Monarque operates as a versatile culinary destination blending the traditional elements of a classic French bistro with modern preparation techniques. The menu centers on meticulously crafted tartares that highlight seasonal ingredients and precise flavor profiles. Patrons encounter an expansive interior layout that separates distinct service styles, ranging from a casual brasserie atmosphere to more formal, structured dining experiences. High ceilings and industrial architectural details define the space, creating an environment focused on efficiency and culinary consistency. The kitchen emphasizes technical mastery through refined sauces and expertly executed proteins sourced from high-quality suppliers. This establishment maintains a rigorous standard for ingredient freshness, ensuring that every dish reflects the core principles of French cooking. The overall operation functions as a sophisticated nexus of regional gastronomy within a bustling, high-traffic urban setting.
Monarque is widely celebrated as a premier dining destination in Montreal, offering a sophisticated experience that seamlessly blends classic French technique with modern culinary flair. Guests consistently praise the dual-concept layout, which features a lively, approachable brasserie alongside a more formal dining room, both characterized by elegant decor and an inviting open kitchen. While a few patrons occasionally noted inconsistencies in service or seasoning, the overwhelming majority of diners highlight the exceptional quality of signature dishes like the bone marrow with escargot, duck confit, and various tartares. The extensive wine list, expertly crafted cocktails, and professional, attentive staff contribute to an atmosphere that feels both upscale and welcoming for special occasions or casual treats. Despite some feedback regarding noise levels or the need for reservations, the restaurant is frequently described as a consistent, memorable, and high-value experience that sets a new benchmark for fine dining in the city.
We didn't know that there were two different sections in this restaurant when we booked. & our booking was being placed on the Dinning room without asking. We actually wanted to try the brasserie menu more but we were left with no choice.
So we were'forced' to enjoy a 3/4-course meal. We a group of 8 basically ordered all the food on the menu. The food was great, but we were dissatisfied with the services.
Nous avons fêté les 18 ans de notre fille cette fin de semaine. Nous étions assis au fond près de la fenêtre donnant sur Notre-Dame. Vaste restaurant à deux thèmes avec vue complète sur la cuisine. Le menu est en 3 étapes: entrée froide puis la chaude & le plat. Les portions ont l'air petites mais dans le fond fort suffisantes. Nous avons été servis par Sam. C'est un très bon serveur & sommelier avec un excellent humour. Il a rajouté une ambiance formidable à ce souper!! Bravo! Pour les plats tout était excellent. Vu que le menu change avec les produits de leur ferme, il évolue très souvent. Pour ma part l'entrée de tomate qui semblait simple fut délectable. La morue & l'agneau également. Le millefeuille en dessert avec une touche marquée vers le baklava était très réussi. Le cocktail quetzal & les vins suggérés ont vraiment rajouté une belle touche au spectacle culinaire. Bref un revenez-y! Pour ma part côté brasserie assurément. & pensez à demander une table avec Sam quoique ses collègues doivent aussi être très bons aussi.
Sat at the bar is the brasserie side. Make aure you have a reservation as it books up solid & there is no wait list for walk ins.
Steak frites & duck confit were absolutely amazing. Among the best, if not the best we have ever had. Grwat cheese & the pate / terrine / rillets were amazing. The bartender chose awesome wine pairings too. Gorgeous space as well.
We were a little reluctant about a spot in the touristy area, but so glad we went!
Jul 2, 2026
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.
Atmosphere: 10/10 | Overall feel of the restaurant feels as you'd expect it to be.
Service: 10/10 | Paced properly when ordering entrées, mains & dessert. Extremely pleasant staff, if you have a problem just ask.
Food: 10/10 | No issues here, had the bone marrow with burgundy snails as an entrée, Lamb sirloin (Recommended by Barman) as main & the Pavlova as dessert. Dish sizes are surprisingly decent (entrée + main) & I was too full for dessert.
If you get the chance to book a table here, do it!
We ate in the brasserie & had a wonderful evening of delicious food & scrumptious cocktails.
The bone marrow & snails starter was particularly delicious, along with the lamb rump main. The bouillabaise was superb- I could have happily eaten a loaf of bread with the rouille, it was so tasty! We rounded the night off by sharing a maple & pecan éclair.
The service was great, & food was exceptionally prompt given it was a Friday night!
Our only feedback to improve on an already great experience would be to serve your table bread warm with slightly softer butter.
Brasserie française. Excellente adresse du vieux port. Plats magnifiquement exécutés. Goûts & saveurs au rendez vous. Pieuvre exquise. Asperges blanches & sauce gribiche s'agrémente bien avec la verdure bien citronnée. Joue exceptionnelle, mais j'aurais pris plus de purée. Effiloché d'agneau super savoureux. Un peu déçu par le
Side de chou-fleur beurre de sauge. Il y avait plus de verdure ( épinard?) & de câpres que de chou-fleur. Déception aussi pour le gâteau reine elisabeth. Mon conjoint, lui, l'a apprécié. Ce gâteau est lié à beaucoup de souvenirs & cette version froide ne m'a pas plu.
Classic brasserie dishes but executed to perfection. We got the hangar steak, the confit duck, & the veal cheeks. The steak was cooked to perfection but the confit was duck was excellent. Probably the best confit duck I've ever had. The sauce for the veal cheeks was a little bit salty but flavour was good & the meat was tender. The portions for the main course are quite large, so you would be full even if you just ordered a main but we loved the food so much we also got dessert. We got chocolate cake, the Queen Elizabeth, & an eclair for dessert. All of them were excellent but my favourite was the Queen Elizabeth as it comes with sour cream ice cream which I thought was a very creative addition.
A very cool restaurant - split into a Brasserie & a tasting dining room, it has a very beautiful layout. This review is for the dining room.
The food tasted great, everything was delicious. I think because we went for lunch, the service was a bit more spotty - we had to flag our server multiple times for more water, among other things, so that was a bit of a miss.
The food was amazing though. Every dish was tasty, perfect cooked, & beautifully presented.
Best French food I've had. The staff was very kind to adjust us to the Brasserie from Selle a Manger upon request because of the confusion in reserving. The Foie Gras is perfection. The main entrees (duck confit & fish of the day) are fantastic. We especially enjoyed all the little vegetables in the main dishes, although they are not the star of the show but every single one of the vegetables (turnips, brussels sprout, potatoes, eggplant, etc) are just little jewels of nuanced natural flavor by themselves. We finished everything on the plate & would hope to come back in the future.
Monarque offers fantastic service & sophisticated decor. The trout tartare is divine-fresh & expertly textured-while the octopus & lamb use high-quality ingredients. However, the brasserie lighting is too bright, & the atmosphere could be warmer & cozier for diners.
