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.
Amazing experience. Tyler was our fantastic waiter. Dinner & a show, the live music on Saturday night was top notch. The food was also some the of the best. I had the lamb cavatelli, it was so tender & flavorful. Definitely recommend giving this place a try, especially if you like music.
Came for brunch & enjoyed the live music. Brunch menu has some interesting takes on classic dishes like a duck confit version of chicken & waffles. Worth stopping by.
Exactly what I was looking for in Old Montreal where it seems many restaurants have closed. The atmosphere here is perfect. Beautiful, dimly lit & easy to have a conversation while listening to live music & enjoying a perfectly prepared meal. I recommend the scallops appetizer with capers though we also enjoyed the seafood linguine with scallops-they were perfectly prepared in both dishes & while the tomato sauce was great, the appetizer's sauce will not be forgotten. The poutine (without lamb) with shoestring fries was also perfectly salty & tangy with more than enough small pieces of cheese curd. (This is a respectable poutine but one that isn't drowning in gravy like you might enjoy in many other restaurants-it has less guilt too!) I also enjoyed the salmon tartare but it had a much more subtle flavour than the other dishes. The service & atmosphere were wonderful. I would love to return.
In my last night in Montreal, Canada in November, 2024
I reserved a table at this lovely place in Old Montreal
A nice French restaurant that had one of the best food in all of Canada
I sit by the bar, while I was listening to live soul music
I ordered Escargots au gratin, duck confit, a cheesecake, beer & a cognac cocktail
It was so delicious
The service was good
& beside me there were a couple of friendly Canadians I befriended: Evan from Saskatchewan & Mike from Nova Scotia.
We talked about our countries, celebrities & trips & they made my last night in Canada better,
So better,
that, they advised me to continue to enjoy the unforgettable nightlife in town & I did so.
Definitely, a nice restaurant with the best atmosphere & food in the city.
Greetings from Mexico.
This restaurant is everything you'd hope for in a French dining experience-elegant yet completely welcoming. We stopped in for lunch & enjoyed a selection of appetizers, each one beautifully prepared & bursting with flavor. The ambiance has all the charm & sophistication of a classic French restaurant, but without even a hint of pretension.
What truly sets this place apart, though, is the staff. Everyone was warm & inviting, making us feel like old friends rather than just another table. Lorenzo, in particular, made our experience unforgettable-his humor, attention to detail, & genuine care for every guest turned a great meal into something special.
I can't wait to return for dinner with live music & finally try the lamb chops. If lunch was this good, I can only imagine what an evening here will be like!
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!
Mar 16, 2025
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Lorenzo & Jordanna made our experience so fun! Our favorite appetizer was the foie gras, & the duck confit was so tender! Look forward to coming back for live music!!!
I truly enjoyed this place. It was busy, but the food & the atmosphere was amazing. Live music, great friendly service, & delicious food. Truffle risotto was super delicious.
Seafood linguine had good scallops, but they didn't work at all with the pasta sauce, which was so full of oregano I couldn't taste anything else. & the creme brulee was not very creamy. Possibly overcooked? & the top was warm where it was torched, then cold on the bottom.
Live music is great & so was the service.
This is a wow restaurant. It is a must go restaurant in Montreal. You will not be disappointed ! The restaurant is huge with live music, good decoration & warm, a good selection of wine & French cuisine. I had garlic snails to start with….it was super delicious & finished all my bread! Then I had the duck confit - yes yes yes, you can taste the coffee! The potato, spinach, roasted almonds & the melt in my mouth super delicious duct confit take my breath away. The French Malbec - very good, wish I ordered 1 bottle ! I finished the meal with a delicious chocolate Lava Cake. You must have it ! The service is very good & professional.
Great atmosphere, music, service & food! I have celiac disease & the servers were all very attentive & explained all the gluten free options. They offer GF pasta & can make most of their dishes gluten free! Overall modavie had a great vibe & is right in the heart of old montreal for the perfect dinner spot.
Nice atmosphere, included live music. The drinks were delicious. The bone marrow was unimpressive. The French onion soup was terrific!!! Mushroom risotto has WAY to much cheese sauce compared to the rice. The rice was swimming in the cheese sauce. I would try again.
I really chose this place because they offered live music which didn't disappoint. You really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant. The food was delicious. We had the escargot since we wanted to have a French Canadian food experience. The truffle fries were delicious. I also had the rack of lamb, which was good. The drinks were also really good, but we are too full to have dessert which I guess I'll have to come back for at some point when I'm in Montreal again. The staff were absolutely lovely & it was just an overall great evening.
