Kazu specializes in authentic Japanese soul food characterized by intense flavor profiles and meticulously prepared ingredients. The menu features signature items like succulent pork belly bowls, rich shrimp burgers, and expertly seasoned ramen that anchors the culinary focus. Every dish reflects a commitment to traditional techniques while utilizing high-quality proteins and fresh seasonal vegetables. Diners experience a compact and high-energy environment where the open kitchen layout allows direct observation of the cooking process. The atmosphere remains consistently lively, mirroring the busy stalls found throughout Tokyo. Each preparation emphasizes deep umami notes through precise simmering and grilling methods. This establishment provides a focused selection of Japanese comfort classics designed for rapid service and immediate consumption within an intimate, bustling space that prioritizes the integrity of every individual bowl.
Kazu is widely celebrated as an authentic and vibrant Japanese izakaya in Montreal, offering a menu filled with fresh, creative, and comforting dishes that consistently impress diners. Many visitors describe the experience as a culinary journey, highlighting the lively atmosphere, the skill of the chefs working in the open kitchen, and the friendly, efficient service that keeps the bustling space running smoothly. While the restaurant is known for its compact size and the inevitable wait in line due to its popularity and no-reservation policy, the vast majority of guests agree that the quality, unique flavors, and overall memorable experience make the wait well worth it. Whether enjoying the signature grilled items, seasonal specials found on the wall, or the popular shrimp burgers and curry, patrons frequently return, often describing it as one of the best dining destinations in the city.
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. 🍣✨
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.
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.
Nov 18, 2025
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J'ai adoré mon expérience dans ce restaurant ! La nourriture était vraiment exceptionnelle, savoureuse & bien présentée. Le personnel est accueillant & attentionné, & l'ambiance du lieu est très agréable. Franchement, je recommande vivement cet endroit, ça vaut le détour !
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!!
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.
The food was out of this world! Everything was really good. The place is bit tight but the food makes it super worth it :) also take a picture of the specials on the wall. I recommend getting there early, we arrived at 5:10 & we got the last table, the place was packed (they open at 5:00)
10* /5 :)
Always the best taste & dish presentation! We recommand cod dish & morue head ! The cod filet skin-on ( for me is an excellent choice to keep skin-on ) was incredible soft velvety, juisy texture, right cooking time....a dream. The grilled morue head also very juicy very far from dry, excellent size, sauce amazing, variety of salads. Excellent restaurant & no 1 in our hearts! Helpful, fast waitress. Unforgettable.
Bon plats à bon prix, atmosphère peu agréable. Je recommanderais plus du take out parce que c'est un resto relativement rapide, donc je n'irais plus là pour m'assoir & prendre mon temps. Nous avons attendu 1h pour une table. Nous ne savions pas non plus que nous pouvions commander les plats affichés sur les murs (ressemblent à des dessins d'enfants)… Nous aurions aimé savoir, car il y a une belle diversité. Bref, c'était correct sans plus.
