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.
Darbar has been one of my partner & my favorite restaurants in Montreal & we often celebrate special occasions there. The chef & staff are always accommodating & friendly & the food & drinks are fantastic. We always try something new when we're there & are always amazed by the complexity of the flavors & the quality of each dish. It's clear how much work & intention goes into every detail. Last night we went for my partner's final night in Montreal before he leaves for the summer & we had a wonderful experience. We ordered the non-vegetarian thali, the seekh kebabs, & the madrasi bakra to share & were blown away by everything we ordered. I also highly recommend the cocktails on the menu, especially the whiskey sour which is phenomenal.
Hidden Gem ✨
Impeccable service from Simmer & his staff on the Sunday night I went. The food was delectable, chicken so tender. Can't wait to return! Thank you Darbar!
Mar 31, 2026
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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! :)
Wonderful food as always, personally prepared, nuanced, & delicious. Cozy atmosphere in winter & a pleasant patio in summer. Darbar on Saint-Laurent has been our restaurant of choice on every Montreal visit for years.
We always have such an amazing time at Darbar, but yesterday's Valentine's day was special. The newly added Jazz band just elevated the experience even more. As usual, the food was impeccable & all my thanks to chef Simar who I unfortunately did not get to say hi to, understandable of course. To the front team, you guys did an amazing job, the polaroid was a nice touch & to see your parents on the take out box was adorable. Cannot wait to visit again soon whenever the Indian cuisine crave comes in, 10/10 as always
Had an absolutely delightful experience at Darbar while visiting Montreal for the first time. The servers & chef were kind & generous, the food was AMAZING, & we lucked into going on a night there was live jazz music that totally rounded out the ambiance. Cannot recommend them enough!
Feb 10, 2026
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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 !
My wife & I eat at Darbar often, & the cuisine is definitely a few steps above your typical Indian restaurant experience. The cocktails are thoughtful & delicious, & the staff are among the most welcoming I've encountered anywhere in Montreal. It's rare to find a place that balances warmth, flavor, & atmosphere so effortlessly - Darbar does it beautifully.
Nov 11, 2025
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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.
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.
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.
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.
Sep 20, 2025
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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.
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!
This was our third time to Darbar, this time with a big group where a number of people had dietary restrictions. As always, the service was absolutely incredible. They accommodated everyone beautifully & were sure to tell us each time who could eat what & the food was delicious!
Une véritable explosion de saveurs du début à la fin ! Nous avons mangé au Darbar & chaque plat était un délice. Les épices parfaitement dosées, des portions généreuses, & un service chaleureux qui nous a mis tout de suite à l'aise. Une expérience culinaire authentique que je recommande sans hésitation. On reviendra, c'est certain !
