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.
Superb fresh food wonderfully prepared. Great friendly service & helpful education about the dishes. Very reasonable prices for the quality & quantity! Small space was comfortable but inevitably conversations carry in a full room. The music was very pleasant & helped with this. Outstanding overall - we will return!
We had a FANTASTIC dinner here- from start to finish. The owner, Simar, greeted us all personally & offered a recommendation for each dish. Everything was delicious & the service was phenomenal. We will definitely be coming back!
Dec 16, 2023
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Just great high quality food expertly prepared. The head chef was also the server & explained everything well. From classic dishes to his own take with whatever fresh produce is delivered that day, the freshness comes through. Not a pretentious place, just comfortable & surprisingly good value. Very small room so voices carry.
The food was so fresh & delicious. It was home cooking & made me feel so much comfort. It's a small place but there is so much warmth & love. The samosas & pakora apps were so crispy & melted in your mouth. The lamb nihari was aromatic & creamy. Wonderful experience & the staff & owner were so welcoming. I almost thought I was in my own grandmothers kitchen.
Nov 27, 2023
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Had the chance to check out Darbar, & the food was incredibley tasty, staff was also very nice & hospitable. Tried the seekh kebab, murgh malai, chicken biryani, & chicken tikka masala, & the mango lassi was amazing. The only drawback was that the portion sizes were on the small side. This is especially true with the appetizers. The owner mentioned to us everything on the menu is $2-4 more expensive than the menu price due to inflation which most people probably understand these days, though I was still expecting the portions to be consistent with any other Indian restaurant. Overall food was delicious & certainly worth trying. Just not satisfied paying $130 for 2 people.
Darbar is truly exceptional! I think the thing that sets it apart is the complexity & variety of the spices & flavourings. We always enjoy a meal here. The staff & the owner demonstrate genuine pride in the excellence of their offerings.
Super friendly & accommodating staff. Food is great & get substantial portions for the price. It deffinatly feels like a family run spot. I suspect some/most 1 start reviews are from a competitors network, or different ethnic Indian groups. Darbar deffinalty deserves a much higher rating!
I am shocked at how amazing the food was! Like genuinely shocked! The food was finger licking good, ordered more than I could eat & still ate it all! The chefs definitely has magic in their hands, outside of home I have never had such savoury & flavourful food, the aromas & the taste of it all was so magnificent & explosive with flavour I could spend the entire day there trying everything off the menu! If you want Punjabi/South Asian food & you're in Montreal; you have to... wait you NEED to eat here! You'll never go anywhere else after!
