Through Oorja, we aim to create a restaurant inspired by the flavors of Hakka, primarily Indo Chinese cuisine, where the emphasis is placed on fresh ingredients and great service. We take pride in the food that we create, and it is our ambition to bring this vibrant and culturally rich cuisine to Montreal. As both a restaurant and a cocktail bar, our objective is to shape a fun and dynamic environment centered around a unique culinary experience. Our team will create dishes and cocktails made from quality seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers. Indo Chinese cuisine is surprisingly absent from Montreal, and we believe that its vibrance and imaginativeness will be very well received.
Oorja est décrite comme une expérience de fusion indo-chinoise avec des tapas variés et des plats savoureux, présentés avec soin et accompagnés de cocktails créatifs et bien équilibrés. L'ambiance est chaleureuse et cosy, parfois rendue plus vivante par de la musique live, ce qui en fait un lieu adapté pour un dîner entre amis ou en couple. Le rapport qualité-prix est globalement positif, même si certaines portions peuvent sembler petites pour le prix et certains plats manquent de cohérence dans les saveurs. Le service est largement apprécié pour sa bienveillance et son professionnalisme, mais des critiques évoquent des périodes de désorganisation, des oublis ou une certaine lenteur qui nuisent à l'expérience. Dans l'ensemble, la cuisine et les cocktails sont largement salués et décrits comme innovants et délicieux, incitant les clients à revenir, tout en reconnaissant qu il existe des soirs avec des améliorations possibles sur la constance du service et les portions.
Typically when I have a bad experience at a restaurant, I will give the benefit of the doubt & I have NEVER given a negative review. However, so many things went wrong at our dinner the past weekend. To begin the evening, me & my 2 guests ordered drinks & shortly after placed our food order. The drinks took close to 45 minutes to arrive (I only ordered a coke, there were only 3 other tables filled at the time). The appetizers arrived another 10 minutes after our drinks. They were all pretty tasty, so we brushed off the wait & were looking forward to eating our main before we had to leave to catch a show (which was 2.5 hours after our reservation time, so we had assumed we would have plenty of time to eat & get there). When we ordered our food originally, we had asked for the duck wings. The server came back shortly after & said that they no longer offer them, & had us choose a different option. We were a bit disappointed because that was one of the dishes we saw that made us decide to try this restaurant. Less than an hour later, we see the table directly next to us receive an order of duck wings. We were getting a bit annoyed at this point, but again willing to overlook.
Eventually, we FINALLY received our main after almost 1.5 hours since we arrived. This is where things really took a turn for us. In the beginning, one of my friends specified to the server that she has a garlic allergy. Knowing that it is a common ingredient, she is VERY understanding when restaurants cannot accommodate. 5 minutes after we placed our order, the server returned to let us know that the dish she had chosen could not be prepared without garlic. She went on to provide a list of dishes that the kitchen told her COULD be made garlic free, & my friend happily chose a different option. After the extensive wait for our mains, they brought out only 2 plates for us, & plainly explained to our friend who had been waiting for her food that in the end they could not make that dish without garlic. Despite the fact that it was one of the options provided to her as garlic free. As I mentioned before, this was now over 1.5 hours into our dinner & we could not afford to wait for another dish to be prepared at this point. We couldn't believe that after all of that time waiting, nobody came to inform her earlier that her dish was not coming, & instead left her to sit completely empty handed while the 2 other people in the party had their main. She would've been happy if they had even offered her a serving of plain rice. However, she didn't even receive an apology.
We are all extremely understanding people, & absolutely are willing to look beyond a few mistakes & slow service. However, there were so many things that could have been handled differently (literally just a sincere apology would have sufficed). Even if they had told her earlier that they could not accommodate a garlic allergy, we would have understood & at least she could have gone to find food before we had to leave for our show. Overall, it completely spoiled a dinner meant to be a birthday celebration. As far as the food, the appetizers WERE good but the mains we did receive were not that great. Mine was missing a component & my friend's lamb had several pieces that were quite chewy.
Love this restaurant! First time there with my wife & it hit every bite out of the park! Dima took care of us from the moment we walked in the door to the farewell just over an hour later. Great advice, which we really appreciated, as all the dishes were new to us. From the soup, mushrooms, vegan momos, my fish & my wife's vegi meatball dish, all outstanding! The cocktail helped all go down even easier. We have many more dishes to try next time, but we also would want to have all the ones we had again!
