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.
Amazing flavors layered into every dish. A real conversation with the chef who sought to build a meal meant for our tastebuds. A tour de force from the first bite of samosas to the last bit of naan soaking up what was left of any curry sauce. We don't live in Montreal, bit we'll back at Darbar for sure!
As a huge fan of Indian cuisine, I can honestly say our dinner at Darbar last night was world-class. Super friendly service, great beer, delicious appetizers & awesome mains. The chef came by our table a couple of times to check whether everything was OK, & took a few minutes to chat. Really top notch place, can't wait to return.
May 29, 2025
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Darbar is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. For anyone seeking an authentic, delicious, & truly memorable Indian Punjabi dining experience in Montreal, look no further.
Each dish arrived artfully presented, a testament to the kitchen's dedication to both flavor & aesthetics. & the flavors! These flavors were simply extraordinary. The spices were masterfully blended, creating complex & nuanced tastes that danced on the palate without ever being overwhelming. The Korma shrimp was unbelievable, cooked to perfection & the best I have ever eaten. The Lamb Nihari was aromatic & so tender.
It is clear that only the freshest, highest quality ingredients are used, allowing the authentic essence of Indian cuisine to truly shine.
What truly elevated our experience, however, was the delightful surprise of the chef, Simar, emerging from the kitchen to personally interact with diners. His passion for his craft was palpable as he chatted with us, inquiring about our meal & sharing insights into the inspiration behind his dishes. This personal touch, a rare & welcome gesture, made us feel truly valued & added an unforgettable layer to an already exceptional evening.
We are already planning our next visit! Bravo to the entire team at Darbar for creating such a remarkable establishment!
We were in from out of town & had been recommended to visit so made a reservation. Darbar did not disappoint! Lovely chef, good service & outstanding food. The'appetizer still in trial' was out of this world with layered flavors & textured that really delighted. We will spread the word in Boston/Rhode Island as best we can & will be back when we next are in Montreal. Thanks.
The restaurant is small, with just a few tables. Super cosy. The chef walks between the kitchen & the dining room, checking in with customers to make sure everything's just right.
In one of his shows, Trevor Noah talked about Indian food & the explosion of flavors he experienced the first time he tried it. I didn't really understand that-until I visited Darbar.
Yes, I went twice in less than 10 days. The first time with my partner, who's not a fan of curry. The second time with my picky pre-adult kids. & both times… we experienced the EXPLOSION OF FLAVORS.
My partner now wants to make Darbar our go-to spot for any occasion. My kids wouldn't stop thanking me for the amazing meals.
Forget the curry chicken or daal you've had before. What you get at Darbar is something else. It's magical.
We are in Quebec, & here is the french version:
Darbar - Je ne sais même pas par où commencer.
Le restaurant est petit, avec seulement quelques tables. Super cosy. Le chef fait des allers-retours entre la cuisine & la salle pour s'assurer que tout va bien.
Dans un de ses spectacles, Trevor Noah parlait de la cuisine indienne & de l'explosion de saveurs qu'il a ressentie la première fois qu'il y a goûté. Je ne comprenais pas vraiment… jusqu'à ce que je visite Darbar.
Oui, j'y suis allée deux fois en moins de 10 jours. Une première avec mon partenaire, qui n'est pas fan de curry. & une deuxième fois avec mes enfants (pré-ados) plutôt difficiles. & à chaque fois… on a vécu une EXPLOSION DE SAVEURS.
Mon partenaire veut maintenant que Darbar devienne notre resto pour toutes les occasions. Mes enfants n'ont pas arrêté de me remercier pour les repas incroyables.
Oubliez le poulet au curry ou le daal que vous avez pu goûter ailleurs. Ce que vous trouverez chez Darbar, c'est autre chose. C'est magique.
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.
Apr 20, 2025
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Hidden gem that is now my favourite Indian restaurant in Montreal! Chef Simar Anand & his wife gave my family & I such warm hospitality & got to know us before making personal recommendations from his winter menu. He not only considered our dietary restrictions but also our spice tolerance levels & preferences across the meal.
We were 5 people celebrating a birthday & started off with 2 entrées: the samosay pakoray (plate of samosas & onion bhaji) & the murgh malai, whose presentation wowed us. Then Chef Anand recommended sharing 4 plates family style accompanied with enough rice & a variety of naans. We discovered the Saag Paneer (& option that never dissappoints), the Lamb Nihari, the Murgh Tikka Masala (the best tikka masala/butter chicken we're EVER had), & a new creation: Shrimp marinate for 9 hours in a spiced coconut sauce, currently being refined for the summer menu. Every single dish brought unique warmth in their spices, blended beautifully in their creamy sauces, & adjusted perfectly for our spice levels. Ending with a sweet note were the Gulab Jamun & the Ras Malai, which we all got to share & enjoy. I won't forget to mention the unique & fragrant teas on the menu, carefully selected & crafted by their in-house expert. Both the Leela & Firdaous teas delighted us, having herbs or spices we didn't know & don't normally see in tea blends.
Darbar is a restaurant where you take your time for an amazing meal, rediscover classic indian flavours, & feel the love & care in their meals & service in a way that stays grounded & authentic through it's spirit!
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!
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!!
Acceuil chaleureux & personalisé, plats savoureux & rafinés, ambiance musicale moderne & décontracté. Un must pour toute personne qui apprécie la cuisine Indienne!
J'y suis retourné 2 semaines plus tard & je suis toujours charmé. Je vais devoir y manger régulièrement pour découvrir les 3 menus saisonnier proposé chez Darbar 😀
Mar 11, 2025
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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.
Délicieux ! Mes papilles & mon estomac vous disent merci. Tout est travaillé, jusqu'à la sauce qui accompagne les frites. J'avais déjà eu l'occasion de dîner à Darbar (un régal), mais suite à cette commande, je recommande également d'essayer leur nouveau concept "Chez Babu ji's" snack shop. Vous ne serez pas déçus !
Truly one of the best meals I have eaten. The people running this place are some of the warmest & kindest people you will ever meet. The food is exquisite & inventive. My mouth is literally watering just thinking about the meal. I'll spend the rest of my life eternally looking forward to my next visit to Darbar.
Jan 6, 2025
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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.
2e visite au Darbar & cette fois, ce fut un wow! La nourriture fut exquise, le proprio est venu nous voir & tout le monde était aux petits soins! Je recommande vivement!
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.
I visited Darbar on a Saturday evening with my family & discovered a hidden gem in Montreal serving the best Indian food. Everyone at Darbar was so warm & welcoming, which is rare these days. Will keep visiting
