Located in a beautiful turn of the century building in Old Montreal, Brasserie Holder's design makes good use of its high ceilings and wide open space creating a sense of European charm that is hard to find anywhere else in town. Specializing in Old World European cuisine, Restaurant Holder is famous for its vast selection of brasserie-style seafood, pasta and meat dishes. Sample Menu items at Holder include: grilled beefsteak, steamed clams, salads, tartares, etc...
Overall, reviews describe Holder as a lively, classic French brasserie in Old Montreal with a warm, versatile atmosphere and a strong wine list. Service is repeatedly praised for attentiveness and friendliness, though a few visits note slower pacing or inconsistent attention during peak hours. The space is stylish and bustling, which can translate to a noisy environment and limited privacy, making it less ideal for quiet business meals or intimate dinners. The food earns high marks for standout dishes such as braised beef cheeks, duck confit, lobster ravioli, mussels, oysters, and French onion soup, with many diners calling the meals superb and well presented. Yet other orders have fallen flat, including greasy or under seasoned items, dry meats, or dishes that felt overpriced for the portion or quality. The menu's breadth is a strength, offering classic French bistro staples and brasserie favorites that suit groups, celebrations, or casual yet substantial lunches, with brunch and lunch service generally reliable. In sum, Holder emerges as a dependable, high energy spot with many standout plates and gracious service, but experiences can vary by dish and by the tempo of the room.
I recently dined at a fantastic restaurant with a fantastic atmosphere. I was fortunate enough to sit by the window on a rainy day, which created the perfect ambiance-there's something so relaxing about watching the rain while enjoying a meal. The food was equally impressive. I started with the French onion soup, which was rich & flavorful, with just the right balance of savory & sweet. For the entrée, I opted for the tartare de saumon, & it did not disappoint-fresh, vibrant, & perfectly seasoned. Overall, a delightful experience, & I highly recommend both the soup & the tartare de saumon for anyone visiting.
The food was phenomenal! We enjoyed the lobster ravioli, the beef special, & the butterscotch mi cuit. The staff were kind & the service was fast. Highly recommend that you make a reservation for this fabulous restaurant.
Oct 23, 2024
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Food is spectacular, & the price is fair. I ordered the Papardelle with mushrooms & pancetta. It was tremendously good! Service is very efficient too. & the place is beautiful, charming, with a big bar in the background. I recommend this place 100/100! Because I'll be back for sure!
Great place, would highly recommend going if you're in Montreal. The beef cheek was really good. Good food, busy & a bit crowded but good atmosphere in general. Recommend a reservation. The service was particularly good! We ate there on October 4, & our server Joe was incredible. Never had to wait on anything, quick on new drinks, great recommendations, & just a pleasure to talk with.
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)
We didn't have reservations, just got to town; place was packed...the squeezed us in & I'm glad they did! The decor the long bar in the restaurant is magnificent. The large space, the music, close tables, people talking makes for a very nice ambience. Food was exceptional! Highly recommend going there!
Wonderful full-service restaurant on Rue McGill on the edge of Old Montreal. Delicious French-inspired food steak, pasta, seafood, salads. Spacious brasserie style room. Excellent wine & cocktails. Highly recommended.
Sep 25, 2024
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Delightful setting with just the right balance of sophisticated & casual. The service is impeccable, the staff works together like a well oiled machine. The star of the evening is the food! It's fresh, well prepared, & flavorful. We had the paella, salmon, & lobster ravioli, all of which were cooked just right. Oh, & leave room for dessert. The comfort food of sucre a la creme & the truffles au chocolat Guayaquil were all to die for! Highly recommend. Ask for Pierre Gabriel for impeccable service.
I'm so impressed with this place! The design is stylish & modern, creating a warm & inviting atmosphere. But the real showstopper is the food , it's absolutely mouthwatering! The steak is cooked to perfection, & the caramelized onions add a sweet & savory flavor that complements it perfectly. I'm a total steak lover, & this dish exceeded my expectations. If you're a fellow steak enthusiast or just looking for a great dining experience, I highly recommend checking this place out. You won't be disappointed!
Une cuisine française très correcte & sans prétention, au travers d'un service du même registre, qui en font une adresse idéale pour un déjeuner ou dîner improvisé. Cuisine simple & relativement bien exécutée. Choix des vins au verre assez conséquent pour Montréal, & plutôt traditionnel (merci pour ça 🙏). Je recommande 👍
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.
Delicious meal, great service, no issue getting a table for one when they were very busy, beautiful ambiance, looking forward to eating here again next time I'm in Montréal. Highly recommend the French onion soup, creme brule..
Jul 29, 2024
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We had a wonderful experience at Lunch today - The food was delicious & the service was outstanding. We enjoyed the ambience & decor of the restaurant along with the great selection of background music. Each item served was executed with great care & attention to details. Would highly recommend.
To start, the ambiance & look of the restaurant are absolutely outstanding. & the service was fast & the staff were very kind & helpful. An excellent choice if you're looking to celebrate a birthday or anniversary. We opted to share the seafood paella, which was listed as a main, & it exceeded our expectations. The server recommended a spicy twist on the classic beef tartare, which was delightful. However, the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the chicken paté, which was extraordinary. For our main courses, we enjoyed the hanger steak, braised beef, lobster ravioli, & duck confit. Each dish was exquisite & worth trying, but the lobster ravioli stood out as my personal favorite. Holder is a must-visit in Montreal.
Can be a bit loud, overall would recommend for brunch & lunch but dinner can be hit or miss. Their beef isn't great, on the tougher side. Lobster ravioli is excellent.
We came for lunch - service was lovely & friendly. Refilled our waters at least 12 times. This restaurant honestly floored my expectations. Best French onion soup I've ever had, best duck confit I've ever had & best French fries we've ever had. The mussels were good but not as incredible as everything else. Also the chocolate ganache cake was incredible. All around amazing experience I highly recommend this place.
Nous étions un gros groupe le samedi de la formule 1. Un service courtois, rapide & des plats excellents! Le tartare de saumon & le chèvre chaud en entrée étaient excellents! & pour le plat de résistance nous avons essayé le veau de lait sauce marsala dont la cuisson était parfaite & les pâtes aux champignons & pancetta. Je recommande fortement! Nous reviendrons!
