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.
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
My husband, 2 year old son, & I stopped in for a mid week lunch & we're very impressed. The service was wonderful, both William & Lorenzo took great care of us. They were both so kind & attentive, & treated my son as just as important as the rest of us at the table. The food was excellent! Stand outs were their soup of the day, which was a carrot & broccoli soup, their salmon tartare, & the rack of lamb. William was also helpful with wine pairings to go with our meals. We will definitely be back next to we visit Montreal.
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!!
Went here for Valentine's 💖
The table was decorated with flower petals, & the vibe was really nice 🤎
Can't wait to catch the live jazz performance next time 🎷
Honestly, I remember the atmosphere more than the food.
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.
Feb 24, 2026
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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.
Un grand merci à Mathias pour son service qui était plus qu'exceptionnel !
Le repas était délicieux, le service impeccable! Sans oublier l'ambiance qui était au rendez-vous ! Un 10/10!
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!
Lors de mon récent passage à Montréal, j'ai eu le plaisir de découvrir ce restaurant français. Quelle claque culinaire ! Si vous cherchez une expérience authentique, c'est ici qu'il faut aller. L'ambiance est chaleureuse, bien que les tables soient un peu instables & l'espace un peu serré entre les convives.
Cependant, l'assiette fait vite oublier ces détails. Le confit de canard est tout simplement exceptionnel : la peau est croustillante & la chair fondante. Quant au carré d'agneau, il était cuit à la perfection, d'une tendreté rare. Chaque bouchée témoigne du savoir-faire du chef.
C'est sans aucun doute l'une des meilleures adresses de la ville pour les gourmets. Malgré le manque de confort par moments, la qualité des plats est telle que je recommande cet établissement sans hésitation. C'est vraiment trop bon !
Excellent service from Patrice! Everyone really enjoyed their meals. The four of us agreed that if we wanted to bring someone to a restaurant in Montreal to impress them, Modavie would be first one the list. Thanks Patrice ! 😁
