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.
Very nice location & an incredible service. The owner was taking our orders & was super friendly explained the history of its establishment & overall the best Indian food in Montreal. Definitely worth a second visit.
Jun 16, 2024
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A friend & I were travelling from London to Montreal & also had two further planned stops in New York & Toronto. Being Indian, we were craving authentic & homemade Indian food! We knew it was a risk just choosing a restaurant on a whim, but that risk certainly paid off! Simran, the chef, was very welcoming from the start. We were even more impressed to learn that all the food was cooked fresh & we were provided with a reasonable expectation of how long the food would take to be cooked. Simran - bring Darbar to London! We would love a restaurant like yours here!!!
Chef Samir , is excellent , we had the best Indian cuisine at Darbar , Montreal in Canada , the flavours were perfect , gave home food touch & great service , best wishes & highly recommend; when at Montreal
The food at this restaurant deserves a solid 5/5 rating. It offers a unique twist on traditional Indian cuisine with a delightful Western influence, resulting in extraordinary flavors. The food actually got tastier since the last time i visited. I've been a patron here since the days when Uncle Sadar Ji managed the place, & his hospitality was unparalleled. Although I didn't encounter the same level of warmth during my recent visit, the restaurant's quality remains exceptional. I'll definitely return & am eager to see them expand to new locations.
Amazing little restaurant. Food is fantastic, & being that Indian food is generally spicy, the waitstaff asks for your tolerance level to make your experience even more enjoyable. My wife & I will definitely be back!
A mixed experience overall. We ordered the garlic naan, butter chicken, lamb nihari & saag paneer with rice. The sauces for the curries were all very good & left a really strong first impression. Unfortunately both the meat & paneer were incredibly tough & overcooked. The lamb was mostly bones & fat, the chicken was cut too thin & was chewy, while the paneer was almost like overdone tofu. It's a shame because the flavours were all there but costs were cut with the main ingredients &, at $24 for an entree, the portion sizes didn't make up for it either. Overpriced as well to make matters worse. The mains should have been no more than $18 like most the other Indian restaurants in Montreal. While not pictured, I also have to call out their naan as the worst I've ever had at any Indian restaurant. It was thin, burnt & had the texture of overcooked pizza dough rather than naan. Finally, as a positive note, the service was incredibly warm & friendly when we both arrived & left. However, all the other reviews are correct that you'll never get a refill of water or any attendance during your meal unless you go out of your way to flag someone down. Warm atmosphere & I hope they're able to improve as the basics are there.
Apr 21, 2024
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We had the most amazing time at this restaurant on our first day visiting Montreal from Toronto! We showed up without reservations & the lovely chef (Simar) was able to kindly accommodate us. The food was probably the best Indian food I have ever had in my life! Our waitress & all the staff welcomed us so well & went above & beyond to make sure we had a great time! My mom sis & I were so grateful for the overall experience & we will most certainly be back!!!
First of all, the ambience sucks! It feels choke. 2. The food takes forever to arrive & we weren't told this 3. They didn't ask for how spicy we want it & when we got the food it's just too sweet first for a chicken masala & a lamb korma 4. When we complained, they said it's our fault, we should have asked or our server should have told us (which they didn't) 5. Lastly, the worst part is that the place is packed & everyone seems to be happy which is funny cos it's either people here don't know what Indian food should taste like or what good service is. How mediocrity thrives in Montréal scares me! I'm giving it 2 stars just to be a nice guy. Oh I forgot, even the Nan bread sucks & the food quantity is just too small.
Food is not authentic Indian food. Biryani had cherry tomatoes in it. Murg tikka masala tasted more like butter chicken . Garlic naan was like a store bought naan
Apr 12, 2024
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Tastiest restaurant in Montreal, absolutely delicious food, we had a great time. Simar (exec chef) & his mother are very welcoming. Highly recommend even if you're new to indian food in general.
Food at Darbar is super delicious. If you are looking for a home cooked meal taste in a restaurant this is the place to go. Although service is a bit slow it is compensated very well with the authentic tasty Indian food. Kudos to the chef who gives personal attention to every customer. We stuck to the original Veg Thali. & it lived up to its originality.
Dining at Darbar offers an unparalleled culinary journey. Chef & owner Simar personally visits each table, offering insights into the menu & the stories behind your selections. Every dish, having been perfected over months, presents a distinctive twist on traditional Indian cuisine. The ambiance is cozy, complementing the vibrant flavors & lively atmosphere. I wholeheartedly recommend this restaurant for an unforgettable dining experience.
Great Indian restaurant at the heart of Downtown Montreal! As a Londoner visiting Montreal for work I went to Darbar many times in the past few months for my weekly fix of Indian Food & can honestly the quality of food & level of service is exceptional. Well done Darbar team & I look forward to visiting again when I am next in Montreal!
Feb 18, 2024
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food was excellent; service very attentive. Unfortunately they had run of beer which we prefer for Indian cuisine, but the cocktails & wine were equally delicious. It is a small space so a little tight especially with bulky coats.
