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.
Excellent food & service. You can tell the staff thoroughly enjoy what they do. It was so hard to make a decision on what to eat that we definitely have to come back.
We visited on New Year's Eve & had the prix fixe menu. The food & atmosphere are good & worth experiencing, but unfortunately did not exceed or even meet expectations. Pro's: - They were kind enough to accommodate a special request for our daughter. - The duck in the main course & the dessert were delicious & very well executed. - the atmosphere & open kitchen setting are very good. Con's: - 3.5 hrs for a 4-course meal. This is just too long & too much time in between courses. Usually meals that take this long at fine dining easily include anywhere from 8-12 courses. - no live explanation at all of what was in the plate or how it was prepared. Basically refer to paper menu. - 1st & 2nd courses left a lot to be desired for everyone in the party. - found ourselves eating multiple courses with no wine in the glass after multiple requests. Maybe it was just a bad night. - We expected a little something on the house as a token of appreciation & as a celebration to welcome the new year. At least a glass of champagne or a second dessert course. We got nothing.
Jan 6, 2025
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Everything was fantastic! We were a group of six, & each dish we ordered was absolutely amazing & delicious. The only downside for me was the cocktails, which were disappointing because they were pre-bottled. When I order a cocktail, I expect it to be freshly prepared by a bartender with their unique touch & served with beautiful presentation-not something pre-bottled.
Had an amazing experience at Monarque - the service was attentive, the food superb, & the cost very reasonable. We shared the chicken soup which is triple boiled & dressed up with all sorts of herbs which really hit the spot on the chilly day. For the main course, my spouse had the cod with a risotto which was delicious & I had the pork chop with a japanese peppercorn sauce that was among the best meals I've had in a considerably long time. I usually don't spring for dessert but every plate was excellent so I decided to go for the mango pavlova which was presented well & baked perfection. Can't recommend this place strongly enough.
Fantastic food & great service! even thought it was a busy evening (new year's eve) the team handled every table with care & attentiveness. The grilled octopus, cod & tuna were stunning & delicious. The eclair with the tres leches out of this world! If you are in Montreal you have to stop by this spot! Worth every penny.
Dinner here was delightful! Service was top notch & attentive & we enjoyed the recommended three courses (four, if you add dessert). We found the portions small enough to accommodate all three although the third course could have been split. Our favorite dish was the miso black cod! Would strongly recommend for a birthday dinner or anyone traveling from out of town!
I'm captivated by the two menus, one for the front of the house & another for the back. The brasserie's rendition of French bistro cuisine truly resonates with me because it's so straightforward & authentic to the style.
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.
Favorite restaurant in Montreal. Dishes are delicious, visually stunning, & well executed. Staff are efficient & friendly. Make sure to save room for dessert.
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.
Adeptes des restaurants français, nous avons été séduits par le cadre. Le repas fut merveilleux des entrées au dessert. Un service très agréable & aux petits soins. Seul bémol au niveau des quantités sur les entrées, que nous avons trouvé un peu légères par rapport au prix indiqué.
Dec 10, 2024
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This restaurant offers an upscale, modern dining experience with two distinct areas: a formal dining room & a more casual bar area. Upon arrival, the host staff took our jackets, which was a nice touch. We chose to sit in the bar area since we were dressed more business casual, black pants, a black top, & a silver belt for me, & dark jeans with a blue button-up for my partner, paired with boots due to the snowy & icy weather. Unfortunately, our server was bit annoyed with us, because we weren't dressed as formally as others (he actually commented on it) . It was disappointing to feel treated differently compared to the table next to us, but we tried not to let that dampen the experience. The food was exceptional. The steak was perfectly cut & cooked to our liking-easily the best we've had in Montréal. The bass was flavorful & deliciously prepared, & the mushroom risotto melted in my mouth (my partner opted for fries which he said were crispy & delcious). We started with a cheese plate as an appetizer, which was also a fantastic choice. For dessert, we had the pear buckwheat cobbler with ice cream, which was amazing. I didn't think I'd have room for dessert, but I'm so glad I made it happen! I also ordered the Lady Marmalade cocktail, which was refreshing . Despite the service hiccup, the food & atmosphere made it a memorable evening. I'd return for the incredible food but would dress more formally next time.
Food is good but nothing crazy. Had 3 courses plus dessert & still left hungry. Stopped to picked up 2 steamies at belle pro on the way home. Portions are not very generous.
We were told about Monarque from someone we met in the Eastern Townships of Quebec. After entering, we were asked if we wanted our coats hung, which shows me they pay attention to the details of your experience. We opted for sitting at the bar & we had a wonderful bartender who not only helped us pick out amazing lunch items, but she was just pleasant. We shared a mushroom gnocchi dish (out of this world) that was super umami & grilled octopus that was the most tender either of us had ever eaten. If you're in Montreal for even only a day, as we were, please stop by Monarque. You will not regret it.
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.
Monarque est un restaurant qui impressionne dès l'arrivée par son cadre chic & moderne. L'atmosphère est sophistiquée, idéale pour une soirée spéciale ou un repas d'affaires. Les plats sont bien exécutés, avec des ingrédients de qualité & une belle présentation qui reflète l'attention portée aux détails. Malgré la qualité indéniable des plats & du service, l'expérience culinaire manque un peu de ce petit "plus" qui la rendrait inoubliable. Les saveurs sont bonnes, mais pas transcendantes, ce qui laisse une impression d'élégance maîtrisée, mais sans audace. Cela peut décevoir ceux qui recherchent une expérience gastronomique marquante. En résumé, Monarque est une adresse sûre pour ceux qui apprécient une cuisine soignée dans un environnement classe. Cependant, le rapport qualité-prix pourrait être questionné par certains, surtout si vous espérez une expérience gastronomique exceptionnelle. C'est bon, c'est beau, mais pas inoubliable.
