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Restaurant Top Pick

Holder

Montreal’s classic French brasserie destination remains the undisputed local authority on perfectly crafted tartare.

Old Montreal
4.5$$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 11:30 am
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Photo of Holder, Old Montreal - Montreal
FrenchTartareMusselsCouscousBrunchGreat selection of wines
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About

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.
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5★
71%
4★
18%
3★
5%
2★
6%
1★
0%

Mentioned in:

Holder was featured in the article(s) below.

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Reviews for Holder

Food
Service
on Google4.5 (3000+)
*as of 2026-08-01
5★
71%
4★
18%
3★
5%
2★
6%
1★
0%

Review Summary

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.
Page 3 of 8 - 76 Reviews
5.0

I love this place. Always consistent, great French bistro with a versatile menu. Decor & ambiance make this place perfect for a date. I would highly recommend if you like French cusine. I would highly recommend the clams, steak, & french onion soup. The venue is not too loud or pretentious.
A very comfortable & well-managed place to eat.

May 29, 2025
on Google

We had such an amazing meal here! I cannot recommend the food highly enough-I'm still thinking about it weeks later. We had the chicken liver pâté, the grilled salmon, & one of the fish specials of the day. All were INCREDIBLE!! Our waiter was delightful-kind, funny, & personable. We loved our experience here & will definitely come back whenever we're in Montreal next. We made a reservation for Saturday night & it seemed busy enough that it was needed. Highly recommend making one so you won't have any wait times. 10/10!

May 23, 2025
on Google

Je suis une régulière à ce restaurent. Toujours excellente nourriture & exceptionnel service! J'aimais eu aucun problème. Les week-end il y a des déjeuners & les oeufs Bénédicte sont EXCEPTIONNELS 😍😍😍 je recommande à coup sûr si vous passez à Montréal.

UDATE. Ils ont changé les oeufs Bénédictine & ont remplacé la gratin dauphinois par des patates déjeuner que j'aurais pu avoir au Cora une même plus petite portion que Cora). Un peu un décevant du déjeuner… avec une salade que je ne mange pas. Au moins les oeufs étaient bon & cuit à la perfection mais j'ai été très déçu cette mâtiné là 😢. Jus d'orange bon à l'habitude. Je vais y retourner pour dîner/souper mais j'attendrai un petit peu avant d'y retourner pour déjeuner.

De plus, la serveuse commence à nous parler en anglais, nous lui répondons que nous parlons français. Elle continue à nous parler anglais alors que nous répondons en français & lui répétons plus de 3 fois que nous parlons français avant qu'elle comprenne dans nos visages. Je sais qu'elle est nouvelle mais on lui répondait en français & on lui a dit 3 fois… le service était excellent & rapide comme d'habitude en dehors de cela.

May 5, 2025
on Google

J'ai adoré sur tous les points ! Je recommande ce restaurant sans aucun doute. Notre serveur qui se nommait Joe était tellement gentil, nous avons manqué de rien, il est exceptionnel honnêtement ! L'expérience était très agréable ! 💕

Apr 9, 2025
on Google

De loin une des meilleures brasseries de Montréal. La nourriture est bonne comme le serait n'importe quel bistro français. Même le café est bon. Le menu classique offre le choix parmi les plats les plus emblématiques de la bistronomie hexagonale, mais c'est plus cher. En tout cas je le recommande à qui veut connaître un peu la nourriture française de base, qui est déjà très bonne.

Mar 3, 2025
on Google

Beautiful location for a meal, & the flank steak is just unbelievable. Highly recommended.

Feb 12, 2025
on Google

My husband & I went to Holder for date night. The food & ambiance were amazing. I'm a vegetarian & there were many options for me (I got the fig salad as an appetizer & my main was the goat cheese tartlette & frites). My husband is a chef & carnivore & he absolutely loved his food (he got the fois gras as his appetizer & the duck confit as his main). We shared the lemon cream dessert & it was heavenly. I wish I could give the service at Holder a 20 out of 10. The service/our server was so attentive that it completely elevated our dining experience. We have been to many restaurants & would both say this was probably the best server/service we have ever had.

I would HIGHLY recommend Holder 20/10.

Feb 5, 2025
on Google

Love this place! Even though it's busy & loud but feels like it's alive! The food was excellent! Our server was super sweet, & we were lucky enough to get some VIP service ! Highly recommend especially for a group

Nov 26, 2024
on Google

Had the beef bourgignon & shepherd's pie. Both were divine. Waiter also recommended a lovely Bordeaux to pair with our meal. Overall a great place for classic french fare

Nov 25, 2024
on Google
5.0

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.

Nov 12, 2024
on Google