Darbar offre une cuisine indienne authentique et raffinée où chaque plat est préparé avec soin à partir d’ingrédients frais, et les saveurs y sont décrites comme explosives et parfaitement équilibrées; le cadre intime et chaleureux, avec une ambiance cosy en hiver et un patio agréable en été, invite à la conversation et à la dégustation, des soirées avec une touche de jazz ayant aussi été saluées; le service est généralement chaleureux, attentif et personnalisable, avec des recommandations adaptées aux tolérances et régimes alimentaires, et l’équipe n’hésite pas à venir à table ou à ajuster les plats; beaucoup considèrent Darbar comme le meilleur restaurant indien de Montréal, voire une perle cachée, et citent des plats phares tels que dal makhani, murgh tikka masala, nihari et bhindi bhaji, ainsi que les naans et des options véganes ou sans gluten appréciées; des retours mentionnent aussi des expériences mémorables grâce à l’implication personnelle du chef et parfois l’ajout d’un groupe live, quelques avis notant un service plus lent en période d’affluence, mais l’ensemble demeure largement positif, soulignant le rapport qualité-prix, l’authenticité et l’esprit familial de l’établissement.
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.
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 knew this restaurant was going to be an incredible experience when the executive chef came out to introduce himself to almost every table. My partner & I ordered the samosas & onion bhaji to start. They were delicious! The tamarind sauce was so tangy it paired perfectly. We also each ordered a thali. It came with rice, naan, papadam 3 stewed dishes & a piece of tandoori chicken. Everything was so delicious I could go on for a while. It was so much food, we could not finish our plates.
On top of the incredible food the staff were all fantastic & very welcoming. Some might consider the service a bit slow, but I believe that is intentional as the chef prepares each dish individually. I for one enjoyed it as it allowed my partner & I to have time to chat & sip our cocktails.
We sat on the patio, its was very comfortable but the noise from cars on the street could be loud.
We had the Samosa starter & Thali, & boy were we stuffed! Excellent all around & the head chef Mr.Anand was charming as well. The food was spectacular, we'll have to come back for the next seasonal menu.
Wonderful food & service. The owner & chef came out to our table & was so welcoming. He recommended dishes & they were all delicious. I highly recommend this restaurant
Everything about this experience was incredible. We were down in off the street by the incredible smell & everything only got better from there.
The staff was wonderful & we had a chance to speak with the head chef about the food & his story as the son of the man who opened this restaurant 26 years ago!
Wish we were in Montréal longer so we could come back!
29 juin 2025
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Amazing flavors layered into every dish. A real conversation with the chef who sought to build a meal meant for our tastebuds. A tour de force from the first bite of samosas to the last bit of naan soaking up what was left of any curry sauce. We don't live in Montreal, bit we'll back at Darbar for sure!
The restaurant had great dining atmosphere & the food was outstanding with a capital O. But what took the restaurant to a new level of classification that cannot be scored on any review is the chef & staff wanting to learn the perspective of their customers to personalize the dining experience. That took the restaurant to what I think is beyond a Michelin Star category.
I've been there two times & both times were amazing! Excellent food & very hospitable! The chef came to our table & personalized our order. Definitely recommend to try it!
As a huge fan of Indian cuisine, I can honestly say our dinner at Darbar last night was world-class. Super friendly service, great beer, delicious appetizers & awesome mains. The chef came by our table a couple of times to check whether everything was OK, & took a few minutes to chat. Really top notch place, can't wait to return.
29 mai 2025
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Darbar is more than just a restaurant; it's an experience. For anyone seeking an authentic, delicious, & truly memorable Indian Punjabi dining experience in Montreal, look no further.
Each dish arrived artfully presented, a testament to the kitchen's dedication to both flavor & aesthetics. & the flavors! These flavors were simply extraordinary. The spices were masterfully blended, creating complex & nuanced tastes that danced on the palate without ever being overwhelming. The Korma shrimp was unbelievable, cooked to perfection & the best I have ever eaten. The Lamb Nihari was aromatic & so tender.
It is clear that only the freshest, highest quality ingredients are used, allowing the authentic essence of Indian cuisine to truly shine.
What truly elevated our experience, however, was the delightful surprise of the chef, Simar, emerging from the kitchen to personally interact with diners. His passion for his craft was palpable as he chatted with us, inquiring about our meal & sharing insights into the inspiration behind his dishes. This personal touch, a rare & welcome gesture, made us feel truly valued & added an unforgettable layer to an already exceptional evening.
We are already planning our next visit! Bravo to the entire team at Darbar for creating such a remarkable establishment!
Found this small cozy spot while looking for nearby restaurants, & was highly pleased.
The hostess & the chef were extremely friendly & accommodating, even offering small changes to the daily Thali based on what we ordered for more variety.
The vegetarian Thali was amazing, especially the korma, & my partner was especially enthusiastic about the garlic naan.
Definitely make a reservation, as this place is small & it was full when we arrived.
So I went there with a friend, & we tried the following things
1. Tamarind & Cumin Lassi - that is something we tried for the first time & the flavour combination was really really good. Haven't seen this lassi in any other Indian restaurant's menu in Montreal. 5/5
2. Aloo Tikki Chat - that was something made for us outside the menu. The Tikki was really crunchy on the outside, juicy in the inside, along with Chhole (chickpeas), yogurt-based sauce, & pomegranates. The flavour profile was really really amazing. 4.5/5
3. Navaratan Korma - this is the ONLY navaratan korma I loved in comparison to the other Indian restaurants over here. The chef did a trick & put some lemon leaves in the curry, this gave a very distinct lemon flavour in the gravy along with its creaminess. The combination was really good - 5/5.
