Motto Handroll Bar
Motto Handroll Bar 473 R. Saint-François-Xavier, Montréal
4.6
39 evaluations
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Reviews / Ratings for Motto Handroll Bar

Photo of Andrea Heckler
5 Apr 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Incredible! We came in before closing and had the most incredible dinner and drinks. Such great service and food. Our server Raluca and the chefs were amazing. Thank you!!

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Photo of Skye W
4 Apr 2026
Source: Google
4.7

everything is very well made, the crudos and rolls are delicious, however, the portions for the rolls are quite small

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Restaurant response
Response added on 5 Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed our crudos and rolls — we put a lot of care into every dish and it means the world to us to know it shows. We truly appreciate your honest feedback about the portion sizes for the rolls. This is something we take seriously, and we'll make sure to pass it along to our team as we're always looking for ways to improve. We'd love the opportunity to welcome you back and make sure your next visit exceeds your expectations. See you soon! Motto Handroll Team
Photo of F Su
25 Mar 2026
Source: Google
2.3

I normally don't go to this kind of place, as it always makes much more sense to me to pay for more tangible values. I only went because of a friend's birthday and that she is into fine dining, so it was my treat. I was also curious about her tastes too. First we were told they charge a $5 per person to drink their filtered water. The waitress boasted a bit about their superior filter and that apparently justified the price. I'd usually back out when I hear this since I take it as a bad sign setting the tone for what comes after, but it was too late at that point. Sorry to say, but the water machine at my office makes crisper water. Then comes the food. You got to be careful here as this place serves overpriced snacks, so your hunger might not be satiated in the end unless you order more. I let my partner order as she knew more about what was on the menu as an experienced foodie, but I ended up regretting it when I saw the $300 bill ($150/person) + tips starting at 18%. Now I can say with absolute confidence a $15 fried rice with a 100% tip at the nearby Chinatown is a much better deal, and does a better job satisfying hunger than $150 of small handrolls and miso soup in a tiny cup. The food didn't taste extraordinary either, and sushi anywhere else has similar flavors (not to mention more filling). My partner even apologized to me as she didn't know it'd be this pricey for such a small amount of food. I was fine with it solely because it was her birthday. The way I see it, this is a place for people to feel like they are in slightly higher society, and of course being able to update their Instagram account. For anyone who focuses mostly on the food itself, this isn't the place. This experience simply reinforced my notion that hole-in-the-wall and no-frills restaurants are much more realistic choices. Sadly, this place just reminds me of jokes like how a dash of chocolate on a plate with a leaf on the side can cost double digits.

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Photo of Katheleen Eva
14 Mar 2026
Source: Google
5.0

So good!!!! Happy 6 months :)

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Photo of Lean O’Brien
10 Mar 2026
Source: Google
5.0

We loved out experience at Motto, the food was incredible and our waitress, Maria was very sweet, professional and helpful with her recommandations. I definitely recommend 🌷

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Photo of Yun Xie
9 Mar 2026
Source: Google
4.3

Intimate yet vibrant vibe. Food is a bit overpriced though (35$ for a single Hokkaido Uni Handroll, 15-20$ for 4 pieces of crudo).

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Photo of Ivah L.
9 Mar 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Wow, ten outta ten!!! Definitely a must try. Food, cocktails & mocktails were perfect, Amazing service by the cooks & Maria.

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Photo of Tray Fumar
28 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Beautiful intimate place. Food was impeccable! Delicious and fresh, they took note/care of allergies. The service was outstanding, Khoi was amazing to us. Informative, creative and very entertaining. Drinks and shots on point. Perfect Mama's night out! Thank you Khoi!

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Photo of Ann Le
19 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

I had dinner here recently and OMG the food completely blew me away! The fish was very fresh and you can tell it's good quality. The ambience and service were amazing too! Especially chef Minh, I had the chance to sit at the bar and he was very attentive and friendly:) Highly recommend!

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Photo of Joyce Phanekham
18 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Love this place. Food and service is incredible. Little mention to Mike and Pat that always gives a warm welcome.

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Photo of Louis-Gabriel Racicot
15 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Had an amazing experience at Motto Handroll Bar, amazing food, ambiance, service an the cocktails are beautifully made. The atmosphere is very warm, perfect place for a special outing with your significant other. The reason for the 4 star review is because although the food is of high quality, the portions are very small for the price paid.

