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.
Malgré une petite erreur de compréhension dans la transaction, nous avons beaucoup apprécié l'accueil & les plats chaleureux du restaurant Darbar. Le petit mot sur l'importance de l'apprentissage du français en début de menu est très bien pensé.
Aug 21, 2024
on Google
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Did not try food but owner seemed nice & honest. Food was super pricyyyyy. Small & cozy restaurant with new reno. Parking is very very tight on street be mindful & plan ahead of time to go there. May not get parking for 20-30 mins
Hi - I came from Toronto to Montreal with my parents who had come from India. Wanted to treat them to the best Indian place in Montreal & hence chose Darbar. I had done some reading on Darbar in my quest to find a nice place for Indian dining & was pretty impressed by what I read on the exec chef / owner's hospitality & his background story about parents. The food was good; loved the shahi paneer & butter naan(softest i have had ever); & of course the rasmalai. The garlic naan was a miss. The food is cooked fresh after ordering & takes time which is told at the time of ordering itself. We had also ordered aloo go hi , dal fry & sweet lassi which were good. Because I had told everyone in my family about the stories & posts I have read about the owner & seeing that they went & interacted with every table except ours was pretty awkward & embarrassing. My husband was just asked from afar how the food was but for each table while we were seated ; the owner went & chatted up, explained the dishes & made the guests feel comfortable. Even though the food was good; this experience left a sour taste.
The food is spectacular, but the best part is the care & attention lavished by the staff. It is clear that they really care about the customer, & how good their food is. They really shouldn't worry. It's delicious!
We had an amazing evening at Darbar. The food is excellent: flavorful, authentic yet modern, & well balanced. Cocktails were also good, but what we loved most was definitely the service. The chef/owner was patient, welcoming & gave us great recommendations; we could sense his passion & his love for his craft, which contributed in making the meal a memorable one. We will definitely be back!
Great little Indian restaurant. They seated us even though it was near closing time. Delicious food. They adjusted the spiciness to our requests. Delicious & innovative cocktails. I want to go back.
Aug 16, 2024
on Google
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The head chef is incredibly inviting & helpful. The food was delicious, & I was particularly impressed with the vegetarian entrees recommended by the chef.
Wij kwamen via een Google Review hier terecht en geen moment spijt van gehad, wat een fijn restaurant. We wilde graag op het terras zitten en werden door de chef-kok (tevens eigenaar) direct goed geholpen. Het eten was smaakvol en gevarieerd. Helaas was de lam op maar kregen meteen een advies voor een ander gerecht. Zou er graag naar terug gaan!
We were delighted with the quality of the food. Everything from the daal soup to the chicken masala, customized aloo saag for me & my wife's lamb curry was delicious!! The mango lassi was amazing. We also had a tea that was out of this world. It was not on the menu, but recommended by our host, it is did not disappoint! We highly recommend Darbar & we will return!
Aug 4, 2024
on Google
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By far my favorite Indian food, of all the places I've tried in every city I've lived in. I often make the trip from Vermont to Montreal specifically to eat dinner here, walk around St Laurent, & head back to the US. You can feel the love in every dish that hits the table, & when you hear this place's back story & learn more about the amazing family that runs it, you can't help but love the food all the more. Couldn't recommend more :)
Wow wow wow! Writing this just after eating it all, absolutely fantastic. Came with family on vacation, treated very well by the staff & was guided through the menu by our waitress & the head chef. They helped curate a meal to our tastes. Best food & service I have received on this trip & top tier dining experience.
This restaurant was by far, our favorite on our visit to Montreal. Amazing Indian food & great recommendations from our server. All of the servers could not have been kinder. The food was delicious & we thoroughly enjoyed our meal.
My first night in Montreal I ended up here. So did I my second night & my ninth. This place is excellent. Every dish I have ordered has been remarkably flavorful. I dined in. Give it a shot.
Chef s'adapte aux intollérances & allergies. Cuisine tellement gouteuse 😋. Service plus qu'impécable. Petites poignée d'épice indienne à la réception de la facture juste parfaite! Prix abordables.
