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.
Went here with my girlfriend & WOW… Kazu was actually unreal. This place genuinely brought me back to Japan. The food was so good, full of flavor, super comforting, & honestly amazing value for the price.
The katsu curry especially was INSANE. Like holyyyyy 😭 easily one of the best meals I've had in a long time. Crispy, rich, flavorful, comforting… everything about it was perfect. I'm not even exaggerating when I say this is one of the first restaurants that almost made me cry because of how good it was.
My girlfriend & I were both so impressed. If you're in Montreal, you NEED to come here. Easily one of the best spots I've tried & I'll 1000% be coming back.
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.
Best restaurant in Montreal, we travel to Montreal at least twice a year to eat here! Get there before opening to avoid lineups, they don't take reservations. Highly recommend eating any of the raw stuff, tempura green beans are crack, the katsu curry was probably the best katsu I've ever had. Never had a bad meal here.only thing I wouldn't recommend is the tuna scrape as it's quite pricey for what you get. Wouldn't recommend for a group of more than 4 as it would be super tight, it's a small place.
Love this little izakaya. Even throughout the pandemic, the quality of their food has never wavered. Solid consistency throughout the years, delivering delicious & even seasonal dishes in a super tiny, warm atmosphere. I've never been to Japan, but I guess this is the closest it'll feel to that here in Montreal.
Go with friends & order a bunch of dishes & just share, that's kind of the point. Prices are beyond reasonable. Staff is also super enthusiastic & helpful. If you're not into waiting outside in line, go at opening time to ensure you get a table or a place at the bar.
5/5 will be back for the 100th time at some point soon, I'm sure.
One of the best restaurants in Montréal. Amazing food. Great prices for the quality. Great ambiance, feels like you're in Japan. Would recommend a thousand percent!!
Aug 12, 2025
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After 6 years, it's still Kazu that tastes the best for its price range. The atmosphere suits seasoned foodies. I order some appetizers & mains. The dishes come quickly & are served one after another, very suitable for two people to share.
Price-wise, with tax & tip, it came to $160 for two people, & even for two people who worked out, it was a bit too much food.
We ordered:
• Fried green beans ($12) - generous portion & delicious.
• Sashimi platter ($28) - tasty, but a bit small; just enough to get a taste.
• Lamb chops ($27) - very good, portion was on the smaller side.
• Pork shoulder ($27) - tasty & very large portion, but the center part of the meat was a bit dry.
• Squid salad ($16) - delicious, moderate portion.
• Beef heart ($12) - tasty, portion slightly small.
Overall, it was a very satisfying experience. The flavors were complex & high-end. The pace was fast, & the staff were warm, friendly, & eager to recommend dishes & drinks. At the bar there are hooks for bags under the table which is super convenient. We arrived at 5pm & didn't have to wait, but by the time we left at 6pm, a long line had already formed.
This place is 100% worth the wait! I had heard a lot of good things about this restaurant before trying it last week & it was definitely worth the hype. We went on a Friday at around 8:30 & got seated about an hour later. They gave us the menu while we were in line so we could be prepared to order right as we were seated. I started with the Yuzu cocktail & the egg drop soup which was very good. For an appetizer we had the chicken dumplings & the chicken skewers, also delicious! As a main course I had the beef short ribs & I would recommend those as well! The serving sizes were great for the price. Service was very fast too which makes up for the wait imo! Next time I will for sure try things on their menu on the wall. Great overall restuarant I will be going back!
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!
May 29, 2025
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I could eat here every day of the week. Yes the wait is very long but the service, the food & the drinks are incredible. Everything tasted fresh & the staff give the best service. I can't wait to go back. The price for ordering 3 dishes, 4 drinks for two people & a dessert was less than $100.
literally the best food i had while in Montreal & the portion sizes/price cannot be beat.
got there right at 5 & didn't have to wait but there was a long line when i left. Incredibly flavourful & well done basics, the service was so quick. not very personable but they're swamped from the second they open so it's understandable. I got the Vegetarian Bowl with their homemade tofu & the pan fried chicken dumplings. it was so much food I couldn't finish it but it literally costed $20. 10/10!
We enjoyed our experience very much! The food was delicious & it was enjoyable to watch the chefs prep dishes from our bar seats. Worth the wait in line! Very fair prices as well.
Apr 8, 2025
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This is one of my all time favourite restaurants in Montreal. Such an authentic place, there us usually a line up in front & you cant wonder why it never disappoints. If youve tried it & haven't liked it its because you're ordering the wrong thing!!! The owner of this place is a real gem, super sweet & just an absolute ray of sunshine. My favourites on the menu are their beef carpaccio, the eggplant dip, the beef curry sauce, Chiraschi & if you go when it's lobster season do not go without trying it its by far my fave! Btwn the prices are sooooo affordable!
Tried the Vegetarian range at Kazu. We had Veg Bowl & Bibimbap Japanese style (veg).
We wanted to try the Japanese curry which was in the chef's list apart from the menu but it was out of stock. But no regrets, both the dishes were absolutely amazing. The sauces, both quite unique were rich in flavor & i would highly suggest you to try them. The tofu was very soft, felt fresh. The vegetables were quite nicely done, carrots were pickled & sesame seeds drizzled on top. On the bibimbap contained an egg nicely done, the rice tasted soooo good & overall very well worth it compared to the price. Both bowls were very big & imo one bowl could serve 2 people.
Kazu stays at a bar to it's high rating, especially the staff is awesome. Very polite , helpful, quick service & everything you wish in a restaurant.
The ambience is also unique. Feels like a hustling & bustling restaurant in Japan with songs, happy people & tasty dishes.
Definitely order the fried beans on the side.
We also had desserts , one cheesecake ice cream & one sake icecream. While the cheesecake icecream was the best (really soulful) in Montreal, the sake icecream was very unique & we tried it for the first time. It has vanilla ice cream with sake on the top. Which made it taste quite unique & definitely try it out if you love experimenting things.
In all, superb place, deserves 5 star ⭐ & the staff makes the place lovely.
A great place for dinner despite the long waiting list. They serve dishes very quickly after ordering. Their food has excellent presentation, but the portion on protein is a bit small. I would get more Salmon in my plate if I go to another Japanese restaurant. Price is fair. Beautiful Japanese style decoration in the restaurant. The seating space is a bit tight.
Great food, great service & an overall fantastic vibe. Food was high quality & prices were more than reasonable. Staff were friendly & food came very quick. I will definitely be back!
Haven't been there for a few years but this is by far my favourite Japanese restaurant in Montreal. Recommend without any hesitation! Prices are fair given extreme quality. Chef is an as! Staff always friendly. Japanese tavern ambience so expect to be seated tight closed to other guests. Amazing experience, always.
