Reviews of La Cour des Palmiers describe an elegant, chic setting with a refined atmosphere and a memorable piano ambience that enhances afternoon or high tea; the tea and pastries are frequently praised, and cocktails are a highlight for many guests thanks to flavor and presentation, while food quality of savory items is often described as decent but not exceptional and prices are considered steep. Service is a major variable, ranging from attentive and friendly to slow and inconsistent, with delays in greeting, water, taking orders, tea delivery, or the bill that can sour the experience even when other aspects shine. Space can feel intimate or tight, seating arrangements sometimes noted as compact, though decor is repeatedly cited as beautiful and the overall vibe as special for celebrations. Overall, the venue draws visitors for ambiance and tea rituals, with many planning returns, while some visits emphasize value and pacing as areas for improvement.
We had made a Valentine's Day dinner reservation two weeks in advance for 9:30 PM, expecting a special & smooth evening. Instead, it turned into a complete disaster.
When we arrived right on time for our 9:30 PM reservation, the girl at the front who seated us casually informed us that the kitchen was closed. Closed? At 9:30 PM? On Valentine's Day? When our reservation was literally for 9:30 PM? Why the hell was this not mentioned earlier-either when we booked two weeks ago or at any point before we showed up?
To make it worse, we could clearly see other tables still being served food. People around us were receiving their meals while we were denied service. How does that make any sense? Why were we singled out & refused food when others were still dining?
As if that wasn't bad enough, our drink order took 30-40 minutes to arrive-& only after we had to remind them. No apology, no urgency, no effort to make up for the situation.
The entire experience was unorganized, unprofessional, & honestly embarrassing. Valentine's Day is supposed to be special, & they completely ruined our night. We planned ahead, made a reservation well in advance, & were treated like an afterthought.
We are a family of 4 & had the pleasure of spending Valentine's Day at the Palm Court at The Ritz-Carlton, & it was nothing short of magical.
From the moment we were seated, the atmosphere felt luxurious & refined - the perfect setting for a special afternoon tea. The live pianist was absolutely excellent, adding a beautiful touch to the entire experience. The music created such lovely ambiance without ever overpowering our conversations.
As for the drinks - perfection. The matcha latte was hands down the best I've had: smooth, vibrant, & perfectly balanced. The masala chai was rich & comforting with just the right amount of spice, & the London Fog was delicately fragrant & creamy.
The pastries were delicate & beautifully presented, the scones were perfect - tender on the inside with just the right golden exterior - & paired wonderfully with the accompaniments. The savory mise en bouche selections were absolutely delicious, adding a flavorful touch to the traditional tea experience.
Having previously visited the Louis Vuitton Café in New York, I can confidently say that our experience at the Palm Court was just as exceptional!
Between the elegant setting, attentive service & exceptional tea selection, it was a nice way to celebrate Valentine's Day. I would absolutely return for another afternoon tea!
Feb 15, 2026
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Deeply disappointing. Service was really bad (except for the manager who was very friendly). So slow that the table besides us decided to leave because they never came to take order or offer drinks after 15mins. We got water also about 15mins after arriving.
Slow service would have been forgiven if food would have been good, but alas… nothing to write home about. The only nice thing were the mocktails my daughter ordered (which arrived about 30mins into seating).
We ordered the cauliflower salad (it was not bad) & the salmon with risotto, which was so ordinary it did not account for the price tag.
Second time we go for Christmas Eve. Last year service was good & food was not bad. Decided to go there again because the Christmas decor is stunning, & that did not disappoint.
Sadly we wanted to make this a yearly tradition, but will not be returning.
The Palm Court Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Montreal, in partnership with Moët & Chandon, is pure elegance. The cocktails are as stunning as they are delicious-crafted with precision & beautifully presented. The staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, & knowledgeable, making every visit a seamless & luxurious experience. A must-visit for those who appreciate fine drinks & impeccable service!
Dropped by palm court for some drinks after desserts at maison boulud on a Saturday evening. The drinks & the service here were awesome. Their martinis were great. Think I'm into martinis now. Was definitely on the tipsy side by the time we were leaving. The bar will most likely have whatever cocktail you're thinking of. Pretty vibe. Good spot for a date or a good talk while sipping on cocktails.
First of all, this place is dazzling & so fancy! I went there with 3 friends for a bachelorette party & mentioned it in the réservation. Even if there was a small incident that resulted in our table being forgotten, as soon as the waiters realized that we had been waiting for 30 minutes without someone coming over to offer us tea, they apologized & offered each one of us a free drink (value of 18$) & we received a great service thereafter. The snacks are varied, & our friend got a gluten-free version of what we were served (which is available when you mention it in the reservation or by writing directly to the company). There was a wide option of tea, enough for about 5 cups of tea (but with the possibility of asking for more hot water), so we had quite enough to taste each other's chosen tea flavors. There was a also nice gesture for my soon-to-be-wedded friend: they brought her her own plate of food, adorned by a small chocolate with some words written on it for the occasion. During the tea party, one of the staff offered to take a picture for us when she saw us trying to take some, & another staff happily took pictures after we were done when we asked to have them taken somewhere specific. We were then offered to take some more in the small garden, which was breathtakingly beautiful. To get there, we passed by a big reception room that is often used for weddings & we were just so amazed by everything. It was a great experience overall & I would gladly go there again in the future!
Lovely place to stop in for a cocktail. I ended up also ordering food & the Crab Caesar was such a unique dish I've never had before. Staff was friendly, service was fast & the quality of the drinks were amazing.
Aug 19, 2024
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The idea was to sit down & enjoy a beverage & some small bites prior to checkout & departure. What we got was a dismissive waiter who took way too long to take an order. Order comes out food first? & only half the food? Then drinks. Hm. Then, while we are anxiously waiting on pizza, it finally comes & it is slop. The crust looks like pasty, & there is a pool of hot liquid in the middle. I took an edge to see, & yup, it just fell apart with goop sliding off. HONESTLY! Disgusting effort by staff & chef. Drinks were fine. Wouldn't go back if they begged me.
