Reviews portray Monarque as a refined Montreal dining destination that blends a chic brasserie vibe with a formal dining room, offering an elegant yet lively atmosphere. The cuisine is repeatedly described as superb, with standout dishes including bone marrow with escargots, bouillabaisse, tartare, duck, veal cheeks, and a highly praised seafood selection, though a few items are noted as overly salty or uneven in texture. The presentation is praised, ingredients are described as high quality and carefully balanced, and the open kitchen and kitchen-facing tables are frequently highlighted as special touches. Service is described as professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, with many guests feeling well taken care of, while some reviews mention variability in service levels, language gaps, or occasional delays. The wine list is extensive and a strength, though prices can be high. Ambiance is consistently described as beautiful, classic, and Montreal style, with some comments that the space can be loud or the temperature a bit cool, and a few complaints about dessert quality or portion sizes. Reservations are recommended given popularity and the two-menu structure, and many leave eager to return for another memorable meal. Overall, Monarque is viewed as one of Montreal's top dining experiences for technique, presentation, and hospitality, albeit with occasional inconsistencies in service and value.
Superb & attentive service & excellent food. We had an early dinner reservation here, & due to unforeseen circumstances, we were in a rush. We informed the staff, & we were seated rapidly. Our appetizers arrived in less than 10 minutes & our main courses came less than 5 minutes later. We were done with our meal in less than an hour, leaving us plenty of time. All the wait staff we interacted with really went above & beyond to get us a quick meal that didn't feel rushed or stressed. The food itself was great. The hummus was unique & the chicken soup had a robust flavor. The milk chocolate creme brulee was delicious & had just the right level of sweetness. I'd highly recommend this place - extraordinary service is rare these days, & this place has it.
Dining at Monarque was a memorable experience. We got reservations for the brasserie, which was very nice inside but more casual than a strict fine dining environment, & had nice views of the kitchen. Staff were attentive & professional the whole night, & the coat check was nice. For cocktails, the Lady Marmalade was my favorite for a juicy option, or the oddjob otherwise. The spritz mocktail was a little underwhelming, & tasted more like a seltzer. Appetizers vary in size, so check with the server if you want to share. The prosciutto salad was lovely, it had just enough flavor between the salty meat & touch of dressing, & a mix of textures from the almond. Recommend the wild mushroom gnocchi as a delicious vegetarian appetizer, & the lamb with the ravioli was indulgently tender. The duck was fantastic: flavorful & perfectly cooked. The lamb was also just the right amount done, not overly heavy but rich with the sauce. The cornish hen was good, though not remarkable. I liked their rendition of bouillabaisse. I highly suggest the tarte tatin as a shareable appetizer for two or three people, it had soft spiced apples & a flakey crust. The peach cobbler was delicious, & the mango pavolva was very fresh- the mango topping was tart, which I personally much prefer. I might like the center a little more done in the pavlova. My meal here felt cohesive, & in the brasserie I could pick & choose from a variety of options. I highly recommend Monarque for a nice occasion, its also quite accessible from the underground city if you want to walk there in the winter months.
Dec 10, 2024
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The foul is tough & dry, the mangoes are very sour probably because it's out of season, I don't recommend it during the winter. The pavlova itself has nothing worth noting, the bakery nearby my home does even better. Everything is just average, considering the price & reputation.
Wow ! Beautiful place & the food is soooo good !! I definitely recommend you to get the bone marrow & octopus for your entree & for dessert the pavlova was delicious!
We had a wonderful experience at Monarque! We were in a rush to catch a train, & the host, even while busy assisting other guests, went above & beyond to help us finish our dinner in time. The food was amazing, & thanks to their thoughtful arrangements, we enjoyed a delicious meal without any stress. We didn't get the chance to say thank you in person, but we're truly grateful & will be sure to visit again-highly recommend for both the food & the fantastic service!
Beautiful restaurant, the food was delicious, the service was extraordinary, the staff was super friendly. Ranked one of the best restaurants in Canada, the visit is totally worth it. They have an interesting menu of food & a very extensive wine menu. I would recommend this restaurant for any special occasion or for a nice dinner with friends.
Even when we only decided to take two courses & the dessert, instead of the recommend three, we left fully satisfied. The dishes were amazing, tasteful, beautifully prepared. A fantastic experience that we fully recommend. We will come back.
Oct 10, 2024
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This is a true culinary experience. They recommend you take one course per section of the menu but as a big group, you could easily manage two & be perfectly full & delighted. The service was friendly & warm. We even got a tour of one of the 3 kitchens! Very high end & delicious Montreal restaurant! Very recommended
I'm absolutely loving this spot! The contemporary design is sleek & modern, & the two separate salons offer a unique & intimate atmosphere. But the real treat is the food , it's absolutely delicious! & the desserts? Heavenly! They literally melt in your mouth. I'm talking swoon-worthy, can''t get enough goodness. Whether you're looking for a night out with friends or a cozy evening with coffee, I highly recommend stopping by. Trust me, you won't be disappointed
Nous avons mangé à une table brasserie. La nourriture était savoureuse, des bonnes portions & une excellente ambiance. La raison principale pourquoi je voulais faire un avis: le personnel! Que ce soit l'hôtesse ou les serveurs, tout le monde était d'un professionnalisme exemplaire & dégageait une joie de travailler dans ce milieu. Je recommande pour n'importe quelle occasion
Aug 31, 2024
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We went to Monarque on our last night in Montreal, & we were glad we did, since no other meal measured up. We ate in the brasserie side, which is a bit more casual, with a less expensive but still top-notch menu. The servers were very attentive & knowledgeable. Everything we ate, from the bread to the ricotta cheesecake, was delicious. Highly recommended!
Delicious experience, highly recommended for special occasions. We went to the dining room on a Friday night. Pros: -Excellent service from the reservation until the end of the dinner. They accepted that I made a bouquet delivered the same day to the restaurant, & to be given at the table once we sat. -The food was creative & delicious! One of the most impressive restaurants I had the chance to try in Montreal. -Portions were made perfectly for a 4 services dinner as they mentioned. We are rather small eaters, & had to push a little to finish it. -Nice ambiance inside the dining area, with mirrors all around. Cons: -More a « be aware » than a negative point: Expect around 150$ per person without alcool. However the experience is worth it. -The lamb was not to our expectations flavour wise & cooked wise. I would advise to take something else. Note: -I highly recommend the « Snow Crab Tartlet », & mostly the dessert « Strawberry & rhubarb galette » that was incredible.
incredibly nice staff & delicious food, I recommend it. We came from Toronto & vacationed there with friends! This is officially the best restaurant I've visited in Canada!
Sat in the bar area (I recommend that over the dining room). Food was amazing. Waitress was very friendly, knowledgeable & professional. She recommended the PERFECT bottle of wine for our meals. We loved it & it reminded us why we come back to Monarque every few months. Outstanding food - Great service!
