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.
Bon, mais sans plus. Trop cher. Mon plat (26$) & celui de Mon mari n'étaient pas servis avec du naan ou du Riz, c'est peu apprécié car ça ajoute Sur la facture. Ils n'avaient plus ce que j'ai commandé & au lieu de me le dire, ils ont juste changé la viande (je ne voulais pas la meme viande que Mon mari, pour Qu'on partage) Mais vu le temps qui avançait, j'ai pris ce qu'ils m'ont donné & m'ont chargé le même prix meme si le mien était plus cher à la base. Bon, chaleureux, Mais trop cher pour ce que j'ai mangé. Entré très bonne par contre (j'aurais pris plus de sauce!)
3hours for food, Yes, that right, we were there for 3 hours. 8ish-9:30 waiting in the line, because we didn't reserve the table, but even if we had, I am sure it wont have made that big of difference. Anyways, now we are on the table & waiting for the order, we gave order after 15 minutes of getting the table, got our drinks in another 20 minutes, & then we get the food in exactly in another 30 minutes. We were with kids, & it's not worth the wait at all. Family behind us, we talked & they had the same reaction, the long wait. Now comes the food, i am comparing it with what we get in Ottawa, not even close in terms of taste, Paneer softness or, quality of rice, naan. Local Canadian may like the food as the review says, because they don't expect it to be authentic.
Underwhelming, tried the Tika, Jalfrezzi & Lamb Nihari. The Lamb Nihari had only 5 little cubs of meat & all the curries were on the sweet side. The interior is dated & in need of renovation. Overall not the best experience, especially for the price.
I had the pleasure of dining at Darbar this past weekend with a group of 9 to celebrate my sister. The experience there was absolutely amazing & I cannot say enough about how enjoyable our time was! The service was fantastic & everyone truly made us feel welcome & well cared for. The family aspect of the establishment was clear & helped the whole experience feel even more delightful. The head chef, who owns the establishment, was involved every step of the way & made several recommendations, while coming out to explain the dishes when they were served. Every single thing we ordered was fantastic. The experience felt so personalized & intimate & we will be talking about this meal for some time to come. Thank you so much to the team & family that makes up Darbar for such a truly wonderful experience!
Nourriture de qualité! Sevice familial convivial!! & puis nous sommes servis en français!! A Montreal ce nest pas acquis parler francais!Je recommande sans hésiter!!! Très belle experience! Miam miam!!@
Jul 1, 2024
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La cuisine est vraiment excellente & ça vaut la peine d'y aller! Par contre, il ne faut pas être pressé car le service est plutôt lent comme d'autres l'ont mentionné. Nous avons attendus environ 1h30 avant de recevoir nos assiettes. C'est vraiment le seul gros bémol car les employés sont tout de même bien sympathiques!
Once again, I am eating in my Punjabi home from home in Montreal. There is no comparison. This is THE most genuine, wonderful restaurant that I visit in my jog around the globe. Thank you to you all, Simar & family
Jun 27, 2024
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I love this place & eat here whenever I'm in Montreal. The spices, smells, textures & everything about it. Most places I have a particular dish I always order because I know it will be good. Here I want to try the whole menu. If you can't decide, get the thali plate, nice assortment that changes daily.
Warm & friendly service! Extremely attentive & kind. Wonderful choices with healthy vegan, meat or seafood options & each dish has a unique flavour. Authentic cuisine. Fun wine choices & enjoyed the terrace. Can't wait for our next visit!
Very nice location & an incredible service. The owner was taking our orders & was super friendly explained the history of its establishment & overall the best Indian food in Montreal. Definitely worth a second visit.
Jun 16, 2024
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I enjoyed my food & drink at Darbar. I really enjoyed the fact that the head chef is out & about. The head chef was actually the person who took our orders & gave his personal recommendations. I didn't like that when the chef was taking our order, he was very excited to tell us the types of naan (& make recommendations) but he doesn't mention that the naan costs $6(or $8) extra. So when I got hit with an $8 naan charge, I felt blindsided & a bit taken advantage of. I would've gotten the rice with my butter chicken instead. I also didn't love the time it took to be served, but I think that's more a personal thing. I'm sure some people love the time between dishes to give time to schmooze, but I was antsy by the time the main course came. It took over an hour after the appetizers to get the mains. Overall, I don't have any complaints about the food itself, I just feel like it was expensive for what it was. I think it I had known about the naan I would've done things differently & been a happier customer. Or at least I would've anticipated the charge. I complained & they took off $2, but I should've been more assertive about it. I didn't leave feeling good about it. I guess my feedback if the staff read this: when presenting the types of naan, mention the added costs. Specially if you get the impression someone is new.
What a treat! The food was mouth watering incredible! The chef & owner was so hospitable & welcoming. He not only was in the back, but was also managing the front & serving. Treated us to a new dish he's curating on the house. Presentation, taste & texture of all of the dishes were on point. A hidden gem in Montreal. Definitely coming back. We ordered: tikki chaat (not currently on the menu), chicken saag gosht, lamb nihari, the most incredible malai kofta (nothing like I've ever tasted before), & bhindi. For dessert we had mango cotton candy kulfi with bits of spicy red chili chocolate ganache, & bourbon flamed gulab jamun.
