Darbar
Darbar 2027 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal
4.9
27 evaluations
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Reviews / Ratings for Darbar

Photo of Sheri Heller
15 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Our favorite Indian restaurant in Montreal hands down. Our Valentine's meal was wonderful. Food was delicious as always and the atmosphere is cozy and conversation with fellow diners was inspiring. Staff are warm and always go above and beyond. Highly recommended.

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Photo of Jem Wilson DC
15 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

We always have such an amazing time at Darbar, but yesterday's Valentine's day was special. The newly added Jazz band just elevated the experience even more. As usual, the food was impeccable and all my thanks to chef Simar who I unfortunately did not get to say hi to, understandable of course. To the front team, you guys did an amazing job, the polaroid was a nice touch and to see your parents on the take out box was adorable. Cannot wait to visit again soon whenever the Indian cuisine crave comes in, 10/10 as always

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Photo of Andrew Buehner
14 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Wow! What an experience! The food was delicious! The staff was even better! We came in from out of town and we will come back again. First Class.

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Photo of Camilo Mora
14 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Very Good restaurant, best option, personally, for indian food ! As well as the vibe, would recommend it 100%. Must try it !

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Photo of Susheel Anugu
13 Feb 2026
Source: Google
3.0

Service was exceptional! The food was decent, and I did get the spice level I asked for. However, the addition of fennel and what I think might be the pomegranate arils really took away the experience for me. Just as I started enjoying the heat, the sudden sweetness disrupted the balance of flavors and threw off my palate, which was a bit disappointing. My friend enjoyed his meal though! The atmosphere is great, but unfortunately the seating is the WORST part of the experience. The tables are extremely small and can barely accommodate the plates. We were seated by the window, which left almost no room to move my arm freely or even comfortably stretch an leg while eating. With just two plates, curries, water glasses and bread on the table, it felt cramped and quite uncomfortable. Wish the tables were big or we were seated elsewhere!

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Photo of Hazel Key
10 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Had an absolutely delightful experience at Darbar while visiting Montreal for the first time. The servers and chef were kind and generous, the food was AMAZING, and we lucked into going on a night there was live jazz music that totally rounded out the ambiance. Cannot recommend them enough!

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Restaurant response
Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Hazel — what a lovely way to experience Montreal for the first time. You caught one of those special nights when everything just aligns — warm room, full tables, live jazz weaving through the space. I’m so glad you felt that atmosphere. It’s never staged; it just happens when the energy in the room is right. Thank you for your kind words about the team. We try to create an environment where generosity feels natural — not scripted — and it means a lot that you felt that. Montreal treated you well that night, and we’re grateful Darbar could be part of your first visit. Come back anytime — we’ll keep the jazz ready.
Photo of Autumn Banks
9 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

This place has just been added to my top favourite restaurants in Montréal! The food was simply excellent, especially the malai kofta and the naan, as were the drinks and the very friendly and attentive service. Thanks so much for having us for my birthday dinner, it was a great evening and I can't wait to come back!

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Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Autumn — what a way to celebrate a birthday. Thank you for choosing us. I’m really glad the evening felt special. Birthdays carry a certain energy, and we don’t take it lightly when someone decides to spend that moment in our dining room. Malai kofta and naan is a beautiful pairing — comforting, layered, indulgent in the right way. I’m happy those stood out for you. Thank you for trusting us with your celebration. We’ll be ready whenever you decide it’s time for the next one.
Photo of Kri Venc
8 Feb 2026
Source: Google
1.0

Ordered the Non veg thali for $30 today. Whole ordered costed me $50 including tax and all. Very disappointed with what I received. Only one curry with two little pieces of chicken and chickpea curry and two spoons of rice and a naan. For the price and hype about this place. It’s not worth it at all in my experience. Very disappointed as I waited to come to Mtl to visit this place.

