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.
I want to share my experience at Makao to give others a clear heads-up before deciding to go.
This was my first visit, & I went with guests from out of town, so expectations were naturally high. Walking in, the decor is genuinely impressive-very clean, upscale, & it absolutely gives off a luxury dining experience. Based on that alone, you expect the food quality to match.
Unfortunately, it didn't.
The food across the board was very bland. The steak was poorly seasoned & not very tender, & the lobster lacked flavor as well. For the price point, the portion sizes & overall quality just didn't add up. It felt overpriced for what was served.
To be fair, the service was good, the staff were professional, & the restaurant itself was clean. Also, the drinks were the one highlight of the night.
I always give positive reviews when they're earned, but I also believe in being honest when they're not. Everyone at our table left disappointed, especially given how strong the first impression is when you walk in.
Just something to keep in mind if you're considering going-don't let the decor set expectations too high for the food.
Je suis allée manger chez Makao & honestly… la bouffe était INCROYABLE.
J'ai pris les lamb chops - portion généreuse, flavor qui a dépassé toutes mes expectations 🔥
& là… l'Amaretto Sour… JÉSUS.
I almost wanted to kiss the bartender 😭 she made that drink like she knew :
'nopeee, it's Saturday night, let me make her night.'
Bref, je recommande à 100%. Food, vibes, drinks… tout était on point 💃🏽🍸
Jan 30, 2026
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I was lucky enough to dine at Makao today. I think it's a wonderful restaurant with a cozy atmosphere. The price justifies the quality. The food is delicious, which made the evening even more romantic. Special thanks to the chef. The only thing that was a little uncomfortable was a group of young people laughing & talking very loudly, but they were reprimanded & they quieted down. Overall, everything was great.
Wish I could give this place 0 stars. Worst experience i've ever had in Montreal!
Reserved in advance, & got put in a corner with no lights ,hidden from the public & table the size of a 20inch tv. I dont understand why that table is even there, or how could a restaurant allow a seating that small you would eat so uncomfortably. Not only was the table bad, but there were so many good tables available, we asked for a better seat & the waitress straight up lied in our face, as two people of color, this is not random. We were victims of this restaurant's & its staff's racism.My partner & I disappointed in makao decided to go to chez Chilli, just a little further & were well greeted, treated with respect & kindness in this Asian restaurant actually ran by Asian people, the food was great & our night was saved! Makao is an immoral business. It is a beacon of gentrification & should not be supported.
LOVED everything about Makaõ! From the moment you step into this beautiful restaurant to the moment you step out! Awesome decor & ambiance with great attention to detail! Excellent service & delicious food! Highly recommend their crab salad, teriyaki salmon & baklava cheesacake! You won't be disappointed! Thanks to the friendly staff! Will DEFINITELY be back!
The hype was very high but the experience was far from the expectations. The plates are all tapas style, so be ready to order 2-3 dishes per person. The atmosphere was great, loved the decor & the colours. The service was acceptable but not exceptional. We started off with 5 starters, they were all on the cold/warm side. The spring rolls were overcooked, the general Makao chicken, which supposed to be their signature plate was leaning towards the cold side. The taste wasn't anything spectacular, just tasted like a General Tao. The rice & noodles came after, these plates were hot. Unfortunately, they both tasted very similar as they both were very salty (drink lots of water if you order) - it's unfortunate because I feel like they have something nice to show, but after eating there, I felt like I only got half the experience
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.
