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.
This was the first time my husband & I visited Montreal. We stayed at a hotel next to this restaurant. We searched on Google for nearby
a restaurant & decided to have dinner here.
We ordered soup, a house salad, duck salad, & sirloin steak. Everything was excellent! The staff were also very nice.
We highly recommend this restaurant. For me, this was the first time I had ever tried such an amazing duck salad.
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.
Aug 12, 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 stumbled upon this restaurant after a workout at the gym, & I'm so glad I did! The lentil soup was absolutely delicious, & the salmon tartare was incredibly refreshing-both dishes were bursting with fresh flavors. The staff was warm & welcoming, & a special shoutout to Gary for making the experience even better. The prices are very affordable, especially considering the top-notch quality of the food. Highly recommend this spot!
I don't usually do reviews. But. The food is flavourful, the ingredients are fresh. In line with the MAA spirit the meals are healthy, no chemical or salty sulfite taste. Perfect salads, well seasoned tartares (without tons of mayonnaise), best fries in town... The place feels personal: the team is sweet & the chef - passionate about flavors - is always in the kitchen & often comes to exchange with the customers, to get their honest reviews & to thank them. I have eaten at this place at various occasions by now & I am pleasantly surprised with the consistency of flavors & cooking techniques. & let me tell you - the value for money thing is mind-blowing: good luck finding an alternative for that price! I highly recommend this place.
Wonderful meal, excellent service & amazing experience. The food was delicious & the owner made the evening so special. Thank you for your warm hospitality. Highly recommended.
This little restaurant is tucked away inside a fitness club. It's a cute space with great food & great service. The food is fresh & delicious. Both the chef & waiter were very friendly. Highly recommend!
I recently had the pleasure of dining at Le 1881. I have been for both brunch & dinner, & I must say, the food was absolutely delicious. Gary & the staff members were incredibly friendly & attentive, making the overall dining experience very enjoyable. I highly recommend Le 1881 to anyone looking for a great meal in a cozy atmosphere. 5 stars all around!
