Kava
Kava 246 Rue Young, Montréal
4.3
41 evaluations
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Reviews / Ratings for Kava

Photo of Laurence Poirier
21 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Thank you Sofia & Nabil for the great service !!

Service
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Atmosphere
Photo of Rose Candy
14 Feb 2026
Source: Google
1.7

I recently visited Kava in Montreal and had an uncomfortable experience regarding tipping. While I understand that tipping is customary, I felt pressured by the server to leave a specific percentage. After offering a tip, I was repeatedly asked to increase it and was told they would not receive the full amount otherwise. This made me feel uncomfortable and put on the spot, which affected my overall experience. Tipping should remain at the discretion of the customer, and I did not appreciate being pressured or negotiated with about the amount. The food was okay, but the atmosphere was also an issue. The music was extremely loud—loud enough to hurt your ears—and it felt more like a nightclub than a restaurant, making it difficult to enjoy the meal or have a conversation. Overall, the experience was disappointing due to both the service approach and the environment.

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Atmosphere
Photo of john fraone
30 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Good food, good service. Ask for Sofia, great waitress.

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Atmosphere
Photo of Claire Powerhouse
18 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Best food i have ever tasted in many years, service was excellent and drinks on point

Photo of Nelly Ann
17 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.7

Horrible service, the food that came out the kitchen was cold and stale. The restaurant was empty so I don’t understand how that could happen imagine when it’s packed! Manager was rude and seemed on something…

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Atmosphere
Photo of Miguel
17 Jan 2026
Source: Google
3.0

This place deserves no more than three stars. The food was mediocre at best. The calamari was average, and the accompanying sauce felt completely out of place. The octopus, while interesting, was not necessarily so in a good way. The internal flavors, mainly from the roasted fennel and the creamy celery purée, clashed rather than complemented each other, creating a strange and unbalanced profile. The flank steak suffered from a terrible sauce that entirely ruined what could have been a solid dish. Overall, it felt like a restaurant built primarily for the aesthetic. The dishes look impressive at first glance, but fail to deliver once you actually taste them. Given this, the prices are far too high for the quality delivered. That said, the venue itself is very appealing. The décor is well thought out, and the atmosphere is cozy and relaxed. It is clear that significant effort went into the design. Yet, the restaurant was less than half full on a Friday night, which is telling. The DJ played good music, but the volume was excessive, we could barely hear each other speak. Overall, nothing remarkable. I will not be returning.

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Atmosphere
Photo of tara arzani
9 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.0

Terrible New Year’s experience. We were four girls with a reservation booked in advance. 30 minutes before arrival, we were called and told we could only enter with bottle service. On the phone, we explained that four people can’t finish a bottle and were told to come in and “talk it through.” When we arrived around 11:45 PM, management told us our only option was bottle service or they wouldn’t host us at all. We agreed, assuming we’d at least get proper seating. Instead, they squeezed a tiny table into a corner with no chairs, expecting us to stand the entire time. Service was basically nonexistent. The bottle came, the bill came immediately after, and the waitress barely checked on us. She even claimed we had to tip 15% because it was New Year’s — not sure where that rule exists. We asked for water and additional drinks and never received them. Overall, it felt greedy, misleading, and poorly managed. Definitely not worth it. Won’t be returning and wouldn’t recommend.

Photo of B
9 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.0

Dont bother, the manager ruins the experience

Photo of kimia mohammadi
6 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.0

I went here for New Year’s with three girlfriends. We had a reservation for four that was booked in advance. Thirty minutes before our reservation, we received a call saying that we could only do bottle service. For four girls, this is unreasonable, especially when the reservation was already confirmed. On the phone, I clearly explained that there were four of us and that we would not be able to finish a full bottle. I asked whether we could instead order individual drinks. We were told, “Come in and we’ll talk and find a solution.” When we arrived at 11:45 PM, a manager was called over and immediately told us that our only option was bottle service or nothing at all — meaning they would not host us otherwise. This directly contradicted what we were told on the phone. We reluctantly agreed to bottle service, assuming we would at least receive proper seating (a table or bar seating, as expected anywhere else). The restaurant was completely jam-packed, yet instead of accommodating us properly, they squeezed a tiny, short table into a corner with zero seating, expecting us to stand around it. It was not even a bar-height table. The behavior felt extremely money-driven. They took our payment opportunity but provided no real service or space. The waitress brought the bottle immediately and came back with the bill right away. There was virtually no service afterward. Despite this, she insisted that we had to tip 15% because it was New Year’s. I would genuinely like to know where this rule is written, because mandatory tipping without service is unacceptable. When we asked for water, she brought two Red Bulls and two club sodas. Once those were finished, we asked for more drinks and water. She said “okay” and never returned. Overall, this was a terrible experience. Poor communication, misleading promises, overcrowding, pressure tactics, and lack of service. We will absolutely never return. I’m leaving this review so others can make an informed decision before choosing this place. This felt like a cash grab, not hospitality.

