Auberge Saint-Gabriel, North America's first inn and the country's first legal drinking establishment, was once home to the print shop that published the newspaper Le Patriote, and was even a fur-trading post before it became a highlight of Quebec's fine dining scene and a one of Montréal's hottest night spots. For 300 years, the Auberge has been a maker of memorable evenings, from cocktails on the patio and drinks at its intimate bars to meals in the opulent dining room and private events in its stunning halls.
Acquired in 1987 by the Bolay family, Auberge Saint-Gabriel has earned a sterling reputation. Its new owners, Marc Bolay, Garou and Guy Laliberté, turned it into a masterpiece, transforming this reminder of the past into a decidedly modern venue with playful nods to history. The Auberge was redesigned by Bruno Braën (Rufus Rockhead, Club Chasse et Pêche, Big in Japan), who had fun with the iconography associated with Quebec's history, honouring its heritage while remaining lighthearted. Brilliant!
Born in Sweden, Ola Claesson starts his culinary career at a very young age. Born into a family of chef, his first love is cuisine, which he discovers through the exploration of flavors and rich traditions.
Ola leaves Sweden in 2005. After traveling the world to discover new flavors, he settles in Paris and works at world-renowned, Michelin-starred restaurants like Meurice and Le Pré Catelan. It is only during his time working at Spring Paris that he discovers his true passion for market cuisine and local products – a culinary philosophy that would stay with him forever and inspires him to this day.
Chef Claesson, after a few years in London, at the head of a private gastronomic restaurant, leaves Europe for the beautiful city of Montreal.
Not ready to go home just yet? Head down to Velvet, a parallel universe in Auberge Saint-Gabriel's basement. Talk a walk down the long, candlelit stone hallway and step into the thick smoke surrounding the dance floor of Montréal's sultriest night club. Explore the wild cocktail list and discover top-notch DJs. At Velvet, there are no rules—it comes as a shock when it's time to leave at 3am.
L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel is described as a beautiful historic setting in Old Montreal with candlelit stone walls and crackling fires that create a warm, intimate atmosphere. Reviews consistently highlight exceptional service and attentive staff, paired with a menu of delicious, shareable dishes like cheese fondue with breads and vegetables, charcuterie, and standout mains, along with refined cocktails and thoughtful wine recommendations. The ambiance is perfect for romantic evenings or celebrations such as weddings, combining old world charm with modern touches to create a memorable dining experience. While some mention the price and occasional noise, the overall impression is one of high quality, care, and a magical visit that makes guests eager to return.
It was a private party, but amazing service, great food, nice atmosphere overall. It's impossible to find parking nearby most of the time, the staff is doing amazing job.
Sep 9, 2025
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Our wedding at Auberge Saint-Gabriel was nothing short of enchanting. Nestled in the heart of Old Montreal, this historic gem, established in 1754, offered the perfect blend of modern elegance, chic yet old-world charm & refined French cuisine. From the moment we began working with Tehanni & Valerie, we knew we were in expert hands. They brought thoughtful ideas, respected our vision, & made every step of the planning process feel seamless.
As a former chef & passionate foodies, our expectations for the menu were sky-high, & they exceeded every one! From the passed hors d'oeuvres to our signature cocktails & perfectly executed entrées (yes, the beef was a flawless medium rare!), the culinary experience was unforgettable. Our guests are still raving about the food, & we couldn't agree more.
The ambiance was pure magic: flickering candlelight, crystal chandeliers, exposed brick, & a quirky elegance that's uniquely theirs. Since our wedding was on a Sunday, we had the whole venue to ourselves, which made everything feel super intimate & personal. When the rain let up for a bit, guests wandered out onto the terrace with their cocktails, chatting & soaking in the vibe between dance breaks. Our DJ was amazing...he'd played at the venue before & knew exactly how to keep the energy flowing. The staff was so helpful making sure he had everything he needed to set up & connect our music throughout the space. While he spun tunes in the main room, our cocktail-hour Spotify playlist played through the lobby & bar, which was such a cool touch. It felt like every corner of the venue had its own little moment.
The service staff was impeccable, they were warm, attentive, & genuinely invested in making our day perfect. We also want to highlight the beautiful tasting experience they curated for my then-fiancé & family, a few months prior leading up to the event. It was personal, intimate, & left everyone in awe.
Though I didn't see the venue until just days before the wedding, Valerie's confidence & care, along with our amazing planner, Alison of AnneFinley Weddings, gave me complete peace of mind. & when I finally walked in, it was beyond anything I had imagined.
A heartfelt thank you to L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel for helping us create a day that was timeless, delicious, & deeply personal. We can't wait to return as dinner guests & relive the magic all over again.
Great food; tried the Oysters, Steak, Broccolini, fries, drinks, charcuterie, chocolate mouse Very artistic interior, cozy place. Staff were great as well.
This place is awesome. From the friendly service to the never ending parade of servers that takes care of all your needs. Not to mention all the food we had were excellent.
We had the fondue, roasted eggplant, rack of lamb, & the orecchiette. To finish the night, we had chocolate mousse, peach cobbler, & the lemon meringue pie.
Une activité avec un groupe, c'est la première fois que j'ai essayé des cocktails - sans alcool, lesquels sont tellement valeureux d'essayer ! Pour moi, le mojito est le meilleur. j'aime la saveur de feuilles de menthe fraîche. En fait, l'arôme léger est agréable.
Ottimo cibo
Fresco e di grande qualità.
Assolutamente da assaggiare il vino da dessert IceWine del quebec. Buono e particolare.
Grazie ai ragazzi del servizio.
Woow amazing service! Guillaume our bartender was very attentif to our needs, he Made the night special! Very friendly but still extremely professional.
Aug 7, 2025
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O mais antigo restaurante em funcionamento na América do Norte e o primeiro a obter licença para vender bebidas alcoólicas, apresenta um ambiente acolhedor, funcionários simpáticos e muito profissionais e comida simplesmente deliciosa. Nao é barato, mas a qualidade tem sempre um preço.
Imperdível.
The highlight of our trip in terms of food was without a doubt L'Auberge in old Montreal. Both the service & the food were absolutely excellent. Every detail was thoughtfully executed, from the warm & professional staff to the beautifully prepared dishes. A truly memorable dining experience-we'll be talking about it for a long time!
Jul 22, 2025
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J'ai été à l'auberge pour un évènement c était super le service très professionnel & les bouchées étaient savoureuses . La place est très bien tenue les toilettes sont propres