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.
Darbar deserves all the stars! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm & inviting. The food was simply incredible-authentic Indian cuisine at its finest. The attention to detail in the flavors made each bite unforgettable. You must also try their one-of-a-kind drinks! The service was just as impressive-attentive, friendly, & efficient. They went above & beyond to make sure our dining experience was perfect. If you're looking for an exceptional Indian meal, Darbar is the place to go. Highly recommend!!!!!!!
Extremely warm staff running this charming restaurant. Chef came out to introduce himself & to wish us farewell. Many options including vegan/vegetarian. We tried a variety of dishes & all were delicious .
Oct 15, 2024
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C'était plus que délicieux! Le personnel est attentif, les plats typiques délectables, pas trop piquants & l'ambiance feutrée. Il y a quelques tables où un peut s'assoir par terre. Le seul point négatif est que j'avais réservé, mais qu'ils n'ont pas réservé de table pour nous. On a pris une entrée de samossa de oignons bahji & un tikka massala avec alo Gobi avec nan & riz. Pour deux, on a pris un sac pour emporter les surplus.
I am visiting Montréal for work & was looking for a good Punjabi/Indian food! Ate vegetarian thali at Darbar today! A sumptuous meal with a portion each of dal makhani, saag paneer & baigan bharta (went with the server's recommendations), along with butter naan & basmati rice & a couple of veg pakoras! Was my only meal for the day, so ordered a lachha parantha as well. Everything was absolutely delicious! Authentic North Indian flavors! Simar who runs the restaurant (& is the chef) was very gracious, welcoming & super friendly! He runs this business as a passion which was clearly evident in the food flavors! Maza aa gaya yaara! Will definitely come back next time I am around!
I came from Toronto excited to try Darbar & it did not disappoint! We met with the chef to get his recommendations & had the malai kofta & a beautiful sweet & spicy shrimp dish. The food is amazing & is clearly made with love. The ingredients are fresh & local therefore the menu changes throughout the year. I can't wait to come back on my next trip!
Oct 6, 2024
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One of the best Indian restaurants around (probably the best in Montreal). My family & I ate here last night & everything we ordered was delicious, authentic, & spiced exactly according to your taste. Love the ambiance & decorations (like a place court, as reflected by the name Darbar). Great cocktails & the best mango lassi I can remember having, ever! We started with the Samosa Pakoray then went with the saag Gosht, shahi paneer, Bhindi Bhaji, Chole Buturay, butter naan & onion kulcha, & veg biryani. Everything was great! The chef personally came out to the table to welcome us & manage our experience throughout the night. As a family owned restaurant, they really seemed committed to having each guest have a wonderful experience from start to finish. & the best part on top of the great food was how affordable it was for a family of 4! With inflation & prices going crazy everywhere, this place is a rare exception where you get high quality, authentic, high class food at a reasonable price. Great food, ambiance, price & most importantly, great people. As I'm from New York & have experienced an eclectic & wide variety of Indian food, this place ranks as one of the best without a doubt!
Food was amazing with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Traditional hearty dishes with a modern twist & a wonderful backstory to the restaurant. Owner/chef helped us choose our dishes & told us a bit an about the restaurant. He's a lawyer by day & chef by night & you can really taste the passion on his dishes.
Oct 4, 2024
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Best shahi paneer I've eaten in my life. The chef came out & personally talked to us about how he makes the food from scratch with fresh ingredients & spices. If anyone is visiting Montreal & looking for a 5 star Indian cuisine please be sure to visit here, you won't be disappointed.
Having been going there for over a decade now, the food is always utterly phenomenal. The Murgh Jalfrezi & Saag Gosht are go-to meals, but you can count on anything you order being delicious! Great value, & a truly lovely scene! Always gets a recommendation from me!
My group & I had another incredible dining experience at Darbar. I am a regular at this restaurant, the chef/owner came out to personally greet us & welcome us to the restaurant & go through the menu with us. The service & atmosphere were excellent as well, & my group couldn't stop raving about the food. All items we ordered were on point & came out piping hot, the team also took all of our dietary restrictions into consideration & adapted the menu accordingly. Make sure to make a reservation as this restaurant can get quite busy!!
Darbar, c'est un voyage culinaire en Inde, riche en saveurs & en sensations fortes ! Premier date avec mon mec, moi en mode'je gère les épices, no problemo'. Alors là, dès la première bouchée, BAM ! Le volcan en éruption ! J'avais l'impression d'avoir léché le soleil. La goutte au front, l'alarme incendie prête à se déclencher à cause de la vapeur qui s'échappait de mes oreilles. & pendant ce temps-là, mon copain ? Le nirvana ! Il était en train de communier avec Shiva & les épices, genre il les connaissait tous personnellement. Il m'a regardé comme si j'étais un enfant qui goûte à la moutarde pour la première fois. Moi, je luttais pour ma survie avec un grand sourire figé, j'ai failli pleurer dans mon naan. Deuxième fois, on décide de faire les choses'à l'indienne', assis par terre. Sauf que là, surprise ! Lui, en mode contorsionniste, les jambes derrière la tête, genre'Regarde, je suis un croissant'. Moi, par contre, j'étais plié comme une chaise de camping. En vrai, un poteau électrique a plus de flexibilité que moi. Les jambes engourdies en moins de dix minutes, & chaque bouchée devenait une épreuve d'équilibre. Mon copain rigolait en voyant mes tentatives désespérées pour rester assis sans tomber en avant. Ça m'a pris trois jours pour m'en remettre. Mais bon, faut avouer, leur butter chicken, c'est de la bombe, ça valait bien une séance de kiné après. & le curry d'agneau... mon dieu ! T'as l'impression que ton palais danse le Bharatanatyam. Mais le clou du spectacle, c'est la variété ! Chaque plat, c'est une surprise. Tu te demandes si cette fois tu vas te transformer en dragon ou simplement fondre de plaisir. & le personnel ? Adorables, ils te regardent avec ce sourire complice genre'Oui, tu as sous-estimé nos épices, jeune padawan.' Franchement, c'est le paradis des papilles & l'enfer des amateurs de positions de yoga. & je vais le dire direct : c'est parfait, rien à redire ! Le service, l'ambiance, la bouffe... 5 étoiles partout, les yeux fermés ! Juste un conseil d'ami : si t'es aussi souple qu'un parpaing & que ton seuil de tolérance aux épices s'arrête au paprika, prévois une table, beaucoup d'eau, & peut-être une médaille de bravoure à la sortie !
