Joe Beef
RestaurantTop Pick
Joe Beef
Relaxed restaurant & bar serving steaks & seafood in a compact, old-school setting.
Opens Today at 5 pm
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Old Montreal restaurant classics in the heart of Little Burgundy. An homage to Charles "Joe-Beef" McKiernan, 19th century innkeeper and Montreal working class hero. A drunken crawl away from the Historic Atwater market. Steaks and seafood.
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Display Alllobster(107) steak(96) spaghetti(83) recommend(71) sauce(67) wine(65) dessert(49) attentive(39) dishes(38) oyster(35) appetizer(35) tuna(35)Page 1 of 2 - 31 Reviews
Jayden
Had a great experience with Joe B. Zero complaints. A++
1) The entire waitstaff were all lovely. Service was great! I sat at the oyster bar in a'newer' side of the establishment. Kind of felt like I was in a historical bar with a bunch of old seaside decor. Had to bust out the readers as it's a dark/intimate setting. Homey feel for sure.
2) Each time a course was dropped off, the server explained what they were dropping off in detail. It was a breath of fresh air to have that explanation even though you knew what you ordered. I loved that part!!
Started with the special of the night which was oyster casino . Nice touch - cooked & presented well. Next was the foie gras double. So rich but well worth it. Just don't order any other appetizer, or you'll ruin your main course!
Filet had great flavor with its funghi reduction. I prob would have enjoyed it more had I not stuffed my face. **plated on warm plate to keep the nice mushroom crème sauce to stay nice, warm & silky smooth.
3) The guys behind the oyster bar went out of their way to show me how to open & prepare an oyster! (I ordered 100 oystered to be delivered & said I was trying taking notes)
Kimberly
As soon as I knew I would be visiting Montreal, i grabbed a spot on the wait list in case a reservation opened up. I was so happy when the day before our trip, a spot opened up. We really enjoyed the tuna appetizer. We also had the Escargot which were good, but not as good as some I have had. For entrees we tried the Lobster Spaghetti which is a dish they are known for, & the Hanger steak. The Hanger Steak was cooked perfectly, tender & the sauce was excellent. I am from a Seafood town & felt the lobster was only okay & the Spaghetti itself very basic, not our favorite dish. All in all it is definitley worth a try.
Michael
'A great experience!!!'
On Friday August 29 my wife & I had a 7:00pm reservation at Joe Beef for a late celebration of our wedding anniversary. I had long heard about how great Joe Beef is & finally had the chance to dine there.
We were greeted by the Maître d'hotel Isabelle Savard with a complimentary glass each of delicious bubbly wine & taken to a cozy little table for two next to a front window. Laura was our waitress & her service & treatment was second to none. She assisted us with a selection of delicious appetizers & a wine selection for our tastes. Every single person that attended to our needs were kind & most attentive. We felt spoiled!!
We choose two different tuna entrees that just melted in your mouth. A flavour explosion with a delicious crunch & freshness. Another appetizer we had, something I would not have typically ordered (beef tendons - yes you read this correctly) was surprisingly delicious in the manner it was served. We ordered some bread which had a nice chewy crust & soft flavourful middle. Smothered in butter it was evilly delicious.
Laura had recommended a hanger steak, however I had my heart set on a rib steak & ordered that (it was a large steak intended for two persons). We asked for it to be cooked medium rare & it arrived perfectly cooked. We had some rich sauces with the steak, but the steak just in its own juices was phenomenal. We couldn't even finish it as it was very large along with the appetizers we had. The steak was tender & juicy from end to end!!
Regretfully, we had no space left for dessert - which I am sure would have been equally amazing. Finally, we had a complementary shot & left the restaurant full & grateful to the efforts & treatment by Isabelle Savard & her great team & Laura, our waitress. We look forward to going back & trying that hanger steak one day.
I give the food, ambiance & wait staff 5 stars for providing such a wonderful experience!!
Mike & Maria
Elina
Firstly, the ambience is cozy, intimate & beautiful. The highlight of our night was the tuna appetizer with the harissa sauce, one of the best bites of food I have ever had. For the main course we had the hanger steak & the duck- they were both good. Some of the duck was difficult to chew but the grape sauce was great. The hanger steak, it came as one skewer, was good but I wouldn't say anything special. It seems that the fish there is very fresh so next time I would come, I'd definitely focus on the fish. Overall, the service was phenomenal & a great experience.
