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.
Quelle belle soirée nous avons passé auprès de l'équipe de Modavie!
Les plats y sont très raffinés, les musiciens talentueux & les serveurs professionnels & sympathiques, on recommande !
Oct 18, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
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.
Stopped in for the live music. Hung out waiting for a flight & had great food & cocktails. Fois Gras & Onion Soup were perfect. Excellent space & bar too!!
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!!!
Oct 11, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Nous avions réservé pour fêter l'anniversaire de mon neveu. La nourriture était excellente, malgré un service un peu long, compréhensible étant donné l'affluence ce jour-là.
Cependant, au moment où nous terminions la dernière coupe de vin, le gérant est venu nous demander de libérer la table car d'autres clients attendaient. Ce geste a été particulièrement mal perçu, surtout dans le cadre d'une célébration.
Nous fréquentons régulièrement cet établissement, & c'est la première fois que nous vivons une expérience aussi désagréable. Nous espérons que cela restera une exception.
Oct 5, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Tout était très bon, particulièrement le canard & les pâtes du jour. Toutefois, mes attentes étaient trop élevées par rapport à l'agneau. La cuisson aurait pu être meilleure. La surface n'étant pas bien saisie.
We had a lovely dinner at this charming French restaurant. We ordered the house salad, onion soup, & rack of lamb. Everything was delicious & beautifully presented. The lamb was a bit more cooked than I would have preferred, but it was still flavorful.
Service was friendly & attentive. We were seated in the room next to the live music, which was perfect - we could enjoy the ambiance while still having an easy conversation. Overall, a wonderful dining experience that I'd happily recommend.
Oct 4, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Live music, tasteful food, & great service. The location is good, but parking can be tough because the area is always busy. Still, it's definitely worth visiting.
Went to Modavie on a Wednesday night & it was packed. I loved the whole experience. From the food, to entertainment, to the service, it was amazing. I ordered lamb chops & they were delicious.
I also had cold crème brûlée for dessert & wanted to order more. Finally I had tea to digest.
Our server's name was William & was remarkable, quick, efficient, polite.
There was also a jazz band that made the whole experience much more enjoyable. I will definitely come back!
Good food, but weird reservation system. Have to specify that you want to sit near live music when reserving, otherwise you will be sat far away where you can not hear the live music.
