Restaurant 1881 receives consistently strong praise for both food and service, with many reviews calling the dishes fresh, well balanced and beautifully presented, featuring items like duck salad, tartares, shakshuka, tuna tartare, beef, salmon, and a highly regarded breakfast and brunch lineup. The atmosphere is described as modern, cozy, and welcoming, suitable for business lunches, dates, or casual meals, with attentive, friendly staff and smooth service at quieter times. Several guests highlight generous portions and good value, while a few note occasional issues such as slower service during busy hours, minor hiccups with table setup or wine service, and one or two encounters with less attentive staff. Coffee is praised by some and criticized by others, but overall the cafe style breakfast and brunch are repeatedly celebrated, including standout items like the classic breakfast, croissant breakfast sandwich, shakshuka, and duck salad. Overall, Restaurant 1881 is regarded as a reliable, high quality spot in downtown Montreal with standout food and solid service, particularly for brunch and casual dining.
Truly the best brunch I've ever had. I'm used to settling for'basic' or heavy food at brunch, but Le 1881 is on another level. I ordered the classic breakfast & was blown away by the freshness of the ingredients; it exceeded every expectation. The prices are fair, the decor is stunning, & for once, I received a perfectly made cappuccino. I dined alone today, but I will definitely be back with friends!
This place lives up to its reputation! Try the 1881 breakfast. There are many reviews on that, but something I was impressed by is the selection of fruits- various melons, berries, pineapple were each perfectly ripe. Someone carefully selected each of those to ensure they were just right. That level of detail is rare & speaks for how they prepare everything else.
Dec 14, 2025
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The 1881 Breakfast, served on weekends only, was my first meal in Montreal, setting the bar for the rest of my visit in this beautiful city. Every part of this dish was singularly delicious, & incredible together. If you're a dinner-for-breakfast person, this is your dish. The beef was perfectly seasoned & fork-tender. The chunky mashed potatoes with duck fat atop a cheese base was divine. The breaded fried soft boiled egg added the perfect texture. As if the meal itself wasn't enough, the dish is served with fruit & generous slices of buttered artisan bread. Well done, Restaurant Le 1881! 👏🏼
Fantastic breakfast, skip the typical breakfast places like eggspectation or oeuferier. Go here & be happy. Fantastic choices of all kinds but everyone has to try shakshuka.
I've enjoyed lunch here several times. Friendly service in a pleasant setting, not too crowded. The food is excellent. The pasta dishes are flavourful & filling. Tuna tartare is delicious. There's always a fresh fish of the day. Every dish is freshly prepared. Even though it's located at the entrance of a sports club, it's open to the public. Coffee is excellent too. Don't hesitate to come here for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. You won't be disappointed.
We had a wonderful brunch experience at Restaurant LE 1881. The dishes were fresh, flavorful, & beautifully presented. The shakshuka was rich & hearty, with perfectly poached eggs in a vibrant tomato sauce topped with fresh arugula. It came with a side of crisp toast & fresh fruit - a refreshing balance to the warm, savory flavors.
The croissant breakfast sandwich was equally impressive - flaky, buttery pastry enveloping fluffy eggs, melted cheese, & peppery greens, paired with fresh strawberries & melon.
The atmosphere was modern & inviting, with plenty of natural light & comfortable seating. The service was attentive, warm, & genuinely welcoming, adding to the relaxed, enjoyable dining experience.
Highly recommend for anyone looking for a stylish yet cozy spot for brunch in the city.
We were a little unsure when we walked in as the restaurant was empty. We ordered breakfast. It was lovely. Hubby's eggs were perfectly cooked & everything was tasty. I ordered yogurt & fruit. All fresh fruit & lots of it. The service was excellent. We are going again tomorrow. We enjoyed it so much.
We went back a second time & again it was perfection. Best breakfast in Montreal. We talked to the chef/owner. Such passion for creating exceptional food. It is enjoyable eating breakfast where the chef really cares if you enjoy the food. Such a culinary delight.
Aug 5, 2025
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Exceptionally dedicated & pleasant kitchen chef making a superb breakfast sandwich named 1881 w/ homemade sausage.
Highly recommended.
A bit quiet place, but perfect for me.
Also, coffee machine was not ideally tweaked at my visit, so if a coffee nerd (like me), go here for the excellent food.
Nevertheless, there was a clear desire to to make high class coffee & e.g. grinder was definitely capable & sourcing of beans were also prioritized.
I came in for breakfast & had the most perfect breakfast sandwich with a side of amazing potatoes. The wait staff was super friendly & efficient, & the coffee was superb !
What a hidden gem! We went for weekend brunch & were not disappointed. Beautiful, chic restaurant with professional & friendly staff. The Smoked Salmon Benedict was exceptional. Fresh, flavourful salmon paired with perfectly poached eggs & a delicious hollandaise sauce that left us craving more. On the other hand, the 1881 Breakfast was absolutely incredible. The tender meat, flavourful mashed potatoes, & a fried egg with a runny yolk created a perfect harmony of textures & tastes. This dish was truly a surprise that elevated our breakfast to another level. Hats off to the chef! To be completely honest, the pictures don't do it justice.
The athletes omelette with cheese was nothing short of perfection, a true testament to the art of breakfast. As someone who takes the balance of flavors very seriously, I was immediately impressed by how the cheese didn't overpower the eggs but rather complemented them, enhancing their natural creaminess. The texture was flawless-light & airy, yet substantial enough to satisfy. The cheese was evenly distributed, ensuring that each bite was a harmonious blend of savory, buttery eggs & just the right amount of rich, melted cheese. This is the mark of true expertise in the kitchen: knowing when to let each ingredient shine without stealing the spotlight. An absolute masterpiece of restraint & indulgence.
