Restaurant 1881 draws broad praise for fresh ingredients, flavorful dishes and attentive friendly service in a modern cozy setting; diners note generous portions and standout items from duck salad and tartares to shakshuka, cod and brunch offerings, with many finding the menu well balanced and good value for downtown Montreal; the atmosphere is described as calm and conducive to conversation, and the space often feels like a hidden gem worth returning to; a few reviews mention slower service during busy periods or occasional cold tables by the windows, but overall guests leave impressed and likely to return with friends.
5-star is not enough for Lea's superb service & warm personality! We also enjoyed the food a lot made by the chef Gary - from the soup to the cod, everything is so fresh & tasty. A very nice dining experience for sure.
thanks to Lea's incredibly warm & welcoming service - she truly made us feel at home.
surprise came when Chef Gary himself came out to introduce the dishes & kindly answered my questions - such a pleasure to meet him & even take a photo together!
The standout dish of the day was definitely the tomato soup - a cold, refreshing surprise with cucumber notes & a beautifully layered mix of spices. Very unique!
The pan-seared cod was super fresh, & I loved the crispy texture of the skin.
The Burger 1881 is one of my favorite - the bun was light & airy, while the patty was tight, juicy, & full of flavor. The coffee was… well, just your average coffee.
Jun 19, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Nous avons découvert par hasard ce restaurant & nous nous sommes arrêtés pour prendre un dessert. Les 2 desserts étaient excellents & les plats servis autour de nous faisaient très envie.
Ce resto, c'est rendu ma deuxième maison 😁 Le chef est tellement gentil, la bouffe est top, l'équipe accueillante & l'ambiance parfaite. J'y retourne encore & encore ! 🌺
I went there a while ago in August with some friends. We're teenagers, & we really tried to be respectful & not too loud. Despite that, we felt pretty neglected by the staff. The food was good, but I can't say much about the atmosphere since we went around 3 PM & the place was almost empty. I still left a tip at the time, but looking back, I kind of regret it because of the way we were treated.
Bien qu'il soit un peu difficile de trouver le restaurant, il représente un excellent rapport qualité prix au centre-ville de Montréal. Je n'hésiterai pas à y retourner.
Great food, good helpings, reasonable price. Servers were a little new, but that happens. We met the chef/owner , very nice .
I would definitely return.
Apr 24, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
The food is incredibly delicious , every bite is bursting with flavor & clearly made with care. The service is exceptional, with staff that are both attentive & genuinely friendly. On top of that, the place is spotlessly clean, which adds so much to the overall experience.
Whether you're from Montreal or just visiting, this spot is an absolute must-try. You won't be disappointed!
I came to eat with my friends & we got the beef tartare with fries..It was excellent!!! My friend got the burger & she loved it. Amazing taste & quality!
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 had the hamburger with fries, cooked medium, & it was absolutely phenomenal - possibly the best burger I've ever had. The quality of the meat really stood out: rich, flavorful, & clearly fresh. It was cooked perfectly, juicy without being greasy, & the grilled onions added a sweet, smoky touch that took it to another level.
The bun was fresh & held everything together without falling apart, & the toppings were well-balanced - nothing overpowering, just complementing the star of the show: the beef.
The fries were crispy, golden, & clearly made with care. Every part of the plate felt thoughtfully prepared.
If you're in Montreal & want a burger that's a cut above the rest, Le 1881 is a must-try. I'll absolutely be coming back.
We hosted an event here, excellent venue! The food was spectacular, great service & a great location overall. From the delicious full course meal to the great ease in organizing the event, I would absolutely recommend. Gary & team did a great job, thank you!
