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.
Modavie comes across as a warm, lively French bistro in Old Montreal with inviting lighting, timeless charm and nightly live jazz. Reviewers consistently highlight friendly, attentive service and a welcoming staff that makes celebrations feel special. The menu features crowd pleasers like duck confit, rack of lamb and lamb chops, escargots, onion soup and mussels with fries, with many dishes praised for bold flavors and generous portions. The atmosphere blends old world charm with modern warmth, and the two level space with live music creates a vibrant yet conversation friendly setting. While busy nights can bring a bit of hustle and occasional slower pacing, the overall experience is described as memorable and well worth returning for.
Great spot with a festive atmosphere & live jazz. Service was friendly & attentive. Rad, our waiter, was excellent. Prices are reasonable & the wine list is diverse. The only downside was that the band, although very talented, was too loud, making it hard to have a conversation at the table.
We came to try the gourmand prix fixe menu & were disappointed at every turn. My dirty martini was very sweet (how?) & poorly made, the tuna tatare was decent & the highlight of the meal, & the steak frites were nearly inedible - fries were cold & steak was flavourless. The blues band was good but the vibe overall felt more like a chain restaurant than a cozy French bistro. Will not return
Mar 19, 2026
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Une très belle découverte à Montréal. L'ambiance est parfaite, avec un band qui joue pendant le souper & qui crée une atmosphère vivante sans être envahissante. Le service était amical & attentionné. J'ai choisi les moules comme plat principal & elles étaient tout simplement exceptionnelles, parmi les meilleures que j'ai mangées dans ma vie. J'y retournerai sans hésiter!
ambiance excellente lorsque le band live joue, par contre lorsque pas de musique live arrete l'ambiance est a mourir,
pour les repas malheureusement je n'ai pas aimé, tout était beaucoup teop salé
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
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.
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.
Feb 23, 2026
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Always our favourite restaurant in Montreal.
They have terrific live band. About their food which was the most delicious one. Recommend for friends gatherineg👍🏼
We truly missed real European food especially French cuisine, then we found this place while visiting Montreal. We couldn't be more satisfied. The food in this place is magnificent. We had Foie Gras & Beef Tartare as appetizes then Confit Canard & Lamb chops.
They happened to have live band also & we could enjoy it although it was only for limited time to due availability of our table.
This is the 2nd time I come to this place & this time was with the boys. This place is a vibe, at the heart of old Montreal. It's quite spacious, & seats a lot of people. The live band is appreciated. The first time we came, the food was below our expectations for the price. Few years later, I would say it's the same. The food was still mediocre, & could honestly be more. There's no wow factor, the food does not stand out sadly. We had quite a few appetizers & I had the lamb. The first time we had the duck confit, it was just ok as well. However, the atmosphere & service were on point.
Went to Modavie on a Wednesday night & it was packed. I loved the whole experience. From the food, to entertainment, to the service, it was amazing. I ordered lamb chops & they were delicious.
I also had cold crème brûlée for dessert & wanted to order more. Finally I had tea to digest.
Our server's name was William & was remarkable, quick, efficient, polite.
There was also a jazz band that made the whole experience much more enjoyable. I will definitely come back!
My favourite place to eat in our 2 week trip across east Canada. Beautiful restaurant that oozes charm & character. The food was delicious & the atmosphere was perfectly complemented with a superb live jazz band.
This restaurant creates memories you'll never forget 😊👌
Awesome first meal visiting Montreal. We got the foie gras, fried calamari, garlic snails, & French onion soup for appetizer; lamb chops, lamb rack, & mushroom risotto for entrees. Everything was flavorful & we got a seat quickly with a walk in reservation. Lovely atmosphere - take it easy & enjoy the live bands (bring cash tip)!
We had a wonderful dinner tonight at Mondavie. The restaurant atmosphere was warm & lively. The jazz band was very entertaining. Server Rad was the best. He was fun, attentive & engaging. He made our dinner extra special. The lamb was delicious & the bread was the bomb. We would highly recommend this restaurant in the heart of old town Montreal.
Jun 3, 2025
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Visited Old Montreal & had dinner at Modavie, for its French cuisine & live music. The atmosphere is lively & service decent. The place was crowded despite it being mi-week. The live jazz band
Absolutely loved this restaurant. Food was very delicious, & everyone was very happy with the food & service.
They had accidentally given me potatoes instead of mashed potatoes, & when I asked to verify just so I won't be charged extra (it wasn't a big deal, honestly), they came back with a massive bowl of mashed potatoes & told me it was on the house. Seriously, could've have asked for better service.
The lamb I thought was a little too subtle on the flavours, but that's my personal taste, & I believe pretty much everyone else would've thought this was well seasoned (my friends tried it & thought it was really really good). Mashed potatoes, vegetables, & the potatoes were all very delicious.
The waiter also suggested me a red wine to go with the lamb that I've been trying to find, & have been failing to - I only remember hearing'Chateau', which didn't help me narrow it down when I got home. If you see this, Modavie, & any of your waiters somehow remember my wine from 22 Nov 2024, I would be forever in your debt (I probably should've asked earlier). We were also the group that sat in front of the band & ended up moving to a quieter part of the restaurant (which they did so happily - thank you so much).
Anyways, 10/10 would recommend, everyone should give this place a try. My friend's duck & steak were all incredibly delicious as well. Can't wait to come back when I visit Montreal again.
I was looking forward to this dinner but was underwhelmed with the steak. Over cooked & over salted. The band was amazing, but I wish my meal was too. Disappointed based on the reviews.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Modavie, & I must say, it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality, setting the tone for an exceptional evening.
The atmosphere was absolutely charming-dim lighting, cozy yet elegant decor, & a live jazz band that elevated the entire experience. The music was simply superb, creating the perfect backdrop for a relaxed & enjoyable dinner.
As for the service, it was flawless from start to finish. The hostess welcomed us with a smile, the bartenders were friendly & skilled, & our server was attentive without being intrusive. Every interaction felt genuine & professional.
Now, let's talk about the food-miam! My friend & I started with the Caesar salad, which was fresh, crisp, & perfectly dressed. For the main course, we both indulged in the filet mignon, & it was absolutely divine-tender, juicy, & cooked to perfection. Every bite melted in our mouths, & the flavors were simply outstanding.
I highly recommend Modavie to anyone looking for a top-tier dining experience in Montreal. Whether you're a fan of great food, live jazz, or simply excellent service, this spot has it all. I can't wait to go back!
