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.
My partner & I came on Sunday evening before a show, our waiter took our order & after an hour & 3 minutes we didn't receive anything-not even a water refill. At first we understood that it was busy but even people who were seated after us were receiving their food. Due to us being on a time limit due to our show we asked for the check so we can leave, the waiter brought the check & said he would bring the food in a take out, we then waited an additional 15 minutes & ultimately left. Bad service - everyone in our section didn't even receive a water refill.p
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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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.
Nous étions un groupe de 8 personnes & nos attentes étaient élevées. Endroit vraiment magnifique avec un excellent service (merci Eric!). Plats servis étaient délicieux & bien présentés. La proprio (sympathique)est même venue nous saluer. Je recommande vivement!
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!
Jul 12, 2025
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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.
I stumbled across this beautiful restaurant while exploring Old Montreal & boy am I glad I did. The vibe of the patio was so warm & welcoming, the roast pork sandwich on rosemary focaccia bread was delicious, & fries were perfect. I also enjoyed the white wine sangria & would absolutely order all of this again. Our server was kind & prompt, & the jazz in the background was really enjoyable. If I'm back in Montreal again soon, I will definitely come back.
When we arrived, the hostess outside asked how many people were in our party & told us to head inside. Once inside, there was no hostess at the podium & no one in line, so we assumed we could seat ourselves, especially since the restaurant was only half full. We chose a table & sat down, but shortly after, a waiter approached us &, rather rudely, said,'You have to wait for the hostess to seat you. You can't just sit down,' before walking off to go get the hostess. We then got up & walked back over to the hostess, & when we asked if we could sit at the same table we had already chosen, she said there was no issue at all & brought us right back to it. It felt unnecessary & a bit awkward, especially since there were so many empty tables & no clear direction at the entrance. Thankfully, our waitress was incredibly kind & the service from her was excellent. It's just unfortunate that the initial interaction with the waiter made the start of our experience feel unwelcoming.
We had the most amazing experiences here. The food was amazing & the service was fantastic. Ameli, server was awesome she helped us navigate through the menu & made if this an unforgettable experience.
Service was good & our waitress was very nice but for the rest I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. The worst chicken burger I had, the bun was burnt & stale. Chunky piece of hard chicken not even tasty. Mediocre fries & had a Pina colada which taste just like syrup. The table for 4 people was very small outside & we hardly even had room for our plates on the table. We were very uncomfortably seated in an over crowded area. I heard of this place before & always wanted to try it but honestly there is nothing really special about this place except for the live jazz music which was nice. For such an overpriced menu there are way nicer & better restaurants in Montreal!
Expérience à vivre dans le Vieux-Montreal. Le décor enchanteur est enivrant, le choix de plats est varié & accessible à tous les goûts. On est dehors mais protégés de la pluie s'il en tombe. L'ambiance était agrémentée de musiciens. J'ai beaucoup aimé mon expérience!
