Located in a beautiful turn of the century building in Old Montreal, Brasserie Holder's design makes good use of its high ceilings and wide open space creating a sense of European charm that is hard to find anywhere else in town. Specializing in Old World European cuisine, Restaurant Holder is famous for its vast selection of brasserie-style seafood, pasta and meat dishes. Sample Menu items at Holder include: grilled beefsteak, steamed clams, salads, tartares, etc...
Overall, reviews describe Holder as a lively, classic French brasserie in Old Montreal with a warm, versatile atmosphere and a strong wine list. Service is repeatedly praised for attentiveness and friendliness, though a few visits note slower pacing or inconsistent attention during peak hours. The space is stylish and bustling, which can translate to a noisy environment and limited privacy, making it less ideal for quiet business meals or intimate dinners. The food earns high marks for standout dishes such as braised beef cheeks, duck confit, lobster ravioli, mussels, oysters, and French onion soup, with many diners calling the meals superb and well presented. Yet other orders have fallen flat, including greasy or under seasoned items, dry meats, or dishes that felt overpriced for the portion or quality. The menu's breadth is a strength, offering classic French bistro staples and brasserie favorites that suit groups, celebrations, or casual yet substantial lunches, with brunch and lunch service generally reliable. In sum, Holder emerges as a dependable, high energy spot with many standout plates and gracious service, but experiences can vary by dish and by the tempo of the room.
We had a wonderful experience at Lunch today - The food was delicious & the service was outstanding. We enjoyed the ambience & decor of the restaurant along with the great selection of background music. Each item served was executed with great care & attention to details. Would highly recommend.
Jul 8, 2024
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Près de 10 expériences dans ce restaurant. Je garde un excellent souvenir des années 2014-2015. Plus les années passent, plus je reste mitigé &'sur ma faim' en quittant ce joli restaurant. Repas du 7 juillet 2024 : fish n chips quelconque, sans goût, fade. La mayonnaise qui accompagnait le plat formait une croûte sur le rebord du contenant. Frites acceptables. Second plat : le saumon accompagné d'une gigantesque portion de purée de pommes de terre. Je garde ce seul souvenir de mon repas : une surdose de purée acidulée. Mon voisin de table : un excellent plat de pâtes. Bon, enfin du bon. Ma voisine de table : une acceptable salade de mozza fraîche, d'une simplicité déconcertante. & la gaspacho? Je suis mitigé. La présentation des plats est très ordinaire. Je m'attendais à mieux. Depuis mes 4 ou 5 dernières visites chez Holder, je ne suis jamais sorti en me disant que le repas était délicieux. Dommage. Les plus chez Holder ; le service irréprochable des jeunes hommes, le décor spacieux & élégant & la carte des vins.
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.
One of the best restaurants i've been to during my trip in montreal. The oysters, foie gras, & the beef tartare was amazing & certainly worth the price. Will definitely come back again!
Jul 1, 2024
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A fine spot. The handmade pasta was quite nice, & they make a quality White Russian as far as I'm concerned. There was nothing too brilliant here, just competently made cuisine. The price seems a touch high here compared to some other nicer downtown options, but you will definitely leave satisfied.
Ça ne vaut pas le détour. Sauce de paella avec goût incertain, les aliments étaient de qualité, portion de riz insuffisante. Tartare de saumon portion repas était correct sans plus, servi avec un seul croûton! Salade verte, sans goût ni épices. Service courtois mais novice. Établissement propre.
Can be a bit loud, overall would recommend for brunch & lunch but dinner can be hit or miss. Their beef isn't great, on the tougher side. Lobster ravioli is excellent.
Un classique de Montreal! J'ai d'ailleurs choisi deux entrées très classiques la soupe de poisson avec la rouille & la salade frisée aux lardons & mon mari a pris la salade d'endives avec le tartare. Tout était impeccable!
Jun 19, 2024
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I had one of the best meals of my life tonight. The atmosphere was perfect. The wine suggestion given by Fred along with the food was 5 stars all around. I am beyond satisfied. The food was fresh & the service was perfect. I hope to go back again soon!
We came for lunch - service was lovely & friendly. Refilled our waters at least 12 times. This restaurant honestly floored my expectations. Best French onion soup I've ever had, best duck confit I've ever had & best French fries we've ever had. The mussels were good but not as incredible as everything else. Also the chocolate ganache cake was incredible. All around amazing experience I highly recommend this place.
Nous étions un gros groupe le samedi de la formule 1. Un service courtois, rapide & des plats excellents! Le tartare de saumon & le chèvre chaud en entrée étaient excellents! & pour le plat de résistance nous avons essayé le veau de lait sauce marsala dont la cuisson était parfaite & les pâtes aux champignons & pancetta. Je recommande fortement! Nous reviendrons!