Magda
So we liked this place. But a few notes.
We had the Andalouse sausage made with veal, fois gras & sweet bread as a starter. Was especially good. But it was two large sausages. It was very delicate & flavorful. We also had the bread & pickle. Was very tasty. The server suggested this.
Oh!
We also had the Roman gnocchi- which was polenta with Gruyère sauce- absolutely delish!
For the mains I had the lobster spaghetti. It was like a twist on Italian carbonara with lobster. I asked- the lobster is fresh!! 🦞( not frozen). This dish was very very tasty & large!
My husband had the Guinea Hen. It was fine. But not the best. He ate it, enjoyed it for what it was but wouldn't order it again. He didn't really know he's eating'guinea hen'- was more like regular poultry in sauce with vegetables.
We had a 5pm seating & what we didn't like is they kind of rushed you to order. ( in a polite way) but they made everyone order all their courses right away. They brought everything out pretty quickly, one right after the other. Was kind of strange. So you couldn't get a feel for sizes or what else you want after already eating an appetizer. It was all ordered from the top & then served.
The restaurant is super cute & nice. Very pretty atmosphere. Cozy yet elegant. Tastefully decorated.
Omar
Excellent service with great features of appetizers & wine! We had a great time
Dennis
I have been fortunate to eat all over the planet & this was on another level. It exceeded all my expectations. I chose the escargot for an appetizer & the duck for my main & it was exquisite. If I had to choose a'last meal' it would be this.
Hicham
I wasn't blown away buy anything especially the drink they offered as their special for the night. The steak was very good but the appetizers left some to be desired. It's a nice spot, for the ambiance & as the name implies, the meat.
Lucas
Disappointed at Joe Beef - Expected Greatness, Got Mediocrity
We recently dined at Joe Beef with high expectations & an appetite to match. Our meal included several appetizers - Boston scallops (served raw), a dozen oysters, escargots, & croquettes - followed by mains of lobster pasta, guinea hen, a 26 oz ribeye steak, & two orders of fries. We shared a bottle of German Riesling & skipped dessert. The total bill came to just over $700 CAD, including an 18% tip.
Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the restaurant's reputation.
Appetizers:
The scallops were delicate & fresh - easily the highlight of the evening. However, the oysters were surprisingly dry & underwhelming. The snails were enjoyable but nothing memorable, & the croquettes, while decent, felt like an afterthought on the plate.
Mains:
The ribeye was generously sized but excessively fatty, which diminished the enjoyment. Both sauces - a red wine reduction & a peppercorn - were well-executed & helped elevate the dish slightly. The guinea hen was overly rich & lacked balance, leaving a heavy impression rather than a satisfying one.
As for the much-anticipated lobster pasta, it was, at best, average. For $71, we expected something outstanding - especially from a restaurant of this calibre. Instead, it was comparable to a dish from a far more casual eatery. The lobster itself was small & likely frozen, which detracted from both the texture & the flavour.
Service & Wine:
Service was professional & kind & the Riesling paired well with the seafood, but even great service couldn't compensate for the overall mediocrity of the food.
In the end, Joe Beef simply didn't deliver the calibre of cuisine or experience its price point & reputation suggest. While not a terrible meal, it was an unmemorable one - & certainly not worth the cost. I wish we took more photos, attached are what we have.
Perhaps an off night, maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but this was our experience.
Tom
Wow, just wow. An amazing meal.
Started with PEI oysters & crab legs. Delicious. Then had an appetizer which was an'eclair' stuffed with anchovies, olives, & carmelized onions. Awesome.
We had gin martinis with the appetizers, perfect.
For main course I had a beef tenderloin with mushrooms & gravy. Cooked to perfection. My wife had halibut. She thought the sauce was a bit overpowering but still enjoyed it.
The waiter recommended two wonderful wines, a white with the fish & a red with the beef. We enjoyed both.
We had desserts: a layer cake & a'bagel' with yummy filling. Marvelous. We topped them off with cordials.
Overall a wonderful experience. Quite expensive but not more than we expected & definitely worth it.
Vi
Ham appetizer really good. Steak with bine marrow is excellent. Lobster spaghetti was a little too salty. Profiteroles chefs kiss.
Louie
Dining at Joe Beef was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by a warm, lively atmosphere that set the tone for the evening. The service was exceptional-attentive, knowledgeable, & friendly, making us feel right at home despite it being a busy night.
