Monkland Taverne on Monkland Avenue in the heart of NDG, is one of the trendiest restaurants on the entire strip, boasting a chic new decor and a very lively atmosphere.
Across reviews, Taverne Monkland is described as a Montreal staple that delivers a refined yet welcoming dining experience with inventive dishes, fresh ingredients, and a strong drinks program. Diners consistently praise the creative menu, the variety of flavors, and the freshness of the fare, especially seafood, while noting generous portions on many plates. Service is repeatedly highlighted as attentive, professional, and friendly, with the front of house described as warm and precise. The atmosphere is intimate and chic, and the terrace in summer adds to the overall vibe, though seating can be hard to secure. A few comments mention high prices and occasions where portions feel small for the cost, suggesting that value can vary. Overall the consensus is that the restaurant offers reliable quality, memorable dining, and is a must visit for those in Montreal.
Highly recommend the bavette steak & the dulce de leche cake with chantilly cream. It was absolutely delicious!!
Also tried the Rosemary Spritz mocktail which was very unique & pleasant.
As newcomers in NDG, this was our first time at Taverne Monkland. Overall this was a mixed bag for us. On the definite positives, the place is beautiful & inviting. We also had fantastic service from our waitress, who explained the day's specials in detail & checked on us many times during our meal. Food wise though, some dishes were good (the tartare special with Calabrese "caviar") or great like the short rib with chasseur sauce, absolutely delicious. But others were bad & felt like they came from a different restaurant. The brassicas Caesar salad was dry & needed more dressing, but the real disappointment was their putanesca dish with freshly made noodles. It was mushy, very bland, tasted mostly like salt & parsley & lacked the punch a putanesca should have. The dessert was also so so (a pain perdu that really isn't a pain perdu). We live nearby so we'll definitely give the restaurant another try in the future & some of their dishes were definitely worth the visit.
I can't even begin to describe how much this restaurant goes above & beyond to make a night truly special. We celebrated my grandmother's 80th birthday here, & Chef Josh created an incredible menu that was both complex & beautifully simple at the same time. He made sure that every product served on the table was thoughtfully & geniusly sourced from somewhere in Quebec or close to home. That local mentality was shared with us through the stories behind each dish, adding so much depth & meaning to the experience. It was a meal that meant so much to me & my family, & the entire staff ensured everything was absolutely perfect from start to finish. Thank you for making this celebration unforgettable!
Not a very varied menu. But what they do make is very fresh & tasty. Portions are good as well. The vibe & atmosphere is what makes this place. Extensive drink menu too. Parking is on street & in that neighborhood-good luck.
Quel bon resto, nous avons adoré. Des ingrédients de première qualité, une recherche en cuisine, un service d'une grande gentillesse, super ambiance, le meilleur resto sur Monkland & un des meilleurs de l'Ouest de la ville. La carte des vins vaut la peine d'être lue. En saison, la terrasse est vraiment agréable.
Good food but kinda creepy. Especially that one guy with the dark bobcut. If you're a woman, expect to be creepily stared at non-stop by the dude with the bob. He'll just stare at you from other parts of the restaurant while you're trying to eat it's so bizarre I don't understand. They need to have a talk with staff to remind them not to creep out customers but the food was nice.
Sep 13, 2024
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It has been about 10-12 years since I was last at Taverne on Monkland, & I have to say that I was so disappointed. I am a Monkland Village resident & Love to support my local restos, but I will not be going back. The Caesar salad at approx $25 was dry & had little excitement, I had to ask for salt & pepper for the table since I guess the chef knows best on seasoning. My mother had what looked like very dry pasta with tiny shrimp for $35 & I had the steak frites which was a tiny 7oz lesser cut without any flavour. After all the food disappointment we were told at 7:15 that we had to leave to free up the table, our reservation was at 5:30. $185 later for two, this has to be one of my worst dining experience in a very very long time. I will more than happily pay a premium for a good meal, here I just felt ripped off & insulted.
It's an older more senior crowd , the service is great & it's got a family atmosphere, this is a historic place on Monkland & I'm happy to see it's still working well
Jul 23, 2024
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Tonight I made an impromptu decision to dine at The Tavern. After receiving a warm welcome by the staff, Barbara, Tom & the amazing chef Josh made this a memorable meal. I was taken back to the Amalfi Coast by the spectacular meal & beverages. The only things lacking were the Italian serenade & the view of the Mediterranean!!!
This place is a hidden gem. Had the Tasting menu, it was absolutley amazing, locally sourced great quality ingredients transformed into tasty dishes. Josh was welcoming & his descriptions of the plates made your mouth water!
Went on a Saturday night with our of town guests. This restaurant has a great vibe. The server was impressive. He knew the menu & specials inside out & was super professional. Excellent bartender knew how to make proper martinis. The food was delicious & perfectly prepared. This all happens because the owner was present & involved, ensuring her guests were well taken care of. Highly recommend Taverne Monklamd.
Jun 26, 2024
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Break away from downtown & hit up this long running spot for dinner & drinks. Located on a closed street with other dining & shopping options. The owner is very nice & took very good care of our group of race fans that escaped the rain. Fun place to spend your evening with friends. The red wine selection from the owner was right in my wheelhouse & helped make the meal something special. See you next year!
One of our favorite new spots to go! Service is top notch. The staff all works as a team so you are never left unattended. & the food is phenomenal. Also love the atmosphere. Very cute spot for photo ops ;)
My spouse & I had the most delightful dining experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted warmly & seated promptly. Our waiter, who turned out to be the one of 3 chef owner, was incredibly knowledgeable about the menu & took the time to explain almost every ingredient in the dishes we chose. We were impressed to learn that many of the ingredients were sourced from the restaurant's own garden, adding a special touch to our meal. The food itself was simply outstanding. The fresh homemade pasta melted in our mouths, & the bass that I ordered was cooked to perfection. Each dish was beautifully presented & bursting with flavor. It was clear that a lot of care & attention had gone into preparing our meals. Overall, we left the restaurant feeling satisfied & eager to return for another culinary adventure. We can't wait to sample more of the menu offerings next time & see what other delicious creations the chef has in store for us. This restaurant truly exceeded our expectations, & we highly recommend it to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience.
