Restaurant 1881 functions as a sophisticated bistro that prioritizes fresh market ingredients and contemporary culinary techniques. The menu centers on vibrant, compositionally complex salads that highlight seasonal produce sourced from local suppliers. Each dish emphasizes natural flavors through precise preparation, avoiding excessive garnish or unnecessary complication. The interior space features a streamlined design that facilitates an efficient flow, supporting the focus on ingredient-driven culinary output. Patrons encounter a consistent standard of preparation where the integrity of raw components remains the primary objective of every plate. By maintaining a rigorous selection process for all market commodities, the establishment achieves a distinct profile defined by quality and clarity of taste. This focused approach ensures that every offering remains grounded in the fundamental principles of modern bistro cuisine while maintaining a distinct identity through superior sourcing.
Restaurant 1881 is widely regarded as a hidden gem in downtown Montreal, praised for its refined bistro cuisine, fresh ingredients, and calm, stylish atmosphere. Many diners highlight the excellent quality of dishes such as the duck salad, tartares, short ribs, and shakshuka, often noting the generous portions and thoughtful presentation. While the service is frequently described as professional, warm, and attentive, a small number of guests have encountered inconsistencies regarding staff engagement and occasional lapses in service quality. Despite varying opinions on the brunch hours and some minor complaints about coffee or pricing, the majority of visitors appreciate the sophisticated yet comfortable setting, making it a favored location for both casual lunches and special dining occasions.
Je n'ai pas compris la note. Ça a été pour une grosse déception.
Sur la carte ce n'est nullement indiqué l'heure de la fin des déjeuners, on ne le sait qu'une fois qu'on a commandé.
Pour la salade césar, c'est le seul plat sur la carte qui n'a pas la composition (pas de poulet). On se retrouve avec une grande assiette salade & quelques croûtons pour presque 20$.
L'attente est très longue
La qualité des plats est faible.
C'est une adresse à laquelle nous ne reviendrons pas.
There's a lot of potential. The beef & falafels were great. The kale quinoa salad could have been great if the halloumi had been grilled/baked/sauteed, & if there weren't a ton of fried chips. The fries looked delicious & hand cut, but were not crispy or fluffy inside. The homemade cavatelli were just warm, gummy & the combination rather bland.
The manager is walking around greeting some people, which is nice, but he does not pay attention to details. At 6:30 pm, the sofa was disgusting. Food spilled all over, white stains in many places. We cleaned it up ourselves.
Excellent restaurant. Nous avons apprécié la tranquillité, le service amical des employés. Il y avait peu de clients mais les gens parlaient à voix basse. Un endroit où l'on peut finalement avoir une discussion sans être obligé de crier. Les plats sont savoureux, tout spécialement la salade de canard. Portion très généreuse. Nous avons également découvert un excellent vin blanc & un autre rouge suite aux recommandations. Vraiment une belle soirée. Nous y retournerons c'est certain.
Mar 31, 2026
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Took a colleague out for lunch & we ordered the table d'hôte with a delicious fresh salad & tasty cod with vegetables. It was so good! We both enjoyed our food & the service was friendly.
We had dinner here on our first day in Montreal. We were so impressed by the food & the atmosphere. The waiter was very nice, & the restaurant was not noisy-it was quiet & easy to have a conversation. We ordered three dishes: the soup of the day, duck salad, & sirloin steak. The portion of dishes was large. I really liked the duck salad. It was special with the crispy duck skin.
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.
After a delayed flight, we arrived as the final guests of the evening, not expecting much. To our surprise, every dish exceeded expectations. The fish was delicately seasoned, highlighting its natural freshness, while the duck leg salad was a standout - the meat meltingly tender against the crisp, sweet greens. The thoughtful flavors turned what could have been a tiring night into a warm & memorable welcome, marking the perfect start to our trip. Recommend!
Very nice lunch here. Duck salad was excellent & the club sandwich was a bit too bready but delicious nonetheless. Great service & atmosphere too. Good date spot.
Nous avons mangé un club sandwich & une salade avec canard .
Deux portions généreuses , bien présentées & de bon goût
Service rapide & attentionné.
Salle peu bruyante.
On y retourne sans hésitation
Very nice cozy restaurant with the most incredibly nice staff ever 😇😇 They really take care of you! We had the salmon tartare with salad along with the catch of the day (sea bass with potatoes & grilled vegetables) & each bite was just Wow! Full compliments to the chef 😇😇 Cannot wait to come back to this 11/10 restaurant as it's the perfect venue for date nights & chilling with friends ❤?❤?
