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 provides a consistently welcoming atmosphere in the heart of Montreal, celebrated for its classic French-inspired brasserie cuisine and vibrant energy. Guests frequently praise the high quality of dishes like the duck confit, beef tartare, and French onion soup, noting both the generous portions and the elegant presentation of the meals. The restaurant stands out for its exceptional service, with many diners highlighting the attentive, friendly, and professional staff who contribute to a memorable experience for families, business professionals, and tourists alike. While the dining room can become lively and energetic due to its popularity, most visitors appreciate the sophisticated yet comfortable setting, making it a reliable destination for a high-quality meal.
Je suis allée souper avec des amis samedi dernier au Holder & c'était ma première fois. Je suis enchantée avec ce super beau restaurant!!!
La décoration est magnifique, la nourriture excellente (j'ai mangé de moules & elles étaient délicieuses!) & le service superb!!! Un gros merci à Melissa, la gérante du resto qui a été super gentille & serviable.
Decided to lunch here after reading the reviews.
Staff were both friendly, pleasant & helpful. Great ambience & well appointed.
My wife ordered the French onion soup & the beef tatare (her favourite) for the entrée. I had the warm goat cheese & beef cheek for the entrée.
My order was fabulous. Loved it. My wife was a wee bit disappointed with hers. The soup was below average & her beef tartare was average fare.
We'll try Vallier tomorrow as we're here for a few days.
We visited Holder on the evening of August 30th &, due to our own mistake, had made a reservation for the wrong date. Despite this, the Maitre d' greeted us with incredible politeness & professionalism. She went out of her way to find us a high table at the bar, & we were so grateful.
The excellent service continued with our server, Gabrielle, who was simply fantastic throughout our meal. The entire staff made us feel welcome.
The food was just as impressive as the service. We started with the Paysanne & French Onion soups, & both were great. For our main courses, the confit de canard was delicious, & the onglet was cooked perfectly.
The restaurant itself has a wonderful, lively ambiance that makes for a great dining experience. We were thoroughly impressed with everything at Holder, from the accommodating staff to the outstanding food. We highly recommend it!
I came here with my partner to celebrate my new marathon PR at the Marathon Beneva de Montréal & it was amazing. The french onion soup was the best I've ever had, & my partner said his favourite meal throughout his entire trip was his entree: Duck Confit. The portions were fantastic & we were both amazed by how fast our food orders came up. Our server was a kind gentleman who was very attentive & polite. Would strongly recommend!
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.
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!
