Grille-Nature by chef-owners Derek Damann and David McMillan is an end-of-career promise kept. These two longtime chefs, bound by mutual admiration, have teamed up to bring to their beloved West Island a restaurant for everyone. Seafood, vegetables, and prime cuts of responsibly farmed meats and local products are always on hand. A welcoming bar, an eclectic wine list, and a warm staff are ready to create something new in hospitality, surrounded by purveyors of true quality.
Two chefs, two farms, two families, one restaurant. Quality goods only.
Reviews of Grille Nature converge on a standout West Island dining experience, with generous portions, inventive and well executed dishes, and attentive service in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Dishes range from crowd pleasers like burgers and seafood to ambitious specials, with many highlights such as scallops, foie gras, crispy fries, and a strong bread and butter service, and a well curated drink program. While the overall food quality and vibe receive high praise, several guests note high prices for the portion sizes and occasional inconsistencies in pacing or execution, including one steak that was chewy or overcooked, some sides priced a la carte, and a few visits where service or timing could be improved. Still, the restaurant is described as lively yet comfortable, with a family friendly vibe and a level of hospitality that makes visitors feel welcomed and well cared for, and many plan to return to try more dishes.
We had dinner for three on a Friday night at Grille-Nature. Drinks were served with mint & limes making a delicious mojitos. Our server was amazing with so much information to share. His descriptions of the menu were very enticing. The food was very tasty & not overcooked. We were even able to watch the hockey playoff game.
I was really looking forward to this restaurant. Everything was great before we were officially seated, but then I noticed the table was uneven, so I used the paper from the fries to balance it. The food was quite good, with strong Japanese influences. Throughout the meal, I had to pour my own drinks. When it came time to pay, they actually forgot to include the cost of the drinks-if this were a shop, they probably wouldn't be able to charge it afterward, haha!
Apr 17, 2026
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We ate like kings here. The portions are very generous. We ordered 3 mains off the specials menu (black cod 10/10, pork with lentils 9/10, & the Denver steak 8/10) along with a side of fries which were surprisingly exceptional, bread (11/10), Caesar salad (10/10), & warm olives (10/10) to start. Everything was delicious. Our only complaint was that the cut of steak was very very chewy & probably should have been cooked a bit more (which would have compromised the juiciness but may have helped the chewiness). I also ordered a ceasar & I think that may have been the best Caesar (drink) I've ever had.
Overall, we had a great experience, with a few areas that could use improvement.
The service & staff were excellent. Everyone was attentive & friendly, the food arrived quickly, & the pacing of the meal felt well thought out rather than rushed or sluggish.
The menu is genuinely interesting, with a lot of tempting & well-curated options. It feels creative without being gimmicky. The drink program is also a strong point. Cocktails were very tasty, & the wine list is solid, offering great selections both by the bottle & by the glass.
Food highlights really stood out. The calamari were excellent, perfectly cooked & flavorful. The scallops were cooked just right, & the fries deserve a special mention. Honestly, they might be the best fries I've ever had.
That said, a few elements didn't fully live up to expectations. The 8oz bar steak was cooked perfectly in terms of temperature/crust, but the quality of the meat itself wasn't there. It was chewy & had noticeable sinew, which took away from what should be a highlight at a grill-focused restaurant. The mortadella appetizer was also overhyped by our waiter. It ended up being very standard German-style mortadella (Leberkase), nothing bad - even very tasty, but nothing memorable either. I would skip it next time.
I'd give the restaurant a solid 4 stars, but a few details pulled the experience down.The bar stools were extremely uncomfortable, to the point where my legs were going numb. We eat at bars often, both locally & while traveling, & these were among the least comfortable bar seats I've encountered. It really affected the enjoyment of the meal. The steak knives also felt cheap. It may sound minor, but ripping through meat isn't appetizing, & for a place branded as a grill, this feels like a basic expectation. Lastly, the toilets were a bit dirty, with things like urine on the floor. Nothing dramatic, but still unacceptable for an establishment at this price point & level.
