Reviewers consistently praise Place Carmin for a beautiful Old Montreal setting, a modern yet elegant ambiance, and a dining experience that works well for brunch, dinner, or private events. The French menu attracts high marks with numerous dishes described as delicious and well cooked, including bone marrow, duck a l'orange, arctic char, gnocchi, and a variety of inventive starters and desserts. Service is frequently called attentive, professional, and friendly, with many servers earning specific praise, while a few notes mention slower service when the restaurant is busy or a billing hiccup. The private rooms and event hosting receive steady compliments, with guests citing seamless organization for birthdays, group lunches, and corporate gatherings. Several reviews suggest the experience can feel Michelin-worthy and highlight the quality, presentation, and atmosphere that keep guests returning whenever they are in Montreal. Even where portions or value are debated, the overall impression remains highly favorable thanks to the caliber of ingredients, the refined décor, and the consistent hospitality. In sum, Place Carmin is described as a standout favorite and a must return for many, a neighborhood gem that delivers on ambiance and cuisine.
A great find. Michelin recommended is a bonus. We had gougères, veal tartare (one of the standouts),coquilles St-Jacques (scallops in a potato puree), razor clams (also memorable), the blood pudding tarte tatin (not for everyone, but very French!) & the roast beef dish that looked almost too pretty to eat. I also highly recommend the Paris-Brest.
The staff are very friendly & attentive. Fantastic cocktails & a good wine list. Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a delicious dinner.
Always a great choice. Outstanding food, great wine list & cocktails & consistant excellent service. Group, couple, or friends catch up at the bar, Place Carmin is great for all occasions. Beautiful terrace in the summe
A beautiful spot for a business dinner, the quality & variety of dishes were extremely high. I went through plate after plate of the octopus salad as my compatriots did not adequately appreciate it - more for me! The steak was also cooked to perfection, & I loved the whimsical canapés which kicked off the meal. Quite generous with the house wine as well, I would love to come back anytime.
We had a reservation at Bouillon Bilk(the great great french restaurent in Montreal) but in the morning they texted us that it went on fire unfortunately, & they offered 3 other similar restaurants that we could call & reserve in stead. We chose Place Carmin: A Nice terrace with cozy table & nice staff. But the meal wasn't exactly what i ordered. I ordered surf & turf , the waitress said it comes with lobster (in stead of shrimps), which it didn't. But that's not all. The suf part(which normally includes (3)grilled shrimps turned out to be teeny tiny tasteless cooked shrimps on a toast with some sauce. They were the size of small macaronis. It was a disappointment. The steak was a 6(out of 10), i couldn't feel the taste of it, cause it was submerged in a green sauce (it was like a plate of soup with a steak in it). But to be fair, the rose wine that the waitress suggested, was very good & matched the meals. & the dessert was ok. However I don't think am gonna go there again though.
The food is FANTASTIC! & the staff are so lovely; attentive, but not hovering, helpful in making suggestions & genuinely friendly - you can tell how much they like what they do. I had the pasta & it was creamy & delicious. My only quibble is that the wine list skews too heavily toward French wines. We have many amazing wineries across Canada producing beautiful & complex wines that deserve a place at the table.
We're kicking ourselves for not coming here sooner since we already knew Francois Nadon's other 2 gems: Bouillon Bilk, consistently one of the best restaurants in town, & his more casual place Cadet which serves equally inspired food at somewhat more modest prices. Place Carmin is more affordable again, in this case serving classic French bistro dishes with an unexpected level of refinement. It's all in the execution... I'm very curious about his onion soup (haven't had one for decades) but elected to start with a scallop ceviche that may be the best I've ever had. A hint of lemon & paper thin slices of a mildly spicy radish complemented the flavors & textures of the raw scallops perfectly. The dorade was a generous portion with nicely crispy skin. We had no room for dessert. The bill rose to $300 not including tip since we couldn't resist a superb Knoll gruner that accounted for half of it. Actually, the wine list is notable for having so many good choices under $100 & even under $80. This place is an easy recommendation for foodies & casual diners alike.
Chloe was one of the best waitresses we have experienced. She was knowledgable, friendly & confident. She provided us with spot-on advice on wine choice, main course & dessert. Samuel was an excellent manager, keeping a close eye on all details of the restaurant operation. We were very impressed with the excellent service & quality of food & will come back. Victoria & Paul.
