Darbar
RestaurantTop Pick
Darbar
Opens Today at 4:30 pm
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
| Thursday | 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
| Friday | 4:30 pm - 10 pm |
| Saturday | 4:30 pm - 10 pm |
| Sunday | 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm |
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Reviews often mention
Display Allindian(111) darbar(96) chef(92) recommend(48) naan(39) dishes(36) family(34) authentic(30) flavor(30)Page 1 of 3 - 84 Reviews
Kate
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 restaurantView more
Sam
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!View more
Keith
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!View more
Domonique
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.View more
Kevin
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!View more
Don
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.View more
Christine
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!View more
Nathan
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.View more
Shibam
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.View more
Sarah
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.View more
Madeleine
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 !View more
Nassima
Darbar - I don't even know how to begin.
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.View more
Peter
FANTASTIC!
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.View more
Dorothy
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!View more
Dana
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!View more
Marc-Antoine
Super expérience! Le service était rapide pis la bouffe goûtait le bon. Personnel sympathique & musique d'ambiance excellente. De plus, ça m'a coûté vraiment pas cher pis le chef m'a même montré son four à pain. Je recommande à tous ceux qui aiment manger des affaires indiennes. Le pain était sur la coche pis le poulet était plus tendre que celui du St-Hubert. Y'a des options végétariennes pour les gens végétariens. Je vous conseille toutefois d'être tolérant au piquant parce que c'est épicé sur un méchant temps! Bref, mon expérience était très bonne & j'y retournerai certainement. Solide 5 étoiles! J'aimerais pouvoir en mettre 6, mais on peut pas sur google maps...View more
Florence
Nous sommes allés avec deux groupes de 5e secondaire; une magnifique expérience! Chef Simar & sa conjointe ont pris le temps de nous expliquer l'histoire familiale derrière cet incroyable restaurant. Ce petit bijou de Montréal offre une qualité inégalable! Je recommande X 1000!View more
Rohan
Without doubt the best Indian food in Montreal. The atmosphere is great, the hosts are welcoming, gracious & accommodating, & Chef Singh himself came over to our table to chat with us & ask about the food, which by the way was incredible to say the least. I am beyond impressed & I'm grateful to Darbar for this wonderful experience. Cannot recommend enough!!View more
Ian
Un restaurant indien qui goûte plus raffiné que la
Majorité des restaurants indiens. Service sympthatique. Le chef nous a bien accueilli nous & les enfants.View more
Maddie
I wish I could give more than 5 stars, Darbar is one of the best restaurants i've been to in Montreal so far. Chef Simar is incredibly talented & his passion for his food & guests truly shows. He goes above & beyond to accommodate you. His menu changes depending on what's in season & most ingredients come from within 50kms from the restaurant which as someone who loves to shop local-I appreciated. The food, delicious & flavourful, & full of love, I absolutely cannot wait to go back.View more
Brandon
Amazing food & even better service. The owner & head chef took our order & recommended a great dinner. Will be back 100%View more
Aya
Food was excellent, celebrated mom's bday there & it was very cozy & welcoming. Staff & chef were very nice! #recomendedView more
Pierre
Petit restaurant très sympathique. L'extérieur ne paye pas de mine mais il ne faut pas se fier.
Le repas était très savoureux. Le personnel courtois & sympathique. Le chef est venu expliquer le menu & est revenu plus tard s'enquérir si tout était à notre goût.
Je recommande chaudement.View more
Leo
Super endroit, le staff fait beaucoup d'efforts pour proposer un service en Francais
Great place !
The service is always great, the chef will come out of the kitchen & greet guests when it's not too crowded & is willing to accommodate dishes !View more
Steve
Just wow! Thank you chef Simar, everything we had was delicious, we'll be back!View more
Arohi
Absolutely delicious! We received great recommendations from the chef & loved every dish.View more
Bella
Hands-down one of the most wonderful dining experiences & most delicious Punjabi food. Chef Simar came out to chat with us sharing in-depth about the menu, the creation of his seasonal menus, & made recommendations based on what we said as our taste preferences. He made a special batch of gluten free naan that he named as "not yet perfected & not ready to be on the menu". It was a great addition to the meal. The food had an incredibly special vibrance of flavor. A must visit!View more
Sophia
went here with my friends & the food was delicious! the interior is dimly lit, they have a wide range of options & the chef took the time to talk with us. food is freshly made :)View more
Anne
We had a fabulous dinner at Darbar! The chef came out to greet us & made suggestions on what to eat, & he even prepared a special appetizer for us that wasn't on the menu (but should be -- it was delicious!). The entire meal was amazing. We will definitely be back next time we are in Montreal!View more
Lucie
Le petit joyau du quartier, le service est impécable, le chef est sympathique à souhait, la nourriture est excellente.View more