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 frequently praised for its exceptional food, particularly the high-quality steaks, surf and turf platters, and popular sides like the pudding chômeur. Many guests highlight the vibrant, moody atmosphere and the professional, attentive service provided by the staff, which often makes for a memorable dining experience. While the majority of visitors have a fantastic time and look forward to returning, some patrons note that the restaurant can be quite noisy and that table spacing may feel cramped during busy periods. Occasional inconsistencies in service speed and food preparation have been mentioned, but management is noted for being responsive to feedback and dedicated to ensuring guest satisfaction.
Dined here with a colleague while in town for business. The food was amazing! I had some of the best buratta I've ever had in my life followed by delicious halibut! My co-worker had calamari & tartare which he enjoyed immensely. Great atmosphere as well, it was packed on a Wednesday night!
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.
The owner reached out to my boyfriend to understand what had happened during our first visit. He offered to have us come back for a second time, on the house, to make up for it.
We went back about a month later. We were greeted by Alejandro, the manager, who offered us a first round of drinks - just as good as the first time.
For starters, I had the tuna tartare & my boyfriend went with the fried calamari. Both were very good. For the main course, I had the short ribs (super tender) & he had the NY steak, cooked medium. Everything was solid.
The manager checked in on us without being overbearing, & he wrapped up the meal by offering us their pudding chômeur with soft-serve ice cream. Great dessert.
All in all, a much better experience than the first time. Thanks to the restaurant for taking the time to make things right. It doesn't go unnoticed
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My boyfriend & I were really looking forward to trying this spot, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. We ordered the rib steak for two ($120) & asked for it medium rare.
We placed our order around 10 PM, when things were winding down, but waited at least 45 minutes without any updates. During that time, the waitress didn't check on us once. I eventually flagged her down, & she mentioned the delay was normal due to the size of the steak - fair enough, but a quick update would've gone a long way.
When the food finally arrived 10-15 minutes later, the steak was cold & extremely undercooked - basically raw. I asked to have it cooked a bit more, & surprisingly, the waitress admitted she knew it was undercooked when she brought it out. Her explanation? Their medium rare leans'on the rarer side.' That's not reassuring when you're paying top dollar. The table beside us had also returned their steak, not once but twice.
The steak came back slightly warmer, but still incredibly raw & tough. My boyfriend lost his appetite after a few bites & decided to take it home to finish cooking himself. I ate a little more, but felt like I got robbed of an experience. The sides didn't redeem the dish either - the mushrooms were way too salty & the mashed potatoes tasted like cardboard.
On the other hand, the drinks were very good & enjoyable.
When the bill came, I asked the waitress if it was normal for their steaks to come out like that. She admitted it was undercooked & apologized awkwardly, but no compensation was offered - no discount, no complimentary drink, nothing. For a $120 dish we barely touched, that was incredibly disappointing. After the drinks, our bill was way over 200$
As someone who works in the industry, I'd never serve a dish I knew wasn't right, especially after a long wait. I would have gotten the manager involved the first time the food was returned to the kitchen. It's better to communicate delays than to disappoint with poor food & service. Sadly, this experience missed the mark on both.
Jun 22, 2025
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We had the absolute pleasure of celebrating our anniversary at Grinder, & it couldn't have been more perfect. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed with warmth & genuine hospitality.
The food was fantastic-each dish was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, & bursting with flavor. Every bite felt like a celebration in itself.
Our server, Jennifer, was exceptional. She was attentive, friendly, & made us feel truly special throughout the evening. It was clear she genuinely cared about our experience, & she went above & beyond in every way.
What truly touched us was that the team at Grinder remembered it was our anniversary & surprised us with a complimentary dessert to help us celebrate. It's those thoughtful details that really set a restaurant apart.
Grinder is a gem-not only because of the incredible food, but also because of the people who make it such a special place. We can't wait to return.
Highly recommended for any occasion, especially if you're looking to celebrate something meaningful.
Soirée festive ,
ambiance comme seul le Grinder peut en avoir 💥💥
Les huîtres ,le tartare , & que dire du flétan ,cuit à la perfection .
Pénélope s'est occupé de nous de façon magistrale ,les choix de vins en accompagnement étaient parfaits merci Pénélope.
Bref ,une soirée a recommencer très bientôt.
My family & I enjoyed a night at Grinder yesterday… The hostess gave us the warmest welcome & was so quick on her feet-she had a very positive energy. The food matched its description perfectly-the Surf&turfs, in particular, was absolutely exceptional. To top it off, our waiter kindly offered us dessert, which was just as delightful. I strongly recommend this place.
First & last visit. The place looks upscale, but the experience didn't live up to the hype. For a bill of $253 for two, we were served a single small steak, a bit of salad, two mojitos - & yes, I had to pay extra for the fries.
At that price point, the portions should be generous, & basics like fries shouldn't come as an add-on. It felt more like we paid for the presentation than the food.
Disappointing overall. Montreal has many restaurants that deliver far better value & satisfaction for half the price.
