Stem Bar attracts attention for a beautiful ambiance, stylish decor, and a lively yet refined vibe, with a solid cocktail and wine program and consistently friendly service. The food is described as delicious and well executed, with favorites like burrata pancakes and Brussels sprouts, but several reviews warn that dishes can be very salty and portions may feel small when shared for the per person price. The place can be crowded and noisy, and Stem Bar does not take reservations, which means some guests settle for bar seating or shorter visits during peak times. Despite these points, many diners regard Stem Bar as a standout or hidden gem, noting high quality across the menu and a memorable overall experience ideal for a night out with friends or a date. Overall, Stem Bar is seen as a top option in the area for good drinks and well balanced dishes, with the best experiences highlighting the combination of creative eats, great cocktails, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Looove this place. However we waited long to get our table & the place was super crowded & loud, hard to talk to each other. We had the burrata pancakes, the brussel sprouts & the lamb pasta, everything was delicious. The margaritas were great too! Overall good experience.
Sep 8, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Exceptional from start to finish. STEM does not take reservations, but when we arrived on Friday at 7pm, we went straight up to the bar, where there was plenty of seating. We were greeted warmly by the staff who were very helpful in recommending what to eat & drink.
Although STEM appears to be a bar first & a restaurant second, everything we ate was truly exceptional-well presented dishes which were original & the perfect sharing portion.
The cocktails are straightforward & no-frills, but prepared well. The wine selections by the glass were the perfect pairing to the meal, a light crisp red perfect for summer nights.
We sampled the smoked trout fritters, which were topped with caviar-crisp on the outside & creamy in the middle. Next we had a pile of crisp brussels sprouts which had a great balance of flavour & texture. This went well with the unique salted pancakes with burrata. Underneath the burrata was a pile of delicious truffle shavings which elevated the dish, it was truly delicious. Finally, we had the spinach rotolo which sat on a pool of delicious & creamy tomato sauce. The meal was filling & the perfect portion for sharing.
There are many more dishes on the menu that we would like to try & we will most definitely return again!
Overall, the atmosphere, cocktails, wine & high-quality dishes make STEM bar an excellent value & a great date night locale in a neighborhood known for excellent eateries!
everything was so good!! would def go back. LOVE the beef tartare ($22) with the potato crisps on top. brussel sprouts ($17) were also a crowd favourite. pancakes ($24) are talked about so much we had to try them. it was super interesting having them salty but i loved the texture, crispy outside paired with the smooth creamy burrata!! i'm already craving it again. hangar steak ($33) was also perfect.
FYI we went for 6pm on a weekend with no wait time
We arrived at 6:20 because last time we went at 8:00 was a 1 hour wait, so make sure to arrive early since they don't take reservations.
The burrata truffle pancakes were our favourite dish.
We also had the tuna tartare (a tiny bit bland), trout croquettes (crunchy & flavourful), cavatelli (comforting & filling), & brussel sprouts (a lot of sauce, though they could have been more crispy). Overall everything was good! However the cocktails were disappointing (amaretto sour, espresso martini, dirty martini). The atmosphere is great & the staff is really friendly, & we appreciated that they weren't rushing us out after eating.
Un restaurant sans prétentions, de la bonne bouffe, une belle ambiance, un beau décor, un staff friendly. The salty pancakes, cavatelli & Brussels sprouts are all delicious.
Feb 26, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Truly a hidden gem. One of the few restaurants where every dish we ordered was done to perfection. The pancakes, brussel sprouts, & sea bream are definitely something you don't want to miss out on
we went on a friday night around 8:30 & didn't have to wait for too long. we got martinis & shared a few apps. the apps were sooo good! you must get the burrata salted pancakes with truffle. fantastic. the chocolate pudding was also so so incredible. the tomato toast was great too - salty & a bit sweet. i'd come back again for the wine!
Stem Bar is a fantastic spot! The service & atmosphere were great. If you don't drink, try their yuzu non-alcoholic beer-it's unique & refreshing. The highlight of the menu is definitely the burrata with truffle & pancakes; they are to die for! Don't leave without trying this dish. ---
Jun 28, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Très belle soirée au Stem bar. Nourriture excellent (burrata & pancake, juste délicieux & original, choux de bruxelles incroyable & tartare de boeuf délectable). Nous avons aussi aimé la salade de fenouil & la tarte au citron. Les portions sont généreuse ce que j'apprécie beaucoup, car le vin est plus dispendieux. Ambiance bonne, mais assez bruyante! :)
Highly recommend this restaurant! The food is phenomenal. The highlight was the pancake & burrata! I would come back just for this. The vibe is nice although service a bit slow & disorganized.