Service
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Restaurant response
Response added on 8 Jan 2026
Nous sommes désolé de votre expérience. Nous avons un niveau d'exigences élevé dans nos standards de services. Nous sommes disponibles pour discuter de votre expérience avec vous
Photo of saina ziae
6 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.0

We made a reservation for New Year’s Eve for 11:45 PM at this restaurant At 11:30 PM, the restaurant called and told us it was bottle service only. I clearly said we did not want to buy a bottle, and they responded that coming without a bottle was okay. When we arrived, an employee refused entry without purchasing a bottle and spoke in a rude tone, claiming he was the manager and only his word mattered. The place was completely full, and despite having a reservation, they provided no table or seats. We were four people standing the entire time with nowhere to sit. Because it was almost midnight, we felt forced to purchase a bottle so our New Year would not be ruined. Even after paying, they did not deliver any bottle service—nothing was filled and no attention was given to our group. The communication was misleading and the staff behavior was disrespectful. I would not recommend this restaurant unless management improves its honesty and customer care.

Service
Photo of Alex
5 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.0

Worst experience ever, the drinks were mid, the steak taste like it was frozen, the entire meal felt like I purchased something at frozen at the grocery store.

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Atmosphere
Photo of imane fennani
4 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Let’s start with the staff; very welcoming and attentive. The food was was fresh, flavourful and well presented. A place i surely recommend.

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Atmosphere
Photo of Ali Jabboua
3 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

New Year in Kava was fire, Thanx to Nabil for the hospitality ! We’ll come back for sure !! 🔥

Service
Cooking
Atmosphere
Photo of Siham AITOUCHEN
2 Jan 2026
Source: Google
1.0

Rude and aggressive management, lack of transparency, and glaring double standards “ Take it or leave it” attitude made the whole experience uncomfortable and unnecessarily hostile. This level of management is honestly ruining what could otherwise be a great restaurant. We had a New Year’s Eve reservation but were met with a manager who was rude and dismissive. We weren’t informed that only a highly limited two-option menu would be available. When we simply asked for a drink at the bar, we were pressured to order from a menu we had no interest in and told that refusal would mean leaving, and an $80 cancellation fee. Meanwhile, other guests were clearly enjoying drinks at the bar without issue. I ended up leaving because of the management there’s no way I would spend a single dollar on service like this.

Service
Restaurant response
Response added on 2 Jan 2026
Hello Siham We would like to apologies This is clearly not the type of service we want to offer NYE is a special évent and it is supposed to be one of the best of the year. We would like to make it up to you. Can we meet and talk about it? Kava
Photo of Alexandra Tapper
31 Dec 2025
Source: Google
2.3

Went for their New Year’s Eve dinner - took 30 mins to get a cocktail menu, 45 mins to get the first course, 60 for the appetizer, then over 90 for the entree. Left before dessert. More of a cocktail bar than a restaurant in my opinion. Food was good but service was spotty. We saw other tables in the same position as us - even a few that just got up and left. If you plan a New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner - I’d hope you’d plan for it to execute it. Not worth the cost at all

Service
Cooking
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Restaurant response
Response added on 2 Jan 2026
Hello Alexandra We are sorry about your expérience. We tried to offer the best service possible. Can we please meet and talk about it Kava

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Opening hours

Dining room
  • Sunday 17:00 - 23:00
  • Monday Closed
  • Tuesday Closed
  • Wednesday 17:00 - 23:00
  • Thursday 17:00 - 01:00
  • Friday 17:00 - 01:00
  • Saturday 17:00 - 01:00

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