Holder occupies a sprawling industrial space characterized by high ceilings and exposed brickwork that define its bustling atmosphere. The kitchen focuses on refined French brasserie staples with an emphasis on technical precision. Signature preparations include expertly seasoned hand-cut beef tartare served alongside crisp, golden frites. Mussels arrive in generous portions, steamed in aromatic broths that highlight the natural salinity of the shellfish. Diners navigate an expansive menu that balances traditional techniques with contemporary presentations. Large circular booths and polished woodwork foster an environment conducive to focused consumption of classic culinary favorites. This establishment maintains a consistent reputation for delivering robust, flavorful plates that remain grounded in the core principles of European culinary traditions through careful ingredient selection and diligent, systematic kitchen execution.
Holder is widely regarded as a staple in Old Montreal, offering a classic French brasserie experience that frequently delights visitors and locals alike. Many guests praise the authentic menu, highlighting standouts such as the beef cheeks, duck confit, beef tartare, and mussels, often paired with an extensive wine list. While the atmosphere is consistently described as lively, bustling, and stylish, some diners find the dining room can become quite energetic and noisy, which may not suit those seeking a quiet or intimate environment. Service is a frequent highlight, with many reviews commending the professional, attentive, and welcoming nature of the staff, although a small number of patrons have noted inconsistent experiences with both service pacing and food quality. Overall, the restaurant is frequently recommended for its generous portions, great value, and warm hospitality, making it a reliable destination for group dinners, business lunches, and special occasions.
Great space, amazing service. Food was good but nothing out of this world. Duck confit was delicious but heavy & lacking acidity in the salad to balance out.
La nourriture n'est pas mauvaise, mais très basic je dirais. J'ai prit l'entrée de calmar & le canard confit. J'ai malheureusement fait une indigestion alimentaire suite à mon souper... Le service était super bien, les serveuses & les serveurs sont très bien & super gentils! Pour ce qui est de l'ambiance, je trouvais que c'était un peu trop bruyant. C'était un peu décevant comme expérience & je regrette un peu d'y être allée pour mon anniversaire, je me me suis fiée aux avis & je dirais que ce n'est pas à la hauteur de ce qui est vanté.
Nice room, efficient servers - we were a party of 10 - but goodness the food. The flavourful salad was the high point of the meal, but might have served three - is this the Americanization of brasserie servings? The soup was thin, bland & instantly forgettable; the confit de canard looked forlorn & overcooked in a vast forest of arugula, had little flavour & no succulence & the roast potatoes underneath were meagre & hard to locate in all that foliage. A lackluster fruit salad with a tiny dollop of sherbet made dessert hardly worth the effort.'Disappointing' is the polite term for what Holder gets away with.
Nov 3, 2024
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We picked Holder for is location to our hotel, but ended up wanting to go back because it was fantastic. We sat at the bar while waiting for our table & the bar staff were great. The food at dinner was excellent. The bison mozzarella appetizer was great; duck confit, & pepperedelle dinners amazing; & the creme Brule dessert was one of the best I've ever had. The prices were very reasonable as well
Liste de vins interressante, bons plats de type bistro français. J ai bien aimé le confit de canard servi avec pommes de terre & salade d aragula, par contre la soupe à l oignons n est pas très bien balancée...
Our quest for a delightful dining experience during our weekend getaway led us to Holder, & it surpassed all our expectations. With our server Antoine offering impeccable wine & dessert recommendations, & his attentiveness ensuring our glasses were never empty, combined with the stunning bar & exquisite cuisine, we will undoubtedly be recommending this dining experience. We recommend: -Château Garraud'18, Lalande-De-Pomerol. (For a full bodied affordable red wine. Antoine's recommendation) -The Duck Confit -Crème Brûlée -MI-CUIT Au Caramel Salé (A Butterscotch style lava cake with ice cream. This was a unique dish that is hard to compare to anything else I've had. This was also a Antoine recommendation)
Duck confit was good for the first time though not as crispy as desired. Beef cheek was divine. Definitely some cool stuff on the menu, a shame we didn't have time to try dessert. Fun & attentive service too.
Beautiful space that is bright & open. Food was good & servers were friendly, however, be sure to check your receipt. My 9 year old son ordered two crepes from the kids menu for him & his 5 year old sister & we were charged for the adult crepes (description on the menu is nearly identical, so when we received the crepes, we thought they were the kids meal). We were also charged $4.50 for Americanos even though we ordered regular coffee ($3) & Americanos weren't even on the menu. When the taxes are nearly 15% on food, these extra charges add up. The server brought the bill & machine at the same time, & though I could have made a stink, it was a birthday brunch & I ended up paying the additional $20. Duck confit was very tasty, though quite oily, the crepes were beautifully presented, but tasted day-old. The mushroom casserole & poached eggs was a good comfort food dish.
My wife had the best mussels & french fries (moules & frites) since Belgium. They were amazing. The duck confit was another amazing dish - & the dessert was fantastic. The service was outstanding. We will come back next time when we are in Montreal. Highly recommended.
