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.
Holder is a restaurant where you can expect Superbly executed French standard cuisine, a bustling yet relaxed brasserie atmosphere & more importantly, exceptional service. The wait staff will adjust the pace of service to your desires; if you want to be in & out in 45 minutes, that can be done; if however you want to have time to enjoy yourself between the apéro & the apetizers & the main course, that can be done, & the friendly staff will be more than accommodating.
I have been to Holder a few times over the years but it has gone downhill of late relying not on the quality of food & service but rather a constant stream of tourists.
In August 2025..... the steak was quite chewy & dry & the duck dry while portions had both shrunk & prices inflated. Service was slow too. Find somewhere else to go.
Une belle vaste salle à manger. Propre & invitante. Un menu varié alléchant composé de classiques de la cuisine française. Emplacement de choix. Une institution à Montréal.
I arrived to Montreal from Ontario & had to come here. I made a late reservation & they still accepted me. I was given an excellent window seat, & felt extremely welcomed. My server was wonderful. I started with 24 oysters. They tasted good & were fresh ($2 each). I paired it with a Prosecco! Afterwards I had the duck confit. It was delicious! The duck could've been juicer, but overall the flavour & textures were wonderful. Truly a beautiful experience with fast reliable service. I ended the night with a night cap, a boulevardier! Everything was tasty, fresh & worth it. I highly recommend this place for some French cuisine!
Holder ofrece un ambiente elegante pero relajado, con una carta variada de inspiración francesa. El pulpo destaca por su cocción precisa y textura tierna, acompanado de guarniciones que realzan su sabor sin opacarlo.
El servicio es atento y la presentación de los platos cuidada. El local, amplio y animado, es ideal tanto para comidas de negocios como para cenas informales con un toque sofisticado.
Yummy French food our first meal in Montreal did not disappoint
Coming from California we were inspired to try foie gras everything we ordered was exceptional including the crème brûlée
We missed the butterscotch lava cake
Recommend this place if you are in the area
It was really a great night. The cuisine is really good, the mussels are top notch. Will definitely be back for more however the calamari were a bit chewy. Overall tasty
We had a spectacular meal at Holder last night. My wife & I shared oysters, calamari & a fish & chips dinner with a nice bottle of reasonably priced wine / with perfectly dine crème brine for dessert. The real bonus though was the exceptional waiter - Philip - who found the perfect balance of being attentive without being intrusive. He seemed to know just before me when my water or wine needed refilling. Johan who also attended to us was also awesome. Highly recommend!
Aug 5, 2025
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We have nothing to complain about this place other than the fact that why it took us so long to come here?!! Everything that the whole table ordered were good & no one had anything bad to say about the food, the drinks or the service! We would definitely come back! ❤?
What another wonderful experience at Holder! The food is absolutely incredible, generous & well priced. We are regular customers, & every time we go, we leave with such a happy feeling. The staff is so welcoming, helpful & most of all they don't judge you or make you feel bad if you ask for more bread or if your toddler drops a fork 🤦?♀?they are so kind, professional & quick to respond (& always with a smile!). They cater to all kinds of guests, from a romantic night, to a celebration, a solo supper or a family friendly meal. This adaptability makes them so unique & special. A special thank you to our waiter (blond women with glasses, sorry I don't remember her name), the manager at the reception & all the staff helping out picking up plates & serving more water. Thank you for being one of the best restaurants we've ever experience in Montreal & across the world, & we will continue coming until we grow old 💕
