Kalbi BBQ specializes in authentic Korean tabletop grilling where diners sear marinated meats and fresh vegetables directly at their tables. The menu features classic bulgogi and short ribs alongside an expansive selection of freshly prepared sushi rolls and nigiri. Side dishes known as banchan accompany the grilled proteins, providing a diverse range of traditional fermented flavors and textures. The interior layout emphasizes social interaction through integrated grills, facilitating a highly interactive cooking process for groups. Professional staff provide necessary guidance on grilling techniques to ensure optimal flavor development for each cut of meat. This establishment combines the intensity of high-heat Korean barbecue with the precise artistry of Japanese raw fish preparations. Patrons find a comprehensive menu that bridges two distinct culinary traditions within a single, functional space designed for efficient and communal preparation.
Kalbi BBQ is a popular all-you-can-eat destination known for its fun, interactive dining experience where guests cook their own meats at the table. Many visitors praise the wide variety of menu items, including flavorful marinated meats, fresh sushi, and various side dishes, which are delivered to tables by unique robot servers. While most reviews highlight the quick service, lively atmosphere, and great value for the price, some diners have noted occasional issues with ambient noise, temperature fluctuations, and inconsistent meat quality or portion sizes. Despite mixed feedback regarding specific pricing policies and potential wait times, it remains a frequently recommended spot for groups and social gatherings in Montreal.
Le kalbi demande du Tips au moment de payé.
De 1 : c'est un robot qui te sert
De 2: quand tu demande de l'eau il ne te sert pas tu doit versé ton eau toi même!
De 3: je n'ai eu aucun service.. alors pourquoi donner du tips.
De 4: rare son les employés qui parle français …
They charged my group a mandatory 15% service fee AFTER tax, because we were a large group. However we got separated into 5 different tables & the robot served us literally the entire time. I'm not sure if this is even legal to charge the tip after tax. I hope it wasn't on purpose but i think the same girl charged all of us one by one so that would add up to a lot of extra money spent/earned & i don't believe it's ethical. They did tell us about the service fee in advance so I'm not complaining about that part, just the fact that we were barely even served. Just once at the beginning to seat us & explain things.
Aside from that, service was good though, as in, the waiter greeted us & was happy to explain what drinks there were. After giving the drink, he left & didn't give us water so we just asked the kitchen if we could take a pitcher of water. I tried to get his attention a few times but I'm not sure if he was looking in our direction. Not sure if it's normal.
Food was good as well but it's a bit overpriced. I understand because it's near downtown though. The pitcher of alcohol was really worth it & it tasted good.
This place was great. Great service, great food. Meet was fresh & great marinade. The basa fillet & sweet potato tempura were my faves. Lots of options & it was all good. My nephew's loved the fried calamari & fried scallops. We had the sweet buns as dessert & they were crispy outside fluffy inside. Yummm. We did not order any sushi but what we saw people getting looked divine & good portions, & the fish food so fresh.
To address the negative comments I have seen said:
NO a tip was not added to my bill by the staff automatically.
Price was for those saying expensive, it is all you can eat meat, veggies,sides, seafood & sushi. It was 44 per adult & 28 per kid. Only a few items you paid extra for like 2 of the desserts.
Also as for portion, I found them perfect. Small yes, but if you want more then when ordering instead of doing 1 portion do 2 or 3.
WE WERE A GROUP OF 7 & THEY AUTOMATICALLY ADDED A 15% TIP & 15% TAX TO THE BILL. THAT WOULD BE FINE IF THE SERVICE MATCHED IT - BUT IT ABSOLUTELY DID NOT.
THE SERVICE WAS EXTREMELY SLOW. AFTER ORDERING, WE WAITED AROUND 20 MINUTES JUST FOR SOMEONE TO COME BACK TO OUR TABLE. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
WE WERE GIVEN A 2-HOUR LIMIT, WHICH AGAIN WOULD BE UNDERSTANDABLE - BUT WHEN THERE WERE ABOUT 20 MINUTES LEFT, MY FRIEND ORDERED SUSHI & IT NEVER ARRIVED. NO EXPLANATION. NO APOLOGY. NOTHING.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE A 30% AUTOMATIC GRATUITY, THE SERVICE SHOULD BE EXCELLENT. THIS WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE.
VERY DISAPPOINTING EXPERIENCE. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE FOR GROUP DINNERS.
I went during their lunch hours, mostly ordered chicken & beef which were tasty but the beef was extremely thinly sliced but juicy atleast so order alot! They have alot of side dish & sushi options! A cute robot cat comes to give you the stuff you order
You are limited to only 2 hours, so make sure you dont go over! Would've given a 5 stars if they haven't intentionally put a tip on my friend's bill. Regardless, the staff were quite nice & explained to us how everything works.
It was our first time trying this BBQ place, & my friends & I were really disappointed ☹?. There were six of us, & there was NO service. We arrived at around 4pm, the restaurant was NOT busy at that time.
No water was served after we were seated; our friend had to go to the counter to ask for it. The food-delivery machine would stop & drop off food, & we had to carry it, choose our own plates, & put the empty dishes back ourselves. The sauce bottle on our table was also empty.
We considered leaving a smaller tip since we didn't receive any service, but a staff member told us that a 15% tip was mandatory & would automatically be added to the bill because we were a party of six. I mean… okay 🙄.
This is the first place I've ever been to where you have to pay extra for lettuce at a $40+ Korean BBQ buffet. It makes no sense. Ice cream also costs extra. Unacceptable.
While the food was alright, the service & billing practices make this price point unjustifiable (55$ with taxes & tipping).
I came with a group of friends to enjoy our night. Although our group size decreased last minute from 13 to 9, the restaurant was not prepared to host the original number regardless. The grill at our designated table was broken. Had our full party arrived together on time or not, we would have been unable to sit together as planned. The broken equipment was a failure on the restaurant's part, independent of our group's attendance.
I understand the restaurant was peak-busy, but the service speed did not reflect the price point. It took over 15 minutes (signaling staff + wait time) simply to get water refilled. They food waste policy that charges 1$ per leftover. We understand the need to charge for leftovers, but the staff delivered these warnings in a certain tone which made me personally feel uncomfortable. I don't know what my friends thought, but that was how I felt.
?The meat quality relies heavily on sauces rather than the cut itself. Be aware that unlike competitors (e.g., Haidilao), desserts like ice cream are not included & cost $3 extra which is surprising to me for the price of the whole All-you-can-eat.
There are two major concerns here regarding transparency of the billing:
?A mandatory 15% service charge was applied. However, this was calculated on the post-tax total, not the pre-tax subtotal. Standard consumer norms (& Bill 72 guidelines regarding transparency) generally dictate tipping on the pre-tax amount. Calculating it after tax artificially inflates the cost. It doesn't go against the law, but I feel scammed.
?When I paid in cash, I was refused a copy of the itemized receipt showing the tip breakdown. My friends who paid by card received one. Paying in cash does not exempt a business from providing a proper receipt for record-keeping.
I just hope that the restaurant revise the service & a little bit on the food. If these get improved, I would be happy to return.
Please be mindful when you pay as they have not integrated the new tip policy, & they charge not on the amount pre tax but after tax. They also don't put it on the bill, which I found very sneaky of them, so you don't realize it.
Keep up the great service! Fastest service I have ever received at a Korean BBQ place in Montreal. Mango jello dessert portion is good after having eaten tons of meat. I left this restaurant extremely full with an expanded stomach.