Overall, it's a bit on the expensive side for the portion sizes, but the food is very tasty. I would definitely go back, & if some of these issues improve, I'd be happy to update my review.
Best restaurant in Montreal. I cannot believe a restaurant only a couple months old is this good. I knew it would be good when I heard David McMillan & Derek Dammann were at the helm, but it's even exceeded my expectations, by a lot.
Food - every dish is incredible. Unique, adventurous, & delicious.
Service - friendly, welcoming, sharp. Attention to detail very noticeable, & this is only 2 months in.
Drinks - a multitude of options. Great wine list, great beer list, incredible cocktails.
Ambiance - warm & welcoming. See for yourself.
An extremely talented team & they are only going to get better.
Selfishly, I do not want to tell anyone about this place, but it's so good I can't not leave a review.
First time trying this restaurant & it won't be our last! Everything was delicious & so nicely presented. Upon entering, you're greeted so warmly & everyone who approached the table once we were seated was so friendly which made the whole experience even nicer. We ordered some drinks & the Mortadella & the Hot Avocado as well as the bread service to start & all I can say is WOW! The mortadella had a drizzle of honey on it & put such a simple dish over the top. The Hot avocado was so original & tasty too. For mains we ordered the steak frites & the rotisserie half chicken. The chicken was fantastic - it came with a salad & fries. Those fries were just perfect! Crispy & crunchy on the outside & perfection on the inside. The chicken itself was amazing - almost buttery inside & the sauce is scrumptious & different than any other rotisserie chicken sauce. The salad it comes with, I believe is the Alpine salad & I was surprised by how fresh tasting it was - the slightly sweet vinaigrette was just right & I couldn't stop eating it. My husband had the steak frites & he was raving about it - saying if this is how tasty a steak frites is, imagine their better cuts of meat. We ended the meal with their tropical sundae, which was coconut gelato mixed with vanilla soft serve & coconut flakes with some infused pineapple & dulce de leche. It was the perfect ending. Honestly, this was a wonderful dining experience & we plan to go back soon so we can try other dishes on the menu that we missed. Go, you won't be disappointed!
We were so warmly welcomed when we arrived & throughout our meal. We struggled to decided what to try. Everything sounded so delicious. We started with the fried squid & chose to share the whole chicken. The meal was superb from start to finish (drinks included!) Portions were extremely generous. For dessert, we went with the coconut sugar pie. The whole pie! Genius idea. Enjoying a piece this morning with my coffee! Prices are super reasonable for the quality & quantity & I won't hesitate to recommend this lovely restaurant to everyone I know. Already looking forward to going back with the family.
By far the best restaurant I've been to in a very long time.
From the moment we walked in, the staff were incredibly warm, welcoming, & attentive-they truly made the experience feel special.
The food was impeccable. Every dish we ordered was packed with bold, memorable flavours. David focuses on creating food that tastes phenomenal rather than overly plated or pretentious, & you can feel that passion & confidence in every bite. The drinks were equally impressive-delicious, well-balanced, & clearly crafted with care.
I'm especially thrilled to see David back doing what he does best. He's a true culinary genius, & bringing a restaurant of this calibre to the West Island is such a gift to the community.
We were so blown away that we've already booked our next reservation. If you're looking for exceptional food, amazing service, & an unforgettable dining experience, this is the place to go.
GrilleNature is excellent! We went on opening weekend & they did a great job with the place. The menu is creative, down-to-earth, & the food is amazing. They also have a big drink selection, & my husband told the bartender it was one of the best spicy margaritas he has ever had.
When we left, we immediately booked another reservation for January - can't wait to go back!
GrilleNature is incredible. The ambiance is beautiful, the menu is creative, & the food is absolutely delicious. The wine & drink selection is outstanding too. I'm genuinely excited to come back & try everything on the menu. Highly recommended!
