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.
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.
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 salads were perfect, with dressings that were full of taste without overpowering the greens or cheese. I dared to try the catch of the day-ray- & was pleasantly impressed with the subtle taste & soft texture. The lovely wife had the Cavatelli & enjoyed the last of it despite being very full. The shared chocolate dessert was superb. We couldn't have asked for a more helpful & pleasant server/bartende
Rather excellent restaurant, food was amazing & professional service in a modern, but relaxed setting - I took a large portion each of the salmon & beef tartare as entree & main, the salmon in particular was one of the best I've ever tasted Kids had the burger & cedar salad, & crème brûlée & chocolate mousse - they loved it I was slightly less impressed with the wines, but that might just be me, & I would have liked there to be a cheese plate for dessert
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.
