Gyu-Kaku is described in these reviews as a lively, interactive Japanese BBQ experience where guests grill at the table and enjoy flavorful, well marinated meats in generous portions. Diners repeatedly praise the high quality of beef and variety of cuts, with sauces and touches like miso, ponzu, and inventive drinks adding to the meal. The atmosphere is often described as warm, convivial, and family or date friendly, though the space can be loud and reservations are recommended to avoid long waits. Service is frequently highlighted as friendly, helpful, and attentive, with staff taking time to explain the menu and cooking method, while a few experiences note occasional slower service or timing issues during busy periods. Value is a common theme, with many finding the price justified by the quality and the interactive format, though some feel portions or options vary and price can be higher than comparable restaurants. Overall, the consensus is that Gyu-Kaku delivers a memorable dining experience worth returning to, especially for groups or special occasions, and many reviewers state they would come back and recommend it.
Gyu-Kaku has always been one of my go-to BBQ spots in San Francisco-especially for their unlimited BBQ options. It's a place I've visited countless times with family, & I've always loved the experience. So when I found out they had a location in Montreal, I was genuinely excited to try it & even brought along a friend who had never been before. I really wanted him to experience how good it can be.
Unfortunately, from the very beginning, the experience felt completely different. The service was noticeably lacking-it took multiple attempts just to get the staff's attention for basic things, which already set the tone for the evening.
I went ahead & ordered my usual favorite items, but the portions here seemed smaller or different compared to what I'm used to in San Francisco. I understand there could be differences in sourcing or pricing, so I was willing to give that the benefit of the doubt. However, what was harder to overlook was the quality of certain cuts-especially the yaki shabu beef. It was so thin & inconsistent that it felt almost like minced meat, & a lot of it kept falling through the grill, making it frustrating to cook & enjoy.
On top of that, the grill itself wasn't functioning properly. The heat distribution was uneven-some parts would burn the meat instantly while others barely cooked it, leaving pieces raw. For a place centered around BBQ, this really impacted the overall experience.
It honestly felt like a completely different restaurant compared to the San Francisco locations I'm used to, which was disappointing-especially since I had hyped it up to my friend.
If I had to highlight one positive, it would be the lava cake. It was actually better than the one I've had in San Francisco-rich, warm, & perfectly done. But realistically, you don't go to a BBQ restaurant just for dessert.
Overall, I'm quite disappointed to say that this visit didn't live up to my expectations, & it's not a spot I'd return to in Montreal the way I do back in San Francisco.
Hey owner, why are you asking for a 18% minimum tip? Don't be greedy like that, you are ruining your employees good work by having our dinning experiences end with you breaking the law!
My first time at a Japanese BBQ place. Nice place to share a meal with friends & enjoy the atmosphere. Since there were 4 of use we ordered a dinner for 4. Big mistake. There was way to much food. Even though all the items we had were great, we had to sacrifice some so we could have some green ice-cream for dessert. Oh well.
Nous avons mangé ce soir à Gyu Kaku, c'était un moment très agréable & nous avons dégusté plusieurs viandes au Barbecue délicieuse !!
Le service était très agréable & très qualitatif, un merci spécial à Alden :) on reviendra !
Trying to order from here is impossible. I hate ubereats but no delivery service, & if Im forced to use UE then they arent a member & Im paying huge fees. Either setup a home delivery service or sign up with the platforms!
Mar 15, 2026
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Super expérience ! La nourriture était fraîche, bien assaisonnée & les portions sont parfaites. Le service est professionnel & l'ambiance est vraiment agréable pour passer une belle soirée. Je recommande fortement ce restaurant.
Très belle première expérience, nous avons pris le menu à 3 & les portions étaient parfaites! La qualité de la nourriture était incroyable. Je veux surtout remercier notre serveur Jia qui nous à tout expliqué de A à Z avec un sourire. Expérience fantastique avec un service magnifique! Je recommande grandement cette place!
Accueil étrange, peu accueillant. Privilégiez les personnes qui ont réservé svp.
Viande correcte mais peu qualitative pour le prix.
Le riz était extrêmement décevant! Pas du vrai riz japonais (plutôt un genre de basmati) trop cuit.
J'ai bien aimé les explications pour cuisson de viandes. Privilégiez la qualité svp.
J'ai beaucoup aimé les séparations entre tables, c'est bien fait.
Love this place!! Not the same as Gyukaku in Japan but still tasty. We were happy to have Asahi Super Dry. Wished for some of the veggies we could get in Japan but so glad for the enoki!!! The drinks are good & made to order. I was able to ask for less sweet & it was very nice. Everyone was very kind & sweet. Love how they yell out greetings in Japan, very authentic 😊 Last time we were there the music was super loud, this time much more bearable - loud enough to make it a fun atmosphere but not so loud we had to yell. Go if you haven't!!!
Mar 3, 2026
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Définitivement mon restaurant préféré sur Montréal, pour son rapport qualité-prix.
Coup de coeur pour les formules proposées.
Très agréable en toutes circonstances
One word: EXCELLENT ! We've been to Japan so our standards were high & they didn't disappoint. We had the combo for two people , everything was delicious, generous & reasonably priced. We'll be coming back for sure.
Food was excellent but pricier compared to other Japanese BBQ which was unlimited. Coming in I really thought it was à volonté since I would pay the same price from other places with much more varieties. But food was good, overall. I initially thought I wouldn't get full so that kind of worried me for the price I was paying 😂
What is most notable to me is the excellent service! Our waitress was very attentive to detail & took a good amount of time to explain the menu, which was 100% needed as a person unfamilliar with the concept.
The entire staff welcomes you & thanks you for your patronage, which adds to the exprience. Music choice was mostly pop rap (a lot of kendrick lamar when I went) & a tad loud, outherwise no notes. Will révision for sure!
