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 consistently offers a memorable dining experience in Old Montreal, characterized by its classic French bistro cuisine, inviting atmosphere, and high-quality live jazz music. Many guests praise the delicious lamb dishes, duck confit, and flavorful appetizers like the French onion soup and escargots. The service is frequently described as professional, welcoming, and attentive, with numerous staff members noted for their ability to make special occasions feel truly personalized and celebratory. While the environment can become lively and occasionally loud due to its popularity and musical performances, it remains a favorite destination for both locals and travelers seeking an authentic and elegant atmosphere. Although some diners have noted variations in seasoning or occasional wait times during peak hours, the majority of visitors appreciate the well-crafted cocktails, extensive wine list, and the genuine hospitality that keeps them returning.
I went on vacation to celebrate my boyfriend's bday & made a reservation to listen some jazz. From the moment we arrived, the service was wonderful. Our server introduced himself & gave us his recommendations from the menu, which of course we followed & he did not dissapoint!
The food was spectacular. The french onion soup was one of the best we've ever had, & the cocktails were excellent as well.
We will definitely be back, & we've already recommended this place to everyone we know. It's absolutely worth it!
We went on a Saturday for lunch, we had live jazz, amazing French food, great wine selection & amazing drinks! It is my go-to place in Montreal! I love Modavie!
These five stars go to our server, Taylor! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I visited Modavie with my cousin last Sunday (July 26).
We got a wonderful table right in front of the stage, which made the atmosphere even more special.
For appetizers, we ordered the French onion soup & the bone marrow. They were a little too oily & salty for my taste.
For our main courses, we had the mussels & fries & the duck confit. The mussels were one of the best I've ever had! The duck confit was also delicious & cooked perfectly.
An unforgettable dining experience in Old Montreal! From the moment we walked in, everything was exceptional. The service was truly outstanding - attentive, personalized & genuinely welcoming. The staff made us feel like valued guests throughout the entire evening.
The food was absolutely incredible. The beef tartare was one of the best I've ever had, the French onion soup was rich, flavorful & perfectly prepared, the escargots were delicious, & the duck was cooked to perfection - tender, juicy & full of flavor.
Their wine selection is outstanding, with an impressive variety to complement every dish.
Beautiful atmosphere, impeccable service, & unforgettable food. This is the kind of restaurant that makes you want to return every time you're in Montreal. Highly recommended!!!
The service was excellent attentive but not overbearing 5 stars
The food was 5 stars. this is Rich French food, not a light fare.
Green salad 4.5 stars
The moule & frite. Mussels were in a creamy white wine sauce. Portion very large satisfying 5 stars
The French fries were fresh perfect size for crispiness to inside ratio. 5 stars. Way too much. Super extra large
Duck confit roasted layered with spinach at bottom, then roasted potato wedges with duck leg quarter on top Topped with sliced roasted almonds. 5 stars
Strong dish selection throughout & alot of good flavour setups in the dishes. The mussels & the lamb poutine stood out in particular though. The marinieres I think thats what it is called was good enough you could literally serve it as a soup by itself & people would be happy but it was smooth abd creamy & just packed so much warmth. The poutine made everything work with a delicious gravy & just well braised lamb. Just very solid pairing there overall. The seasonal pasta was a linguini with truffles, mushrooms & some other things that was quite good as well & we had some classics like beef tartare & french onion soup to share amongst us.
A beautiful & delicious French establishment perfectly situated in Old Montreal, flanked by adorable shops, cafes, & more to explore along Rue St-Paul Ouest. General Manager Lorenzo was warm, welcoming, & friendly with all guests, adding to the lively ambiance. Menu favorites of mine included the Salmon Tartare, Onion Soup, & Duck Confit. Unfortunately, I did not get to return during later evening hours for the live music, but hope to be back soon! Cheers to Lorenzo & his Team for a wonderful experience.
This French restaurant in Old Montreal has a nice atmosphere, with stylish décor & occasional live music.
Food-wise, it was decent but not especially outstanding - understandable for a tourist-area restaurant. The French onion soup had good flavor, but it could use more cheese & a bit more baking for extra aroma. The beef tartare was also acceptable; the meat quality was fine & the seasoning was decent.
Overall, it's a solid spot, mainly for the atmosphere & location. The price is a higher than similar-quality restaurants elsewhere, but given the tourist area, it's reasonable. If you're willing to venture a little outside Old Montreal, there are better dining options available. :)
I'm glad we picked Modavie for our final dinner in Montreal! It all started when we were lucky enough to be seated in Patrice's section. He was quick with recommendations & made us feel welcome even though we did not speak French. The food was incredible & arrived at the table exactly when it needed to. The bread was so fresh it still had steam coming off of it & the drinks were mixed perfectly. If you're in the city, this restaurant is worth a stop & fingers crossed you are seated in Patrice's section.
