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.
Atmosphere & service were excellent. I ordered a steak & it was way overdone. The soup tasted like Campbell. The chocolate mousse was excellent though.
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
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This place seems classic. Lots of business people, family celebrations, & special occasions.
The fish soup & mushroom pistachio pasta with the QC Chardonnay btg was the perfect seasoning.
Philippe was a pro server. My husband enjoyed the French Onion soup & hanger steak, the chef's choice of prep.
This was my birthday meal out. I have no regrets!
The only thing lacking in the atmosphere was the sound level. I think this place is best for groups of three or more. For some reason it was loud for the two of us but really, we managed fine.
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.
We came here with some business vendors who took us out for dinner. The inside is very classy & chique. & our waiter was very friendly & attentive during the whole meal. We started with some appetizers of oysters, steak tartare, foie gras & French onion soup. My main was the lobster ravioli. We finished with a few dessert samplings including crème brûlée. It was an amazing meal. Everything was delicious! I will definitely come back here when I'm back in Montreal!
The food is the star of this restaurant: lobster ravioli, flank, fries from the flank in the truffle lobster ravioli sauce, or gnocchi, all delicious. French onion soup for the first time was wonderfully cheesy & a peppery depth to the sauce. A regular for us when visiting Montréal each year.
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.
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.
