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.
We dined at Darbar on Sunday evening & had a truly memorable experience. The chef personally introduced himself, walked us through the menu with recommendations, & even took our order before preparing it - a thoughtful touch that made the evening feel special. The food was outstanding, the staff were warm & welcoming, & the chef returned during our meal to ensure everything was perfect. Five stars all around - Darbar is an absolute must if you're looking for authentic Indian cuisine in Montreal!
Truly such a pleasure & wonderful experience eating at Darbar with my family. Having grown up in the GTA, I've had great Punjabi food but this place is exceptional. Chef Simar & his staff are so warm & welcoming. The food itself is incredible, you can taste the authentic technique & use of fresh ingredients in all the dishes. We will be back again for sure.
Sep 1, 2025
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I had one of the most delicious, flavorful Indian meals ever at darbar the other evening. I am so glad I discovered this special place. The vegetarian thali platter was exceptional, as was my appetizer of sizzling chicken on skewers served with mint sauce. Plus, wonderful chilled white wine on a hot Montreal evening. I will be back whenever I'm in town; so many dishes on the menu are mouthwatering! The staff is so incredibly friendly & gracious, as is the chef/owner Simar. I also love that darbar is off the beaten path. The real deal, authentic, family run. I highly recommend!
Le meilleur restaurant indien que j'aie jusque là goûté! Des plats très savoureux, jusqu'aux naans qui sont exquis! & un service très attentionné, y compris de la part du chef qui vient en salle vérifier que vous êtes satisfait puis vous saluer quand vous partez. Le tout dans un cadre agréable. Je recommande.
This was our third time to Darbar, this time with a big group where a number of people had dietary restrictions. As always, the service was absolutely incredible. They accommodated everyone beautifully & were sure to tell us each time who could eat what & the food was delicious!
Wait Time & Service:
It took approximately 30 minutes to get a table, followed by another 15 minutes to place our order, & then 30 minutes for the food to arrive. The service felt disorganized, possibly due to being understaffed for an unexpectedly busy mid-week evening. Dishes did not arrive together but were served individually over time, requiring multiple reminders for pending items.
Food & Quality:
We ordered Dal Makhni, Baingan Bharta, & Shahi Paneer, along with Lacha Paratha & Tandoori Roti (not listed on the menu but available upon request).
• The Baingan Bharta was excellent - definitely the highlight of the meal.
• The Shahi Paneer was overly sweet - it tasted more like a dessert than a savory entrée, & we wouldn't recommend it.
• Portion sizes were noticeably smaller than those at other Indian restaurants in the area.
Ambience & Cleanliness:
We were initially seated outdoors but had to request a change due to flies falling into our water. Inside, we were unfortunately seated near the kitchen area, where we noticed utensils being hand-washed & general disorganization, raising hygiene concerns.
Final Impression:
The entire dinner lasted around 2.5 hours, which felt unnecessarily long for a simple meal. While we understand every restaurant can have an off day, the combination of slow service, portion sizes, & questionable cleanliness made for a less-than-pleasant experience.
Aug 21, 2025
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Possibly the best Indian food we've eaten. The owner/chef Simar (sp?) made the evening special. He selected our meal & everything was perfection! This is a must if in Montreal! Thank you!
An amazing experience- from the friendly & attentive staff to the superb food, we couldn't have asked for me. The restaurant was cozy, casual & felt local. The main event- wow wow- the food was incredible. Samir, the head chef, was great as explaining & recommending dishes, you can tell he's passionate about his craft. Everything we tried was 10/10.
Aug 3, 2025
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Les plats sont vraiment savoureux. Le chef prend la peine de venir nous rencontrer après notre commande pour vérifier si il doit faire des modifications à nos plats selon nos goûts. Il reviens après pour avoir nos commentaires. C'est plus qu'un souper, c'est une expérience dirigée directement d'un chef Indien. Je recommande cet endroit à tout ceux qui n'ont jamais mangé de cuisine Indienne & aux gens qui veulent en connaître plus sur cette cuisine.
I've been visiting this restaurant every time I'm in Montreal from the U.S. because the food used to be consistently delicious. Unfortunately, my most recent experience was disappointing & far from what I've come to expect.
My family & I ordered three meat thalis, one chicken tikka masala, & one saag paneer. The meat in the thalis didn't taste fresh & seemed like it had been reheated. While the chicken in the tikka masala appeared fresher, the flavor was lacking. The saag paneer was especially underwhelming-the gravy was bland, & the paneer was rubbery in texture.
While we were prepared for a bit of a wait, as we've been here many times before, the food still didn't justify it. The only highlight was the rasmalai, which was excellent.
Unfortunately, the overall dining experience was disappointing, & we left feeling unsatisfied. One additional note: while our server was polite, basic hygiene standards need attention. A strong body odor was noticeable, which detracted from the dining atmosphere. In a restaurant setting, this is something that really shouldn't be overlooked.
Regrettably, I won't be returning on future visits to Montreal.
