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 is a standout destination in Old Montreal, celebrated for its warm, inviting atmosphere and the consistent quality of its French bistro fare. Guests frequently highlight the excellent lamb dishes, onion soup, and duck confit as menu favorites, often paired with an impressive wine selection and well-crafted cocktails. The live jazz and blues music adds a unique, sophisticated charm that diners find both lively and memorable. While service can occasionally be busy due to the restaurant's popularity, most patrons describe the staff as attentive, professional, and welcoming, with many praising the personalized care provided during special occasions. Making a reservation is highly recommended to fully enjoy the experience in this classic, bustling establishment.
We had dinner on a Friday with reservations which we would recommend. Our meal started with snails which were excellent. Our mains were steak fries & duck both of which were cooked exactly as we had asked. They have live music & while we had wanted to sit in the entertainment area we were seated in an adjacent room. This was a more private area & we could hear the music just fine. William was our waiter & he helped make our evening a hit. All the staff were very attentive. We will return.
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!
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!!
Feb 27, 2026
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Great place for a fun evening with friends! All food options were delicious! Duck pasta & mushroom risotto were big winners! Staff was fun, friendly, & did a great job with our specifics on food & drink orders. The music was certainly & added bonus enjoyed by all. I highly recommend this restaurant!
Modavie in Old Montréal is a quintessential French bistro experience that delivers across cuisine, atmosphere, & character. The space itself feels timeless & inviting, with warm lighting, exposed brick, & nightly live music-typically jazz or blues-that enhances rather than overpowers conversation. ?
The menu showcases classic French-inspired bistro fare executed with care. Signature dishes like the lamb chops & duck confit consistently earn praise for rich, well-balanced flavors & satisfying portions, while French onion soup & escargots make excellent starters. The wine list is broad, spanning Old & New World selections, & cocktails are thoughtfully crafted. ?
Service strikes a great balance between attentive & unobtrusive, with knowledgeable staff ready to guide pairings & recommendations. Many guests highlight the personable hosts & excellent waitstaff as part of the overall experience. ?
Whether for a date night, celebration, or memorable dinner after exploring Old Montréal, Modavie's combination of refined bistro cuisine, lively live music, & classic charm firmly earns it a 5-star rating.
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.
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Modavie in Old Montreal, & it was truly an experience to remember. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm, attentive service & the smooth sounds of live jazz filling the space, we ordered the Salmon Tatar, Caesar salad, the duck confit & rack of lamb, & every dishes were absolutely exceptional. The duck was rich & tender, with perfectly crispy skin , crunchy almonds & a beautifully balanced sauce that brought everything together. The rack of lamb was equally impressive - cooked to a perfect medium rare, juicy & full of flavor, with a herb crust that added just the right touch. We had the crème brûlée & tasted really nice! Modavie is a fantastic spot for a special night out - whether you're a local or just visiting Montreal like us, I'd highly recommend it. Great food, great service, & a unique atmosphere that brings everything together. We accidentally forgot & left our credit card on the table as we left Canada to New York. The staff called us & let us know about it. We really appreciated your honesty. That means a lot thank you so much!!!
Excellent experience. Can I give everything, including our server Buddy, 10 stars? Buddy was very helpful explaining the menu. He was fun. We ordered a cocktail (so many to choose from) & a local beer. Then we ordered a cheese platter to start. Buddy suggested he hold off on putting in the appetizer order 5+ minutes until we finished our cocktails so we could fully enjoy the cheese with our wine. Great thinking Buddy! Cheese was very delicious. We ordered duck confit & rack of lamb. Both so delicious & juicy. Even though we were absolutely stuffed, I still had to order crème brûlée. Perfect. I was honored to have a sparkler in it to celebrate my birthday. Thank you. There was great Live music too. Well worth our 8 hour drive from Petrolia, Ontario for supper!
What a great place! We had the duck with pasta, escargot & lamb poutine. We listened to jazz & also had some nice cocktails. Really appreciated the great service from our waiter George. He was helpful & friendly.