3 janv. 2026
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Terrible service.
We booked a table for 8, arrived but there was no staff?? We had to wait 10mn before someone showed up to show our seats!?
We got the first 2 plates after 45mn, then 10mn later 2 others & so on. So we each had to eat alone while others waited, otherwise it would have turned cold.
No excuse, no explanation, nothing.
Food was nice, but a lot of dishes indicated one out of three for spiciness, when it was really really spicy. Then another plate that was 3 out of 3, was spicy, but not much more. It would be nice to follow the spiciness menu indications.
Also, we had two kids (toddlers), they got their meal after 4 adults at our table. They were starving after more than an hour of wait.
Then, a table of four arrived (1h after us), & got their plate before our last ones. Felt like a joke.
Music was way too loud, we asked to lower it a bit, but it was not enough.
So I was hungover & strolling for a comfort spot with spicy chow to soothe the demons.
I stumbled across oorja, it had a refined aesthetic while simultaneously providing an inviting, warm atmosphere. Perfect.
I was immediatley greeted by Naba, the lone bartender on duty, she is a literal walking ray of sunshine.
She made quick apologies for food service having finished after lunch but took the initiative to speak to the kitchen staff to see if they could make an exception & accomodate me, which they did without hesitation. Hospitality at its finest.
Great conversation & perfect recommendations followed with balanced dishes & expert crafted cocktails. I was blown away. Best culinary experience so far in montreal.
Dima is also a total stud, ask him to whip something up & you wont be disappointed.
Really disappointing. We've been twice & both times a bunch of items were missing off the menu. Thought the first time was a fluke as they had just opened, but two years later it definitely isn't. Some dishes are great (fish, pork) the noodles are mediocre at best.
Great space though, hope they manage to iron out their kinks. Probably won't be back with all the other great spots in the area. 6/10
Nice experience at Oorja. Really enjoyed the live music. Cocktails were amazing! Well presented & nicely balanced. Appetizers were diverse, fresh & tasty. We had the cauliflower, oyster mushrooms, corn, salad & others. Really good.
The main dishes were disappointing. Most tasted the same with different looks. Dumplings were dry & bland, noodles over seasoned, duck chewy. Too bad.
Service was decent albeit a little slow & some staff misinformed.
1 août 2025
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RUN to this place, delicious food & AMAZING service!!! We got many dishes & the drinks were absolutely phenomenal. 10/10 would recommend. If you cannot handle the spice, please make to let them know cause it was definitely very spicy even for myself as an asian. We will be coming again & trying out other dishes!
I recently had the pleasure of dining at this place, & it was an absolute culinary delight! The exciting blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm hospitality & a vibrant atmosphere. The menu is extensive, featuring a wide array of dishes .
The service was impeccable throughout the evening. Our server was attentive, & happy to offer recommendations. The overall dining experience was truly exceptional.
I highly recommend this restaurant & can't wait to return!
Very unique experience, interior is gorgeous, as well as the plating of the dishes, very aesthetically pleasing. The dishes were all shocking with delicious new flavors, thank you for a great introduction to indo-chinese cuisine!
This resto is great! My friend & i decided to visit this spot because of proximity & the dish styles, & we were extremely suprised.. while it looks like a nice place from the street, when you are seated it is an even better atmosphere to eat in (warm, soft lighting, soft music). The menu selections are very creative & all expertly made with delicious flavors.
It was however the service that really impressed us.. we discovered only after 20 mins at our table that the man who was serving us was the owner himself! He explained that he created the menu, & was so thorough on helping us (first timers) decide what type of dishes to order. He was running the bar, seating customers, serving the food for all the clients, & doing it with a smile, we couldnt believe it. He had mentioned to us that they were short staffed for the evening due to a last minute emergency from a staff member, so he rolled up his sleeves & personally served us better than any other server would..
At the end of our meal he gave me free ice cream with my dessert which was a very thoughtful touch. I will definitely be returning! If you are looking for a nice dining experience with excellent food for a reasonable price, need not look further, Thank you for this great meal!
5 mars 2025
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I have had many Indo-Chinese dishes in my home town of Delhi, & have never found anything akin to the spicyness & flavour of those meals here in Canada. Until now. Oorja was phenomenal. I was transported back to Asia when I ate here this evening. The food was exceptional. The ambiance was delightful. I highly highly recommend anyone who is searching for a meal brimming with flavour, please come here. 11/10
The menu has unique dishes. Loved the asian salad, steamed momo with the sauce & thr chili paneer. The hakka noddles & fried rice were average. If you can't handle spicy, beware cause level 1 spice was really really spicy (& I have a really good spice tolerance). The prices are reasonable with generous portions.
