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.
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 lively spot for dinner with all the French classics. A little something for everyone. My boyfriend wanted to have a steak & I wanted something other than a steak. Did not disappoint. We had the most tender grilled octopus here (melt on your mouth), crispy cod fritters, striploin & fries with a side of sauteed mushrooms, duck confit & finished off the evening with an eclair. I would come back here just to devour a plate of their fries. Crispy on the outside, creamy & soft on the inside & bursting of potato flavor. They have a fantastic wine list also. Highly recommend the Hidalgo Albert Fina (red wine).
We had an amazing night dinning here. There was a great selection of creative dishes but they also have classic ones which tasted fantastic as well. I especially liked the aged steak, it had great texture & great flavours. The balance between fat & meat was great, the mix of chewiness & softness was great as well & the pepper sauce that came with the steak complemented it quite nicely. The duck was pretty delicious too! The crispy skin paired so well with the tender meat & the flavours were nice as well. The service on the other hand varies quite a lot. We had a warm welcome initially from the waitresses & then some waiters were quite clumsy & rough which made it a bit less enjoyable. The contrast was too big not too notice. The atmosphere itself was great. There were so many customers that were enjoying the food, the vibe was just great. I do feel like the tables are a bit small making it feel a bit cramped but it was still quite nice.
Feb 15, 2026
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Last night on Valentine's day was my first experience in Monarque restaurant.
The restaurant has a very nice atmosphere.
Our waitress was so nice & helpful.
We asked for a Medium cook for our steak; however, it was not cooked well (to my taste at least). I found the crust of our steak especially on the sides to be burnt. I've had better quality of steak with more reasonable prices in many other restaurants.
I mentioned this to the manager & she had a nice behaviour towards my comment which I truly appreciated.
Overall, I found the restaurant to be a nice spot with nice staff, but it wasn't worth the price at least to me ($520 for two!!).
A beautiful brasserie with a refined, classic atmosphere. The space is elegant & very Montréal. Polished & quietly upscale.
I ordered a mocktail as I wasn't feeling well; service was discreet & reserved, very much in a European style. We shared the octopus, which was tender & well prepared. The steak frites were good & properly executed, satisfying, though not extraordinary.
Overall, a pleasant experience in a lovely setting. Worth visiting for the ambiance & solid brasserie fare.
We came here on the 3rd of day 8 of our trip from Vancouver to Montreal. Our server was Laura.
We ordered the:
Appy: fois gras parfait
Main: braised veal cheeks, steak frites (hangar)
Sweets: apple tartatin.
Fois gras parfait: this was absolutely divine. We've had this at numerous places in Vancouver & NYC. This was hands down the absolute best. Flavour was superb. Temperature was on point. Bread was toasted while not being crunchy. Pickled veg did not overpower. It was perfection.
Braised veal cheeks - perfectly braised, not grainy/dry cardboard that sometimes happens or overly braised melting into a mess in your mouth with no texture. Perfect mouthfeel. Celeriac gave a nice contrast to the richness of the meat compared to mashed potatoes. Sauce was amazingly decadent.
Steak frites: hangar steak was juicy, tender, & very beefy. Fries were perfectly crispy & seasoned! I cant say for certain but it tastes like they were brined before frying? Either way, the outside was not covered in salt but the entire fry was flavourful. Mayo - delicious. Got to 1/3 of the steak & realized it was a bit under temp. Laura agreed before I could finish my sentence. (More on Laura below). Laura came back after with the steak that was replated with new fries & mayo & an added bernaise sauce.
Tart: simple & delicious. While the bottom of the tart isnt crispy, I didnt find it detracted from the overall as the sides were crispy.
Laura: she is an amazing server. She didnt hover, but was always aware. She kept an eye on our drinks level out of her periphery, she immediately glanced at my steak after my first slice with the knife, she choreographed the next items masterfully. She managed the section like a true pro with customers feeling like she was always within reach, while not feeling hovered over. She struck that beautiful balance with ease.
In all of our dining experiences, this was the best - & Laura played no small part in that!
We came here for my wife's birthday. It's a nice place. Love the atmosphere. The open kitchen. The less formal vibes. It's really nice. However, it's also a pretty expensive place. Our bill was almost $300 before tip. & when we eat at places like that our expectations are high. & in this case Monarque didn't live up to our expectations.
They brought out bread & butter before the meal. Which was nice. But both the bread & the butter were cold. Would have expected warm bread & soft butter at a place like this.
I ordered the venison steak which was on their special menu for the day. Server recommended it medium rare so that's what I took. It came out blue. It was delicious & I ate it happily. I told the waiter'I trust the kitchen. I just want to make sure that this is how they meant to send it out.' & he confirmed. But again, when you pay $300 for dinner you expect the kitchen to cook your steak the way you ordered it.
Portions are small.
Drinks were good. Service was good. Vibes were good. But not worth the price. Probably won't be back.
Heard such good thing about this resto so booked a table at the brasserie. We ordered the bone marrow, ravioli, steak & the special of the day which was lamb shoulder. All dishes were well seasoned & delicious. Honestly for the quality & portion, I think the price is VERY reasonable especially for a restaurant in the old port. I really enjoyed the richness of the bone marrow & the steak was perfectly cooked & seasoned. Dare I say better than Gibbys. The fries were also perfectly crispy & seasoned. The lamb shoulder was also fabulous!! Would recommend the steak & bone marrow. Service was also very accommodating. Will come back again for a night out with friends or for a date.
My wife & I had an amazing dinner at Monarque while in town for a long weekend. We started with the steak tartare (pictured). I had the duck confit, which I loved. She had the veal cheeks & said it goes into her dining hall of fame. It was that good. Service was friendly with the right balance between tending to us while giving us space to enjoy our food & conversation. Oh & the dessert: we had the apple cider donuts. That might sound funny at a place like this. But wow! What a way to end a fantastic dining experience.
We stayed in Old Montreal, & it was walkable from our hotel, which was a plus.
J'y suis allée trop de fois pour compter. J'ai essayé pas mal de restos haut de gamme & aucun ne compare à Monarque pour l'instant. Je crois que Monarque est même bien mieux que certains restaurants Michelin. L'atmostphère & le service sont impeccables.
Mes recommendations:
- Les cocktails & le cocktail hot yoga
- L'os à moelle
- Le tartare de boeuf
- Le burger (heure du lunch)
- Les gnocchis
- Le dry-aged steak, sauce béarnaise
- Le plateau de fromages
- Le Paris Brest
Merci à toute l'équipe pour le service incroyable qui m'a permis d'avoir des rencontres professionnelles tout comme des dîners en famille autour de repas déliceux! 5 ⭐?
