4,919 reviews
NEW AI Reviews Summary
+1 514-287-9582+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Mon
11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Tue
11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Wed
11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Thu
11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Fri
11:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Reserve a table
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, French, Gastropub, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Special Occasion Dining, Romantic, Groups, Bar Scene, Business meetings
Is this place primarily a deli?
Details
About
Seven nights a week, local bands take the stage at Montreal's hottest Jazz bar and bistro. Modavie's spirited setting sets the scene for a night of great tunes, top dining and generous pastis toasting. The bistro's far-reaching wine menu hits just the right notes and helps round off succulent lamb, fish, beef and inspired pasta dishes.
PRICE RANGE
$22.00 – $51.00
CUISINES
French, Gastropub
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Live Music, Jazz Bar, Gift Cards Available
Reviews
4.5
4,919 reviews
Reviews summary
This summary was created by AI, based on recent reviews.
Powered by AI
Modavie restaurant garners accolades for its vibrant atmosphere and live music, which enhance the dining experience across its two levels. Patrons frequently commend the attentive and friendly service, though it can occasionally be slow or seem mechanical.
The menu's highlights, according to guests, include the flavorful lamb dishes and the classic French onion soup. While the restaurant is celebrated for its cozy ambiance, some travelers note that the quality and service can be hit-or-miss, with wait times for seating and food sometimes being longer than expected.
Food
Flavorful
Atmosphere
Vibrant
Service
Attentive
Value
Pricey
Wait time
Long
Was this helpful?
Tripadvisor is not responsible for this summary or the opinions in it. For more information, please read the traveller reviews and learn more about how the site works.
4.5
4,919 reviews
Excellent
3,104
Very good
1,228
Average
381
Poor
137
Terrible
69
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
David Allan K
Montreal25 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
A large restaurant with live jazz music, Modavie has a surprisingly good jazz brunch with a good vibe and an earned ambiance. I went with 5 friends to try it out as part of the Vieux Port's Festival Gourmand and everyone enjoyed their brunch at a special rate of $17 each plus cocktails. The manager / owner was very keen on making sure we were comfy and well taken care of, servers will always nearby and sitting right beside the jazz musician, the decibel level was lively AND you could still carry a conversation with your pals. Great startout to an afternoon stroll in Old Montreal, especially after a full stomach! Valet parking was also available here at a pretty good rate nearby.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ally S
3 contributions
Sep 2019 • couples
My fiancé and I visited Modavie as part of The Local Montréal Food Tour and enjoyed the experience so much we decided to go back for dinner on our last night in Montréal. The moment we arrived we were greeted warmly by Lorenzo and given a prime table in front of the live jazz band. The service as well as the food was exceptional. My fiancé and I have eaten at a lot of the up market French restaurants in Sydney and we both felt that Modavie was up there with the best. We ordered the French Onion Soup, Steak Tartar, Steak Frites and Cassoulet with a lovely bottle of French Cotes du Rhone. To finish off the night we were offered two complimentary glasses of French dessert wine. When visiting Montréal in the future we will be sure to return to Modavie and highly recommend to anyone visiting.
Written January 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph C
4 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
We visited Modavie as part of a weekend trip to Montreal, but were skeptical, given its “touristy” location. We were more than pleasantly surprised by this restaurant, especially by our waitress, Iman. Not only was the food delicious, but our waitress provided expert wine paring and food advice. She even offered a gracious extra wine tasting that paired perfectly with our dessert. We’re from Manhattan, and we wish the personal touch back home were even half as great as Iman’s.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaun F
Montreal82 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
I recently took my girlfriend and daughter to Modavie in Old Montreal for New Year’s Day dinner. It was my first time there. It’s quite large and has a very warm country inn atmosphere with walls and ceilings made of old stone and wood, respectively. At about 7:00 p.m. a very good low-key jazz combo started playing standards at the far end of the room which added to the warm ambiance. Our salads were well presented and tasty. Each of us ordered a different main course and we were generally pleased with what we got. Even though the steak in my Steak-Frites dish was a bit gristly, it was covered with a tasty sauce and was not too tough. My table-mates had no complaints about their mains. For dessert, my chocolate fudge brownie with caramel sauce and ice cream was delicious. The only slightly negative point was our server who seemed to be in a trance while we were there. She certainly didn’t hover over us wondering if all was well, and I had to call her over numerous times for this or that. Aside from that, overall we were all pleased with our dining experience at Modavie and I would definitely go there again.
