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.
So I went there with a friend, & we tried the following things
1. Tamarind & Cumin Lassi - that is something we tried for the first time & the flavour combination was really really good. Haven't seen this lassi in any other Indian restaurant's menu in Montreal. 5/5
2. Aloo Tikki Chat - that was something made for us outside the menu. The Tikki was really crunchy on the outside, juicy in the inside, along with Chhole (chickpeas), yogurt-based sauce, & pomegranates. The flavour profile was really really amazing. 4.5/5
3. Navaratan Korma - this is the ONLY navaratan korma I loved in comparison to the other Indian restaurants over here. The chef did a trick & put some lemon leaves in the curry, this gave a very distinct lemon flavour in the gravy along with its creaminess. The combination was really good - 5/5.
4. Lamb Nihari - this dish disappointed me a bit. My fault, I didn't specifically tell them I want the gravy spicy. The curry was good in taste. But the only thing I didn't like there was the lamb. It felt like the lamb was not marinated. The flavors of the curry didn't penetrate the lamb meat. Otherwise, a pretty good attempt. 3.5/5.
Grabbed takeout here while on trip to Montreal. Really authentic Indian food. I ordered the dal makhani which was delicious & overly heavy, with the perfect blend of spices & felt homemade along with the naan.
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.
Nous avons été accueilli par une serveuse très gentille & chaleureuse. Le propriétaire/chef est drôle & professionnel. Nous avons pris un menu dégustation pour trois & nous avons été très satisfait des portions. Tous étais extrêmement savoureux & fais maison. Je recommande très fortement !
I am Celiac. They did a great job making accomodations for me. The food was very good. We were warned the food would be slow, but it was perfect timing to have a conversation & enjoy the terrasse.
May 11, 2025
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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.
Great restaurant! Delicious & clean tasting food, all dishes were perfectly seasoned & spiced. Portions were on the smaller side from my experience at Indian restaurants, we came out full, but not stuffed.
Special mention goes out to the bangin' bhartha & the chana daal dishes! Loved the addition of kaffir lime leaves in the daal!
Apr 25, 2025
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The appetizers were so good. The seekh kebabs were impeccable & the beetroot chutney was next level. The main course was mouthwatering the machli ( fish) rogan josh had so much flavor! The daal makhani was like it came straight from India! We didn't get to try the desserts but I bet their good.
Une cuisine aussi délicieuse que surprenante. Laissez faire le poulet au beurre, choisissez quelque chose que vous n'avez jamais vu dans le menu, & soyez surpris!
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.
We have rarely, if ever, had a more pleasurable & enjoyable culinary experience.
Owner / Chef Simar Anand greeted us at our table & spent meaningful time discussing our food likes & tastes. He walked us through his menu & his recommendations. As he talked, you could feel his deep passion for food & his family's restaurant. We put ourselves entirely in his hands, & he created a spectacular meal for us.
My wife has celiac disease & can not eat gluten. When I made the reservation online using Google Maps, I mentioned her dietary restriction in the notes field of the reservation form. Chef Simar knew before he talked with us that our meal needed to be gluten-free & indicated he had made GF naan for my wife. He also said all the dishes are made from scratch, & that he would ensure all food would be prepared gluten-free. For those of us who have celiac or are celiac adjacent, you know this type of care is almost non-existent.
The setting is cozy, the service is beyond excellent, the food fabulous, juicy & perfectly spiced & the cost is SO REASONABLE.
DO NOT HESITATE - GO & ENJOY the entire experience.
Très bonne cuisine indienne, service de qualité, rapport qualité prix excellent. Je vous le recommande. Nous y sommes allés avant une soirée au quartier des spectacles & c'était parfait (à distance de marche).