4. Lamb Nihari - this dish disappointed me a bit. My fault, I didn't specifically tell them I want the gravy spicy. The curry was good in taste. But the only thing I didn't like there was the lamb. It felt like the lamb was not marinated. The flavors of the curry didn't penetrate the lamb meat. Otherwise, a pretty good attempt. 3.5/5.
We were in from out of town & had been recommended to visit so made a reservation. Darbar did not disappoint! Lovely chef, good service & outstanding food. The'appetizer still in trial' was out of this world with layered flavors & textured that really delighted. We will spread the word in Boston/Rhode Island as best we can & will be back when we next are in Montreal. Thanks.
12 mai 2025
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Nous avons été accueilli par une serveuse très gentille & chaleureuse. Le propriétaire/chef est drôle & professionnel. Nous avons pris un menu dégustation pour trois & nous avons été très satisfait des portions. Tous étais extrêmement savoureux & fais maison. Je recommande très fortement !
The restaurant is small, with just a few tables. Super cosy. The chef walks between the kitchen & the dining room, checking in with customers to make sure everything's just right.
In one of his shows, Trevor Noah talked about Indian food & the explosion of flavors he experienced the first time he tried it. I didn't really understand that-until I visited Darbar.
Yes, I went twice in less than 10 days. The first time with my partner, who's not a fan of curry. The second time with my picky pre-adult kids. & both times… we experienced the EXPLOSION OF FLAVORS.
My partner now wants to make Darbar our go-to spot for any occasion. My kids wouldn't stop thanking me for the amazing meals.
Forget the curry chicken or daal you've had before. What you get at Darbar is something else. It's magical.
We are in Quebec, & here is the french version:
Darbar - Je ne sais même pas par où commencer.
Le restaurant est petit, avec seulement quelques tables. Super cosy. Le chef fait des allers-retours entre la cuisine & la salle pour s'assurer que tout va bien.
Dans un de ses spectacles, Trevor Noah parlait de la cuisine indienne & de l'explosion de saveurs qu'il a ressentie la première fois qu'il y a goûté. Je ne comprenais pas vraiment… jusqu'à ce que je visite Darbar.
Oui, j'y suis allée deux fois en moins de 10 jours. Une première avec mon partenaire, qui n'est pas fan de curry. & une deuxième fois avec mes enfants (pré-ados) plutôt difficiles. & à chaque fois… on a vécu une EXPLOSION DE SAVEURS.
Mon partenaire veut maintenant que Darbar devienne notre resto pour toutes les occasions. Mes enfants n'ont pas arrêté de me remercier pour les repas incroyables.
Oubliez le poulet au curry ou le daal que vous avez pu goûter ailleurs. Ce que vous trouverez chez Darbar, c'est autre chose. C'est magique.
We have rarely, if ever, had a more pleasurable & enjoyable culinary experience.
Owner / Chef Simar Anand greeted us at our table & spent meaningful time discussing our food likes & tastes. He walked us through his menu & his recommendations. As he talked, you could feel his deep passion for food & his family's restaurant. We put ourselves entirely in his hands, & he created a spectacular meal for us.
My wife has celiac disease & can not eat gluten. When I made the reservation online using Google Maps, I mentioned her dietary restriction in the notes field of the reservation form. Chef Simar knew before he talked with us that our meal needed to be gluten-free & indicated he had made GF naan for my wife. He also said all the dishes are made from scratch, & that he would ensure all food would be prepared gluten-free. For those of us who have celiac or are celiac adjacent, you know this type of care is almost non-existent.
The setting is cozy, the service is beyond excellent, the food fabulous, juicy & perfectly spiced & the cost is SO REASONABLE.
DO NOT HESITATE - GO & ENJOY the entire experience.
Hidden gem that is now my favourite Indian restaurant in Montreal! Chef Simar Anand & his wife gave my family & I such warm hospitality & got to know us before making personal recommendations from his winter menu. He not only considered our dietary restrictions but also our spice tolerance levels & preferences across the meal.
We were 5 people celebrating a birthday & started off with 2 entrées: the samosay pakoray (plate of samosas & onion bhaji) & the murgh malai, whose presentation wowed us. Then Chef Anand recommended sharing 4 plates family style accompanied with enough rice & a variety of naans. We discovered the Saag Paneer (& option that never dissappoints), the Lamb Nihari, the Murgh Tikka Masala (the best tikka masala/butter chicken we're EVER had), & a new creation: Shrimp marinate for 9 hours in a spiced coconut sauce, currently being refined for the summer menu. Every single dish brought unique warmth in their spices, blended beautifully in their creamy sauces, & adjusted perfectly for our spice levels. Ending with a sweet note were the Gulab Jamun & the Ras Malai, which we all got to share & enjoy. I won't forget to mention the unique & fragrant teas on the menu, carefully selected & crafted by their in-house expert. Both the Leela & Firdaous teas delighted us, having herbs or spices we didn't know & don't normally see in tea blends.
Darbar is a restaurant where you take your time for an amazing meal, rediscover classic indian flavours, & feel the love & care in their meals & service in a way that stays grounded & authentic through it's spirit!
The food was amazing! Extremely flavorful with an outstanding presentation. The head chef personally greeted us & made recommendations that were spot on! We would highly recommend this hidden gem!
