Restaurant Grinder centers its culinary focus on high-quality cuts of beef and fresh seafood selections sourced for maximum flavor. The establishment prepares various steak cuts utilizing specialized grilling techniques to ensure consistent texture and charred exteriors. Beyond the meat offerings, the menu incorporates a diverse array of fish and shellfish prepared with classic French-inspired techniques that prioritize natural ingredients. Patrons observe an industrial aesthetic characterized by exposed brick walls and high ceilings that frame the open concept layout. The drink selection features a robust variety of craft cocktails and spirits designed to complement the heavy proteins and rich sauces found throughout the kitchen repertoire. This venue maintains a commitment to ingredient-driven plates that highlight the technical precision required for effective open-fire cooking and traditional preparation methods.
Restaurant Grinder is widely celebrated for its exceptional quality of food, particularly its perfectly cooked steaks, flavorful beef tartare, and standout pouding chômeur. Guests consistently praise the vibrant, stylish, and romantic atmosphere, which makes it an ideal destination for special occasions, date nights, and gatherings with friends. While some diners mention that the music can occasionally be loud and tables feel close together, the overall experience is elevated by an attentive and personable staff who frequently go out of their way to ensure a memorable visit. With the added convenience of valet parking and a commitment to high-quality ingredients, this establishment remains a reliable and highly recommended staple in the local dining scene.
Our favorite stop during our Montreal trip.
The atmosphere is lively, loungey, & romantic.
Service was extremely personable, & everyone seemed to have a charm to them.
Great selection of wine. We instantly regretted eating a snack too close to our reservation prior, because we really wanted to try more items.
The short ribs were the best we've ever had. At first glance, it looked like a small portion, but it was perfect for two people to share without feeling overly stuffed. it was rich, meaty, tender, & all the different flavors complimented each other so well. We are so grateful to have chosen this entree.
We are definitely looking forward to returning in the future.
First time visiting Grinder, we had dinner & drinks, & nothing disappointed! the food was delicious, ordered some starters & the rib-eye, drinks equally great & quick service. especially happy with the service from our bartenders Peter & Raphi. Peter picked out the perfect wines to go with our food & both of them made great cocktails to cap-off. very entertaining to see them work & so friendly!
Ate here our first night in Montreal & it really set the bar high for the rest of the stay. The food was amazing, had the Short rib, hanger steak, green beans, Brussels, & a side of 3 scallops. The short rib came with a perfect slaw which tasted similar to Vietnamese dishes Ive had before. Only call out would be drop the green beans, they lacked seasoning, especially when compared to the Brussels (which were delicious). For dessert we had the bread pudding & it was the perfect non-fussy finish to a very rich meal.
The service was great, very attentive & would 100% go back if we had time.
The only downside was the table location, we were 10minutes late so maybe thats why, but seated in a spot that you couldn't see much of the rest of the restaurant, which sucks for people watching. Didn't dampen the actual meal through.
May 13, 2026
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We ordered the surf & turf for two & chose the ribeye, which was excellent! The sides were very good as well, & while everything else was solid, nothing particularly stood out. It's nice to have a variety of options, but overall it didn't quite feel worth the price.
The staff were amazing & great vibe!
Le rib eye & le short ribs was veryyyy good! Les calamars frits était tendre & goûteux! Par contre, nous étions assit au bar & le service était pourri, on a attendu au moins 10 mins pour demander un menu, on nous a donné un menu d'alcool uniquement… on a du redemander pour un menu nourriture. La serveuse nous regardait même pas, servait tout le monde autour sauf nous, expérience assez désagréable pour le prix qu'on dépense à ce restaurant. J'imagine que le service au table doit être définitivement mieux.
I came last week & the service & food were amazing. I had the ribeye & it was perfectly done. My server Julia was attentive & made us feel extremely welcome & taken care of. Would recommend.
Delicious food overall, it was pricey but fair & the atmosphere was rather rustic in a nice way. The waitress did end up forgetting one of our entrées but in the end we were full so it wasn't so bad. Highly recommend the beef short ribs.
We've been to Grinder twice now, this time for Mother's Day, & both visits were fantastic. The food, service, & atmosphere all hit the mark.
My favourite thing on the menu has to be the Hamachi, so fresh & flavourful. This time around, we ordered the Wagyu carpaccio, Hamachi, French onion soup, steak (which came with a flight of sauces, loved that touch), & the short ribs. For sides, we had the sweet potato fries & mushrooms. The only small letdown was the mushrooms, not because they weren't good, but because they were different from the ones we had the first time, which we absolutely loved. Still tasty though!
Everything was delicious & well-executed. I'd definitely recommend trying this spot.
The last photo is from our first visit, surf & turf platter with those amazing mushrooms I was hoping to have again.
Update:
The owner was sad to hear about our experience & wanted us to leave with a better impression. He suggested we come a second time, on the house. Our second visit was very enjoyable, we opted for smaller appies & main meals instead of the larger sharing plate. Tuna tartare, fried calamary, NY steak & short ribs were all 10/10. To finish the night, the manager offered us dessert. We appreciate the time & effort the staff took to turn the situation around. I will be coming back. Thank you
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Came for a steak, stayed for the suspense. After a 90-minute wait, my food arrived cold, impressive, really. The steak was so rare I almost named it & let it go. Sent it back, but it returned just as raw, only angrier.
Great place if you enjoy long waits & plot twists.
