Kazu is described as a busy, intimate Japanese izakaya in Montreal where traditional flavors meet a creative twist, with many dishes prepared right in front of diners at the bar and a lively, authentically Japanese atmosphere. The menu is large and wall postings keep things interesting, and while the space is small and lines can be long, the consensus is that the quality, freshness and value make the wait worthwhile. Dishes like beef short ribs, curry, sashimi, and a variety of small plates are repeatedly praised for depth of flavor and thoughtful preparation, with some items singled out as standout favorites and others noted as less compelling or pricier. The staff are consistently described as fast, friendly and attentive, and the kitchen’s in‑view hustle adds to the appeal, a highlight that keeps guests returning. A common refrain is that Kazu delivers an authentic Japanese dining experience in Montreal, offering a distinctive vibe and dependable, high quality food, even for those willing to queue at opening and endure limited seating.
A very delicious marriage of Japanese & French culinary techniques! The quality of the food is excellent, the staff is warm & attentive, & the atmosphere is inviting. It felt like being in a refined izakaya in Japan.
My favorite japanese place. My husband proposed me at that place. FYI Typical japanese restaurant like in Japan.
You need to wait in line (they don't take reservations) but it's worth it 200%. Be patient. The Bar section experience is recommended!! You can be 4 persons but you need to squeeze.
The service is excellent & fast. The Owner & his Staff are always smiling & working so hard. Lovely vibe. They are really good people. Awesome team.
Food. Wow wow. Different kind of plates (tapas, meal, appetizers, vegeterian stuff.) with different prices. Really affordable. Always fresh, nice presentation, big menu. If you don't know or have never tried, try it. You won't be disappointed.
Kazu is a modern Japanese restaurant with a creative twist. The owner brilliantly combines traditional Japanese elements with Western cooking techniques, resulting in dishes that are both innovative & incredibly delicious.
If there's one downside, it's that there's almost always a line. But that just proves how much people love the food - it's so good that everyone is willing to wait for it. Definitely worth it!
Authentic Japanese vibe. Food is excellent & I went to Japan 🇯🇵! They have a nice menu with a menu of the day written on paper. They didn't have two items that we wanted but other than that it was perfect. Staff is efficient & nice. My new favourite spot in Mtl.
Best Japanese curry I had in Montreal, it was absolutely amazing & reminded so much of the ones in Japan. We were sat at the bar & it was nice to see the staff work & have a little chat about Japan at the end. 100% will come back but not during winter because of this 1h-wait in line hehe ;-)
The food at Japanese Kazu is really great - fresh, flavorful, & clearly made with care. Everything we tried was excellent, & it definitely lives up to its reputation.
On weekends, be prepared for a long wait, as it gets very busy. The space is quite small, so it's not really suitable for groups larger than 4 people. Smaller groups will have a much better experience.
Overall, if you don't mind waiting & you're coming with a small group, this place is absolutely recommended for quality Japanese food. 🍣✨
Kazu is always worth the wait - even when the line is 20-30 minutes or more. The food is truly authentic Japanese cuisine, to the point that you can fairly compare it to what you'd get in Tokyo itself. Everything feels genuine, from the flavors to the overall experience. If you're looking for real Japanese food & don't mind waiting a bit, this place never disappoints.
This place has been on my bucket list for almost a decade, & finally I decided to go against my policy against waiting in line for anything & bit the bullet on a Friday night.
We got there early, so we had to wait out those who showed up at opening, it wasn't too bad, we had a spot inside to sit.
What I love about this place is that there's something for every taste & every budget.
My table mates were varied, from curious but cash strapped to down right picky, & everyone loved their meal. Simple soups & small appetizers, everything was really well done, with that perfect Japanese sense of balance. I went full baller mode. The smoked duck with garlic bread was fantastic, almost like a build your own bruschetta. I ordered the nakaochi, basically the tuna ribs where you scrape off the tender meat, it was amazing. My short rib curry rice was perfect, so was my +1's pork.
The desserts were simple but great.
Service was efficient, friendly & bilingual - or should I say, trilingual, my Japanese needs some work 😁
I had this place on a high pedestal for so long, & I'm so glad that it lived up to the hype & went above & beyond.
Be patient & get in line - I suggest not going there with a large group, space is limited. I recommend this place to anyone & everyone.
Dec 12, 2025
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Kazu is a traditional style Japanese restaurant where your dish is artistically prepared right in front of your eyes!
Get early to the restaurant, as there is usually a line of people wanting to live this tasty experience again! 😋
This is the most authentic Japanese style restaurant if you will. When K rate 5 start atmosphere don't be misled as if it is luxury, it is authentic & accessible. It is just warm & friendly & a memorable experience? Many places can't hit the food quality & the flavor! Staff are really helpful despite being overly busy! You will have to stay in a lonf line to get there, but it is worth it! There is a reason for that for many years!
Surprise. A friend refered restaurant. But the food quality was poor. As'sushi' or'sushi inspired' food, the fish is not fresh. Lots of low cost cabbage shred & low quality rice. I wouldn't call it anything related to sushi or Japanese foods. Long waiting line, but terrible food. Restaurant is typical downtown style, old, crowded, busy, etc. I suggest spend your money somewhere else. The food only looks nice, but taste a like wax, & cost way more than what it should be.
The place is really small with very limited seating, so even though the restaurant opens at 5:00, there's already a lineup outside. Usually when you see a long line, you expect the food to be amazing, right? But honestly, I didn't really get the hype (especially after seeing it all over TikTok). We ordered the Japanese curry & the grilled meat as an entrée, & after waiting more than 30 minutes, the food was just… okay. Pretty mid for me.
The atmosphere is very Japanese, & it's cool that you can sit at the counter & watch the chefs cook right in front of you. That part was a nice experience. But overall? I don't really understand the hype.
3 words. Worth the wait.
The food here is absolutely fantastic. You may be greater by a 30-45 minute wait, but wow is it worth it. The Japanese curry is absolutely fantastic, & the beef ribs, amazing.
The service is really quick & friendly.
Perfect for a quick date night.
Recommend 10/10.
Fantastic Japanese Restaurant!
Delicious food, fair prices, & a unique atmosphere make this place a standout. The staff is warm & attentive, adding to the overall great experience. Loved every moment-highly recommend!
