Le Darling comes across as a bustling, stylish bar and bistro with a distinctive vintage, artsy vibe that makes it feel both cozy and festive. The drinks and cocktails are frequently praised for strength and creativity, with several items like oysters, beef tartare, popcorn chicken, burrata and focaccia highlighted as standouts, though some dishes are noted as hit or miss and portions can feel small for the price. The atmosphere is a major draw, featuring warm, attentive staff at times and occasional slow or uneven service and long waits during peak hours. The venue is described as ideal for gatherings with friends, dates or a lively brunch, and the terrace and interior decor receive frequent compliments, though noise levels and crowding can be high and some tables near doors or windows are less ideal. Overall, Le Darling is seen as a beloved, visually striking spot with a strong bar program and varied menu, offering great value on certain items but with some inconsistencies that depend on the visit and time of day.
I loved the place, the atmosphere & the design is so fun for a group gathering. Drinks are great, but the quality of the food is a bit low. We ordered ribs & it was salty with very little meat!
I visited this bar today & had a mixed experience. On the positive side, the service was absolutely outstanding staff were incredibly welcoming, always smiling, & attentive with water refills right on time. The ambiance is fabulous, & the interior is beautifully designed, creating a really enjoyable atmosphere to hang out in.
However, the drinks & food were a bit disappointing. I tried Le Jardinier & Melon Electric, & both were far too sweet & lacked the strength you'd expect from a proper cocktail. As for the food, the smash burger & chicken wings were just mediocre not much flavor or anything memorable.
We got off to a very slow start as they forgot our orders (set of drinks & set of shots for the whole table). But Marco was excellent at managing the situation & he was the best. He was super apologetic & managed to shift things around for us. Would go back if he's around!
There's something about this place that keeps me going back! Their drinks are amazing-I've tried almost all of them. The oysters are cheap yet fresh & tasty. Loved the chicken dish too. Great with colleagues!
Outstanding service. The whole place is very well-run so even when it's busy they get you served quickly & correctly. An impressive operation. Hipster vibe but with five-star hospitality. Our best food & drink experience in Montreal.
Apr 28, 2025
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Visited on September 19, 2021, in late afternoon. This place, located on Saint-Laurent & Marie-Anne, in front of Parc des Portugais, has been opened since 2017 & I'm the first Ratebeerien to rate this place (& to add stuff), so what is so special about Darling, cider! A friend of former Ratebeerien TaktikMtl told him about this place, we meet (for the first time since de pandemic) & when we saw the menu, wow! Eleven ciders on tap, the most I've see was four, plus a good bottle selection. A pretty good beer selection on tap & bottles & cans, some are imported. There other speciality is oysters, in fact it the first thing you see on their menu before the ciders. They also have cocktails, a barista & a small food menu. The inside is very eclectic, seating for just drinking or having a meal, there is a round bar, mismatch decor. The place is just cool.
Superb spot on all counts! Food was excellent, service was excellent, drinks were excellent, the atmosphere & ambience is unlike any other place I've been to. Even the music was perfect!
Dec 24, 2024
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Great place to go & work, & go from coffee to drinks. The place goes from a cozy & big cafe to this super social space as the sun goes down. Food is a wee bit expensive for my budget. Still, always visiting when I'm on Montreal 🙏
One of the coziest bars in Montreal with a super unique atmosphere. Definitely the go-to spot for a chill evening drink, some appies, or even some not chocolate in the winter. Menu pricing is really good for Montreal. Busier on the weekend nights, would suggest on a weekday evening for a bit more calmness. Order the cheesecake if you're a cheesecake lover.
Lovely bar to drop in during a warm & sunny afternoon to have a drink. We only had a light snack - our main focus was on Quebec ciders & they had 5-6 on tap. The server was originally from Steveston BC (I/we're from Vancouver) & he was quite knowledgeable & helpful - walking us through the various selections. We especially liked the blush (apple skins were left in during fermentation) & another mainly based on Honeycrisp & a crabapple (Dolgo). Will go back on our next trip to Montreal.