Written January 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven B
Montreal1 contribution
Jan 2020 • couples
My evening commenced with being greeted by Lorenzo at the entrance of the restaurant. He was whom I had spoken with to reserve my table for the evening. Extremely courteous and professional during our telephone call and in person, he guided me to the dining area where the live band was playing (For those that do not know, the restaurant is ‘divided’ in two areas - one with the live music, which is more lively and energetic; and the other, which is more quaint). Lorenzo provided suggestions as to the specialties of the restaurant, and then handed the helm over to Daniel, who took care of our table the rest of the evening.
Daniel was extremely knowledgeable of the menu and the wine list. We took the suggestions of both gentleman and got the rack of lamb and the wild boar osso buco. Everything was absolutely exquisite! The meat was perfectly cooked and the accompagnements were equally flavourful (baby potatoes, goat cheese paillot and seasonal vegetables for the rack of lamb, and risotto with saffron, sage, parmesan and hazelnuts for the osso buco).
Overall would recommend to anyone! I would qualify it more as a dining experience than simply a restaurant. Atmosphere was awesome, service was on point (Lorenzo even came to say good evening when he was leaving), and most importantly, the food is worth going back for (and was not overpriced as compared to other Old sport restaurants).
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Craig A
Toronto177 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
Reservations strongly recommended, I was there at 6pm on a Monday and it was packed. I had the chicken supreme which was very tasty, the chicken was moist and perfectly cooked, served on silky smooth mashed potatoes with a sorrel gravy and steamed vegetables. Crème brulet for desert. Service was excellent. They had a guitar player who had a great voice I didn't get his name, but I stuck around after dinner for another glass of wine to enjoy the music.
Written October 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel T
Thank you, Craig A, for this amazing review! Your kind words mean a lot to us! We hope you'll come visit us again soon!
Written October 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michelle T
6 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
It was my partner and I's first time in Montreal. Our AirBnb host recommended Modavie, and it was very appealing to us since they also offered live music. We made a reservation for Saturday brunch. The restaurant itself is two floors and really nice inside. We sat on the bar side, which was actually in a separate room from the live music, which was unfortunate, but we could still hear it.
The brunch options were good but slightly overpriced in my opinion ($17 for Eggs Benedict that doesn't come with potatoes or a side) so I ordered the potatoes on the side for an additional $7. We also got onion soup, the breakfast poutine and ordered the $50 option for a bottle of Prosecco and orange juice (rather than $10 glass of mimosa). The service was actually quite slow. The server was nice but we waited 25-30 minutes for main courses after our onion soup was cleared from our table. Our server avoided our table and did not acknowledge the wait until we asked him how much longer our food would be.
The lovely host (Eunesha? I am unsure about spelling) was so lovely and recommended we come back another night for more live music. Overall, the experience was great. Slightly overpriced ($150 for 2 people for brunch) and service was a slower than usual. However, I would recommend this spot and I would love to come back another time!
Written December 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel T
Thank you, DineWithMiMi, for this constructive review! We hope you'll come visit us again soon!
Written December 6, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CdnTravellers2011
Hamilton101 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
We enjoyed a dinner here as two couples. Initially we were seated right beside the live music – while he was great, it was quite loud, and so we asked to move to a table by the window, which Lorenzo immediately accommodated for us – thank you. Our new table was perfect!
All in all, a good meal, and was as it should have been – minus a few service issues. They were training a new staff member, which was fine, but she didn’t know how to open the wine bottle (which our regular server left her to do), and she took a couple of trips back and forth to get some things right – again that is okay, but our regular server should have been closer by to help out – she left the girl a bit to her own devices. We were also a bit disappointed that the wine choices we wanted weren’t in stock… It’s a bit annoying when you want a $50 bottle of wine, and they offer you the $90 replacement….not quite what we were looking for, but we made do with a reasonable & suitable choice.
