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.
Excellent bar. Nice selection of martinis. I had hanger steak which was cooked perfectly, but tough. Overall a nice place, staff was great. Just would not order the steak.
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.
I had the hanger steak, wife had the paella. Paella was decent. But my steak was awful. I ordered medium rare & it came out blue. The center was completely raw & sinewy. But with this kind of place, you pay for what you get. It's cheap, i just got in to the city, wasnt about to make a scene sending food back. Nothing worth noting to be honest at this restaurant. Atmosphere was probably the best part. Food was the worst part. Service was fine, but the waiter somehow managed to spill water on the table? Waiter also didnt ask if i wanted a drink So i just didnt order a drink lol i didnt say anything & tipped normally but it's just unusal. I just wasnt impressed at all, & no real reason to be back. Cant recommend.
It is a decent French restaurant. A bit expensive (reasonable for being a French restaurant). The steak is not the best. The salad quite salty. The duck confit is okay. Not my personal favorite. Took almost 30 min to wait for the dishes. No waitress refilled our water.
OVERALL: 4/5 Food: 3/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 - Clean & Fresh Visiting beautiful Montreal & this place was recommended by a friend. The ambiance was that of a typical upscale French bistro. The service was amazing (even though we had 3 different servers in the course of our meal). We had.. - Country Vegetable Soup - light & fresh but too much salt. - Steak Frites - The fries were limp & soggy. The steak was fine. - Burrata Salad - Excellent. Enjoyed the figs. - Lemon Cream & Mascarponne Mousse - Excellent The food was absolutely amazing. The best Thai food I have eaten in the city.
After driving 7 hours to arrive in Montreal, I dropped in here for dinner. The bar staff were welcoming & friendly. They helped me with my French & Quebecois. I had the frisée salad, steak frites, & crème brûlée. All were excellent. I came back the next night for dessert with a date. More creme brûlée & the butterscotch cake. Again another phenomenal experience. PS: so glad I skipped 5 guys. I was so tired & ready to just do takeout. LOL!
Food very good if you ordered it but service was lacking. The server assumed that we wanted steak when we wanted duck. The server also had it well done when we preferred rare (like everyone else at the table). Due to lack of time, we accepted the steak but it spoiled our appetite & desire to stay.
The stars I'm giving is mainly for service, which was top notch. The food was not so good. The duck & the rack of lamb were one of the worst I tried, Hanger steak & the veal were fine. Duck confit was dry & did not taste good. Rack of lamb was not cooked well & the smell was bad.
