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.
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.
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.
Great food, service, & atmosphere. Loved the onion soup, lobster ravioli, & braised beef cheek was just amazing! Tender, flavorful, with delicious mashed potatoes underneath it with crunchy sring beans. Would definitely visit this place again next time I'm in Montreal!
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...
This was truly one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The food here is beyond delicious, even down to the free bread. We ordered the French onion soup, the grilled hanger steak with shallots & fries, the pappardelle with mushrooms, pine nuts, & pancetta, & a side of sautéed rapini. Everything exceeded our already high expectations. For dessert, we ordered the butterscotch mi-cuit with Maldon salt & butterscotch ice cream- I don't think I've ever had a better dessert. The wine selection is fantastic & my boyfriend loved the cider on tap! If you find yourself in Montréal, this place is a must!
My husband got sick from eating mussels here :/ - servers seemed to serve certain customers over others seemingly along racial lines, it was a frustrating experience & the food could have been better overall. There are gluten free options here including the onion soup but be aware the onion soup is a wine reduction & tastes different than your typical onion soup. Also note the regular menu is not available during brunch service.