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Photo of Luke Borsare
6 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Thought this place was phenomenal, hand rolls compared favorably to several of my favorite spots in New York. Don’t miss out on this it’s absolutely worth a visit

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Photo of Chops Wunda
2 Feb 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Cool spot. Nice vibe. Food was really good. Not too pricey for the area. Staff and manager were awesome!

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Photo of Christina Stevens
31 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Motto was a fantastic experience. I sat at the counter and asked the chef for recommendations — he suggested the scallop handroll and the hamachi crudo, and both were outstanding. The scallop in particular was so fresh and perfectly balanced that I ended up ordering a second one. Each handroll was made right in front of me and served immediately, which made a huge difference in texture and flavor. It actually reminded me a lot of Kazunori in New York — same focus on quality, simplicity, and timing — but with its own distinct charm. The ambiance was intimate and stylish without feeling stuffy, making it perfect for a date night or a relaxed but special evening out. I’d absolutely go back.

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Photo of Ren Gaudet
30 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Had an amazing service by Cam and Pat, will come again, so intimate, food amazing, casual atmosphere but elevated.

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Photo of Steal Strt
29 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Had a really great experience. William was awesome and made us feel super comfortable. He recommended the uni Hokkaido hand roll and it ended up being my favorite. Service was friendly, easygoing, and on point. Definitely coming back.

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Photo of Marco Reygadas
29 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Absolutely loved this handroll bar. Everything is made to order, so each roll comes out perfectly crisp, warm rice + ultra-fresh fish, and eaten exactly the way it’s meant to be—right away. The quality of the seafood really shines, and the balance of flavors is spot-on without being overworked. Will was our waiter and he was great he made the ambiance just perfect. The bar-style seating makes it fun and interactive, and the staff clearly know their craft.

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Photo of Julia Dub
28 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Thanks to our waitress Cathy, wonderful service, delicious food, the organic salmon handroll is a must try, will definitely come back

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Photo of Felix Burt
28 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing discovery! Great food and great service. Shout out Cathy!

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Photo of Jon R (J2R)
28 Jan 2026
Source: Google
4.7

Finally Japanese handroll experience available in Montreal. Very beautiful place, nice simple menu centered around fish. So if you’re into cream cheese and mayo and whatever other non authentic stuff in your sushi this is not the place for you. Service is a bit too much, too much of the « is everything is ok? » from each member of the staff which starts to be annoying when you’re deep into dinner and having a conversation. Otherwise I will come back. I recommend ONLY IF YOU’RE INTO RAW JAPANESE STYLE FISH otherwise this place is not for you. Also no reservation only walk-in.

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Photo of Andrea Santoianni
28 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

The setting is completely different and will absolutely knock your socks off. We had Michael as our waiter—friendly, funny, and genuinely engaging. He truly made our night. I love the moody, dark atmosphere. There are no traditional tables; instead, you sit around a large bar and watch the chefs prepare fresh hand rolls right in front of you. The quality of the fish is top-notch, and the crudos are excellent. The drinks are outstanding, especially if you’re looking for something creative and less traditional. Their sake selection is impressive and thoughtfully curated. Motto recently opened in October, and I’m so glad I stumbled upon it. It’s perfect for a date night—intimate, stylish, and lively. They don’t take reservations, but that’s not an issue; there are cozy lounge areas by the windows where you can relax and enjoy a drink while you wait. This place is a must. You won’t be disappointed. XO A & M XO

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Photo of Tatiana Rusu
27 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

s/o to Pat he made our experience perfect!

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Photo of raya zelhof
14 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Great food, service and ambiance!

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Photo of Pedro Artiga
14 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Great vibe and even better drinks. The bartender really know what they’re doing and were super friendly the entire time. The atmosphere is fun but relaxed, making it a perfect spot to hang out with friends or unwind after a long day. Definitely a go-to hand bar— the waiter Will created a amazing vibe shout out to him. I’ll be back for sure

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Photo of William Gomes
6 Jan 2026
Source: Google
5.0

This handroll spot is an absolute gem. Every roll is made fresh to order, and you can taste the quality in every bite—from the perfectly seasoned rice to the ultra-fresh fish and crisp nori. The balance of flavors is spot on, and the texture is exactly what a great handroll should be: warm rice, cool fish, and that satisfying crunch. The service is friendly and attentive without being overbearing, and the casual, intimate setup makes the experience even better. Whether you’re a sushi purist or trying handrolls for the first time, this place delivers consistently amazing food. Easily one of the best handroll experiences I’ve had—can’t wait to come back!

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Opening hours

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

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