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.
Super expérience! Le service était rapide pis la bouffe goûtait le bon. Personnel sympathique & musique d'ambiance excellente. De plus, ça m'a coûté vraiment pas cher pis le chef m'a même montré son four à pain. Je recommande à tous ceux qui aiment manger des affaires indiennes. Le pain était sur la coche pis le poulet était plus tendre que celui du St-Hubert. Y'a des options végétariennes pour les gens végétariens. Je vous conseille toutefois d'être tolérant au piquant parce que c'est épicé sur un méchant temps! Bref, mon expérience était très bonne & j'y retournerai certainement. Solide 5 étoiles! J'aimerais pouvoir en mettre 6, mais on peut pas sur google maps...
Nous sommes allés avec deux groupes de 5e secondaire; une magnifique expérience! Chef Simar & sa conjointe ont pris le temps de nous expliquer l'histoire familiale derrière cet incroyable restaurant. Ce petit bijou de Montréal offre une qualité inégalable! Je recommande X 1000!
Mar 25, 2025
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Without doubt the best Indian food in Montreal. The atmosphere is great, the hosts are welcoming, gracious & accommodating, & Chef Singh himself came over to our table to chat with us & ask about the food, which by the way was incredible to say the least. I am beyond impressed & I'm grateful to Darbar for this wonderful experience. Cannot recommend enough!!
Un restaurant indien qui goûte plus raffiné que la
Majorité des restaurants indiens. Service sympthatique. Le chef nous a bien accueilli nous & les enfants.
I wish I could give more than 5 stars, Darbar is one of the best restaurants i've been to in Montreal so far. Chef Simar is incredibly talented & his passion for his food & guests truly shows. He goes above & beyond to accommodate you. His menu changes depending on what's in season & most ingredients come from within 50kms from the restaurant which as someone who loves to shop local-I appreciated. The food, delicious & flavourful, & full of love, I absolutely cannot wait to go back.
Petit restaurant très sympathique. L'extérieur ne paye pas de mine mais il ne faut pas se fier.
Le repas était très savoureux. Le personnel courtois & sympathique. Le chef est venu expliquer le menu & est revenu plus tard s'enquérir si tout était à notre goût.
Je recommande chaudement.
Super endroit, le staff fait beaucoup d'efforts pour proposer un service en Francais
Great place !
The service is always great, the chef will come out of the kitchen & greet guests when it's not too crowded & is willing to accommodate dishes !
Hands-down one of the most wonderful dining experiences & most delicious Punjabi food. Chef Simar came out to chat with us sharing in-depth about the menu, the creation of his seasonal menus, & made recommendations based on what we said as our taste preferences. He made a special batch of gluten free naan that he named as "not yet perfected & not ready to be on the menu". It was a great addition to the meal. The food had an incredibly special vibrance of flavor. A must visit!
went here with my friends & the food was delicious! the interior is dimly lit, they have a wide range of options & the chef took the time to talk with us. food is freshly made :)
We had a fabulous dinner at Darbar! The chef came out to greet us & made suggestions on what to eat, & he even prepared a special appetizer for us that wasn't on the menu (but should be -- it was delicious!). The entire meal was amazing. We will definitely be back next time we are in Montreal!
Experience hors pair lors de notre visite. Le service est incroyable, Le chef est venu nous voir à plusieurs reprise pour s'assuré que tout est à notre goût. Il nous a donner des recommandation & nous a demander nos préférences en terme de saveur & niveau d'épices. Nous somme des amateurs de cuisine indienne mais Darbar était à un niveau supérieur. Coup de coeur pour l'agneau Nihari. Nous avons déjà hâte d'y revenir.
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.
Great experience ,Great food , & you feel how much they care about you enjoying what you order. The Chef comes to ask your preferences on spice level .... & boom amazing food lands on your table... divine taste & evry dish has its distinct taste... Just wow Sadly no photos we were starving
For the past few years, I've done my best to come here a few times a year. It's a little inconvenient, & Montreal has no shortage of great Indian food, but this place is special. Before saying a word about the food, it's worth noting the resiliency of this establishment. Faced with barriers, literal ones put up by the city's slow-moving roadwork, it has continued to fight on to preserve the memories of the family that created it. I consider going here, in some ways, a political act. That said, given how good the food is, it doesn't take much to get inspired to go. The presentation of the food is as wonderful as its flavors - the small touches, like literal flowers, bring every dish to the next level. I find that everything I try here is always an elevated version of the comforting flavors I've had elsewhere. The chef is sensitive to spice tolerance (I can handle the heat, but my partner less so), which makes it a good spot for everyone. I've been treated with the experience of trying new desserts in the works & given great advice on wine pairings. I brought my toddler once & they went out of their way to keep her occupied with little snacks along the way so we didn't feel we had to manage her too much or rush out. All of this to say, that if you're looking for a delicious meal from a place that earns every penny it makes, go here & you will not be disappointed!
