Reviews describe Mona Loa as a visually striking cavernous speakeasy with dim lighting, warm tones, and a unique decor that makes the space feel intimate yet elevated. The vibe is repeatedly praised as cozy and immersive, a great setting for dates or a night out with friends, and the cocktails are often highlighted for being creative and well balanced, with a standout Habibi cocktail frequently praised. Food receives mixed notes, with some dishes like seafood and sushi praised for freshness and flavor, while others arrive cold or fall short of expectations for the price. Service is generally friendly and attentive but inconsistent at times, and during busy periods some guests report slower pacing or seating and menu hiccups. The location and atmosphere are consistently cited as a major draw, including the sense of discovery and the overall aesthetic, sometimes described as a hidden gem on Crescent with a basement bar and lively music. Reservations are advised as the place fills up, and a few reviews caution about noise levels and the value for money. Overall Mona Loa is seen as a must visit for ambiance and drinks, with the experience varying by visit depending on service and kitchen execution.
It was okaay, food was underwhelming, decor was great, service too, music was hit & miss, often too loud for a place where I sit down, cocktails were hit & miss too.
Don't eat here.
Very cute place & fish that melts in your mouth but not flavourful. The tables were very close to one another, making it impossible to go in the booth without having to move everyone else's table lol. As soon as we finished our meal, we paid our bill & stayed a bit to talk. The lady came over & asked us to leave since we passed our hour & a half time slot. I understand that they have other reservations but there is a way of saying it. I put a picture of the stairs to go to the bathroom lol be careful.
Apr 6, 2026
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had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant. While I was sitting at the bar, the waiter accidentally splashed lemon juice all over me while making a drink. My clothes & coat were completely soaked.
After that, he said he would offer me a drink to make up for it, which I appreciated at the time. However, at the end, I was still charged for that same drink. I had to ask for it as a courtesy because of what happened, & it still wasn't taken off the bill.
I found this very unprofessional & frustrating. Definitely not the kind of service I expected
La serveuse nommée Ranim était super gentille! Le service était impeccable & tout était très bon. Je recommande pour des belles photos & des bons drinks!
Apr 4, 2026
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This establishment took a reservation for a table for two at a high top seating, when we arrived the hostess told us we could not sit as at this time ( the time of our reservation) they only let large reservations sit at tables. She then offered us to stay standing while spots at the bar clear up. We ended up leaving as we were disappointed in the service.
Apr 3, 2026
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Hosted a private event here in March. It was extremely fun, amazing drinks, the most friendly & accommodating staff. Our guests absolutely loved the ambiance & had an amazing time.
Good atmosphere with a cool vibe & an impressive entrance. Without a reservation we had a 5-10 minute wait. I only got drinks. The service is a quite slow as we had to wait a while to get our orders in & they overcharged me as I got charged for three drinks & only received two due to having no staff to take my order someone else other than a waitress took it. The drinks themselves were pretty good. The DJ is live & music is decent. Overall an okay place to check out.
Mar 28, 2026
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Je suis extrêmement déçu de cette endroit. Nous avions fait une réservation pour 3 & avons reçu une table pour 2, imaginez le set up de notre table. Il était impossible de commander nos plats & d'avoir la place sur la table!!! Après avoir répéter notre mécontentement 6x nous avons eu une table pour 4. Nous avons reçu notre repas 1h plus tard, bien après ceux arrivés après nous pour ensuite constater la table a côté de nous pour 2 remis à 3 personnes encore!!!!
ENGLISH WILL FOLLOW
Manger dans ce restaurant a été une expérience assez mauvaise pour moi. Sans la compagnie & le décor, je lui mettrais probablement une étoile. Je le déconseille fortement.
Les plats que j'ai choisis étaient en petites portions (tataki de thon, pétoncles qui pourtant etait un plat principal).
C'était vraiment très cher pour ce que c'était.
Je suis sorti de là en ayant payé 142 $ (avant tips) & en ayant encore faim. J'ai consommé un tataki de thon (5 petits morceaux de thon), un plat de pétoncles (légumes sautés avec 7 petits pétoncles, probablement parmi les plus petits que j'ai mangés), 0,3 L de bière, un cocktail & 5 oz de vin (un vin plutôt ordinaire).
Le pourboire était inclus, environ 20 % au moment du paiement (166$). Pas moyen de le modifier.
Expérience décevante en ce qui concerne la nourriture & le prix.
English:
Eating at this restaurant was quite a disappointing experience for me. If it were not for the company & the decor, I would probably give it one star. I strongly do not recommend it.
The dishes I chose came in very small portions (tuna tataki, scallops).
It was really overpriced for what it was.
I left having paid $142(before tips) & was still hungry. I had a tuna tataki (5 small pieces of tuna), a scallop dish (sautéed vegetables with 7 very small scallops, probably among the smallest I have ever had), 0.3 L of beer, one cocktail, & 5 oz of wine (a pretty cheap wine).
The tip was included, around 20% at payment($166), with no option to modify it.
A disappointing experience overall in terms of both the food & the price.