The menu is a perfect blend of creativity & classic comfort, with every dish bursting with bold flavors. We started with a selection of appetizers, & each one was a standout. The foie gras was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, & the oysters were fresh & briny-an excellent start to what would be an amazing meal.
For the main course, I had the steak frites, which was cooked to perfection-tender, juicy, & full of flavor. The sides were equally impressive, with the roasted vegetables being a particular highlight. Everything was beautifully presented, & the portions were generous, making each bite more enjoyable than the last.
The wine list is extensive, & the sommelier's recommendation perfectly paired with our meal, elevating the whole experience.
Joe Beef is more than just a meal; it's an experience. The vibrant atmosphere, exceptional service, & unforgettable dishes make it a must-visit for anyone in Montreal. It's clear that the chefs & staff take immense pride in what they do, & that care translates into every dish served. Highly recommend!
Sarfaraz
I so wanted to give 5 star to this restaurant but decided to give 4. The reason being Desserts. Everything that we ordered was so delicious except the dessert that upset me a little bit. As after having such amazing Appetizers & Mains your expectations with desserts are way too high as it's the last course that you'll be experiencing at the restaurant. We ordered Fois Gras, Halibut & Steak & everything so just amazing. Layered cake - Marjolaine was also 10/10 but the Raspberry Tart was disappointing. Apart from the food, Gabriel was outstanding & showcased top notch hospitality.
Joe
Amazing food & excellent service. Our party of four thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The filet mignon special was outstanding & the lobster spaghetti was equally good. Our waiter Gab made the night incredible, he was friendly, attentive & helpful. His recommendations for appetizers, meals, wine & desserts were spot on! Not an easy place to get a reservation but we will definitely be back!
Matthew
Gabriel was an absolute joy as a server. As always the food here is amazing, with the raw seafood appetizer offering & lobster spaghetti as must orders. The Tuna Bagnat was boooomb!
Tolou
A fine dine, with a great service. The food, including appetizer, main & dessert were exquisite. Everything was made to the perfection even the sourdough bread. Overall a fantastic, well also keep in mind, expensive experience.
Eunillyne
Came here for a birthday dinner & had a great time! Food was delicious - we shared a few appetizers & the porterhouse, & desserts were great. The service was impeccable, & the atmosphere in the terrasse was charming. Thank you for a lovely experience.
Rachel
Went for dinner last night & had the best ever table outside in back & beautiful weather. Our server was so attentive & fun! He was so knowledgeable in everything we asked as well as gave us some seriously amazing suggestions! He was a pleasure to be around :) We had the prime steak which was for 3 of us. It was unreal & perfectly cooked. We were super happy with the portion size & definitely were not left hungry. The 2 sauces that accompanied the steak were so savory & went perfectly with the meat. We also had the lamb which was so tender & flavorful & would highly recommend. As for the wine. Worth every penny. Our server made some suggestions which were spot on. He suggested a wine in between our courses so as not to waste the decadent red that we would have with our mains & it was perfect. Oh & if they have the savory éclair for an appetizer...do it! As well as the ham & cheese starter !! The beef tartare is prepared at the table & hands down best I've had & I have had many! There was a slight hiccup in our wine service for the mains, which did not bother us at all, as we are patient people & they gave us the most delicious assortment of desserts to make up for it which was so kind. I've heard people comment on the price of a dinner here but I can guarantee you that if you want high quality food cooked to perfection with the most flavorful combinations then you won't regret it. You pay for what you receive & that is superior service, unbeatable food quality taste & wine.
Rus
All around an excellent experience. The mains & desserts are incredible especially the lobster bisque spaghetti & steak, but some of the appetizers could be better. Specifically the raw tuna tarte was a little underwhelming, the french omelette with lobster was incredible!
Evelyne
Lovely restaurant. As you walk in, you are immediately welcomed by the smiling staff. We were seated on the outdoor "terrasse". It was a bit windy but they turned on the heaters for us. The outdoor "terrasse" is really lovely. I tried the raw tuna & foie gras as appetizers. The raw tuna was just ok. The foie gras was really good with the raisin bread. My friend had the filet mignon which was the daily special. He asked for rare & got a medium rare. For 98$, I don't think this is acceptable. I had the Sweetbreads (Ris de veau). The sauce was so salty that I couldn't finish it. For dessert, we tried the marjolaine & the sorbet "sgroppino" which were excellent. The BaBeigne au Rhum was disappointing because the doughnut was just too dry.