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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$$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 11:30 am
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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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4.5794 ratings
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 2026-08-15
4.5794 ratings
5★
71%
4★
18%
3★
5%
2★
6%
1★
0%
Write your review

Reviews often mention

french(85) recommend(64) beef(59) duck(51) confit(50) tartare(48) dessert(47) soup(46) attentive(42) duck confit(41) steak(41) wine(39)

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 18 of 51 - 505 Reviews
Lina
5.0

Perfect from the beginning to the end. The hostess was welcoming like to her own home. The waiter was thoughtful & attentive. The food was most delicious.

Jun 7, 2025
on Google
Ali
4.0

Atmosphere & service were excellent. I ordered a steak & it was way overdone. The soup tasted like Campbell. The chocolate mousse was excellent though.

Jun 5, 2025
on Google
Alex
4.0

Toujours aussi qualitatif qu'à l habitude. Un incontournable de Montreal

Jun 3, 2025
on Google
Wedyan
5.0

I like the omelette 👌

Jun 1, 2025
on Google
G
5.0

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.

May 29, 2025
on Google
Aggie
5.0

This is my second year here & I ordered the same entree- the braised beef cheeks.
It was not as tender as last time & the sauce was very salty this time. Super busy restaurant even on a weekday. It makes it difficult to listen to someone talking across from you.

May 27, 2025
on Google
Phil
5.0

Went for a brunch with friends. They were able to accommodate a group of 8 with advance notice. Got the French Toast & honestly the best I have ever had. I still think about it & dream about it till this day. Service was amazing & the food was of quality. The drink assortments were of high quality also.

May 27, 2025
on Google
Vanessa
5.0

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.

Also, the seating is beautiful but not cushy.

May 26, 2025
on Google
Greg
3.0

Food is fine - a totally average experience

Baffled as to why this seems to get rave reviews. I can only imagine people have low expectations.

The best part about this is the food, which is totally fine. That's the best I can say about it. There's clearly been some thought behind food combinations & flavour, but it wasn't executed to perfection, & came out so quickly that it made us question how fresh it was.

Service is fine, but doesn't extend beyond that, & it has a very'corporate' feel that makes it hard to relax.

If you want a fine meal where you know exactly what to expect then this is the place for you, but we won't be rushing back here.

May 24, 2025
on Google
Olivier
3.0

Le serveur était condescendant.

May 24, 2025
on Google
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