Jiao, is a dim sum restaurant-bar concept in Old Montreal. It will offer dumplings, bao (Chinese) buns and seafood dim sum in different ways. Beautiful large lanterns and a u-shaped central bar provide a great ambiance to eat or have a drink.
JIAO DIM SUM BAR comes across as a lively Montreal spot with a bar vibe, great music and a vibe that works for groups or a date night. The service is frequently praised for speed and friendliness, though a few reviews mention slower moments during busy times and occasional miscommunications. The food earns broad admiration for flavor and freshness, with many dishes described as tasty and enjoyable, while others note inconsistency and some items being overly salty or not meeting expectations, and some diners feel the menu tilts toward a Westernized style. The cocktail program is a standout for many guests, delivering well balanced and creative drinks that complement the lively setting. Ambiance, energy and overall experience are repeatedly highlighted as positives, while a minority of patrons express frustration with price, portion size or specific dishes. As a result, JIAO DIM SUM BAR remains a popular choice for a night out in Montreal, with strong praise for vibe and drinks but mixed opinions on food value and consistency.
If u r a tourist, doesn't care much about authentic Chinese food, cares more about chilling at a bar over overpriced food, fine.
But as a Chinese who cares about food, it would be stupid to EAT there again. I have no issue with it's service & environment. While for the food, it's basically a westernized bar serving FAKE Chinese dishes. To make the matter worse, it's stupidly overpriced & tasting boring. 3 chicken wings costed 27$ + tax & NO rice ! How lucrative is that? & want rice? Sure, 5$ a tiny bowl! How about other things? Yea, 4 fried dumplings for $20 🤯I've been to countless bars serving foods, but rarely had I had foods so overpriced in such places.
Nov 5, 2025
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Le barman Marco R. a mis le feu à la soirée ! Cocktails bien dosés, service rapide & en plus super sympa. Merci pour cette belle énergie ! Jiao est vraiment la place où aller n'importe quel jour de la semaine!! Je recommande 🤗
Mila, Marco, Maelie & Alex are actually terrific bartenders. They greet u when you come in everytime! They make you feel welcome! They remember you when you come in & honestly, the food is fantastic & the music is always on point.
Food 10/10 & we got served by one of the best bartenders, Marco, & one of the best restaurants in Montreal. 100% recommend if you're looking for a good time, good food & good music
This place always has great music on of my favourite Montreal Dj's Dj Yao always has the place bumping with tons of high energy. The food is mediocre a few things are ok but nothing that really stands out per say. You dont go there for the food though you go there for the ambiance & the barman Dan is such a sweetheart always making sure your drink is full & your taken care of. The only downside are prices the drinks are very expensive.
For the people leaving this place 5 stars - notice how few reviews most of them have left in total.
Jiao is running off mostly hype. You see a lot of comments on the service but I think this is because a lot of people leaving reviews know the staff. I noticed one bartender was already acquainted with several people in the room so there is likely a social circle backing the repertoire of this place. The service I experienced was fine but nothing worth noting.
The bar looks amazing, atmosphere is the strong point here for sure. Food is not. The shrimp dish I ordered for $30/7 pieces was food court quality at best. Very salty, not gourmet by any standard. I stopped there with the food. The drinks were great however. One dish & two drinks rang me up over $70 - in this economy this is not a place I am trying to revisit, given that I can feed 3-4 people at a Chinese restaurant with much better food for the same price.
Tous les plats étaient absolument délicieux. Bon service. Ambiance de bar, même un mardi soir. Les toilettes n'étaient pas très propres par contre. Somme toute, on recommande, surtout pour la nourriture!
Feb 5, 2025
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Really recommend this place! Dj is awesome on a Saturday night, everything we order is always tasty, & service is on point (they let me bring a cake for special events) & always give my group & I a great table because we reserve 2 weeks in advance. The bar is also very pleasant for walk ins.
Jiao dim sum bar is one of the greatest bar I've ever visited in Montreal ! The vibe, the service & also the location is one of the most unique places I've ever went. Would 100% go there again 🫡
Heads down the best resto bar in Montreal. Atmosphere is unmatched & the decor is absolutely beautiful. I wasn't expecting much regarding the service, but was pleasantly surprised! The staff is super welcoming & warm, very friendly, yet attentive & very efficient. The food is, quite simply, extraordinary. Their new wagyu dumplings are a must try! Every dish i ordered was amazing, blending the rich flavors of Asia with a contemporary twists that surprise & delight. Even as the music start to get louder, the quality of the food remains unforgettable. The bar is no less impressive, heads down best cocktails i've had in Montreal. Overall unmatched ambiance, best DJ with nice lighting & great ventilation. Place is spotlessly clean & impeccably maintained. While the prices are on the higher side, the quality of the experience justifies every dollar. 10/10 recommend my favorite place in Montreal by far!
6 of us sat at the curved bar, right at the entrance for a birthday! Exceptional service from Daniel the bartender, he was attentive & sincere during our entire experience (bonus: he waived the cost of rice & dessert for the birthday guest)! Huge thanks to his hospitality & coordinating the special presentation of the dessert! We were surprised with how much we liked the food - especially the duck tacos presented on cucumber bases (clever), & the chow fun beef noodles were delicious! Excellent marg, & front of house staff were great with refreshing plates & waters given it was a full house. The DJ's set was incredible Saturday night, R&B throwbacks & hiphop, couldn't help but dance in our seats. Really great experience, happy to return again!