The food was tasty though the flavour profiles of most dishes we tried were pretty similar. The momos, both fried & steamed were a little on the tough side. Cocktails were excellent & the atmosphere was nice. Though the staff were super friendly, the service was quite slow & could be more attentive. Overall, we enjoyed our time there but not sure we'd run back.
For a unique dining experience in Montreal, look no further than @oorjamtl! This beautifully decorated, intimate restaurant offers a cozy & comfortable atmosphere that's perfect for enjoying a meal with friends (or dates). This place brings a delightful fusion of flavors to the table. The dishes are genuinely spicy, so be warned! Each bite is a celebration of bold flavors & vibrant spices, & we loved every detail of our meal. We really enjoy the desserts as well, especially the seasonal cannoli which was whimsically adorned with a fortune ribbon. It was a delightful touch that added a playful element to our dining experience. Overall, this is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the delicious intersection of Indian & Chinese cuisines. With its inviting ambiance & mouthwatering dishes, it's a culinary journey you won't want to miss!
20 nov. 2024
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Sachez où manger à Montréal avant tout le monde.
Découvrez en primeur les ouvertures les plus branchées, des menus secrets et les coups de cœur de RestoMontreal.ca. Rejoignez plus de 50 000 foodies.
Beautiful small restaurant! Good vibe. The menu is different than the online menu. So we got confused what we decided home & to decide differently at the restaurant; they need to update their menu properly. The service was very scattered. Our orders were taken but not for drinks. Our dishes were tapas, for four of us to share, for each dish that came, we had to ask serving utensils. We had to ask for water refills repeatedly. In the end, we wanted the bill, the waiter forgot about it. Overall, every food was delicious. Since their restaurant is new; we hope in the near future, they will improve.
Hakka food is a very unique fusion of asian flavours & this place executes it very well along with wonderful presentation. The max heat on the dishes is just right & only enhances the blend of flavours. Whenever you can eat all the plates with hakka noodles instead of rice. The cocktails are fun & inventive. The homemade red bean ice cream is a perfect way to end the night. I will say the place is small & the ambience doesn't really stand out. Service was attentive but food was a bit slow but they acknowledged that & gave us a free dessert to thank us for our patience. The wait was well worth it 👌.
WOW. I live near this restaurant & always wanted to try it, & last night my friends & I walked by & decided to go. We were blown away. Cocktails were 10/10. Food was 12/10. The asian salad, lollipop chicken, dumplings, & main dishes we had (chicken something & braised pork) were literally all to die for. Our server was absolutely lovely, & we soon after found out he was the owner as well. The restaurant is also beautiful. Seriously mad at myself for not trying this place sooner, but we will be back 100%!!! Finally, a really good & reasonably priced restaurant in St Henri!!! Lastly I want to say they were very good about my severe allergies to nuts & fish. Thank you Oorja!
We recently visited this restaurant to celebrate my husband's birthday with a few friends, & it was a fantastic experience. The food was delicious, & the ambiance was perfect. The service was top-notch, & Charan, our server, was particularly delightful. He recommended some excellent dishes that we thoroughly enjoyed. Overall, it was a memorable evening, & we look forward to returning soon!
Probably my favourite meal I've ever had in Montreal, & I've been very fortunate to eat at most of the cities top restaurants. Fantastic ambience in a small but well thought out space. Great for a date or a meal with friends. Ask for the corner booth if you can, it's a real "chefs table" experience. Corey took excellent care of us even though he was alone on the bar & serving simultaneously, lovely person & very skilled bartender. Incredibly enjoyable meal, started with the soup & moved to sharing the Braised Pork, Chili Paneer, & Chicken Manchurian. All 10/10 dishes. Huge portions, very well priced (Dinner for 4 people, 2 courses, $160 pre tip) & the flavour was the closest to eating in South Asia I've ever experienced in North America. Don't be discouraged by a "small menu" as I saw a few people mention. This is the definition of doing every dish well, & I look forward to trying each of their mains in my next visits. There are many good restaurants in Montreal, but few that are truly exceptional. Oorja is exceptional & their chef should be proud. A Michelin star is inbound if they can maintain this standard.
