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.
L'ambiance était vraiment sympa & les boissons excellentes (j'avais pris le Lady Mai, si je ne me trompe pas), donc honnêtement, je reviendrai. Par contre, si vous venez un vendredi, soyez prêts à patienter. Nous sommes arrivés à 19h30 & avons été servis à 21h, soit 1h30 d'attente pour notre nourriture en raison d'un problème en cuisine. La prochaine fois, je viendrai plus tôt.
Côté plats, les accras de morue étaient délicieux, surtout avec la sauce d'accompagnement. La salade de betteraves était très savoureuse, mais il manquait le halloumi frit pourtant mentionné sur le menu. Quant aux frites, elles étaient assez moyennes & pas très chaudes. Heureusement que j'étais en bonne compagnie & que l'attente n'a pas gâché la soirée, mais plus d'une heure d'attente reste excessif.
Ordered the Beef Tartakis. When I tell you my soul left my body, ascended to the heavens & came back to me with every single bite I took. I gave my compliments to the chef. Now I think about that meal almost every day & I don't even like mushrooms. 11/10 would recommend. Also took the Bellini Darling cocktail & it was pretty good.
J'ai aimé mon expérience de brunch là-bas. Le serveur a été vraiment sympa & nous a conseillé sur les choix de menu. Nous sommes venus vers la fin de l'année 2024 donc il y avait un choix de pain perdu avec des pommes & du sirop d'érable. C'était ni trop sucré ni trop neutre. Les portions sont généreuses. L'ambiance était agréable, pas trop fort & juste assez pour une personne qui souhaiterait travailler là.
Feb 10, 2025
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So this review is long overdue as I've been coming here pretty frequently for the better part of 3 years because it has now turned into'my spot.' Over those 3 years I have brought everyone I know & have recommended this place countless times when I've been asked for a'Montreal vibe' of a restaurant & it's exactly that. Whether it's Monday or Saturday night this place is packed & rightly so + it doubles as a cafe in the morning with brunch on the weekends that smacks. The food has NEVER missed & I quite literally mean never, they have something for everyone + it changes & they have specials sometimes. The vibe is ever present & I know no better way of explaining it other than'it feels like Montreal.' The service also never misses & I thank Laurence for that, she's honestly been amazing every single time I've came. This isn't an add by the way*** I could go on but it's getting long. I just genuinely love this place so much & they deserve alll the business.
Absolutely gorgeous! Super nice ambiance, food, service & music. Great place to take a coffee, try the cheesecake, delicious! After 17h you can enjoy great cocktails & the lights & decor will charm you. Kudos!
I did not expect this bar to be as spacious & beautiful as it was. & I didn't expect it to be so reasonably priced after I saw how extravagant the decor looked like. So in conclusion, it's my new favorite bar right now! (Got the Babyback Ribs & fries. Great taste & fast service.)
Jan 27, 2025
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L'endroit a beaucoup de charme. Le personnel est très serviable. Nous avons du attendre environ 30 minutes pour qu'on nous assigne une place. Nous étions 3 & ce qui est navrant c'est qu'il n'est pas possible de réserver. Beaucoup beaucoup de bruits donc il faut un peu crier pour se faire entendre. Sinon, la nourriture est assez abordable & le goût était au rendez-vous. Également, excellent service de la part de la serveuse !
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.
If you're looking for a restaurant with charming old-world decor & a cozy atmosphere, this place is a must-visit. The interior design perfectly balances rustic elegance with a touch of nostalgia, creating a warm & inviting setting for any occasion. The highlight of my meal was the smoked salmon, which was fresh, flavorful, & beautifully presented. It's clear they put care into both the quality of the ingredients & the preparation. The staff was equally impressive-attentive, friendly, & professional without being intrusive. They contributed to the overall pleasant experience & made me feel genuinely welcome. Overall, this restaurant offers a delightful combination of excellent food, great service, & a unique ambiance. I'll definitely be returning!
My favorite bar in all of Darlington - they have these display babies reminiscent of that walking simulator game. It is a bonanza of the kooky & it is appreciated. The beef tartakis were a succulent blend of beef & Baba ganó oush imagine it penetrating your taste buds, & it being like hard to scrape off without a well blended coctail. Imagine it & savour it in advance
