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.
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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Went to Mona Loa to celebrate a birthday & we had an amazing time! Food was good & drinks were even better. We went on a Saturday night & the DJ was definitely one of the best I've seen in a while. They also had a tambourine player that definitely helped bring everyone together & celebrate. We had other plans to go elsewhere & we ended up staying the whole night since we were having so much fun. The servers were great too, constantly checking up on us ensuring we have the best time possible. Great experience & beautiful restaurant, will definitely be coming back.
J'y suis allée avec mon mari & nous y avons passé une excellente soirée! L'ambiance était au rendez-vous. Nous ne buvons pas d'alcool donc nous avons commandés des mocktails & ils étaient vraiment à l'écoute par rapport à nos goût, j'ai été agréablement surprise de la complexité des drinks! Super service, je recommande à tous! ☺?
Amazing experience here, great staff(shoutout Simon) everyone here was incredible & super friendly! Amazing food & even better drinks. Definitely recommending to everyone who wants a great meal & even better vibe!
Lovely staff & vibe is great! We ordered the filet mignon when we went. Unfortunately, the meal was cold. The truffles fries are not truffle fries…they taste like frozen fries put into a fryer. The steak looks & tastes like it was frozen & put on a grill to warm up. It is unfortunate because the overall vibe of the place is good but the food & drinks & the price of it all does not make it worth it…
Ambiance is nice but drinks are nothing special (bartenders should taste their drinks b4 serving them) every drink was way too acidic. Food was nothing special. Karrage chicken was good but sushi rolls were mid.
Feb 17, 2026
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Belle ambiance!! Le staff incroyable. Les drinks sont trop bon surtout le pornstar martini. Le Tiger roll je recommande il est vraiment bon. Je vais certainement revenir :)
Jan 3, 2026
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The maitre De was very good... Service was great. Drinks are very good. Edamame was very good along with the shrimp tempura for an appetizer. S scallops main course was okay, the salmon was great. Was looking forward to the coconut Sherbert dessert that they were out of it.
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.
