Known as a Montreal institution, Le Taj has been deeply entrenched in the downtown core for over 3 decades.
The decor at Le Taj represents a true synthesis of the complex, the colourful, the simple and the elegant. Carefully curated with handmade wooden carvings from the early 18th century, juxtaposed with the 12-foot mud wall adorning the backdrop of the dining room - which was in fact the central installation from the Indian Pavilion at Expo ‘67 - the decor often leaves our guests speechless while maintaining a certain feeling of warmth that mirrors the cuisine. At the rear end of the restaurant, our tandoor (traditional clay oven) is visible through a glass wall, leaving guests with a window into the world of our chefs, who can be seen cooking tandoori delicacies from fresh naan to our signature tandoori chicken.
Owner, Vinod Kapoor, opened the restaurant in 1985, with the idea of creating a space where Indian food could be devoured within the respected setting it deserved: white table clothes, fine wine and a decor that highlights the rich cultural and artistic history of his native India. Having previously been a collector and dealer of Indian art and antiques, his keen eye for interesting pieces has made its impression on the ambiance of the restaurant, where most of the artwork is one of a kind (including a piece from the Indian Pavilion at Expo ’67!).
It is with this same passion that Mr. Kapoor, who can still be seen buzzing around the dining room on a busy night, continues to maintain the high quality and exceptional service to old and new clients alike. Over the years, Le Taj has become a staple for many Montrealers and international clients, with a number of patrons having grown up dining with us and coming back over time with families of their own. In that respect, our own family of dedicated staff members - many of whom have been with us since the very beginning - are in large part how we have built our reputation of excellence for over 30 years. With a large number of our regular patrons making up a who's who, and having been as loyal to us as we have been to them and to our classical recipes, we hope to continue our journey in the mastery of culinary arts and service for many years to come.
Le Taj is described as an authentic, elegant Indian dining experience in Montreal with consistently flavorful dishes, generous portions, and attentive service in a warm, vintage inspired setting. The lunch buffet earns praise for taste, speed and value, with especially strong naan and a wide selection, while dinner is noted for a refined atmosphere and a solid tasting menu that keeps long time visitors returning. Takeout also delivers restaurant quality flavors at home, and overall the reviews portray Le Taj as a reliable staple known for quality ingredients, thoughtful service, and a welcoming vibe that suits family meals, date nights and groups alike.
An incredible dining experience from the moment we entered this gorgeous restaurant. The food was incredible(including the accidental Chana Chat we recv'd!) as was the customer service. Staff & management were very attentive & made sure we were enjoying our meal.
We will DEFINITELY be back again when we are in Montreal!
-C&C from Nova Scotia
Sep 2, 2025
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Excellent service - attentive to food allergies, quick expedient too - delicious food & lovely atmosphere. Classy, chic, very nice. Will be back, a staple in Montreal.
Le Taj offers a beautifully warm & elegant atmosphere, with vintage Indian décor that creates an inviting & authentic setting. Service was professional & attentive, & the ambiance alone sets a high expectation for the dining experience.
We opted for the'feast' menu, which included a salad, appetizer, main with a vegetarian side, & dessert. The cucumber & tomato salad was refreshing, if a bit oversized. My fish appetizer was flat in flavor & oddly textured, though my partner's papdi chaat was crisp, tangy, & truly excellent.
For mains, the butter chicken had perfectly cooked meat, but the sauce lacked the depth, spice, & balance expected from such a signature dish. My partner's lamb vindaloo, however, was a standout - bold, rich, spicy, & deeply satisfying. On the side, the paneer masala had a beautifully balanced tomato-based sauce, while the saag paneer was watery & underseasoned. The naan was exceptional, & the basmati rice decent, though a bit soft.
Desserts were pleasant but unremarkable - gulab jamun was as expected, & a milk-based paneer dessert was unique but not particularly memorable.
The low point of the evening was unquestionably the cocktails. At $20 each, both the mango mojito & mango martini were disappointing - overly sweet, poorly balanced, & lacking noticeable alcohol & technique. They tasted more like juice than proper cocktails, which felt out of step with the overall experience & definitely a disappointment.
In summary, for the overall modest cost (about $120 per person), the experience was fair - beautiful ambiance, attentive service, & a few excellent dishes made it worthwhile. Still, based on its 4.2-star rating & reputation, we expected a bit more across the board. We've enjoyed more flavorful meals at lesser-known Indian restaurants, & with a few refinements - particularly in the cocktails & consistency of dishes - Le Taj could truly shine.
While the restaurant itself merits a solid 4 stars, the cocktails were disappointing enough to bring the overall experience down a notch to 3 stars. Fix the cocktails.
Le Taj serves food that falls into the'mediocre' category-decent enough for those unfamiliar with authentic Indian flavors, but disappointing for anyone seeking a truly satisfying Indian dining experience. The dishes lack depth & authenticity, often tasting bland or overly adjusted to suit a non-Indian palate.
The ambience is okay-nothing special in terms of aesthetics, but it's functional & clean. The service is very good, with attentive & polite staff, which helps balance out the underwhelming food.
Overall, it is an OK restaurant-fine if you're not too particular about taste, but not a place I'd recommend for genuine Indian flavors. If you're looking for something more authentic, you might want to explore other options.
We came as a group of six & had such a great experience at Le Taj. The food was absolutely delicious - full of flavor & beautifully presented. The atmosphere was warm & welcoming, perfect for enjoying a nice evening together. The service was excellent from start to finish, & the hostess was especially kind & attentive. We all left happy & satisfied. Highly recommend if you're looking for quality Indian cuisine in Montreal!
Apr 22, 2025
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Le Taj is the one restaurant that my wife & I dine in with each visit to Montreal, & for good reason. The waitstaff is always courteous, knowledgeable, & attentive. The quality of their varied servings is consistently excellent. &, the comfortable, softly toned environment is conducive to a very enjoyable dining experience.
Food was consistently delicious. Visited 2 times in 4 days. The service was fairly attentive but not warm or friendly. The tables are small so they wheel a makeshift table next to you so that everything fits.
This superb restaurant serves absolutely delicious food that is - rarely one finds in North America - authentically Indian. The ambiance reminded me of restaurants where I have eaten in Mumbai. Service was attentive without being obsequious. My friends & I had a wonderful evening. Thank you!
From the moment we arrived, the staff were so welcoming. Our waiter was so incredibly attentive, anticipating our needs, & always smiling. He worked very hard to ensure all of his tables were well-served, but he made it seem effortless. We enjoyed a leisurely dinner, with mouth-watering dishes. The food was the best Indian we've ever had. The owner came over & greeted us too & followed up at the end to ask if we enjoyed the dinner. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a fine dining experience!
Our dining experience at Le Taj was amazing. Indeed, we celebrated my friend's birthday, & the staff was attentive to our needs.
What's more? The gastronomy was excellent, I would definitely recommend you this Indian restaurant!