Motto Handroll Bar
Motto Handroll Bar 473 R. Saint-François-Xavier, Montréal
4.8
43 evaluations
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Reviews / Ratings for Motto Handroll Bar

Photo of Romain
5 May 2026
Source: Google
4.7

Amazing service thanks to Will. Coming back soon

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Photo of Salma Ziani
5 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Amazing food, perfect atmosphere and even better service! (Thank you Will🙏) Definitely worth the trip.

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Photo of Guay Liopoulos
2 May 2026
Source: Google
5.0

went for dinner and had an amazing experience. the food was so fresh and prepared right infront of you. the staff, the owner, the food, the vibes, the presentation, everything was 10/10. will be coming back for sure!!! PAT'S THE BEST!

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Photo of Sandra Mc
25 Apr 2026
Source: Google
4.7

A great new spot that opened less than a year ago, very cozy, with amazing staff and good house music playing in the background at night. It’s a small, intimate space where the chef prepares your hand rolls and sushi right in front of you. There are no reservations—first come, first served—and seating is limited to about 1 hour and 15 minutes per group. The food is excellent. The A5 aburi wagyu ($22 per piece), imported from Japan, is definitely a standout. They also offer off-menu items, like a sea urchin hand roll (also from Japan), along with options like salmon, toro ($20 for 2 pieces), and bluefin tuna ($15 for 2 pieces) nigiris. For tighter budgets, they also offer set menus of 3 to 5 hand rolls at a fixed price, which ends up being more affordable than ordering everything à la carte. I tried the negui toro, spicy shrimp, bluefin tuna, lobster, and hamachi handrolls, as well as the bluefin tuna and scallop crudo (both $20 for 4 pieces). Everything was fresh and well-executed. My favorite was definitely the toro. Salmon is from Canada. Tuna is from Mexico. We also tried ice cream mochi as dessert. We also met the owner, who pays close attention to every customer and makes sure everyone is well taken care of—super nice and welcoming. If you’re waiting or have finished eating, there are booths around the bar where you can sit and enjoy drinks. It’s a perfect spot for a date or a fun night out with friends. The drinks are great too—we had an unfiltered sake bottle, and on another visit, a bottle of wine, with a bunch or other cocktails and drinks. I’d definitely go back. There’s no street parking, but you can find paid parking nearby or park on neighboring streets.

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Photo of Y. W.
21 Apr 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Nice ambience & delicious handrolls!

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Photo of Alexandra McQueen
19 Apr 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Really nice spot with a great concept! I love the idea of handrolls made fresh right in front of you, it feels simple but very well thought out. I loved the design of the place! It is clean and modern, with a cool atmosphere that makes it easy to relax and enjoy your time there. The food is fresh and well prepared, and the service is at a really high level. The staff is attentive and makes you feel very comfortable, which adds a lot to the overall experience. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the area!

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Photo of Tzvi Harrison
18 Apr 2026
Source: Google
5.0

Absolutely superb restaurant from start to finish. Their attentiveness and communication are unmatched. Finally a place in the Old Port putting quality and freshness above and beyond profit. The food, ambiance, design and price are phenomenal!

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Photo of Lilian T
15 Apr 2026
Source: Google
3.0

Honestly mid

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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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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