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Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Hi Kri — I want to respond honestly, because your review reflects frustration that’s being directed at the wrong place. First, the total you paid includes Uber’s fees and taxes, which do not come to us. We do not inflate our prices on Uber to offset their commission (many restaurants do). The $30 thali is priced the same in-restaurant and on Uber. Any delivery, service, or platform fees are set entirely by Uber, not by Darbar, and it’s unfair to attribute those costs to the restaurant. Second, your review omits several components that are part of the non-veg thali you received: – tandoori chicken – daal makhani – papadum – rice – naan – two curries Leaving those out gives an incomplete and misleading picture of the dish. Third — and this is the most disappointing part — you mention that you “waited to come to Montreal to visit this place”, yet you chose to judge us based on a delivery order. Darbar is a chef-led, made-from-scratch restaurant built around in-person hospitality, pacing, and care. Uber is never an accurate representation of that experience. If your priority is maximum volume delivered quickly, there are plenty of other Indian restaurants nearby that will better meet that expectation — and we’re genuinely happy to recommend them. We stand behind our pricing, our portions, and most importantly, our quality. Critique is fair, but it should also be grounded in context and accuracy. Wishing you the best with the rest of your time in Montreal.
Photo of Monsieur Chef
6 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

What can I say—this place is truly amazing, from the service to the food. Everything is made from scratch, and you can absolutely taste it. The dishes are fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. What really sets this place apart is that the chef personally comes out to connect with every table, taking the time to understand spice tolerance and any special requests. You genuinely feel the love and passion he puts into his food. From one chef to another, I truly admire and respect that level of care and dedication. It’s something you rarely find in restaurants these days. I will be back forsure !

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Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Coming from a fellow chef… that means a great deal. Truly. You know what it takes to cook everything from scratch. You know the discipline behind balance, restraint, and intention. So when someone who lives this craft recognizes that care — it lands differently. The conversations at the table aren’t performance for me. They’re calibration. Understanding heat tolerance, preferences, memories tied to certain dishes — that’s how food becomes personal rather than generic. There’s something special about cooks recognizing cooks. Thank you for seeing the work behind the plate. It’s mutual respect. Looking forward to welcoming you back — maybe next time we’ll talk shop a little longer.
Photo of Kyron Nuckols
24 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Great food and atmosphere. Would go back and recommend to a friend. Chef and staff were great and accommodating.

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Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Thanks so much, Kyron. We’re really glad you enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere — that balance matters a lot to us. And it’s always encouraging to hear that you’d recommend us to a friend. That kind of word-of-mouth is the biggest compliment we can get. Hope we get to welcome you back soon.
Photo of Marc Bondy
17 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Easily one of the top five culinary experiences of my life. Chef Simar gave us the absolute star treatment. The flavours were otherworldly, the service was outstanding and atmosphere was perfect. If I could give it 6 stars, I would. Can’t wait to come back again.

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Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Marc… this is incredibly generous. Thank you. To be mentioned among your top five culinary experiences is not something we take lightly. That’s the kind of compliment that stays with a chef long after service ends. What makes evenings special for us isn’t just the food — it’s the exchange. The trust when guests say “guide us,” the conversations at the table, the shared laughter between courses. That’s where the magic really happens. We’re grateful you felt that. And we’ll be here whenever you’re ready for round two — maybe we’ll try to earn that seventh star next time.
Photo of Ahmet Akgul
17 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Delicious food! Chef makes everything from scratch, very attentive staff and very talented head chef. All their meats are halal which is also a huge plus. Highly recommend

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Response added on 11 Feb 2026
Thank you, Ahmet — we really appreciate this. Cooking everything from scratch is a commitment we take seriously, so it means a lot that you noticed. And yes, we’re proud to serve halal meats — it’s important to us that as many guests as possible can dine comfortably and confidently. Grateful for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back again soon.
Photo of Marianne Thorborg
16 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing everything - love everything about this place! Food cooked from scratch from order is taken so super fresh.

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Response added on 16 Jan 2026
Thank you, Marianne — this really means a lot. Cooking everything from scratch is something we’ve chosen very deliberately, even though it takes more time and care. Hearing that you felt that freshness makes all of it worthwhile. We’re grateful you noticed, and even more grateful that you loved the experience overall. Hope to welcome you back again soon.
Photo of Cassie Scarpa
11 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

The food was so good and the server was so helpful in guiding our order!! Definitely recommend!!!

