PALMA synthesizes traditional Asian culinary techniques with contemporary fusion sensibilities to craft a distinctive gastronomic profile. The kitchen prioritizes precise preparation methods for an extensive selection of sushi, ensuring that texture and ingredient integrity remain paramount. Patrons encounter a methodical approach to seafood sourcing, emphasizing clarity of flavor and aesthetic presentation. The menu balances bold, innovative combinations with fundamental Japanese staples to maintain a cohesive narrative across every plate. Modern architectural elements define the physical environment, creating a streamlined backdrop that focuses attention strictly on the culinary output. This establishment functions as a deliberate intersection of classic craft and modern adaptation, consistently delivering high-quality interpretations of diverse Asian influences to those seeking a focused and intentional approach to their meal.
PALMA is widely celebrated as a premier destination in Griffintown, offering a sophisticated and vibrant atmosphere that perfectly blends high-quality dining with an energetic nightlife experience. Guests frequently praise the fresh, top-tier food, with particular highlights including the signature sushi rolls, tender filet mignon, and the impressive tomahawk steak. The restaurant is consistently described as a beautiful and stylish venue, making it an excellent choice for celebrations, dates, and group gatherings. Many visitors highlight the exceptional hospitality provided by the professional and attentive staff, noting that the attentive service and carefully crafted cocktail menu contribute significantly to a memorable night out. With its lively music and welcoming energy, it remains a favorite for those seeking a fun, upscale environment in the heart of Montreal.
Our waitress, Marianna, was super pleasant! We visited on Saturday night & the restaurant was very packed, but the sushi was amazing, & I really enjoyed my drink as well. We were visiting from out of town & had a great experience. We'll definitely come back again
Just expected a lot more from this place based on the atmosphere & reputation.
Even though the venue itself is beautiful, the overall experience was disappointing.
Nothing about the service really stood out in a positive way.
Not quite the level of attention or hospitality you'd expect from a place like this.
It felt like the vibe mattered more than the actual customer experience.
Food & drinks were fine, but nothing memorable enough to make up for the rest.
Expected better, especially considering the kind of experience the place seems to promise.
Regrettably, not somewhere I'd be rushing back to.
Loved the vibe at Palma Bar ✨
Great drinks, nice music, & a super chill atmosphere. Perfect spot for a fun night out with friends. Definitely coming back! 🍸
Not one to leave negative reviews-in fact, I rarely leave reviews at all-but our experience at Palma during F1 weekend in Montreal was by far the worst dining experience I've ever had.
As part of the F1 weekend, we were required to prepay $300 per person, for a total of $900 for our group of three. Upon arrival, we ordered a bottle of wine & a dozen oysters, which arrived quickly & were excellent. Unfortunately, that is where the positive experience ended.
When we ordered the wine, we also placed our main course orders. After finishing our bottle of wine, our waitress never returned to our table to offer additional drinks or provide any updates. Two & a half hours later, we still had not received our meals, any additional beverages, or even an explanation.
To make matters worse, the guests at the two tables around us were experiencing the same issues. They spoke with us throughout the evening, sharing their frustration & disappointment over the excessive delays & lack of communication. It was clear that our table was not the only one being affected.
During this time, there was a significant police presence at a nearby table, with approximately 16 officers at the restaurant for at least 20 minutes. While we don't know the details of the situation, it certainly added to an already disappointing evening.
Eventually, after waiting over 2.5 hours with no food & no communication, we decided to leave. The manager on duty acknowledged the situation, apologized, & assured us that we would be reimbursed. We even offered to simply pay for what we had consumed-the bottle of wine & the oysters-& receive a refund for the remainder.
It has now been over a week & a half, & despite initial communication from management, our messages are now being ignored & no refund has been processed.
Mistakes happen, & we understand that restaurants can have difficult nights. What is most disappointing is not only the lack of service, but the failure to follow through on the promised resolution. Based on our experience, I cannot recommend this restaurant.
I love palma, the vibes & food are always so great, but the service however, is god awful. The waitress we had did not pay attention to the table whatsoever, she did not even come check up on us once, to ask how everything was. We were a group of 8 girls with a fixed menu, we had been given the menu beforehand & knew exactly what food we were supposed to receive, but when it came around to our last course of food, it was totally forgotten about. Our waitress didn't even acknowledge the fact that our last course was not given to us, we brought it up to her, she didn't apologize but instead asked us if we wanted it to be brought out to us when we already all had dessert on the table. At this point, we were already full because we had eaten quite a bit, but it's just the principle of the matter. I've worked in the service industry & understand how overwhelming it can get sometimes, but at the end of the day, it's the principle. We ended up being compensated for one of our drinks, however, if we didn't say something to our waitress, I don't think she would have acknowledged the fact that something went wrong, & we had food missing. On top of all of this mix up, a 20% service fee was added to our bill. I'm a generous tipper, like I said, I work in the industry & can understand how tips play an important role in our salaries, however, adding 20% to each of our bills & then handing the machine to us, still having an option to tip more on top of that is just disappointing. We still would have tipped regardless but 20% on top of the horrible service & mix up is a bit much in my opinion. Like I said, I do enjoy palma, the vibes & food are always very good, however, after yesterday's service, it left a sour taste in my mouth. I would like an explanation for the 20% service fee added to each of our bills, as I've never seen this in montreal before. Overall, vibes & food are good, service, however, isn't so good. I'd appreciate a little bit more hospitality from our waitress next time!
Always such a great time at Palma! Everything on their menu is next level delicious, amazing drinks, music is always on point & just all around great vibes! I can never get enough of this place!
2 Stars instead of 1 because Angeline our waitress was very pleasant to us. & what occurred was not her fault.
Now
I've been to Palma before for drinks & music, & the vibe is always great. Unfortunately, our birthday dinner experience was extremely disappointing.
We (group of 3) had an 8:30 p.m. reservation & arrived on time, but our main course didn't arrive until 10:30 p.m. a full two-hour wait. We received one appetizer early on, but the delay was so long that we had to order another just to get through the wait. By the time our tomahawk platter arrived, I had lost my appetite entirely. Eating a full meal that late wasn't enjoyable & completely took away from what should have been a special evening. What should have been a joyful celebration turned into an exercise in patience, trying to stay in good spirits while waiting endlessly.
Our waitress was apologetic & explained that the system had overbooked tables, yet there were empty tables throughout the night, which made the explanation hard to believe. The food itself was okay but underwhelming for the price entrées were better than the mains.
The bill came to $800+, & we still left with half the food packed to go. As compensation, the only thing offered was removing a $15 cake-cutting fee, which felt almost insulting given the circumstances. For a restaurant at this price point, waiting two hours for food is unacceptable. Great vibe for drinks but book dinner at your own risk. Go drink & dance, for food eat somewhere else.
