Garde Manger is described as a vibrant seafood focused standout in Old Montreal with a warm, lively atmosphere and consistently attentive service; the tasting menu and chef's selections are repeatedly praised for creativity and generosity of seafood, with many dishes described as memorable, though a few guests note pacing issues and that portions can feel small for the price; the bar and wine program receive strong praise for thoughtful pairings, while a minority comment that wine by the glass options lean dry or lack off dry fruity choices; the front of house and kitchen staff are frequently singled out for their energy and hospitality, making the experience feel welcoming and celebratory, and many diners say that Garde Manger offers one of the best seafood experiences in the city and is worth returning to, even if some evenings feel busier or louder and a few reservations about value remain.
Had to wait over an hour for our food to arrive even though it was a quiet evening & the waiter said it would be under an hour wait. Appetizers arrived together with entrees even though we requested some appetizers to be delivered earlier to share. Waiter was rude to us when we brought this to his attention. There are many other excellent restaurants to visit in Montreal.
Jun 9, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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!!
Short version: We paid $800 (tax & tip inc.) for a dinner for two & left hungry - got Domino's pizza after. Was it tasty? Yes. But miniature portions at a very steep price. Lovely staff & nice menu but portions too small.
Long version:
It was my birthday dinner, & I had heard many great things about this place. I also love Chuck Hughes' sundried tomato chili oil, so I was really excited to try his restaurant. My boyfriend & I reserved for dinner, & when we made the reservation, the option was a tasting menu, so we opted for that at the moment of the reservation. When we arrived, the waitress explained to us that there are multiple'tiers' to the tasting menu, going from tier 1 to tier 4, & she hyped it up so much & specified that for tier 4, you'have to be hungry'. We were starving & very excited to eat, so we opted for tier 4. It was priced at 275$ per person, so we were ready to feast.
The plates started coming, & they were very, very tasty. However, we started worrying about the portion sizes as the dinner went by, because we were realizing that the courses were coming & going & we were just having enough for one bite or two. Unfortunately, as we feared, we finished the night & could have easily eaten 3 times the amount of food that was served to us.
Highlights:
- Delicious cocktails. I really enjoyed the cocktails. The mixologist was really great because all the flavours paired perfectly.
- The waiters were kind & attentive. My glass of water was always refilled.
- The food was delicious.
Cons:
- Portions were very small. We were still hungry at the end of all that tier 4 multi-course meal.
- Extremely loud restaurant (did not bother me but pointing it out in case people are looking for quiet)
- The price we paid did not justify the food quantity, as we then went on to get pizza takeout.
Overall, I would love this restaurant if the portions were bigger. I would go back because the taste was great, but I would not get the tasting menu because it's too expensive for simply too little food. I don't know what the price is per item but the gnocchi was delicious. I would have wanted an entire plate of it. So, be mindful & eat beforehand, or bring snacks for after if you go because you might still be hungry.
Honourable mention to the staff who were all super kind & attentive. My birthday was nice.
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.
May 24, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We had wonderful meal here. The spicy carrots & the focaccia bread were a big hit. I had the chicken & it was good but not great. The coffee cake dessert was excellent.
Here's a long, detailed Google review you can post about your experience at Garde Manger in Montreal & meeting Chuck Hughes:
?
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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!
