Modavie is a timeless place that brings us back to our roots, where ladies & gents gather and eat in a lively atmosphere caused by great conversation, live music and the wooden scents of a vintage room. Born in 1997, it quickly became popular among locals & visitors, and is now considered a Montreal institution.
Treat yourself to refined French fare in an antique & dimmed corner locale spawning two floors. From the classic beef tartare, to tasty sweetbread, to the famous ratatouille, your cravings will be easily satiated.
Reviews describe Modavie as a warm, welcoming French bistro in Old Montreal with a charming two levels setting and live jazz that adds mood without overpowering conversation. The menu celebrates classic French fare with generous portions and good value, including duck confit, lamb chops, mussels, escargots, onion soup, and seafood dishes, with many noting standout items like foie gras, scallops, and richly prepared mains. The wine list and cocktails receive praise and staff are described as attentive and knowledgeable, guiding pairings and making occasions feel special. The atmosphere blends old world charm with modern touches, and the live music is a highlight for many, creating a memorable backdrop for dates, celebrations, or relaxed lunches. While a few reviews mention occasional noise or busy service during peak times, the overall impression is of superb hospitality, delicious food, and a vibrant, inviting vibe that brings guests back.
Had an absolutely wonderful dining experience here! The atmosphere was warm & welcoming from the moment we walked in. Our server was attentive & knowledgeable about the menu, offering great recommendations. The food was exceptional - fresh ingredients, perfectly seasoned, & beautifully presented. Every dish we tried was bursting with flavor. The portions were generous & well worth the price. The restaurant was clean & well-maintained, & despite being busy, we didn't feel rushed. The dessert was the perfect ending to our meal. We'll definitely be returning soon & would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a great meal & excellent service. Five stars!
Had a late lunch here last week. Food was excellent & the service impeccable.
Lorenzo the Maite d' is a real gentleman & made us feel very welcome
Will be back again (& again).
Thank you
Beautiful restaurant! It has a rly nice aesthetic. Service was great & so was the jazz. The food was pretty good, but could have used more seasoning. The portions were on the small side. For the price I think the food should've been 20% better. Overall I recommend:)
I've had my birthday dinner at Modavie & the whole dining experience was beyond exceptional! Food was amazing, we particularly enjoyed the foie gras toast & duck confit (even better than the ones we had in Paris!). Our server Mathias is super friendly & attentive, checking in from time to time if we enjoyed the meal, & even gave me a surprise with a dessert to celebrate my birthday. Absolutely will revisit again when travelling to Montreal - highly highly recommend!
Excellente expérience. Ça faisait longtemps que je n'avais pas mangé un bon foie de veau & une purée au beurre. L'accueil du Maître d'hôtel (italien) nous mets tout de suite dans l'ambiance. Très bon service. Le seul hic, bouteille d'eau pétillante à 7,50$ chargée 2 fois. C'est de l'eau gazéifiée'maison' avec une bonbonne de gaz. Je ne me soucis jamais du prix quand c'est bon, mais je trouve cela intense. Mais j'y retourne car la cuisine est précise & net! & y a pas à dire, des classiques de la cuisine Française mais realisé avec de bons ingrédients & de l'amour c'est toujours excellent!
One of the greatest restaurants I have been to. My wife invited me there on my birthday & I loved it! There was even a live band playing Jazz that day 🤩
The food was great especially the appetizers & the desserts.
The waiter George was really friendly. We even became friends with him & he offered us a dessert on the house!
Would definitely go back there this summer. I recommend it to anyone visiting Montreal or spending an evening around the Old Port
My husband, 2 year old son, & I stopped in for a mid week lunch & we're very impressed. The service was wonderful, both William & Lorenzo took great care of us. They were both so kind & attentive, & treated my son as just as important as the rest of us at the table. The food was excellent! Stand outs were their soup of the day, which was a carrot & broccoli soup, their salmon tartare, & the rack of lamb. William was also helpful with wine pairings to go with our meals. We will definitely be back next to we visit Montreal.
Feb 27, 2026
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We had the best time at Modavie. We were in Montreal celebrating our anniversary & happened upon this restaurant. While our meals were amazing (the mushroom risotto & the duck confit), it was the service that made our experience. Lorenzo & William were so welcoming & had the best energy. The atmosphere felt elevated but not like we were out of place (as a young couple). Would absolutely recommend checking this place out!!
Went here for Valentine's 💖
The table was decorated with flower petals, & the vibe was really nice 🤎
Can't wait to catch the live jazz performance next time 🎷
Honestly, I remember the atmosphere more than the food.
Cool vibe. Band was great. Service was average. Food was overpriced for the quality (esp the rack of lamb) but I guess you're paying for the band. They also seated us at a table in what should've been a walkway so crowded, busy, w servers constantly going back & forth, bumping you/your table. May give it another shot but likely sit at the bar & have drinks & apps only.
Feb 24, 2026
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Had an amazing meal here to end our vacation in Montreal! The Mushroom Risotto looks small but is surprisingly filling, & the mushrooms are incredibly fragrant. The Poutine had a sauce that was flavorful but not too heavy, really impressed us. Lamb chop were very tender & fried calamari were also delicious, & the warm bread was a lovely touch. The dessert was very tasty, we had apple strudel & cream brûlée were both outstanding. They also have live band in dinner time , we enjoyed so much. Great customer & vibe , definitely return again.
