Le Jardin Nelson, housed in an historic building that dates back to 1812 in Montreal's Old Montreal, is known for its large, heated outdoor terrace. Le Jardin Nelson specializes in crepes, pizzas and salads but the crepes are the most popular. Enjoy live classical music during lunch and a jazz singer during the evenings on the terrace.
Reviews describe Jardin Nelson as a picturesque Old Montreal spot with a lush courtyard and a lively terrace, where live jazz and a warm, relaxed vibe elevate meals. The setting is repeatedly praised for its greenery and ambience, with heaters making outdoor dining comfortable even as crowds gather. Service is typically described as attentive and friendly, though some guests note slower pacing during busy times and occasional inconsistencies. Dishes receive mixed verdicts, with many praising seafood, duck, crepes, and cocktails, while a few meals feel overpriced or underwhelming. Overall the standout draw is the ambiance and musical atmosphere, with many recommending a visit to enjoy the vibe and come back to explore more of the menu.
We were there in June. Nice dining atmosphere with a live jazz band entertainment. Felt like we were in France dining alfresco. Food was good but rather pricey.
The Jardin is a very nice place & I'll admit that the atmosphere & the vibes of this place is top notch. It's a lovely place to get into if you can, though it is often extremely busy. Personally, if you're in the area & there isn't a line, it's a great place to drop in & enjoy. Gotta shout out the jazz band too. I just don't think that it's worth the long wait most people need to go through to get into it.
Jul 27, 2025
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Really nice experience at Jardin Nelson. The service was impeccable! We ordered 2 appetizers: Breaded & baked calamary & Brie with dried tomatoes & basil. Then ordered Pizza Charcutière & Du marché. All was amazing! The drinks were very good also. Had lychee martini (amazing) & a glass of red wine.
The atmosphere is superb, there is a live band playing & the ambiance is really nice as the seating area is outside in a huge garden. They have lots of heaters so dont worry if the weather is cold, you wont feel cold once seated.
Other things to note is that they do not accept groups of more than 6, which is perfectly fine to keep the noise level normal with the band playing.
Overall experience is a 10/10
I went there a few times, evrything on the menu is good. Love the outside courtyard, it make it special & different from other places especially when the jazz band is playing.
Disappointing, expected much better. Server fell far below even average. It felt like we were imposing upon her. Didn't care for that. The chowder was quite good & very tasty. We ordered what she called an American ice tea but it really tasted like a sweet & sour mixer - unlike any ice tea we've ever encountered. The Jazz band was good, but the service was very poor.
A must place to dine in the old port of Montreal. Great vibe with the jazz band, amazing food & service...highly recommend & I will definitely be back again.
Oct 1, 2024
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Tjr aimé la cour intérieure avec les fleurs. Ce jour même un live band Menu variés, prix assez bons pour le vieux port. Nourriture arrivée très rapidement avec une présentation un peu sub par, mais c'était bon. Le service était bon, mais un peu précipité. Pourtant il n'y avait pas de file d'attente & plusieurs tables étaient vides. Overall très recommandable 4.2
Très bonne table dans un quartier certes touristique mais dont le rapport qualité/prix est tout à fait correct pour Montréal ( & le quartier). Nous en avons eu pour 263 cad à 4 en se faisant plaisir (43€/pers). Service nickel, merci Dany ! La qualité est au RDV. Nous avons passé une bonne soirée. Les 4 étoiles pour l'ambiance tiennent au fait que ns étions collés au jazz band, ce qui nous obligeait à parler fort. Mais la musique est très agréable. Attn ! Pas de réservation possible & fermeture à 22h. Nous y étions à 18h30 & c'était quasi complet un mercredi soir.
Went around 8 PM on a Sunday & were pleasantly surprised by the short wait; it seems like the service is quite efficient. Ordered a small pitcher of lychee sangria that was quite delicious & fresh, albeit quite sweet. We weren't too hungry, so we only shared a charcuterie pizza. There was A LOT of meat on it. While tasty, it quickly became too salty. We mainly came for the live jazz band, which did not disappoint. They played many recognizable songs. Ultimately, we did slightly wish we went somewhere else for our last night in Montreal as it was obviously a tourist spot. That being said, the terrace atmosphere was beautiful & the live jazz was top-notch, making the visit worth it.
Aug 12, 2024
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Siobhan made the experience exceptional. The crepes made me wish I had a second stomach. I had the Nelson. My wife had a crepe with mushrooms & Brie. dessert was equally as amazing. The atmosphere & the live jazz band made it so I did not want to leave. Don't overlook this place when you visit!
Jun 13, 2024
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What an amazing atmosphere! They have amazing live jazz band which added to the experience! Food was pretty good but what made the experience exceptional was our server Kevin. Despite it being so busy at the restaurant, he made us feel so welcome & was so attentive throughout the evening. He was truly the best & so kind!!! Can't wait to return when I come back to Montreal. Shoutout to Kevin!!
I never wait in line to eat. Ever. Why would I wait to give up my money. Today I had no choice because we were with other people. & am I glad I did.
After 20 minutes we were seated in the middle of this huge, multi-level outdoor restaurant, built in between other buildings. Foliage spills from the roofs. A live jazz band plays. Hundreds of happy hungry people are seated. The servers are busy, but take the time to make you feel welcome. Most of the lunch time prices seem to be below $30. The plates are plentiful & delicious. I could not stop looking around; so much to see & hear. Bathrooms downstairs.
A wonderful experience.
