Le Nil Bleu

Mon

4.0

Nil Bleu feels like stumbling into a little piece of Ethiopia in the middle of Montréal. I first tried their basic dish in Addis Ababa, & in this restaurant the tasting menu turns dinner into something almost theatrical - injera, fragrant stews, lentils, vegetables & spices arriving together like a colorful map you're meant to eat with your hands. Even the vegetarian dishes have enough personality to make the meat feel jealous.

What I loved most was how the meal felt communal rather than simply served. Ethiopian cuisine has this beautiful tradition of sharing from the same platter, & somehow that makes strangers at a table feel like old friends. The staff were warm & attentive, the décor has an elegant African character, & the whole place feels calm without becoming formal or stiff.

Little trivia: injera isn't just'bread' on the side - it's the utensil, plate, & part of the meal all at once. & save room for dessert; the lemon meringue tart has been getting love from recent diners, while other guests have raved about the guava chocolate cake. It's a fitting ending: a little sweet, a little unexpected, & somehow still carrying the spirit of the evening 🇪🇹

Nil Bleu is the kind of restaurant where you leave with more than a full stomach-you leave wondering why you waited so long to discover Ethiopian food.

Georgia

5.0

Absolutely delicious! Best Ethiopian meal I've ever had. We got the vegan platter & it was flawless. & our server was so lovely! Would return in a heartbeat.

Sarah

5.0

Elevated Ethiopian food with incredible presentation!
I've had Ethiopian all over North America & by far, this is the most thoughtful presentation & elevated ambiance.
The beef tibs & chicken were both a bit tough & dry, but the starter appetizer outshined any issue.

There were also multiple large groups here, & a gorgeous white grand piano in the back. I wouldn't hesitate to make this an occasion spot! Well done on the decor & the vibe!

Cloepatra

5.0

Ethiopian food is delicious & service is amazing. We had a private event & the staff went above & beyond for our group

Lingsheng

5.0

Very authentic Ethiopian restaurant

Jean

5.0

We always enjoy the fine ethiopian cuisine served at Le Nil Bleu. Very attentive & knowledgeable service staff along with an amazing & relaxing decor makes it for a great experience each time. We highly recommend.

Abel

5.0

Best Place for the Ethiopian authentic food

Eva

5.0

Best Ethiopian food (& Ethiopian restaurant experience) that I ever had! The interior is very chic & modern, with food very artfully arranged on the platters. We had the tasting menu for two, & it was just the right amount to feel the right amount of full. We enjoyed a bottle of South African wine, which we did not have a chance to try before, & it made for a lovely pairing. Staff was excellent & attentive; no problem at all not being able to speak very good French. We felt like guests rather than customers. If we were local, this would be a regular spot for us. Next time we are in Montreal, we will be back.

D

5.0

I rarely give 5 stars for any service or product but this hidden gem exceeded my expectations. It was outstanding. In the Washington DC metropolitan area there are several Ethiopian restaurants. None of which have impressed me enough to go out of my way to return to dine again.

However the Bleu Nile authenticity took my taste buds back to my first Ethiopian dining experience.
It is a quaint yet elegant dining place. The service is very accommodating. I have to give credit to the chef whose recipes are both stimulating & mouthwatering. I have only a month to enjoy this food until next year.
I wished they offered side dishes.

Zovig

5.0

We tried the meat combo for two, which comes with 5 appetizers & 5 meat & vegetable meals.
The appetizers portion sizes could have been larger, especially considering they are shared. You only got one tiny taste before it was gone. The saurteeed mixed vegetable was wonderful - we could have had that as a main.
For the meal, the portions look small but there is more than enough food. My only suggestion is to remove the chicken from the bone before serving - considering we are eating with our hands. Two people manipulating the same piece of chicken is not ideal.
The traditional Ethiopian music & artists were great to listen to while we enjoyed our meal.
Great cocktails & friendly staff.