Bar Vivar offers an elevated take on classic tapas, blending Basque and Spanish influences with inventive dishes and a strong focus on fresh seafood. The chalkboard menu changes often, inviting repeated visits, and the atmosphere is cozy and intimate with warm, attentive service and a well curated wine and vermouth selection. Dishes are described as creative and deeply satisfying, with the tortilla de patatas singled out as a standout and many reviews noting a memorable bar side experience. The experience is refined yet approachable, suitable for dates, friends, families, and private events, with the staff going above and beyond. Prices are commonly noted as on the higher side, but the quality of ingredients, flavors, and service often justify the cost. Occasional critiques mention small portions relative to price, some saltiness, and timing issues with dishes arriving at different times, as well as legibility challenges of the chalkboard menu. Overall Bar Vivar emerges as a hidden gem in Montreal, offering a lively yet cozy Spanish vibe, creative tapas, and a space that encourages repeat visits and culinary inspiration.
Bar Vivar is my new coup de coeur! The atmosphere is charming & welcoming. I've been there three times now & I've always had such a good time. The food is delicious & makes you want to discover authentic Spanish tapas. If you have the chance to be seated at the bar, it will complete your experience by seeing the chef in action. & I can't forget about the wine list, the selection they have makes it hard for you to say no to another glass ;) 10/10 would recommend this little gem in the heart of Le Plateau Mont-Royal!
Service impeccable, nourritire excellente. Un peu d'Espagne rue Duluth. Nous y retournerons, c'est certain. Un bémol: la serveuse, par ailleurs charmante, arborait un tablier pas très propre; comme on dit, ça la fout mal. Porté de travers, il semblait sorti du panier à linge sale. Pas professionnel. 😒
Jul 17, 2024
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New favorite tapas spot! The food & service was amazing & the prices very reasonable for the quality. The variety of drinks & bites was perfect. The ambiance is lovely, highly recommend!
Bar Vivar is an absolute must visit in Montreal. Chef & the entire team are beyond dedicated to their craft & the warmth, hospitality, & flavors transport you to Spain in a quick moment. Staff & chef make you feel right at home & wow..the food! Every dish was delicious. I laughed looking at some reviews, people are miserable & would find a way to complain about a perfect blue sky day. Go visit before they get a star - vamos!
I hate to leave a so-so review, but while the food was delicious the portions were offensively small for the price - even for tapas. I liked having to take a photo of the menu of the blackboard & not having a paper menu. The salads are decent in size, so is the Steak frites. But the tostas are just a quarter of a slice of bread :( The folks servicing us were very kind & pleasant, but overly busy, so we struggled to get their attention. I was hoping this would be my neighborhood haunt but the prices are prohibitive.
mon chum m'a invitée là pour mon anniversaire. Malheureusement c'était correc sans plus & surtout beaucoup trop cher pour la quantité, on avait encore faim en sortant. Aussi la carte est trop minimaliste très peu de choix. Le service est vmt basique. Disons qu'on ne le recommandera pas à nos amis & famille.
Jun 2, 2024
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I went there few week ago with my wife. To be honest, the food is good but not excellent, nothing outstanding, I give the food a 4*. The prices are ridiculously high for the amount you get. Nothing justify their prices. I don't recommand it. Also when there is no menu & only a black board, please take at least the time to write everything nicely enough to be understandable, it looks like it's a doctor from the ER who wrote... The service was ok but as mentionned in other reviews the owner looks somehow pretentious in his attitude, not a friendly or humble vibe. It is not bad, it just not worth the trip or the money. I have been in spain many time, love this country & love spanish food but I was disappointed, something is missing & the bill end up to be really high & we felt a bit ripped off like if the quantity were enough only for the cheapest ingredients of the plate, but for the tastiest ingredient the quantity were tiny like not even enough to feed a baby.
On a passé une très belle soirée ! La bouffe était très bonne & le service aussi. Je viens de l'Espagne mais j'habite ici depuis 8 ans. Mes parents visitent souvent & ils aiment la cuisine espagnole, ils étaient super contents & ils ont dit que c'est le meilleur restaurant qu'ils ont essayé à Montréal. Leur vermut est aussi très bon :) On reviendra !
What a great way to begin a week long vacation in Montreal. Do yourself a favor & ask the host to curate your selections for you. We'll be back again before we go home.
We stumbled into this restaurant, tired & hungry from a day of traveling. The maitre d' saw us coming & proceeded to take care of us the way a maitre d' should. He ascertained how hungry we were (very) & curated a most delicious meal. There was a deliciously crunchy fried thing, a Spanish tortilla with lobster, sweetbreads that were light & delicious despite being fried, a morel & fried egg dish that was out of this world, & steak frites that were a religious experience. To describe dessert as French toast with vanilla ice cream doesn't do this dish justice. All the wait staff were top notch. Seriously. Go here & eat. You will not regret it.
The best experience ever, food was fantastic, it's super unique & takes you above cloud. Super friendly staff, atmosphere was cozy. Definitely coming back here
