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 !
Feb 17, 2025
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Got introduced to this place by a friend & absolutely loved my experience. Came back with my boyfriend, who also fell in love with it. The ambiance is cozy & inviting, perfect for an evening with friends or a date night. The cocktails were creative & tasty. As for the food, everything was absolutely delicious, but the highlights for me were the celery root carpaccio & the salmon tartare - both to die for! Highly recommend this spot!
We are first timers in Montreal & so glad to have dined at Keela last night. Friendly greeting by our host who was very helpful with the menu. Wine list is extensive. We had the roasted shrimp in a spectacular garlic butter spice sauce. Also their celery root carpaccio is a must have signature dish. Beautiful presentation & delicious. For our mains the monkfish special & filet steak frites. Wonderful peppercorn sauce. Fries were so good with a nice mustard dipping sauce. Too full for dessert! We were very well cared for by the entire service team. Keela is a special place! We can't wait to return!
Visiting a friend whose favourite restaurant in Montreal is Keela, & I understand why. The food was excellent- standouts were the celery root carpaccio & grilled octopus. The cocktails were well crafted & the wine list was very well curated. The service was warm, & the atmosphere felt casual & welcoming. Such a nice spot, I hope I get to come back next time I'm in Montreal.
We reserved at Keela the same day because the other few restaurants we wanted didn't have availability . We expected pub-like atmosphere but instead the whole experience was sophisticated yet young & convivial. The food was really good & creative but with a homey touch- their celery root salad was amazing, roasted fish was a plate fit for a king, & the Cornish hen took me back to my childhood. Great experience, not forgetting the hosts who were the kindest & most knowledgeable!
Aug 24, 2024
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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
Had a lovely time here! The food was absolutely incredible, celery root carpaccio on point, a lovely tartare, the piri piri flat bread was absolutely delicious & the shrimp were perfect. Kristen's wine recommendation hit the mark (a funky yet approachable Mencia from Portugal) & the hospitality & service were outstanding. Truly a gem in Montreal! Thank you so much for a fantastic experience!
Jan 28, 2024
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I came here with a friend on a whim because I never really go to the Village & saw that it was highly rated. We were very pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was! Our table wasn't ready so we were seated at the bar (which I must say was not comfortable in heels - classic bar stools) so was eager to be seated at a table, but ordered a sizeable dirty martini & the garlic pesto flatbread to start, which was DELICIOUS & placated me. Eventually we were seated at a table by the kitchen & we ordered the house salad, celery root carpaccio & the beef tartare & everything was excellent. The salad was very good & nothing like a boring salad. I will add that the service was very slow, but the waitress was very friendly so I put it at 5 stars. We finished with the cheesecake, which they were out of in bowls but had in a takeout container & it was so good too. The bill was quite reasonable ($125 for 2 people after tax). I'm excited to go back to this place!
Probably the best dinner I've had in 10 years! Harlan was amazing as well. I could eat that celery root carpaccio every day for the rest of my life! Everything was perfect. Thank you!
The restaurant was quiet when we went in, so we sat at the bar & had a great conversation with the bartender! He was friendly & gave us some great Montreal recommendations. The celery root carpaccio was one of the most unique, delicious appetizers I've ever had.
