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 |
SuggestionsView All
Info & Location
Amenities, services & more
Restaurants NearbyView All
Suggested Articles
on GoogleBest Quartier des Spectacles Restaurants
Events Nearby
MUTEK Montreal 2025
Aug 19, 2025 to Aug 24, 2025
Montreal Just For Laughs Festival 2025
Jul 16, 2025 to Jul 27, 2025
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 4 - 94 Reviews
Mathieu
I have been to that restaurant a lot since I moved to the neighborhood but I won't go back. Price went up by a lot: the Thali who was below 20$ before pandemic & 25$ recently just got increased to 30$. They do not put the price on the menu anymore 😫 so you have to ask.
The portions were not as generous as before & the wait staff will try to upsell you constantly (at least 4 times during the service).
Finally, they were not compliant with law 72 when we visited: their terminals are still calculating the tip on the amount after taxes.
There is at least 8 other Indian restaurants within 500 meters. I will try those now.View more
Md
I visited this restaurant recently & had a mixed experience. The service was excellent-friendly, attentive, & prompt, which I really appreciated. Unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the expectations. The flavors were very average & lacked the richness & depth typically associated with good Indian cuisine. Given how expensive the menu is, I was hoping for much better quality & taste. Great staff, but the food doesn't justify the high prices. Not sure I'd return.
Samosa: 2/5
Murgh Malai: 1/5 ( It was very salty)
Murgh Tikka Masala: 3/5
Garlic Naan: 1/5 ( Didn't have any garlic flavor)
Mango Lassi: 4/5View 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
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
Lois
The most delicious North Indian food & kind & attentive staff!View more
Parmjit
Grabbed takeout here while on trip to Montreal. Really authentic Indian food. I ordered the dal makhani which was delicious & overly heavy, with the perfect blend of spices & felt homemade along with the naan.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
Michael
Great restaurant! Delicious & clean tasting food, all dishes were perfectly seasoned & spiced. Portions were on the smaller side from my experience at Indian restaurants, we came out full, but not stuffed.
Special mention goes out to the bangin' bhartha & the chana daal dishes! Loved the addition of kaffir lime leaves in the daal!View more
Fran
Stellar Indian food. Original dishes with lots of classic flavors.
Great service as well.
We'll be back!View more
Sy
Hands down the best Indian restaurant in Montreal, & one of my favourite restaurants in the city, period. The owner is so friendly, the food is always amazing, & the cocktails & specialty teas are great too. It's a cozy & quiet atmosphere that works well for conversation, & a great date spot. The menu changes seasonally so there's always a reason to go back to try something new.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
Tabea
Best Indian place I ever tasted! Definitely recommend it!View more
Aliya
This was hands down the best Indian food I have had in Montreal. from flavor to presentation we were stunned. My personal favorites & recommendations would be to try the seekh kebab, bhindi, chole bhatura & the garlic naan. My absolute favorite was the bhindi, the ingredients are so fresh & so well cooked. I was completely floored I can't praise this place enough. Highly highly recommend !!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
A
Very good little Indian restaurant near quartier des spectacles in Montreal. Food was delicious & authentic Indian cuisine. Staff was adorable & friendly. Pricing was fair, no fuss, will definitely go again.View more
Harmony
Best indian food I have ever had! As soon as I am back in the city I am coming here again !!View more
Nitin
The Biriyani is really bad, it's just fried rice without any flavour, other North Indian dishes are decent & portion sizes are quite small for the price. Maybe suitable for western palate definitely not the good Indian food I have tasted in Montréal . I am maybe wrong check for yourself & just don't order biryaniView more
Gregory
We had the pleasure once again of an evening at DarBar. This time we asked Chef Simar to choose our food for us. He treated us to some new dishes he is experimenting with. We are so glad to have made that decision. It's difficult to imagine the food could get even better, but this moved the meal into the handful of my "Once in a Lifetime" experiences. All I can say is PLEASE try out this fabulous place, especially if you enjoy Indian food. & do take the plunge & let the chef show you what magic he can produce. Original review: This is an unassuming little gem tucked away in an interesting but somewhat run-down stretch of "The Main". The food is wonderful! The spices are complex & the heat in the dishes is deep & embracing. Just what one would expect from the very best Indian cuisine. Service is very attentive & the owner is always willing to discuss his vision for the food & the restaurant. In addition to the overall quality of the food, there is great attention to detail. For example, our bowl of rice was not merely seasoned & fragrant, it contained pomegranate seeds that had been marinated in rosewater, so there was an interesting note of sweetness & crunch from the flesh & kernels of the seeds. Nothing on the menu could be considered plain. Everything is an adventure in flavours & textures. Montreal is home to countless great places to eat, so it's quite an achievement for an eatery to stand out, but DarBar certainly does in my opinion.View more
