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, lively Old Montreal bistro with a welcoming vibe and memorable live jazz that enhances the evening. The menu is praised for classic French bistro dishes like mussels and fries, duck confit, lamb chops, steak frites, and seafood, with generous portions and fresh ingredients. Attentive, friendly service and a knowledgeable staff are repeatedly highlighted, helping guests feel cared for in a vibrant setting enhanced by a diverse wine list and craft cocktails. Overall, the atmosphere, food, and music combine to create enjoyable dinners for dates, friends, and celebrations, making Modavie a reliable choice in Montreal.
Service was friendly & ambiance was nice. Bread was fresh & butter was good. Jazz music was played live as we ate our tuna tartare, cod & rice with lobster bisque, steak & fries & crème brûlée 🍮 Street parking with meters.
Mar 8, 2026
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We had a great day at Modavie. We had reservations at night but we were in the area in the afternoon so we stopped in. We had never been here before. We had a fabulous time listening to the live jazz music in the other room, enjoying some specialty drinks, & light food sitting at the bar. The manager (possibly the owner) who greeted us was ao nice!! He chatted with us in both languages & he was so charming & paid lots of attention to my Mom. We came back at night to a lovely table on the 2nd floor where we thoroughly enjoyed more live jazz music from a different trio. The manager/owner & the serving staff were once again amazing & the food was delicious. We are from Ottawa & my 80 year old mother hadn't been to Old Montreal in over 20 years & wanted to visit. Thanks to the manager, a very nice gentleman, its a great experience she will never forget. On the way out, the manager went out of his way during a busy time for him, to catch up to my Mom as she was about to step into the street, to say thank you. Its the little things that matter the most & we will never forget this restaurant & we highly recommend it after two visits in the same day. Thank you for the memorable day!!
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!
Went here for our honeymoon dinner, & the place is absolutely amazing! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was very relaxing, there was live music, & our server, Patrice, was wonderful! 11/10, would definitely recommend!
Feb 8, 2026
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My husband & I ate here for my birthday & we had a wonderful experience. When we booked our reservation, they asked us if there was a special occasion, & we selected birthday. While we were in the restaurant, we never mentioned it to our waiter. After we received our desserts, they let us know mine would be free for my birthday. I thought it was really nice that they laid attention to all the details & cared about making this a nice experience for us. I also really appreciated that they asked us about food allergies after we ordered.
The food, the music they played & the service were all very good. It's a great spot for a date night, with a romantic atmosphere. This was our second time here, & it's becoming one of our favourite restaurants in town. We will be back soon enough!
We've been here several times for brunch, dinner, & group outings with coworkers. It's a great venue with a warm, lively ambiance, especially for a casual dinner with live music. The food is generally good, though a bit hit-or-miss, & not quite a'wow' gastronomic experience. Prices feel slightly high for what's offered, but the atmosphere makes it an enjoyable place overall.
We went as a party of 4 for new years eve. The location is great & the atmosphere upstairs was very well done with the live jazz singer & the double bass player. The music was not overwhelmingly loud & complemented the experience in an elegant way. We found the service to be excellent. So kudos to the waiter that served us. We had a 5 course dinner with the wine pairing. I didn't find the wine really complemented the flavors of each dish so can't say whether or not a sommelier was involved in the selections. The dishes were good but not outstanding. I could not say that I found myself weak in the knees on first bite of each dish as I had hoped. The food was ok, I still finished everything on my plate. Overall I found the prices was fairly for the quality but nothing outstanding that would entice me to return.
Went to Modavie for a birthday luncheon. The lunch table d'hote was so delicious! We started the experience superbly being greeted by Lorenzo & his team. Our waiter was super friendly & knew the menu very well. The building is a classic Old Port old timey building & the decor accentuated that.
The cocktails were well crafted with beautiful garnishes.
Will be coming back for dinner time to be able to enjoy the live music!
Thank you Lorenzo!!
Dec 31, 2025
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It is rare to find a venue that manages to be both a'see-&-be-seen' social hub & a destination for high-end gastronomy, but What a Catch! delivers on both fronts. The live music creates a festive backdrop for what was an undeniably superior meal. The steak & risotto were the highlights of the evening-the former being one of the best cuts I've had in a decade. The multilingual service was seamless, attentive, & remarkably efficient given how crowded the room was. It is clear that the staff, musicians, & patrons all contribute to a uniquely positive & welcoming energy. I look forward to my next visit
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.
A great restaurant in the heart of Old Montreal. We enjoyed the lamb chops & charcuterie & cheese board. Prompt service, excellent food & the jazz music was.an added bonus.
Nov 28, 2025
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Lost diamond ring - $2,000 reward.
I'm feeling devastated after my wife misplacing her engagement ring on November 2 at 8:00 PM. We were at the table right in front of the live music stage. This piece is deeply sentimental, & we are heartsick that it's gone. We know it's a desperate move, but if you come across it, please hand it to the manager of the restaurant or reach me directly. I'm offering a $2,000 cash reward, no questions asked, for its safe return.
I also want to acknowledge the Modavie team -the whole team patiently searched with me, checked around the stage & nearby areas, & stayed so kind & friendly throughout. We are truly grateful for their effort & care.
