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.
Jardin Nelson mesmerized us! It's definitely a memorable, out-of-the-ordinary place. The space is beautiful & unique: there is no traditional roof, so you can see the sky while sitting inside under elegant coverings & greenery. It creates a very special atmosphere.
There is live music & it is absolutely beautiful. Combined with the many flowers & plants everywhere, the whole place feels vibrant & magical.
The food is exquisite, beautifully presented & delicious. The service was excellent.
It was a delightful experience for our family. A place we will definitely remember!
Mar 15, 2026
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Magnifique endroit rempli de végétation & où parfois des musiciens & une chanteuse offre un spectacle dont nous pouvons profiter en prenant un verre ou un repas.
Such a dreamy outdoor setting for lunch with friends in the old port. A courtyard with birds flying around & so many flowers, & not to forget live music (& some heaters!). This was October 18th just before the seasonal closure. Food was delicious. Till next year we shall meet again!
Excellent atmosphere!
The live music is always lovely.
The staff might not be as *fast* as imagined because of high patron occupancy. The service is still good, though.
Food is delicious, some dishes are surprisingly large.
Atmosphere was phenomenal, loved the live music & wonderful staff -both of which were great distractions from the extremely mediocre food. With such a beautiful location & talented musicians, I would expect the food to match!
Nice terrase with live jazz music to grab something to eat or drink.
Everything was alright, except for the quality of the salmon in the salmon avocado toast - it's clearly not good & the taste is not the best. Apart from that, the salad & its dressing was great.
I would like to come back & try other parts of the menu.
Sep 28, 2025
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It's a very nice restaurant. Truly such a beautiful vibe, great live music. & the food is great.
we came during end of September & the weather is beautiful. We sat at the patio side since there was a huge line to the garden & we have a plane to catch.
But once the food came, a hoard of wasps came. They enjoyed the food before I even got to my plate. There were multiple wasps that would round all the tables. I got the maple glazed baby back ribs, which were delicious (from the few bites that I got) but it really attracted the wasps.
The waitress saw I was very uncomfortable with the wasps touching my food, so she brought a plate of homemade repellent with lemon, lavender, cinnamon & lemongrass. It helped a bit, but they soon came back after I got a few more bites in.
I had to give up on my food. I touched majority of the seafood on my tostadas & ate 1/4 ribs.
But the wasps definitely just landed & made my lunch theirs.
Other guests at nearby tables were also having the same issue & were using napkins to cover their food as much as possible.
So just be prepared for the pests when you come, & maybe don't order the baby back ribs.
The crepe seemed fine though. The wasps weren't as attracted to it
Delicious shrimp & seafood tostada to start.
Mains were duck confit with summer salad & shepherd's pie with duck: both were very good.
Beautiful ambiance & live music. Good service.
We went in the back, they have a beautiful terrace with live music. It's not loud, just perfect to be able to have a conversation & hear the music in the background.
We had : brie, calamari, pizza & salmon lasagna.
They food was delicious & the portions a very decent size. I took an appetizer & I couldn't finish my main course.
Our waiter was so nice & caring.
Had a great time at Jardin Nelson in Old Montreal! The food & drinks were good overall. The pizza wasn't the best I've had, but still worth trying. The crêpe, on the other hand, was absolutely awesome. The atmosphere really makes this place special, beautiful setting with live music that adds so much to the experience. Definitely a spot worth visiting if you're in the area!
Aug 25, 2025
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Jardin Nelson is one of the best restaurants that I have ever been to. The service & food are outstanding! The ambience in the courtyard was magical, especially with the live music & singing. Highly recommend!!! p.s. if you see a long line, don't worry, it moves very quickly
JN is one of those rare gems in Montreal where the ambience completely steals the show. Whether it's during the day or evening, the relaxed atmosphere, live jazz, & beautiful greenery-enhanced by a whimsical rainwater system trickling through umbrella canopies-create a truly unique experience. Unfortunately, the food doesn't match the setting; the pizza is disappointing, the chicken burger is just okay, & the cocktails are decent at best. Its kids friendly & they provide coloring set to kids, but make sure your kids enjoy the live music & not ruin the experience;-)! Still, despite the mediocre food, I find myself going back again & again for the charm & vibe alone.
This is the only restaurant I go to each time I'm in Montreal.
It is so unique.
You must sit in the back for the experience.
The food was good.
Love the sangria.
Good live music.
We had such a good time here.
Highly recommend!
Jul 28, 2025
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This is a must try restaurant in Montreal. The vibes & atmosphere are next level. Ask to sit in the back courtyard if available, it's 100% worth it! The decor, the music (live jazz) really bring the restaurant to life. The food is decent, we had the tostadas as starters & pancakes as main. Pretty good but nothing amazing. But the environment really makes the restaurant unique! Great drink selection, perfect outdoor brunch spot on a nice summer day!
We had a really lovely dinner at Jardin Nelson in Montreal. The atmosphere was warm & full of life - especially because of the live music. There were several musicians performing while we dined, & it added something really special to the experience. During jazz festival season, it's even more vibrant, with music floating through the air & talented artists keeping everyone entertained. It feels like one of those classic Montreal spots where you just want to linger.
The food was absolutely delicious. The chef did an excellent job - everything we ordered was fresh, full of flavor, & beautifully presented. The menu is rich & diverse, so everyone in our group found something they really enjoyed, whether it was seafood, vegetarian dishes, or something light & refreshing.
Our waitress, Melina, was amazing - friendly, attentive, & genuinely warm. She made us feel welcome & taken care of throughout the whole meal.
The desserts were also fantastic - a perfect way to end the evening. Overall, the service, the food, & the live music created a memorable night. If you're visiting Montreal, Jardin Nelson is definitely worth a stop.