Kashmira
I visited Darbar on a Saturday evening with my family & discovered a hidden gem in Montreal serving the best Indian food. Everyone at Darbar was so warm & welcoming, which is rare these days. Will keep visitingView more
Jason
For the past few years, I've done my best to come here a few times a year. It's a little inconvenient, & Montreal has no shortage of great Indian food, but this place is special. Before saying a word about the food, it's worth noting the resiliency of this establishment. Faced with barriers, literal ones put up by the city's slow-moving roadwork, it has continued to fight on to preserve the memories of the family that created it. I consider going here, in some ways, a political act. That said, given how good the food is, it doesn't take much to get inspired to go. The presentation of the food is as wonderful as its flavors - the small touches, like literal flowers, bring every dish to the next level. I find that everything I try here is always an elevated version of the comforting flavors I've had elsewhere. The chef is sensitive to spice tolerance (I can handle the heat, but my partner less so), which makes it a good spot for everyone. I've been treated with the experience of trying new desserts in the works & given great advice on wine pairings. I brought my toddler once & they went out of their way to keep her occupied with little snacks along the way so we didn't feel we had to manage her too much or rush out. All of this to say, that if you're looking for a delicious meal from a place that earns every penny it makes, go here & you will not be disappointed!View more
Mehul
Best Indian food we tried in Montreal, we were there with friends last weekend & tried Indian food at two places, Darbar & Le Taj (one which is rated as #1 restaurant in Montreal). Darbar food & the service hands down beat Le Taj. The warmth & love with which chef welcomes you & takes care of you, it feels almost like you are eating at your family home. Space is limited so please do reservation. We will definitely be back for food at Darbar, wont mind driving from upstate NY all the way to Montreal just of the dinner - with regards to Le Taj, not so much.View more
Marina
Darbar deserves all the stars! From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere was warm & inviting. The food was simply incredible-authentic Indian cuisine at its finest. The attention to detail in the flavors made each bite unforgettable. You must also try their one-of-a-kind drinks! The service was just as impressive-attentive, friendly, & efficient. They went above & beyond to make sure our dining experience was perfect. If you're looking for an exceptional Indian meal, Darbar is the place to go. Highly recommend!!!!!!!View more
Lalit
I am visiting Montréal for work & was looking for a good Punjabi/Indian food! Ate vegetarian thali at Darbar today! A sumptuous meal with a portion each of dal makhani, saag paneer & baigan bharta (went with the server's recommendations), along with butter naan & basmati rice & a couple of veg pakoras! Was my only meal for the day, so ordered a lachha parantha as well. Everything was absolutely delicious! Authentic North Indian flavors! Simar who runs the restaurant (& is the chef) was very gracious, welcoming & super friendly! He runs this business as a passion which was clearly evident in the food flavors! Maza aa gaya yaara! Will definitely come back next time I am around!View more
Amrit
One of the best Indian restaurants around (probably the best in Montreal). My family & I ate here last night & everything we ordered was delicious, authentic, & spiced exactly according to your taste. Love the ambiance & decorations (like a place court, as reflected by the name Darbar). Great cocktails & the best mango lassi I can remember having, ever! We started with the Samosa Pakoray then went with the saag Gosht, shahi paneer, Bhindi Bhaji, Chole Buturay, butter naan & onion kulcha, & veg biryani. Everything was great! The chef personally came out to the table to welcome us & manage our experience throughout the night. As a family owned restaurant, they really seemed committed to having each guest have a wonderful experience from start to finish. & the best part on top of the great food was how affordable it was for a family of 4! With inflation & prices going crazy everywhere, this place is a rare exception where you get high quality, authentic, high class food at a reasonable price. Great food, ambiance, price & most importantly, great people. As I'm from New York & have experienced an eclectic & wide variety of Indian food, this place ranks as one of the best without a doubt!View more
Mayank
Best shahi paneer I've eaten in my life. The chef came out & personally talked to us about how he makes the food from scratch with fresh ingredients & spices. If anyone is visiting Montreal & looking for a 5 star Indian cuisine please be sure to visit here, you won't be disappointed.View more
Tanya
If you're looking for authentic North Indian food, this is it.View more
Jordon
This is the best 5-star Indian restaurant I've been to. You can tell it takes a lot of prep work to make these dishes. So much flavour!! My girlfriend is pregnant too, & the owner even came over to make sure she was eating certain foods that was allowed for pregnant women.View more