MAKAO presents an authentic taste of Asian cuisine, specializing in the vibrant flavors of Chinese seafood. The restaurant offers a curated selection of expertly prepared dishes, showcasing fresh ingredients and traditional culinary techniques. Diners can expect a diverse menu featuring succulent fish and shellfish, prepared with precision and care to highlight their natural taste. The dining experience is designed to be both sophisticated and accessible, providing a refined yet comfortable atmosphere for enjoying exceptional seafood preparations. Each plate is a testament to the rich culinary heritage, promising a memorable meal that celebrates the bounty of the sea.
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MAKAO is a popular Chinatown destination known for its stylish decor, cozy lounge atmosphere, and consistently impressive cocktails. While the restaurant receives significant praise for its attentive and friendly service, guest experiences regarding the food are mixed; many diners find the dishes flavorful and beautifully presented, while others feel certain menu items lack depth or consistency for the price. Despite some feedback about portion sizes or specific dish preparation, the overall vibe and professional staff make it a highly recommended spot for dates, special occasions, and social gatherings.
Le cadre du restaurant est beau & chic, les plats été bon & bien présenté . Par contre objectivement même si ce fut bon j'ai trouvé cela un peu dispendieux 16$ pour 6 dumpling. Je pense objectivement que pour manger des ramens ou des dumpling d'autre place sont plus adapté. Malgré cela c'est une belle adresse que je peux recommander.
It is a nice cozy place but sitting in the middle of the restaurant feels a bit too snug. The food missed the mark unfortunately. The General Tao chicken was not good at all, too hard & dry. The beef tartare was lacking acidity or sourness, the mushroom truffle dumplings were tasteless, salmon tataki was overcooked & they were out of oysters (which was the only reason we went there in the first place). The server did everything she could but she was swamped & the only one for the entire place. All in all, I think I would go back for the drinks & atmosphere but the food was not something I would go back for, unfortunately.
We went here for my husbands birthday & the food was great! It was really dark in here but i guess it creates ambiance. I dont really enjoy eating in the dark but its okay. We ordered a lot since the portions were small but we were able to finish every bit of it since we don't eat a lot so i quite like the portions. One thing that stood out to me was the dumplings. They were wrapped in a leaf & you can taste it in the dumplings & it had such an authentic taste to it felt like we were in asia. Food came out quick, service could be better, food well seasoned. Overall it was great!
May 2, 2026
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I was very underwhelmed by the quality of food - I expected higher end quality but nothing stood out about any of the dishes we ordered (mushroom dumplings, burrata salad, Shanghai noodles).
Found myself with Chinatown hotel reservations so was away from my usual comfortable Montreal surroundings. Nothing I love more than a dumpling but after arriving from California I felt I needed a little more. I went for a walk & stumbled across Maka?, what intrigued me was the sign for $1 oysters on Wednesdays & greatfully it was a Wednesday. I love Oysters but in California I have trouble finding them under $5 so this was my spot. Stepped Inside & was greeted with a beaming smile by LY & knew that i would be made to feel at home.. LY with her confidence & knowledge of the industry knew how to make a patron feel comforted to be there & struck up a lovely conversation if being old friends. It was early , so was not busy but the crowds started to swell for a wonderful Happy Hour on Tues, Wed & Thurs from 4 to 7pm with 50% off some outstanding appertisers. The place has a wonderful casual atmosphere that immediately makes you feel at home . If you do find yourself in Chinatown, take a few steps of the main strip. You will not be disappointed. I loved the Rock Shrimp for my starter , pure crisp perfection & the Teriyaki Salmon topped off my evening delightfully. Get out & give this hidden gem a try.
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.
