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.
Delicious dinner with a great lively vibe on a Monday night! We ate in the bistro. Two of us must eat gluten-free, which was easily accommodated with many dishes (including 3 desserts) being gluten free. While all meals were terrific (lamb, sausage, fish of the day), be sure to order the fresh garden vegetables. Cooked so simply with butter & salt… a great way to enjoy the summer produce! Pictured is the (GF) raspberry pavlova.
We recently visited Monarque & really enjoyed our meal. A note for future diners: when making reservations, be mindful that Monarque has two distinct menus-one is a more casual brasserie/tapas style, & the other is a formal sit-down menu. We opted for the formal dining room this time.
The plating was beautiful, & the food was delicious overall. I tried the guinea fowl, which was executed nicely, though the accompanying sauce was a touch too salty for my taste. My in-laws ordered the large rib of beef to share, which came with a salad of endives & patates dauphinoises (so delicious, & yes, very buttery).
Service was attentive without being rushed, & the atmosphere made for a great evening out with family. We would definitely return to try the brasserie section next time, which looks like it offers a wider selection on the menu.
Overall we had an okay experience there. The fois gras parfait was good. We didn't feel it was heavy. Bone marrow & Burgundy snails were greasy. The bouillabaisse was tasty. The scallop was quite tender. We asked for a medium cooked beef rib eye steak & expected it to be tender. It turned out to be tougher than we expected. Also, 10.5oz was huge lol
The drinks we ordered were fine. I liked the pistache. My first time having a cocktail 🍸 with pistachio flavor. Quite interesting. Loved the cute butterfly 🦋 on the ice cube 🧊.
I visited Monaque today after an 8.5-hour drive, really looking forward to dining at their main kitchen. However, due to my misunderstanding of French during the reservation process, I ended up booking the wrong kitchen. I was quite disappointed, as this was one of my most anticipated spots in Montreal.
Feeling quite disappointed, I explained my situation to Louis, who warmly listened & introduced me to Oliver. Thanks to Oliver's efforts & coordination, I was finally able to get a seat at the kitchen I truly wanted. Sophie then took over our table with impeccable service - she was friendly, knowledgeable, & made excellent recommendations throughout the evening.
While the food didn't quite live up to my very high expectations, it was still enjoyable & definitely worth the price. The fish Sophie recommended turned out to be the highlight of my meal - absolutely delicious!
Thanks to Louis, Oliver, & Sophie, I experienced the true charm of a French restaurant. Their warmth & hospitality made this meal the perfect ending to my trip to Montreal.
I wish we could give multiple reviews over time in order to give feedback without affecting the review.
Ive been recommending this restaurant to all my friends visiting over the last few years because every time I've been, it always hit the mark. The daily fish, the duck confit, the lobster with starch, the vegetables & the squid are always a hit for me.
However, i just visited again this week & honestly they need to up their dessert game. I bet they loss/changed their pastry chef because it went from amazing to really disappointing.
The original Millefeuille which has always been on the menu is still phenomenal. BUT,
- the paris brest, is not restaurant standard. It looks like a sad stale donut on a sandwich plate. I mean look at it. Taste was ok, the pate was crunchy, but honestly does not belong to this restaurant, nor even a pastry shop.
- the forest noir was also a bit shocking. 1cm thin layer of flat cake with some decoration. I mean, we dont really care about price when going to Monarque so i cant believe its a matter of food cost here. It almost ate like a sauce you would wipe at the bottom of your plate with a piece of bread.
Honestly, still an excellent restaurant but lacks the sweet finish to make it phenomenal as it used to be.
I will be thinking twice before recommending this restaurant again until the dessert card is fixed.
Quelle belle expérience !!! Merci à Olivia pour son service incroyable, mais aussi à toute l'équipe de support. Les raviolis étaient délicieux, la salade généreuse, le foie gras wow, mais que dire de la bavette & du canard. Les plats principaux nous ont fait voyager. Des classiques exécutés à la perfection. Le pavlova aux framboises était excellent. Magnifique cartes des vins !!
I've been there on several occasions & I would say it is one of the most overrated restaurants in Montreal. Some dishes are way too'American' or'experimental' & don't go well with the ingredients. For a $100+ 3-course dinner, at least every course should taste ok.
Jul 1, 2025
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Excellent! Classique de la cuisine française. Tout est fait à la perfection! Croquettes de morue, Parfait de foie gras & pièce du boucher ( bavette) & frites au sommet!!! 11/10
We had a wonderful lunch at Monarque & were truly impressed by the entire experience. The service was excellent, every staff member was friendly, attentive, & constantly smiling, which made us feel so welcomed.
Both the cocktails & mocktails were well-crafted & reasonably priced, adding a refreshing touch to our meal. The food was absolutely fantastic & surprisingly affordable compared to similar fine dining spots in Toronto. My top favorite was the bone marrow, only $24 for a huge portion & packed with flavour. A must-try!
Highly recommend Monarque for anyone visiting Montreal. We'll definitely be back again in the future!
Love this spot - sitting at the bar is a vibe. Wine selection is vast & great, service great, & the food pretty darn good! I had the butchers cut steak & the fries that came with it were likely the best fries I've ever had.
I'd say the ratings for this restaurant are a bit overhyped. While the overall quality is solid, it's not necessarily a must-visit spot.
That said, a few dishes stood out:
• The bone marrow with Burgundy snails was a great fusion - the richness of the marrow paired beautifully with the wine-infused snails.
• The fish & seafood bouillabaisse was surprisingly light & fresh - not salty at all, with a sweet, almost pumpkin-like orange broth. The mix of scallops, shrimp, & fish made it quite hearty & well-balanced.
• The morel mushrooms with asparagus also offered a fresh & flavorful combination.
Good food overall, but not quite as unforgettable as the ratings might suggest.
Some of the best food & drinks I've ever had! Creative, beautiful, & incredibly delicious! Friendly & helpful staff as well. I will definitely come back here the next time we are in Montréal!
