Overall, reviews describe Garde Manger as a standout Montreal seafood and fine dining experience with a warm, inviting atmosphere, superb service, and inventive, beautifully presented dishes, especially the seafood offerings and tasting menus. The dining room is praised for its energy and hospitality, with many noting thoughtful wine pairings and attentive staff that make guests feel welcomed and well cared for. While most visits are glowing, a few reviewers report inconsistent experiences such as slower service, dishes arriving lukewarm or overly salty, and perceived value questions at higher price points, including crowded spaces and occasional noise. Despite these caveats, Garde Manger is widely regarded as a top destination in Old Montreal for seafood and creative cuisine, with many readers calling it a must visit and a memorable, celebratory dining experience.
It was so nice, we did it twice!!!! Celebrating our wedding anniversary at our fav spot in Montreal!!! Chef & the whole gang were very friendly & welcoming….the food was amazing!!
I've been going each year for my birthday, but this was the best yet. The lovely bartender Emma recommended the snow crab along with my chef's menu, & I'm happy I followed it. The drinks were amazing, the service impeccable, & the food unbelievable. Please try the snow crab!!
Sep 3, 2025
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Our 3rd time return after covid. Gone with their Chef Menu $120 per person & has been consistently tasty & creative. Good customer service & money worth definitely. Was honoured to be greeted by Chef Chuck making sure we have a positive experience & spending quality time with us.
Revisited in August 2025. Food is consistently great. Always look forward for their new creativity & that is why we are back. Thanks for your wonderful meal 🍽?
Got the chef's menu & the experience is immaculate. I loved the demi glace sauce in the duck breast course. Lobsters came with a brown butter dipping that was a nice touch too.
I heard about this place. Booked a table months in advance. We ordered chef's tasting menu, it was the beat food I ever had...it didn't disappear...so yummy 😋. The meal ends with wonderful chocolate dessert.
Excellent souper au bar alors que j'étais seul. Le barman était sympathique & la nourriture exceptionnelle. J'ai opté pour le menu du chef & j'ai eu plus de services que ce que je pouvais manger. Mais comme ils étaient tous délicieux, je les ai tous mangé :-). Le restaurant n'est pas si facile à trouver si on n'a pas l'adresse exacte. Il est nommé dans le guide Michelin mais à mes yeux il aurait mérité une étoile.
We didn't have a reservation, but they got us in. Everything was delicious. Sit at the bar & get the experience. Chef Chuck came out & shared stories with us.
Aug 1, 2025
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This place was fantastic. The ambiance is fantastic, warm & cozy. The service was impeccable, at times it felt like we had the entire staff taking care of us. My wife & I did the Chef's menu which was tailored a little bit for her tastes. The Seafood platter portion of the meal was excellent, & contained a great variety of items. For appetizers we had the Striped Bass & the Cucumbers which were both excellent. The main courses were also very good. Don't miss out on the carrots which came with the Swordfish & Black Cod which were both outstanding. dessert included the Profiteroles which were delicious. The wine list is excellent. Expensive, but well worth the cost!
Came here looking for the scallops when the friendly host David told me they were out & I was so disappointed. Then the awesome bar chef Ema came to my rescue! I told her to order me a seafood dish & I got the québécois swordfish which totally blew me away! As a snobbish New Yorker, Mon Latin goer this little place stole my heart. I don't eat meat, but I said this bacon tasted good. Spoiler, it was not bacon!!! It was swordfish belly smoked to perfection! The whole dish had crunchiness & delicious caramelized root vegetables. Ema also made me a super yummy mocktail, which was not too sweet. I'll definitely came back & bring my family in here as well. I had the mushroom side as my appetizer & that did not disappoint either. Thank you. Merci beaucoup
What was, isn't anymore
I had high expectations for this restaurant which features the'famous' chef Chuck Hughes. Unfortunately it didn't deliver on any account, most importantly the food. The 45 minute wait for the $58 plate of'fresh' coho salmon from BC with fava beans & caviar butter was served lukewarm & worse, was tough & didn't taste fresh at all. I should know as I am from BC & can cook a tender melt in your mouth salmon every time. This was a huge disappointment- upon returning the dish I received alot of apologies but really shame on this kitchen for not getting this right. The Chinese style grilled octopus also failed to deliver- tough & rubbery $38
My friend had the Hanger steak & found it to be'ok' a second appetizer: cauliflower mushrooms was actually pretty decent but by the time it arrived as a replacement for the salmon, I had lost my appetite
All in all the service was on the friendly side of ok, but I would have preferred a more mature & professional service. The whole experience really didn't justify the $250 tab for two & the reaction to my feedback was defensive & unsatisfying- this place had its glory days & I would say they are definitely over - food wise
Ambience is nice for a date but there are plenty places in Old Montreal I would choose next time
Première fois au garde manger. J'avais des attentes très élevées. L'expérience a été de loin supérieur à mes attentes. Tout était parfait, service (Taylor,Loris & la barmaid) a été impeccable. Les recommandations de vin en fonction des plats, on point! Bravo au chef qui ont sorti des plats d'une qualité incontournable!! C'est un luxe qui doit se vivre au moins une fois dans sa vie. Chapeau à l'équipe & au restaurant, on y retournera assurément!!
