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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$$
OPEN11:30 am - 10:30 pm
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
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 11 of 50 - 500 Reviews

We came here on a Saturday without a reservation, but since we arrived before 5 p.m., there was no wait & no problem getting a table.

The staff were wonderful-so friendly & patient! They noticed we were non-French-speaking tourists & took the time to explain the menu & specials to us, which we really appreciated.

Everything was delicious! If you're traveling with young kids & want to enjoy elevated food without breaking the bank-& in a warm, welcoming atmosphere-this is definitely the place for you.

The calamari was an instant family favorite, the lobster ravioli & duck confit were both perfect, & the mussels were not only tasty but came in a huge portion!

If I ever visit Montreal again, I'll definitely be back for dinner here!

Oct 21, 2025
on Google

Expérience incroyable au Holder grâce à Dominique!
Je suis venue manger avec mon conjoint pour sa fête & nous avons adoré l'ambiance, le repas & la joie de Dominique!! :)

Oct 12, 2025
on Google

Wow superbe service de la gérante Mélissa & la serveuse, nourriture excellente un must comme resto à Montréal

Oct 11, 2025
on Google

Service attentif & chaleureux. Plats délicieux. Atmosphère très agréable. Un de mes restaurants préférés dans le Vieux-Montréal.

Oct 11, 2025
on Google

Simple food done very well. Great choice of stone & scotch. Excellent service. All in all a great expérience. The reason of 4 start not 5 is because the price. For the what the food was it was to expensive. But other than that 👍

Oct 10, 2025
on Google

Excellent repas (8/10/2025) & soirée mémorable passée en compagnie de mon fils de 24 ans pour souligner son succès lors de son examen en Finances (Papa pas peu fier!).

En résumé:
Accueil chaleureux & efficace.
Service rapide & courtois (malgré une soirée très achalandée).
Douzaine d'huîtres (Belles de Jour) fraiches & bien servies, avec choix sur le plat de deux mignonettes (celle avec miso, ciboulette & sirop d'érable particulièrement appréciée).
Excellentes suggestions de vin blanc & rouge.
Entrée de foie gras avec gelée & pain brioché: délicieux (apparence, goût & texture) & portion abondante.
Entrecôte de boeuf: excellente, portion généreuse de viande, bonne coupe, cuite à perfection selon cuisson spécifiée, accompagnement de purée de pommes de terre savoureuse avec petits légumes cuits à perfection.
Présentations élégantes dans l'assiette pour l'ensemble des plats choisis.

À la sortie de la pandémie j'avais eu des expériences très inégales (surtout au niveau des plats quant à leur qualité globale y compris la présentation). Mes expériences pendant la dernière année me réconcilient avec bonheur avec ce restaurant.

Le Holder conserve donc haut la main une place de choix qui m'est chère parmi les nombreuses offres au coeur de Montréal.
Bel endroit indémodable pour son décor (la frise peinte en haut des murs pourrait cependant être changée car, à mon avis, elle jure avec l'ensemble de l'harmonie du décor. À chacune de mes visites je déplore qu'elle y soit encore. Particulièrement dommage compte tenu de la beauté classique du lieu.
Niveau de bruit beaucoup plus acceptable que la plupart des bistrots/restaurants classiques de Montréal malgré l'important achalandage.
Très bonne ambiance.
Service élégant & professionnel.
Bravo!

Oct 9, 2025
on Google

J'ai mangé au holder un midi pour une tablée de 4 personnes.
Très bon restaurant, bon choix de plats, la cuisine & les ingrédients sont de qualité. Le bon service est au rdv, très professionnel & prévenant. Le prix reste assez élevé mais malheureusement c'est le cas de beaucoup de restaurants. Je recommande le holde

Oct 6, 2025
on Google

Quelle magnifique soirée grâce à Coralie & Mélissa ! Nous avons adoré chaque instant, de la délicieuse nourriture à l'atmosphère chaleureuse. Un grand merci

Oct 3, 2025
on Google

A wonderful evening filled with fantastic food, excellent service & a great vibe. The staff were attentive but knew how to leave you alone. About the food-wow! Each course was perfect. Our server, DoDo (Dominque) was such a joyful woman. Completely positive recommendation.

Oct 3, 2025
on Google

Love this place, showed up without a reservation & the maitre d' took care of everything! Service was astounding... chef's thank you so much for making our first visit to Montreal a memorable experience!

Oct 1, 2025
on Google