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 celebrated as a quintessential Montreal steakhouse, cherished for its historic atmosphere, elegant decor, and traditional charm housed within a beautifully preserved centuries-old building. Many patrons praise the restaurant for its exceptional service, noting that staff often go above and beyond to create memorable experiences for birthdays and anniversaries. The menu is frequently lauded for its generous portions, high-quality steaks, signature Beef Wellington, and unique touches like fresh bread, pickles, and palate-cleansing sorbet. While some guests have noted inconsistencies in food preparation or service quality during busier times, the overall consensus among regular visitors and first-time guests alike highlights the establishment as a reliable and iconic destination for a classic fine dining experience in Old Montreal.
Gibbys used to feel like such a safe haven - a true institution known for comfort food & consistency. While we appreciated seeing some younger, fresh faces on staff & noticed a few updates, we were genuinely surprised to find that - other than hen - there is no chicken dish on the menu. Really? Did no one notice?
They used to serve a lovely Chicken Kiev, which many of us remember fondly. I mentioned this concern to reception twice before, but unfortunately felt dismissed.
It's disappointing. Gibby would surely turn over in his grave, & Claudia would not be pleased. I suppose all good things eventually come to an end - but we had hoped Gibbys would remain one of the exceptions.
A Montreal institution that needs no introduction. Top contender for best steakhouse in the city. Great, straight to the point food. Old school vibe but sometimes, that's just what you need. Fair value in times where restaurants are going completely nuts with their prices. You don't feel robbed leaving this place.
Was there in January with a large group on Saturday night. Very busy place. To keep it short & sweet I'll get to the point.
It's a feeding factory. They are quite good at feeding masses of people in a relatively short time.
Atmosphere is hectic & chaotic. If you're idea of sitting in a loud & noisy cramped cave on a Saturday night is charming then go ahead.
Our waiter provided good service.
Food is another story. Rib Steak at $85 was cooked properly & taste was not bad. However the quality is of the lowest grade. Tough & chewy & I kid you not I had difficulty cutting it with a steak knife.. Monte Carlo potato was extremely sad & pathetic looking with no taste. Very bland.. operating costs are high in establishments like this & I understand they are trying to turn a profit but upper management who does the purchasing should be ashamed of themselves for buying the lowest grade of product
At least the pickles were good
Extremely overrated
Excellente expérience. La qualité de la nourriture est de loin supérieure à ce qu'on voit maintenant dans les restaurants & le service sans faute - Un grand Merci à Diane pour s'être si bien occupée de nous.
This is a review about redemption. My wife & I & friends visited Gibby's in January & it
was not what we had hoped it would be. There were issues with one of the steaks & the service was mediocre. I posted a detailed review & I was very pleasantly surprised when I was contacted by Fatima Roman, the floor manager. She offered us the option of returning & having the restaurant comp our main courses. I have always maintained that the mark of an excellent organization is not that they never fail, rather what they do when they fail to meet their standards.
Well, we returned last night & we were treated like royalty by Fatima & the Director General, Jose Lourenco. The service & food lived up to & exceeded our expectations. & our cocktails & a dessert were comped as well. The restaurant more than redeemed itself & we will continue to patronize it, as we have for decades.
I had previously visited gibbys & left a review, but am updating based off my new experience. I had a rather bad experience with the service over a month ago & the manager called me to have me explain the experience & offered me to come back & cover part of the meal due to the bad service the previous time. Even with the steak covered the bill was over $200 since we got wine & dessert.
This time the experience was much better. Me & my boyfriend were sat in the back of the restaurant where it is much calmer energy, & were served by Charlie she was great! She was able to help us recommend a good wine to pair with our steaks. Food was very good. I also had a Gibbys martini & I must say it is one of the best martinis I've ever had. For dessert we ordered the dame blanche, only slightly disappointed wad the chocolate sauce was already cold from the ice cream & had sunk to the bottom as a giant chocolate rock, but still good. We ordered espressos with dessert as well, I know gibbys is a fancy restaurant but 8$ before tax for a single espresso is a bit of a scam…
Overall very good experience especially after the previous visit, however we still did not see the elusive sommelier we had been promised to have sent to our table by the manager, but the waitress was extremely helpful!
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We came here for my boyfriend's birthday with high expectations but were disappointed. The night started with me asking a few questions about wines, which the waiter didn't seem to have much knowledge on, instead of asking someone else he specifically said the Riesling was a sweet wine & wouldn't pair with steak, however after a quick google search, the wine is a dry minerally wine, which I don't expect a server to know every wine, but I wouldn't recommend saying your not sure than giving false information.
He then went to ask the sommelier for a recommendation, but he didn't ask us what type of wine we were looking for, & came back to suggest a 130$ bottle, with the only reasoning that it was recommended. With no proper explanation of the wine I wouldn't purchase a 130$ bottle. Also if there is a sommelier, why are they not sent to the table to help pick a wine or recommendation?
Also when we came back with the recommendation, he brought the menu to my boyfriend even though I had been the ones asking the question??
For the steaks, the waiter asked if we wanted the steak spices on top or on the side, & the waiter wrote it down on his notepad, which my boyfriend asked for the spices on the side, yet we were served steaks with spices on them. (In my opinion it makes it worse if it written down & the mistake is made) . We decided not to say anything on the spot as the steak is still yummy & doesn't seem worth wasting a while piece of meat for a simple mistake.
In the reservation we had made a note that we were celebrating his birthday. At the end of the meal after asking for the bill, the waiter brought the bill & was about to get the card machine, & came back to say he heard it was a birthday, & said he would be right back. He brought out a cake which is presumably their policy, but he didn't ask us first, which yes it is nice but neither me or my boyfriend particularly wanted cake, so we ate some of it out of guilt of a whole cake brought out.
The steaks were good, also the German Riesling was a good dry white wine with steaks. The experience with the wine really tainted my experience, I know it is not a wine bar but at a restaurant where the bill is over 300$ you would hope to have a better service. At the end they take a picture on a Polaroid & give it to you which is cute.
With the whole experience I don't count myself coming back or recommending it to anyone either.
Gibby's is by far one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. From the amazing architecture to the romantic atmosphere. Our Server, Justin, provided attentive & personal service, ensuring that our entire experience was the best it could possibly be. In addition to the best steak we have ever had, the Old Fashioned was tough to beat. While the cost was high, we truly got what we paid for & would do it again. This is a must for anyone in Montreal.
Usually my go to for important life celebration & fancy food. This review is only marked down because of my own feelings & should not be considered in your decision to eat there or not. They took away the chicken Kiev & that was my favorite. I have yet to go back since & really miss it. I only am doing this so that if the owners see it they might consider bringing it back.
