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.
Amazing food from amazing people. After living in Montreal for 10 years, this is the best Indian food (& one of the best restaurants) I've tried in the city. Michelin star service & food for a fraction of the price.
Spices in the curries are mixed in a layered & thoughtful fashion. Naan is to die for. Let yourself be guided by the chef - who talked to every table individually & checked in multiple times during the evening.
I can see myself going back every month to this magical place!
Mar 19, 2026
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Our favorite Indian restaurant in Montreal hands down. Our Valentine's meal was wonderful. Food was delicious as always & the atmosphere is cozy & conversation with fellow diners was inspiring. Staff are warm & always go above & beyond. Highly recommended.
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
Amazing experience from start to finish. Despite my very embarrassing entrance (accidentally snagging a tablecloth with my winter coat & sending glasses flying 😅), the staff handled everything with so much kindness & professionalism.
The owner/chef personally came to ask about our tastes & brought us one familiar dish & one new recommendation - both were absolutely incredible.
I've traveled around the world & tried many cuisines, & this was not only the best Indian food I've had, but genuinely the best meal I've ever eaten. Exceptional service, unforgettable flavors, & a place we will absolutely return to! Thank you so much
By far one of the best hidden gems. The chef was so kind & made our experience one to remember. He was able to cater to our specific needs & wants. As new comers to Indian food, the chef & his colleague made sure we were comfortable & enjoyed every bite. I would recommend this place to anyone
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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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!
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!
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!
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!
Aug 28, 2025
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Wait Time & Service:
It took approximately 30 minutes to get a table, followed by another 15 minutes to place our order, & then 30 minutes for the food to arrive. The service felt disorganized, possibly due to being understaffed for an unexpectedly busy mid-week evening. Dishes did not arrive together but were served individually over time, requiring multiple reminders for pending items.
Food & Quality:
We ordered Dal Makhni, Baingan Bharta, & Shahi Paneer, along with Lacha Paratha & Tandoori Roti (not listed on the menu but available upon request).
• The Baingan Bharta was excellent - definitely the highlight of the meal.
• The Shahi Paneer was overly sweet - it tasted more like a dessert than a savory entrée, & we wouldn't recommend it.
• Portion sizes were noticeably smaller than those at other Indian restaurants in the area.
Ambience & Cleanliness:
We were initially seated outdoors but had to request a change due to flies falling into our water. Inside, we were unfortunately seated near the kitchen area, where we noticed utensils being hand-washed & general disorganization, raising hygiene concerns.
Final Impression:
The entire dinner lasted around 2.5 hours, which felt unnecessarily long for a simple meal. While we understand every restaurant can have an off day, the combination of slow service, portion sizes, & questionable cleanliness made for a less-than-pleasant experience.
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!
I have been to that restaurant a lot since I moved to the neighborhood but I won't go back. Price went up by a lot: the Thali who was below 20$ before pandemic & 25$ recently just got increased to 30$. They do not put the price on the menu anymore 😫 so you have to ask.
The portions were not as generous as before & the wait staff will try to upsell you constantly (at least 4 times during the service).
Finally, they were not compliant with law 72 when we visited: their terminals are still calculating the tip on the amount after taxes.
There is at least 8 other Indian restaurants within 500 meters. I will try those now.
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
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.
