Resto Keela earns widespread praise for its welcoming vibe and consistently excellent food. Signature dishes like the octopus, celery root carpaccio, salmon tartare, and the rib or filet mignon are repeatedly highlighted, and oysters on Tuesdays are a particular favorite. The menu is described as creative and well paced, with breads, beignets for dessert, and flavorful sides adding to the experience. Service is often described as friendly and attentive, and the staff create a lively yet homey atmosphere, though a few reviews note slower service when the restaurant is crowded. Cocktails and wine receive strong praise for variety and quality. Prices are sometimes seen as high, but many feel the quality and overall experience justify the cost. It is described as a hidden gem in the Village and a top pick for return visits. A few remarks mention accessibility issues or occasional hiccups in service when busy.
A true hidden gem in Montreal! Chef Johnny & Owner Kristen have created one of the city's finest dining experiences. The menu features dishes you won't find anywhere else; like the celery root carpaccio, a melt-in-your-mouth masterpiece. The salmon tartare is exquisite, the piri piri shrimp is packed with flavor, & the flatbreads, steaks, & burgers are all top-tier. & the fries? Some of the best I've ever had. With reasonable prices, a great atmosphere, & unforgettable flavors, this spot is an absolute must-visit!
We had a show at the Olympia theatre so we looked for a resto nearby. I came across this resto on Google & read the excellent reviews. IT LIVED UP TO THEM. Super cute & cozy atmosphere. Staff was very welcoming, engaging & friendly. As per the reviews, I had to try the celery root carpaccio & it was phenomenal ! For dinner, we had the steak frites & keela burger which were both amazing. Highly recommend & we will be back !
The salmon tartare was delicious. I would have had 16 if I could. Then I got the burger. OMG. Incredible. This was probably one of the top 20 dinners I've ever had. Would recommend in every lifetime.
Dec 31, 2024
on Google
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We had an unforgettable meal at Keela. My husband & I shared the celery root carpaccio, salmon tartare, grilled shrimp, & grilled octopus, as well as the carrot cake & the fried dough with nutella (for our kids!). Everything was really excellent- expertly prepared, cooked perfectly. I think the grilled shrimp was our favorite, but the octopus was a close second. Our kids also enjoyed their meals of ribs & a side salad, & the burger with fries. It's not often we can go to a "fine dining" establishment with our kids & we ALL leave happy & full at the end of the night. Keela achieved this beautifully, & the service was friendly & helpful, the ambience was great. I would go back in a heartbeat - can't wait to return to Montreal again!
The food & service were great! The shrimp & the octopus appetizers were fantastic! The celery root carpaccio was also unexpectedly great. The burger was good & the fries were superb. The carrot cake was also great. Overall a great evening.
We went to dinner on the early side (~5:30) on a Saturday at Keela. It was fun having the restaurant to ourselves for about 45 min but by the time it was 6:15 & only one other table had sat, I was starting to scratch my head. Both appetizers octopus & celery root were good but I was pretty disappointed by the burger & steak frites. steak was served purple when we asked for medium... & hamburger was meh. That said in the age of tapas restaurants everywhere, glad Keela is keeping it simple & classic
Neighborhood restaurant with super friendly staff & outstanding but simple menu which adds to the establishments success. There something for everyone on the menu. The signature burger (I have not have but at least one at my table orders each time I'm there) is highly recommended. I personally love the grilled octopus apatiser. There is also a mixology bar 🍸 that has a following. Can be very busy make reservation but not necessary...depends on the night.
May 19, 2024
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Hands down best meal we had in Montreal. The fish, salmon tartare, burger, & Nutella pastry dessert were all fantastic. We had to do takeout because of our son, but the restaurant looked a great environment. & on top of that, the people were so friendly. Will definitely be back next time we're in town.
La nourriture est tout simplement exceptionnelle ! En passant par le burger, le pain maison, la longe de porc ou les crevettes... Tout est délicieux ! C'était ma deuxième visite & certainement pas la dernière ! Merci !
Reservation for 3, early in the evening. Good ambience, with classic small casual bistro feel (no tablecloths).
Oysters were promptly served & shucked, complemented by a couple of nice house made sauces. (Oyster prices can’t be beat on Tuesday, $1 per)
Main dishes consisted of the Keela burger & the pork.
The burger was good, served medium, but the meat seemed kind of stiff. The frites were also good but not great, they were a bit tough to chew. The dip provided was a dijon mayonnaise. Why is it that casse croûte places have better fries than bistros in Montreal?
The pork was a bit strange; it is served in a wine sauce with mushrooms. The sauce wasn’t thick enough & the pork was, like the burger, a little stiff. It is also strange that no carbohydrate is served with the pork, just a piece of meat swimming in a sauce with mushrooms. It felt unfinished.
Also, it took an hour for our main courses to come out- that’s a bit too long for the simple items we ordered, & considering there was nobody in the restaurant at the time we ordered.
That being said, the gentleman who lit the table candle & kept our glasses of water full was a delight!
Dessert was London Fog ice cream — it was good but not worth the price.
Also, & this is purely my opinion, but bread & butter should be served in bistros; it would have been nice with the oysters. (I’ve had their garlic knots prior, which were good, but I’m talking about baguette)
The atmosphere was great, service was super friendly, & food was good. One of us had the burger, I had the pulled pasta, & it was delicious. Only reason I gave it 4 stars (& not 5) is that the price was a little high for the atmosphere/menu choices/overall experience.
We were looking for a spot near l'Olympia before a show. What a great find! Delicious cocktails, great service, yummy food ... & live music! The salad, burgers & fries were some of the best we've had in Montreal. The menu is on the small side, but has enough variety to satisfy any palate.
