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.
I'll give it a 5 but it could be a 4 from a cuisine standpoint. I only had appetizers & they were solid. My company enjoyed the signature burger - although be noted that it comes rare.
Very fair prices.
Interior is amazing. Modern, classy & cool. Half of Monarque is bistro-esque & the other half is more fine-dining-esque. Good for business, date or a medium-fancy dinner.
I had a wonderful birthday dinner at Monarque. The steak tartare may be the best I've had, & the bone marrow was very unique & flavorful. The jus for the duck was a bit on the salty side, but pretty much everything was wonderful. The servers also gave me some little desserts & a candle!
May 13, 2025
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Beautiful atmosphere, very hard to talk over the music unless you are almost yelling. The restaurant was very clean & beautifully decorated. Restrooms were very clean & they give you actual towels to dry your hands. I did not particularly enjoy the ricotta ravioli I had nor the potatoes, but my husband enjoyed his pork steak. If you are looking for a nice fine dining place this is still a good option
I had a delicious dinner last night at Monarque. Sat at the bar & Johanna served us. She was so nice, friendly, helpful & attentive. In fact all the staff are friendly & so polite. Had the signature Monarque cocktail which was perfect. The halibut, salad & cauliflower were delicious, so tasty & beautifully prepared. We didn't have room for dessert unfortunately, I know their desserts are fantastic as well.
What makes Monarque so special is the great ambiance, delicious food, excellent service & friendliness of all the staff. Can't be beaten!! Looking forward to my next visit!!
Only thing that topped the food here was the service. We're from out of town & were just browsing restaurants & honestly was so impressed by everything. Food was super fire. Service was so efficient & genuine. Obsessed with the butterfly accents everywhere. 10/10 would come here again before we leave.
Thank you for having us.
May 9, 2025
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This restaurant had been on our list for a while, & our visit was well worth it. The welcome was warm & professional, & the service was attentive without being intrusive. The wine recommendation was perfect & beautifully complemented each dish.
We started with a delicious foie gras, followed by the evening's special: a tender & flavorful short rib. The meal ended on a sweet note with refined mignardises, perfectly balanced in taste & texture.
The restaurant's aesthetics are impeccable, but one small detail slightly affected the experience. From where we were seated, we could hear the staff exchanging unprofessional remarks about some customers. It didn't impact the service directly, but a bit more discretion would have made the experience flawless.
That said, with its excellent cuisine & elegant setting, this is a place I highly recommend.
We've had dinner at Monarque for the second time tonight, it blew our expectations away, as usual! The ambiance is great for any event! If you find yourself in Montréal, please come to Monarque & gift yourself a wonderful culinary experience! Merci Sophie pour ton super service. À bientôt!
I had really high expectations for this restaurant considering all the great reviews but I truly wasnt impressed. The service mind you was very good & the place is stunning. The plates were beautifully presented but nothing really stood out for me none of the plates had that wow factor that says ooooh let me come back for that. My sisters also weren't impressed with their food. It was just ok. Not somewhere i would return unfortunately.
Merci à Vincent qui après une erreur de date dans notre réservation nous a pu trouvé une table. Le service & la nourriture est incroyable digne des grandes adresses du monde entier. Merci encore Monarque à bientôt!
Monarque - A Montreal Gem Like No Other
Monarque isn't just a restaurant
it's my second home. From the very beginning, I've been a devoted client, & the magic hasn't faded one bit. This stunning establishment is one of Montreal's finest, & I'm constantly in awe of the atmosphere, the elegance, & above all, the impeccable team.
Olivier, Serge, Anthony thank you. You brighten every evening & elevate every event I host. Your warmth, attention to detail, & effortless hospitality are unmatched. I've referred clients, colleagues, & friends from around the globe, & every single one of them leaves as enchanted as I am.
Whether I'm hosting or simply enjoying a quiet evening at the bar, I always meet the most fascinating people. There's a certain energy at Monarque that's hard to describe, but unforgettable once you experience it.
World class everyday luxury ,
Merci, Monarque. You truly are one of a kind.
Mar 24, 2025
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The place is quite stunning, well thought out & really well located. The staff couldn't have been nicer & truly pleasant to interact with.
Cocktails were OK… out of the four we tried we somehow liked only of them. The three others were good but nothing to remember.
Wine list was great but again pretty standard for this type of restaurant in Montreal.
In my opinion the food wasn't great, everything we ate was good but it wasn't a meal we'll remember for a long time. It's definitely on the pricier side of things so expectations were high & sadly not met.
All & all, it's still a really popular spot in Montreal with a great location, amazing decor, superstar service & slightly above average food.
We read great reviews & were excited to try Monarque. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing. The service was cold & inattentive. No one checked up on us. Our water glasses were barely refilled. I noticed the tables around us received better service & the servers constantly checked on them. I don't know why. While no one was rude to us, we weren't properly attended to, receiving just the bare minimum of hospitality.
The wine selection & wines by the glass was fine, but the cocktails were extremely weak & 90% ice. I am not exaggerating. I took one sip of my drink through the straw, & there was no more liquid. The glass was filled to the brim with ice. This was the same for all 4 cocktails I ordered. The food was average at best for a French restaurant of this high standard. The portions were also very small. I'm used to French dining & I'm aware portions are usually small. However, this was the smallest I've ever received in a French restaurant in the city, especially at this price. My table of 3 ordered 12 oysters, octopus, foie gras, & tartare to start with. For the mains, we had duck confit, veal cheeks, & boudin. For dessert we had Pavlova & poached pear hazelnut. Everything was average. Not good & not bad, but nothing to rave about. The best part were the oysters. They were fresh & juicy. Not sure if I will return.
Service was not well timed, got our initial drinks & the first course right away- too soon! The food is excellent, 10/10. The atmosphere is a bit loud, but hard to manage with tiled floor & mirrored walls. I would go back for sure!
Excellente soirée d'anniversaire passée dans ce beau restaurant, grand, mais pas trop bruyant. Le menu concocté par Nancy Oakes était raffiné, original & succulent. Nous avons apprécié particulièrement les linguini à l'encre de seiche aux ormeaux. Jai decouvert le brillat savarin fouetté : un delice ! Le service était aux petits soins. La cuisine bien visible de la salle était affairée mais dans le calme. L'équipe était apaisante a regarder! Le choix en vin est assez riche & varié. Bravo!