Jun 8, 2025
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I didn't have a reservation & was lucky enough to be seated in the back area. Ordered 2nd tier chef tasting menu & a couple of drinks. One of the best restaurant experiences of my life.
Wes, Taylor, & the rest of the back area were incredible. Thanks for making this a highlight of my trip.
The food was outstanding, but what truly stood out for me was the service. It's rare for service to catch your attention like this, but the team here is exceptional. Their hustle is evident, & the attention to detail is impeccable-every little thing is taken care of with care & energy.
Oh & again, the food was amazing. We ordered the chef selection / tasting menu & it was amazing. The seafood, the beef & the sweet at the end - all A+.
Thank you for an amazing evening-can't wait to come back & dine at Garde Manger again soon!
This was my third time going. The restaurant has a tavern vibe to it, but the chef's menu always blows me away. At $125 per person, you get a seafood platter, multiple apps, multiple mains, & a dessert per person. We did the second tier at $175 adding on the amuse bouche starters. The service is great, the cocktails are fun, & they're great at accommodating dietary restrictions.
Here's a long, detailed Google review you can post about your experience at Garde Manger in Montreal & meeting Chuck Hughes:
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⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Truly Unforgettable Experience at Garde Manger - A Must-Visit in Montreal!
Where do I even begin? Dining at Garde Manger in Montreal was nothing short of extraordinary, & it's an experience I'll be talking about for years to come.
From the moment we stepped inside, the atmosphere was buzzing - lively yet cozy, with a warm, rustic charm that made us feel welcome right away. The staff greeted us with genuine smiles, & the energy of the place immediately set the tone for what would become a phenomenal evening.
Let's talk service: absolute perfection. Our server was not only friendly & attentive, but incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. They walked us through the specials, offered great recommendations, & somehow struck the perfect balance between professional & personable. Water glasses were never empty, courses were timed beautifully, & every request was handled with ease & care. It felt like they genuinely wanted us to enjoy every minute - & we did.
Now, onto the food… wow. Every dish was a masterpiece - both in flavor & presentation. You can tell there's passion & precision behind every plate. We started with the oysters, which were fresh & briny, served perfectly chilled with all the right accompaniments. The lobster poutine is every bit as decadent & delicious as you'd imagine - rich, comforting, & absolutely unforgettable. For mains, we had the duck confit & the sea bass - both cooked to absolute perfection, with layers of flavor that lingered in the best way possible. & of course, we couldn't leave without dessert - the sticky toffee pudding was the perfect sweet finish.
& then… the highlight of the night: meeting Chuck Hughes himself! What an incredible & down-to-earth guy. He came out of the kitchen with that unmistakable smile & took time to chat with us. It's rare to see a chef of his caliber so present & engaged, & it made our experience feel even more special. You can tell his heart is in this restaurant, & it shows in every aspect - from the menu to the vibe to the team behind it all.
If you're visiting Montreal - or even if you live here - Garde Manger is a must-visit. It's not just a restaurant, it's an experience: vibrant, memorable, & filled with culinary joy. Whether you're a foodie or just looking for an incredible night out, you owe it to yourself to come here.
Thank you to the entire team for a night I'll never forget. I'll absolutely be back - & bringing friends with me next time!
May 4, 2025
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This was likely the single best meal we have ever had. Everything - from the moment we sat down until we left - was immaculate. The service was incredible (our waters never bordered on empty, our table was always cleaned, & we were even given a moist towel at one point between courses). We did the level 2 chefs tasting menu, plus the snow crab, & I'd say it was worth the upgrade. The lobster caviar was incredible, while the snow crab almost brought us both to tears. Every other dish was varying levels of great to fantastic, & the wine/cocktails were also excellent. Truly, everything was immaculate. In particular, the pacing with which the dishes came out deserves a special shoutout - we were never waiting, & once we started to slow down, the dishes did, too, to give us time. Absolutely recommend this place. High-end dining, but you will not leave hungry!
Superbe dining experience. Orrecchette was delectable & rich. The crab on brioche entrée also. The chef came out & chatted with us & others. Will definitely need to go back.
Dinner with colleagues from work. Tried the four course Chef's tasting menu & everything was excellent. Favourite items included the grilled swordfish & the salad.
Food here is amazing! Its opened by the celebrity chef Chuck Hughes. The octopus & tuna tartare was so good . As for the mains, the artichoke & scallops were done so well . The desserts are not on the menu so it could be different every night & the ones I got were delicious as well!
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Garde Manger in Montreal, & I can confidently say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The restaurant's ambiance perfectly blends rustic charm with a vibrant energy that makes it feel both intimate & lively. The food was outstanding-a true testament to the skill & creativity of the chefs. Every dish was beautifully presented & bursting with flavour. Highlights for me included the fresh oysters, which were impeccably served, & the scallops that were cooked to perfection, accompanied by a deliciously balanced sauce. The dessert, especially the tiramisu, was the perfect end to an unforgettable meal. Equally impressive was the service. The staff were attentive, friendly, & knowledgeable, making excellent recommendations for both food & wine pairings. Their professionalism & warmth added to the overall experience, making me feel genuinely welcome. Garde Manger is a must-visit for anyone looking for top-tier dining in Montreal. Whether you're a local or just visiting, this is a spot where you'll not only enjoy an incredible meal but also leave with a memorable dining experience. I can't wait to return!
