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.
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.
Special place - feels like you are in a magical cave. Dimmed lights, nice music, great service. Japanese black cod was absolutely delicious. Cocktails looked nice but I didn't mine as it felt like alcohol quality wasn't at the highest standard. Nice place for a birthday party or to impress your date.
My girlfriend & I visited from New Jersey, USA while staying in Montreal for Valentine's weekend. We went on 2/13 & were seated right away at their lovely bar. From the ambience, to the customer service to the very tasty cocktails & chicken appetizer- we had a wonderful experience. The bar staff & manager gave us a great experience & showed us their new bar in the basement. What a great place! We will definitely return & recommend to our friends.
First time here, seated at the bar. The food was excellent - the karaage chicken was outstanding & the maki were very flavorful. Cocktails were great, & the bartender provided good service.
The downside: at 9 p.m. (with an 8 p.m. reservation), we were asked to leave to accommodate another booking. I understand the concept of table turnover, but for a Friday night dinner, one hour feels too short. It would be better to clearly inform guests upfront about the seating time.
I also didn't appreciate the repeated offers of free shooters to smooth over the situation - that's not why I go out. I prefer to enjoy my evening at my own pace.
$150 per person in one hour… dessert & the last cocktail were enjoyed elsewhere.
Mona Loa is easily one of Montreal's best newer bars & honestly, the definition of a vibe. From the moment you walk in, the ambience hits you-warm lighting, stylish décor, & a laid-back energy that still feels elevated. It's the kind of spot that feels intentionally designed but never pretentious.
The food & drinks are on point, too. Cocktails are crafted with real care, balanced & flavourful without trying too hard. The food menu surprised me in the best way-fresh, well-seasoned, & way better than what you'd expect from a typical bar. You can tell they actually put in the effort.
Whether you're pulling up for a casual night out or looking for a place that feels a bit more curated, Mona Loa delivers. Great vibe, great ambience, great food & drinks. Definitely worth adding to your Montreal rotation.
Dec 8, 2025
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Meilleur endroit ever! J'ai célébré mon anniversaire en espérant que tout allait bien se passer. L'entrée, les cocktails, le service, tout était juste parfait. Je remercie au staff du bon service qu'ils ont offert depuis qu'on est arrivé. Je recommande cette place à tout le monde & je reviendrai for sure!
-Les réservations ne sont pas respectées tu dois quand même attendre plus de 40min avant de rentrer & nous n'avons pas pu manger car la cuisine est fermée.
-La place est très petite.
-Le prix est quand même assez élevé pour des cocktails qui ne sont pas très bons, même les shots sont cher.
- Le DJ ce samedi n'était pas bon du tout on dirait qu'il avait pris un mixte de YouTube & qu'il l'a fait jouer toute la soirée.
- Ambiance très boff/weird à cause des serveurs & le type de clientèle style influenceur.
A really amazing experience for some birthday drinks & sushi. I would recommend this place simply for their adorable bird cocktail glasses but everything from the drinks to the food to Diana's excellent service was top tier.
Mona Loa is a true hidden gem in Montreal. Cozy atmosphere, amazing cocktails, & friendly staff make it the perfect speakeasy experience. A must-visit!
Nous avons eu un service impeccable de la part de Charlie au Mona Loa. Elle a été extrêmement attentionnée & de très bons conseils. Elle nous a recommandé le tataki de thon ainsi que le plateau à partager, deux excellents choix. Elle nous a également fait découvrir un cocktail appelé Habibi, qui n'est même pas encore sur la carte, & qui était tout simplement délicieux.
Merci Charlie pour cette belle expérience, on reviendra sans hésiter !
Parfait pour un 5 à 7, je recommande. Décor magnifique, belle ambiance. Service rapide! Les cocktails choisis sont délicieux & vous pouvez commander vos cocktails favoris.
You won't get a table!!!
We had reservations for 3 at 9pm on a Saturday. First they made us wait in a table outside. Then we waited at the bar for 1h when we eventually figured we were not going to get a table because of the lack of organisation. The vibe, music & food is okay here. The service I wouldn't say as much. The owner was kind enough to offer us something to drink. It was shots & we didn't feel like drinking shots so we asked for'cocktails' instead, which were the shots with pineapple juice. I found that to be very cheap considering the prices on the menu. Overall me & my friends were disappointed with our experience here.
