Mona Loa offers a vibrant fusion of Japanese culinary artistry and tropical Hawaiian flavors, creating a unique dining experience in the heart of the city. Guests can explore a diverse menu featuring expertly crafted sushi rolls, sashimi, and other Japanese specialties, complemented by island-inspired dishes that evoke the spirit of aloha. The atmosphere balances a sophisticated setting with a relaxed island vibe, making it suitable for both intimate gatherings and lively evenings. Signature offerings include fresh, high-quality seafood prepared with precision and presented with artistic flair. Whether indulging in a traditional teriyaki or savoring a poke bowl, Mona Loa provides a memorable escape through its distinct culinary offerings and engaging ambiance.
Mona Loa offers a truly immersive and unique experience that transports guests into a stunning, cave-like atmosphere reminiscent of a volcano lair. Many visitors praise the creative and delicious cocktails, which are expertly crafted and beautifully presented, while others highlight the high-quality food, particularly the sushi and flavorful appetizers. The vibrant music and festive energy create a memorable nightlife spot that stands out in downtown Montreal, especially for celebrations or a stylish night out. While the intimate space and popularity can sometimes lead to a lively or loud environment, the staff frequently receives warm recognition for their welcoming, attentive, and professional service, making the overall experience feel special for those seeking an unforgettable destination.
The vibe at Mona Loa was honestly super chill & fun. The place just felt good the second we walked in. The tambourine guy doing the live performance was amazing ,he had everyone smiling & added so much energy to the room. & the DJ? Perfect. He played music that fit the vibe all night without ever killing the mood. Overall, just a really good time with good people & good music.
I don't do seafood or any variety of it - so I ordered fried tofu (tofu no hana) 🥴 I didn't know what to expect but it was NOT it & my stomach isn't feeling it either
I also ordered a vegetarian sushi roll - never came. They accidentally gave it to another table & then refused to make it for me again bc it was'too late' meanwhile it was 11:20 PM & last call for food was 11:30 sooo??
ALSO not my fault yall gave it to someone else & it took the bartender 25+ minutes to realize I never got it. 😒
So, to start, I never leave bad reviews. Me & my girlfriend are both in the service industry (tourism & restaurants) & understand that on most occasions a bad meal or drink doesn't make or break the restaurant & it's unfair to punish a place based off of one bad night.
However, there are some things with this establishment that are pretty unconscionable given the price & exclusive feel of the bar. Especially considering how viral this place is online, people deserve some sort of warning.
First, I have to say the staff is incredible. The waitress & hostess/doorwomen were very genial & the management of this place is lucky to have staff this professional kind. Also, the atmosphere is really cool. You really feel like you are in a cave somewhere & the music is cool.
Unfortunately, there is a smell of urine that pervades the whole restaurant. It smelt so off no one in my group wanted to eat any food or order any drinks. I don't mind a piss smelling dive bar but not a fancy place like this where you have to wear pants to enter!
Also, drinks here are very expensive for bottom shelf liquor. Seriously, a mai tai in a tiki bar is 20+ dollars that uses captain Morgan spiced rum as the main rum? It's highway robbery to be charging these prices & using spirits this low quality no matter what the drinks taste like. In Quebec you could easily use chairmen's reserve, Havana club, Flor Di Cana, or others. I'm less knowledgeable about tequila but it's the same story with that re using 1800 over other spirits. The whole things rings as a scam.
This review is directed at management to hopefully add some drinks with better spirits if they are looking to charge those prices & call attention to that foul smell & to warn people who saw this place online. Again, just to reiterate the staff are great & the place does have a cool vibe.
My friends & I came here to celebrate a birthday. We were running a little late for our reservation, so I called ahead to let the restaurant know we would arrive around 8:40 p.m. When we got there, we were finally seated & waited for the rest of our group to arrive. While we were waiting, several servers came over asking when our friends were coming because we only had the table for two hours. That was understandable, & we didn't have a problem with it.Once everyone arrived & we had just started settling in, our waitress came over to ask if we wanted drinks. Right from the beginning, she seemed very passive-aggressive, but I didn't think much of it because I figured she might just be having a bad day.When it was time to order, there were only two menus on the table for our entire group, so not everyone had a chance to look at them. As she went around asking what everyone wanted, some of us weren't ready to order yet. She looked visibly annoyed. At one point, my friend was looking at her phone, & instead of saying,'Excuse me,' before placing a menu down, the waitress dropped it over my friend's head. It came across as very rude & disrespectful.Later, my friend asked what food she would recommend, & instead of helping, the waitress replied,'Have you not seen the menu?' That response felt unnecessary & unprofessional.Our food also took a long time to arrive. We understood because we were a large group, so that wasn't the issue. What really bothered us was the way we were treated. From what my friends & I observed, she didn't seem to interact with her other tables the same way. I don't know if it was because we're young, because we're people of color, or for another reason, but the difference in her attitude was noticeable.When it was time to pay, I tried asking for the bill. The DJ booth was right beside our table, & the music was extremely loud, making it difficult to hear. She said something to me, but I couldn't make it out, so I politely said,'Sorry, I couldn't hear you.' Instead of coming closer or repeating herself, she turned around & started helping another table. When she came back, she was still trying to speak from a distance over the loud music. I had to ask her to come closer before I could finally hear what she was saying.The restaurant itself has a nice atmosphere, & aside from the long wait for our food, I understand that large groups can take longer. However, the service from this particular waitress really rubbed me the wrong way & made what should have been a fun birthday celebration feel uncomfortable.
Coming here made our trip. It was my wife's birthday & the manager made it his mission to take care of us. Beautiful interior, really good music & an unmatched vibe.
