegetarian thali platter was exceptional, as was my appetizer of sizzling chicken on skewers served with mint sauce. Plus, wonderful chilled white wine on a hot Montreal evening. I will be back whenever I'm in town; so many dishes on the menu are mouthwatering! The staff is so incredibly friendly & gracious, as is the chef/owner Simar. I also love that darbar is off the beaten path. The real deal, authentic, family run. I highly recommend!
Le meilleur restaurant indien que j'aie jusque là goûté! Des plats très savoureux, jusqu'aux naans qui sont exquis! & un service très attentionné, y compris de la part du chef qui vient en salle vérifier que vous êtes satisfait puis vous saluer quand vous partez. Le tout dans un cadre agréable. Je recommande.
Possibly the best Indian food we've eaten. The owner/chef Simar (sp?) made the evening special. He selected our meal & everything was perfection! This is a must if in Montreal! Thank you!
