Gibby's serves as a destination for prime cuts of beef and fresh seafood within a historic stone building defined by wood-burning fireplaces and dark wood accents. The menu focuses on dry-aged steaks that are trimmed on-site, alongside Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, and oysters harvested from cold waters. Traditional sides such as baked potatoes, pickles, and sourdough bread accompany the primary meat and fish courses. Patrons encounter a multi-room layout that maintains an atmosphere of seclusion and warmth through its thick stone walls and low ceilings. The culinary preparation emphasizes classic grilling techniques over open flames to achieve specific textures and flavor profiles. Every selection of seafood undergoes rigorous sourcing standards to ensure consistency across the entire menu. This establishment functions as a dedicated center for meat and aquatic offerings in a centralized urban environment.
Gibby's is widely regarded as a classic and historic steakhouse in Montreal, situated in a charming Old Port building that offers a unique and timeless atmosphere. Many guests praise the restaurant for its exceptional service, noting that staff members are consistently professional, attentive, and welcoming. The menu features standout items like the Beef Wellington, filet mignon, and the signature Gibby's salad, often accompanied by thoughtful touches like complimentary bread, pickles, and palate-cleansing sorbet. While many diners celebrate the restaurant as a go-to spot for birthdays and special occasions, others have noted inconsistencies in food quality, such as issues with steak preparation or declining portion sizes under new ownership. Despite occasional reports of high noise levels, crowded seating, and mixed reviews regarding value for money, the majority of visitors highlight the restaurant as an iconic destination that remains a cornerstone of the local dining scene.
Have not been to Gibbys since the new ownership & must say, the changes have been disappointing. The food is not as good as it used to be. The bread is not the egg bread, has been replaced by regular bread, the salad is smaller & the dressing is different. The prices have also increased quite a bit. But not only that, the bathrooms don't have the seat covers anymore & the hand paper is exactly that, rough paper what used to be soft hand paper, almost like a towel. & the Air Conditioning wasn't working which made our general experience unpleasant. It's a shame that such a solid Montréal institution has fallen into the hands of a company who prioritizes profit over dining quality experience. Not sure we will be visiting again due to this. At least the service, as always, was cordial & warm as it has always been.
Spent a birthday dinner here. The restaurant was neat & clean, & the atmosphere was nice overall. Seating is in the basement, which felt a bit humid at times & since we waited 3 hours for maim course it started to feel somewhat cramped. Additionally the lighting was very uncomfortable, theme was outdated & lack of sound or any background music wasn't pleasant.
The food was okay, but I didn't feel the quality matched the price point at all. It seems that part of what you're paying for is the building itself & the history behind it.
Overall, it was an okay experience, but not somewhere I would personally return to.
Listen. It's good. It's cool because it's in a very old building in the Old Port. However, it's just...okay. Service is okay, Food is okay, but you're paying a heavy premium for a cool atmosphere. It's no finer dining than other steak houses in the city.
Two suggestions if you're still going to go:
1 - if you have dietary restrictions or are bringing kids, that's fine, but ASK THE WAITER for suggestions or assistance. Their menu doesn't show everything they can assist with on special request. Don't assume anything! (& mention restrictions up front, like gluten or pork or dairy!)
2 - Don't order the twice baked potato. It's premade, basically tastes like glue & bacon in a potato skin. It's Denny's level quality & it was surprisingly bad. (& everyone in our group had the same, it wasn't one bad order.)
Jun 8, 2026
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Unfortunately this old staple is tired & not what it used to be. The quality of the food & service do not match the cost. The steak was cold upon arrival, they took it back & re-heated it on the grill. For an $85.00 steak that's horrible. It was then burnt & chewy. The steakhouse martini didn't come with blue cheese olives, when I asked they said they would check, never addressed it after. The manager did come over to offer free dessert for one & comped the meal which is why I gave 2 stars instead of 1. The chicken & pepper steak were better quality & the lobster was good.
Dining at Gibbys is one of those classic Montreal experiences that really lives up to the hype. From the moment you walk into the historic stone building in Old Montreal, the atmosphere feels warm, elegant, & timeless. The rustic charm mixed with white tablecloth service sets the tone for a proper steakhouse night.
