MAKAō transcends being just a restaurant, offering an unforgettable experience that ignites curiosity, tantalizes the palate, and transports you to a realm where the East seamlessly unites with the West in exquisite harmony.
Relish the deep, rich traditions of Asian cuisine—the flavors and techniques developed over centuries—and let them also introduce you to the bold innovations that characterize modern Western cooking.
Nestled in the heart of Montreal’s Chinatown, MAKAŌ is the ultimate destination for those seeking an authentic and immersive cultural experience.
Overall, MAKA? earns consistently positive notes for a chic, cozy, contemporary vibe and attentive service, with a lively dining room and well curated music that suits both date nights and groups. The menu delivers bold Asian fusion flavors with standout dishes like truffle udon with grilled shrimp, bang bang shrimp, surf and turf, sashimi and dumplings, and a popular teriyaki salmon, complemented by creative cocktails and desserts, though a few items are described as underseasoned or too salty and some cocktails as not as strong as hoped. Portions vary, with some mains described as generous and others felt small for the price, and some guests noted a gap between online promos and in restaurant offerings. The service is repeatedly highlighted as friendly, patient, and professional, with staff going above and beyond, although a few visits mention slower pacing or occasional miscommunications. In sum, MAKA? is a stylish spot in Montreal that shines with flavorful fusion dishes and excellent service, making it a strong pick for those seeking a vibrant ambiance and a memorable night out, even as expectations on value and flavor depth differ.
If you haven't been here. You should go. FIVE STARS hands down across the board. The food is just delectable. Beautiful plating,
The Japanese Bed Sheet cocktail was absolutely phenomenal. The lighting, atmosphere & overall ambiance was exactly what I was looking for. I truly enjoyed my experience & that is largely impart to Vlada who was a great, attentive, & knowledgeable server. I will be coming back. Just choose the baklava cheesecake. You won't be disappointed. Loved it.
Vlada was amazing very sweet & attentive. She went out of her way for us for a special order. The food was amazing & i would definitely return. Great food & ambience
Une très belle découverte!
Le tartare de saumon est excellent, j'aurai pu en prendre un deuxième 🌟 Les frites de patates douces étaient bonnes aussi, la parfaite quantité, tout le monde à apprécie son plat & nous étions un groupe. Notre serveuse était attentive & gentille puis le restaurant dans son ensemble est vraiment chic! Ahhh & le margharita au dragon fruit, j'y pense encore, wow. Bref, je reviendrai & recommande!
A cozy & truly romantic atmosphere, attentive & friendly staff who know the menu perfectly & skillfully help you choose dishes to your taste - all of this reflects a high level of service. I especially want to highlight the lemon dessert: delicate, refined, absolutely exceptional. I will happily recommend this restaurant to my friends - a place you'll want to return to.💝
Nov 19, 2025
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I can understand why MAKAO has such conflicting reviews. We did not encounter any of the reservation issues (we booked on OpenTable) nor the service issues. In fact, we had a really lovely server who was very attentive & diligent with food allergies at the table. Even though she wasn't well versed in food allergies in their entirety, she went above & beyond to make sure nothing slipped through the cracks. The ambiance was cool & the restaurant is well designed with fun music, despite being tightly packed. Our drinks were good, but as some others have noted, the food was just ok. It was not elevated in a way I expected it to be. For example, the dumplings & spring rolls were similar to something you could get out of the freezer section at the grocery store. & the bang bang fries were just basic fries with a couple of pieces of boneless wing type chicken on top splattered with sauce. The food was not BAD by any means, it just wasn't great either. & for that reason we probably wouldn't return.
Feb 2, 2025
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The fusion food was great! The highlight for me was the roasted beet salad which had a great mix of flavours, I appreciated the fig & jelly along with the toppings. The fried rice & the general makao chicken were quite flavourful. The fried calamari themselves were good however I'm not sure I liked the tzatziki dip they were served with, I would have preferred something along the lines of a sriracha mayo. Service was attentive, drinks came up quickly, water was refilled promptly. There was a slight mixup with 2 food orders, but that can be forgiven by how it was handled & resolved. The right orders were put in quickly & we even got to keep an order of the extra rice. The atmosphere is nice, the restaurant is on the smaller side so it feels more intimate. The music is great.
Dec 22, 2024
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The graduation celebration at Makao couldn't have been better! Our server, Jay, was attentive & friendly. The atmosphere made the day special. The rock shrimp was delicious, & we loved the Dragon Margarita! Highly recommended for celebrations!
MAKAO provided an excellent dinner experience. the ambiance was both refined & relaxing. The reservation system was efficient, & the service was attentive throughout the evening.
Dining at MAKAO was an exquisite experience.the ambiance was both intimate & elegant. The reservation process was seamless, & the attentive service made the evening truly special.
