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.
We went as we saw that Chef Nancy Oakes was there Friday night.
My friend had been to the restaurant before, but it was my first visit. It was a bonus to be seated next to the window that allows you to see the kitchen staff in action.
The service is excellent. Very attentive & friendly staff, who , when I mentionned I felt some dishes too salty, made sure I was given a new dish with less salt & that all subsequent ones were made accordingly.
The food was excellent, the portions just right for a 7 course meal.
We were surprised though with the dessert: un chocolat fondant was a bit « ho hum » for a menu of that caliber.
The restaurant was full that night so the noise level was a bit high, but overall a pleasant experience.
Visiting the city & decided to dine with them for a birthday celebration. It was highly rated on Google & recommended by many. But our experience was quite bizarre.
First of all, we walked in & were guided to our table. Our server never made an appearance or introduced herself. Some other staff helped us with our coats. We were seated for a while & she was no where to be found, another staff swung by to give us the wine list & menu. She was no where to be found. Finally, she came by. She didnt know the menu well enough to answer our questions (she was honest abt it. But that doesnt make it ok). Idk if she was that busy or just avoided our table & eye contact at all times, very inattentive. It took her so long to come to our table, other staff had to step in & come check on us.
The food itself was ok. Impressed with some dishes more than others. But they mixed up our main courses. & they dont reli explain the dish upon serving, so thank god i know what i ordered. Plus the super long waits in between. Our dinner was 3+ hours for 3 courses.
Our server didn't come back to take our dessert order or the bill. Two other different staff stepped in…
Overall, very mid experience for what we were paying for.
Had dinner at Monarque while visiting Montreal since it's ranked the #1 restaurant in the city & made Canada's Top 100 list. The vibe was great-elegant but not stuffy-& the service was super attentive. The food is classic French, really well done. Highly recommend the bone marrow escargot & foie gras-both were rich, flavorful, & absolutely delicious. If you're looking for a solid French dining experience, this place is definitely worth checking out!
It was amazing, the food was so good & the staff was so nice. I love those restaurants where you have our own waiter/waitress but also the rest of the staff is checking on you in case you need anything. Great experience!
Easily in the top 5 in Montreal right now. Good service, often even great. Steady, precise, fresh & well prepared food at a very decent price point. All their meat cuts from PEI is superb & Bouillabaisse is a must. The wine list is great with a large scope in price, geography & eclecticism.
I had the pleasure of eating at Monarque 4-5 times in the past year & every time I have an opportunity to eat with friends or family downtown, it is everyone's go to. Given the depth of choices for restaurants in the area, it says a lot. One star removed for the atmosphere, because last time we were seated near the bathroom stairs & the smell of cleaning products was overpowering.
Feb 2, 2025
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Wow 🤩! Du début à la fin nous avons eu une expérience culinaire de haut niveau. & le sommelier nous a recommandé des vins tout aussi exceptionnel. Avec un service impeccable. Nous vous remercions pour avoir fait de notre anniversaire de mariage un moments hors norme. Félicitations à toute votre équipe!
Gloriously designed with an attention to detail, I loved this place. The food was a taste buds explosion of complex flavours. The drinks were refreshing & with a twist. I loved the Monarch design linked from the drinks to the glass bottle & as a pin on the server's uniform. The viewing into the kitchen was entertaining & impressive. I did not have a single bad dish to eat. We tried every starter with the exception of one. Loved them all. The Rabbit special was so good. The veal cheek melts in your mouth. Our server was so good & I appreciated her attentiveness. Highly recommend this restaurant.
Tellement une belle expérience! J'ai été avec mon copain & le service de Colin était impeccable. Il nous a fait de très bonnes recommandations & il était très professionnel.
La nourriture était excellente & le vin que nous avons pris également.
This was our first visit to Monarque, & it certainly won't be my last! From the moment we walked in, the service was exceptional. They even offered to take our coats, which was such a thoughtful touch. For starters, we had the bone marrow with Burgundy snails & the grilled octopus-both were beautifully presented & absolutely delicious. For our mains, we tried the fish & seafood bouillabaisse & the special braised rabbit thigh, which were equally impressive. To pair with the meal, we ordered the Goa & Pomchata mocktails, & they were just as amazing as the food! The staff were incredibly patient & gave us plenty of time to make our choices, creating a relaxed & welcoming atmosphere. This place is perfect for a date night-I would highly recommend it to any couple looking for a memorable dining experience. I'm already looking forward to returning & trying more dishes from their menu!
I went on a Friday night, great service & they were accommodating as we were late for our reservation. As for the food, the appetizers were the standouts. The bone marrow dish is a must & was the best dish of the night. We also ordered the octopus which was very tender but a little too smoky. For the mains, the Bouillabaisse was a tad fishy for my taste however the seafood was fresh & perfectly cooked. The rabbit, was not on the regular menu but it was very moist & perfectly seasoned. Great quality-price & portions were very fair. Would definitely go back to try more of their dishes!
Were able to snag a table without a reservation on a Friday night. Glad we did. The food was terrific (Rabbit & Spätzle & Steak & Frites) & the cocktails delivered!
We went to Monarque on recommendation from a bartender at another Montreal restaurant. It's a gorgeous twinkling restaurant with delicious everything. Lots of typical French stuff on menu. If you're a fan of simply dressed excellent lettuces, the green herb salad excels. Super bouillabaisse & steak frites. Best martini I've ever had (went with bartenders rec for locally produced gin from a Quebecois microdistillery - wow). Special. Absolutely recommend.
C'est un très beau restaurant moderne & luxueux, où chaque détail est soigneusement pensé pour offrir une expérience exceptionnelle. L'intérieur du restaurant est vaste, avec une décoration élégante & contemporaine qui crée une ambiance à la fois chic & accueillante. Les tables sont disposées de manière à offrir suffisamment d'espace pour que chaque client puisse profiter de son repas en toute tranquillité. Le service est tout simplement excellent. Le personnel est attentif, courtois & toujours prêt à répondre à vos besoins avec le sourire. Ils connaissent bien le menu & sont capables de vous conseiller sur les plats & les vins qui s'accorderont le mieux à vos goûts. La nourriture, quant à elle, est impressionnante. Chaque plat est préparé avec soin, utilisant des ingrédients frais & de haute qualité. Les saveurs sont parfaitement équilibrées, & la présentation des plats est digne des plus grands restaurants gastronomiques. J'ai passé un excellent moment dans ce restaurant du centre-ville. En plus de la qualité de la nourriture & du service, l'emplacement est idéal. Il est proche du métro, ce qui le rend facilement accessible, & il y a également un stationnement pour ceux qui préfèrent venir en voiture. Cela ajoute une commodité supplémentaire qui rend l'expérience encore plus agréable. Que ce soit pour un dîner romantique, une sortie entre amis ou une occasion spéciale, ce restaurant est vraiment un choix parfait.