The highlight, without a doubt, was the steak. Cooked perfectly to temperature, it was tender, juicy, & packed with flavor. You can tell they use high-quality cuts & treat them with care-no unnecessary fuss, just a well-executed steak done right. Every bite was consistent & satisfying, exactly what you hope for when ordering at a place known for steak.
The sides complemented the meal nicely, & the service was attentive without being overbearing. It felt like the staff genuinely cared about the dining experience, which added to the overall enjoyment.
Gibbys strikes a great balance between upscale dining & comfort. It's the kind of place you go for a special occasion or when you simply want a guaranteed great meal. If you're in Montreal & craving a proper steak, this spot should be high on your list.
Gibby's is one of those places you've heard about forever, almost myth-like in reputation… long before you ever actually go. For me, it had been sitting in that category for years.
With my brother visiting (a true steak connoisseur), it finally felt like the right time. I booked a table for five on OpenTable a few weeks in advance for a 7:45 seating… no issues at all.
From the moment we arrived, the experience felt dialed in. We were seated right on time, service was immediate, & the evening flowed exactly the way you hope a place like Gibby's will deliver.
What I Liked:
Service was a standout. Attentive, engaged, but never hovering or interrupting. Drinks came quickly, orders were taken efficiently, & everything arrived with great timing.
A really nice touch to start the meal was the bread & pickles brought to the table. The bread was light, fluffy, & fresh with a great texture, & the pickles were a hit around the table… simple, but done right.
Food-wise, we leaned into what Gibby's is known for… steak.
• The rib steak was exactly what you want it to be: cooked perfectly, rich, & deeply satisfying.
• Wedge salad & Monte Carlo potatoes rounded things out well.
• Across the table, rib eyes, filet, clam chowder, carpaccio-most dishes fully met expectations.
Now… did I need a 20 oz rib steak? Absolutely not.
Did I regret it? Only later that night, when my stomach started filing complaints.
In the moment? Not a chance. Plate cleaned. No survivors.
A fun highlight was the Spanish coffee service, rolled out tableside with a bit of fire & flair. A small touch, but one that adds to the overall experience.
& oddly… even the bill stood out. Thick, high-quality paper. It sounds ridiculous, but it actually matched the overall feel of the place… attention to detail, even at the very end.
That said, one miss worth noting, my wife's peppercorn steak was significantly undercooked & came out rare instead of the medium she ordered, & she found it a bit tough. She didn't say anything at the time (not in her nature), & I'm confident they would have corrected it quickly had we raised it. Still, at this price point, you expect it to land right the first time.
Atmosphere & Vibe:
We were seated in the basement dining room (one of three levels). I joked it might be the'ugly people section,' but in reality it was the opposite, just a great mix of people.
Families, date nights, multi-generational celebrations, groups like ours… it felt lively but not overwhelming. You could actually have a conversation without shouting, which isn't always a given in a busy steakhouse.
The building itself adds a lot. Historic Old Montréal charm, heavy wood, warm lighting-it feels like a place with stories in the walls.
Closing:
Gibby's delivers exactly what its reputation promises: a classic, high-quality steakhouse experience done right.
It's not cheap, but it's not trying to be. This is a place for occasions. Celebrations. When you want to lean in a little & enjoy it.
Would I go every week? No.
Would I go again? Absolutely, when the moment calls for it.
A couple small notes:
• No mashed potatoes (surprisingly missed by a few at the table, especially for softer options)
• Not exactly vegetarian-friendly… but that shouldn't come as a shock
At the end of the day, Gibby's is about steak, tradition, & experience & it delivers on all three, even if not every plate lands perfectly.
We absolutely love Gibby's. It's been our go-to spot for every special occasion for years, & it never disappoints.
From the moment you walk in, you feel genuinely welcomed. The atmosphere is warm & classic, & the service is consistently attentive without ever feeling overdone.
The steak is always on point, perfectly cooked, high quality, & exactly what you expect every time. That consistency is what keeps us coming back.
This place has become part of our traditions, & we'll definitely continue going for years to come.
