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.
This is the best 5-star Indian restaurant I've been to. You can tell it takes a lot of prep work to make these dishes. So much flavour!! My girlfriend is pregnant too, & the owner even came over to make sure she was eating certain foods that was allowed for pregnant women.
Sep 14, 2024
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Excellent restaurant de quartier. Les saveurs sont riches & délicates, & les portions sont généreuses. L'ambiance est cozy & calme, parfaite pour y tenir une conversation. Qualité très fiable!
Highly recommend! We stopped in on a Saturday night without a reservation & they were super accommodating even though it was busy. Maybe call ahead to give them a heads up if it's a weekend night, this place is in high demand! The food was insanely good-- very dynamic flavors, each dish distinct from another. It all felt healthy, fresh, & tasty. The service was lovely & the chef-owner greeted us & gave some background about the restaurant's roots. We came to visit Montreal & it was important to us to support locally owned businesses & Darbar is just that. This is a family restaurant, well worth the visit & the wait if it's busy. Definitely try Darbar.
Simmer & his employees were so accommodating & welcoming. Some of the kindest people we met on our anniversary in Montreal. The soup & the Tahli were a great value & tasted delicious.
Love the place! Highly recommend it. After a long day of roaming around, this place felt like home cooked meal! Bangan Bharat & dal tadka were genuinely great!
Sep 8, 2024
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Our favourite Indian restaurant in Montreal. The food is outstanding; presentation is lovely, flavours are delectable. Great vegan friendly options as well. We always visit Darbar when our family is visiting from Australia. A memorable evening on the terrace thanks to the great ambiance & hospitality of the staff & owners. Looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommend! Thank you Darbar team.
Sep 7, 2024
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Great food & awesome service, especially from the head chef. No English menu but staff was helpful with translating. Food made from scratch was worth the wait.
Had an absolutely wonderful evening there recently. Lovely kind staff that are able very knowledgeable about the menu & can provide tailored recommendations. The food was absolutely divine - we had the murgh malai, shrimp rogan josh & malai kofta. Not a single miss. The balance of spice, heat & the exquisite presentation of the dishes served - we were thoroughly impressed. This place definitely deserves more praise!
Aug 31, 2024
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It's was not bad but certainly not good! There are other Indian restaurants with a higher quality of dishes, we were quite disappointed when we went there! On top of this, it's quite expensive so I would not recommend going there
We enjoyed an excellent experience at Resto Darbar. The food, service & hospitality were exceptional. We interacted with 3 different staff members & they were all friendly & helpful.