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Response added on 16 Jan 2026
Thank you so much, Cassie! We’re really glad you enjoyed the food, and it means a lot to hear that our server was able to guide you through the menu and help make the experience easy and enjoyable. That kind of care is something we truly value. Thank you for the recommendation — we hope to welcome you back again very soon.
Photo of Vanessa Rizzo
10 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing place. Amazing food. The chef owner is such a sweet soul. Would recommend to anyone

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Response added on 16 Jan 2026
Thank you so much, Vanessa — this truly warms our hearts. It was such a joy cooking for you, and we’re especially happy that the off-menu chilli chicken hit home for you. Hearing that it was the best thing you’ve ever eaten is something we don’t take lightly at all — moments like that are exactly why we do what we do. Thank you for feeling the love we put into the food and the space. You’re always welcome back at Darbar — next time, we’ll happily surprise you again. Our love to the famiglia!
Photo of Caitlin Clark
4 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

By far one of the best hidden gems. The chef was so kind and made our experience one to remember. He was able to cater to our specific needs and wants. As new comers to Indian food, the chef and his colleague made sure we were comfortable and enjoyed every bite. I would recommend this place to anyone

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Response added on 7 Jan 2026
Thank you so much, Caitlin — this truly means a lot to us. It was such a pleasure welcoming you and being part of your introduction to Indian food. We never take it lightly when someone is trying a cuisine that’s new to them, and knowing you felt comfortable, cared for, and genuinely enjoyed the experience makes us incredibly happy. That’s exactly what we hope for at every table. Thank you for your trust, your openness, and your kind words. We’d love to welcome you back anytime — there’s still so much more to explore when you’re ready.
Photo of Sarah Hoffmeier
2 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

The head chef/owner came to our table to talk about his restaurant and the food. Incredible service and all items we ordered were delicious. Will definitely return. One note - due to the extreme cold weather, you need to use the side door (to keep the main door closed and the dining area warm) which isn't super obvious to a first time visitor. It feels like you might be going into an apartment, but it's the restaurant!

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Restaurant response
Response added on 7 Jan 2026
Thank you so much, Sarah — we really appreciate you taking the time to share this. It means a lot to know you enjoyed both the food and the conversation with Chef Simar; those moments at the table are a big part of why we do what we do. And thank you as well for the thoughtful note about the entrance. You’re absolutely right — during extreme cold spells we keep the main door closed to preserve warmth in the dining room, and we know the side entrance can feel a bit confusing the first time. We’re actively working on making that clearer for future guests, especially those visiting us for the first time. We truly appreciate your understanding and your kindness, and we look forward to welcoming you back again very soon.
Photo of Jeremie Beaudoin
1 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Owner was super nice; came up to our table to suggest items on the menu and he even went off script and prepared us a dish from the next seasonal rotation!

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Response added on 7 Jan 2026
Thank you so much, Jérémie! We’re really glad you enjoyed the experience — Chef Simar loves going a little off-script when inspiration strikes, especially when guests are open to trying something new. It makes those evenings extra special for us too. Hope to welcome you back soon for more surprises from the kitchen!
Photo of Andrew Prazar
1 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Had an amazing meal here tonight. So nice for the chef to come to each table and speak to the dishes and ask if we had questions. The food itself was sublime. The best chicken tiki masala we’ve ever had and the agneau nihari melted in your mouth. A small place so make a reservation! What a way to kick off the new year.

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Restaurant response
Response added on 7 Jan 2026
Thank you so much, Andrew! We’re thrilled you chose to kick off the new year with us — what a lovely way to start it. Chef Simar truly enjoys connecting with guests and sharing the stories behind each dish, so it means a lot that you appreciated that personal touch. We’re especially happy to hear the chicken tikka masala and agneau nihari stood out — those are dishes we take great pride in. Thanks as well for the reservation tip (always wise in our little space!). We hope to welcome you back again soon for another memorable meal.

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Opening hours

Dining room
  • Sunday 16:30 - 21:30
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 16:30 - 21:30
  • Thursday 16:30 - 21:30
  • Friday 16:30 - 22:00
  • Saturday 16:30 - 22:00

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