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.
My partner & I had an amazing date night dinner here. The veg thali & egg plant Bartha were both excellent & we really enjoyed that the chef came out to explain the menu & ask us how our meal was going. Highly recommend!
Apr 4, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
love love LOVEEEEE.
first of all, the vibes, so aesthetic, so cozy, very charming & subtly refined. real candles, dimmed lights, & authentic silverware.
secondly, the price point, very reasonable considering that you end up sharing a variety of dishes with a friend or a group of people. thirdly & most importantly, the food (& drinks): beyond speechless… we started off with the mango lasi & chicken skewers which took us by surprise because the flavours were out of this world, then we ordered the shahi paneer + lamb masala (with coconut milk reduction$ with rice & naan: such an appropriate & daring level of spices where the flavours just simply melt in your tongue like a symphony.
highly recommend. 100/10. such a hidden gem!
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! :)
C'était incroyable comme soirée! Tout ce qu'on a mangé était délicieux, savoureux, typique! Le service était absolument parfait aussi! Je recommande, SANS AUCUNE HÉSITATION!
Mar 15, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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.
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!
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 !
Feb 8, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Delicious food! Chef makes everything from scratch, very attentive staff & very talented head chef. All their meats are halal which is also a huge plus. Highly recommend
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
If we could give this place more than five stars, we would. Definitely try the Mardasi Bakra, Aloo chat & honestly, you should try something from every course to really get the full experience.
The service was super fast & friendly, & very attentive to taking our orders. The chef was also very welcoming & clearly passionate about his food, while even taking the time to talk to us about his story & Montreal as we were visiting.
The restaurant itself is intimate & quiet, perfect for a relaxing dinner. You can really enjoy & appreciate the food while not being rushed.
We would recommend anyone to try!
Great service from Arindom!
Nice music, not too loud, so that you can actually have a conversation. Food is really good & portions are nice. Fun menu & lovely people ☺? Would definitely recommend!
This is such an amazing restaurant! The staff are amazing! The chef came out to our table to talk to us & customized our meals for us! Highly recommend!