3 of our guests ordered the Prix-Fixe menu, and although the asparagus appetizer was VERY small, everyone enjoyed what they had to eat – steak frites, lamb, and chicken. I ordered the mussels & frites main course and it too was quite good.
Those who ordered from the Prix-fixe menu, also got a dessert of Crème Brule – which was good, but it was cold, so that threw everyone off a little bit.
So, while a good meal, I wouldn’t be rushing back, with so many other options available in Montreal.
Written July 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle C
London52 contributions
Feb 2020 • friends
Phenomenal service from our waitress and very friendly hostesses. We came here for dinner on a Sunday night and enjoyed the great live music and comfy seating. The waitress made great recommendations on the food and everyone was very pleased with the choices. The lamb is their specialty and my fiancé and brother both enjoyed it very much.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theodor R
Wayland30 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
A mid-to-upper price restaurant with a fairly limited menu, but good quality. Their specialty is lamb, and it was quite delicious. Just be aware that their Grilled Rosemary Lamb Chops have LOTS of rosemary, and it was a bit more than some might have liked. The staff are really great and most hospitable. They immediately credited us for one meal (because of the seasoned rosemary) even though we did not ask for a credit. The other lamb dish was excellent. And they have many starters to choose from (though not too many entrees) and they have live music for most dinner times. Would go back again.
Written August 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel T
Thank you very much, theodorr2013! Your kind words are very much appreciated by our entire team. We look forward to serving you again!
Written August 25, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chiquis926
Albany352 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Our hotel recommended this restaurant for its food and ambiance and we were not disappointed. We were greeted and seated promptly. The decor is rustic yet warm with live music playing throughout the evening. The atmosphere was noisy but happy and comfortable. Our meal was prepared and delivered expertly starting with a tangy onion soup and tender calamari. The hangar steak was marinated with a wonderful bordelaise and the lamb chops were melt in your mouth tender grilled with rosemary and olive oil. There is a wonderful variety of on tap beers and wines to choose from as well as specialty coffees. Fun place to socialize and dine in old town Montreal.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anna de la Fuente
Montreal1 contribution
Feb 2020 • friends
We visited Modavie to celebrate our friend’s 18th birthday, two months belated. We were greeted by the delightful and funny Lorenzo Baldassarre, who absolutely made our evening with his kindness. The other waiters were so attentive and pleasant and the service was fast. We had the risotto, French onion soup, wild boar osso bucco, salmon gravlax, and the penne bolognese. They were all delicious (though the French onion soup and wild boar osso bucco were particular stars.) The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the live music adds a nice ambience - we didn’t find it too loud for conversation at all. For three college students on a budget, it was a relatively affordable nice meal - definitely worth what we paid! Overall wonderful experience. We would definitely recommend Modavie to anyone visiting Montréal.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mayniacmo
Waterloo157 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
We had dinner here on the patio. It was pretty good and the service was OK. I ordered a chicken caesar salad which was HUGE, but it didn’t have enough dressing and the chicken was extremely dry. This was unfortunate as it looked appetizing. I commented to the waiter that the chicken was very dry and he said he’d let the kitchen know, but I suspect he didn’t do anything. My husband had the pork which was fantastic. I dipped my chicken in the pork juices to try to moisten it up. I would recommend this restaurant and would probably come here again. It said they had live jazz music, but we did not witness any music. We might have been too early for the entertainment though.
Written September 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel T
Thank you, mayniacmo, for this review! We are sorry to hear your chicken was dry but please rest assure that the waiters do inform the Chef of any constructive feedback our customers may give as your opinion truly matters. As for the live music, it plays everyday from 7pm until 10pm inside the restaurant in the main dining room. We would love to welcome you again soon for a better experience and inside with our live music - make sure to mention your preferences when making your reservation!
Written September 13, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jacqui M
Dubai10 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
We were walking around Old Montreal around 4:40pm looking for a place to eat with our family (children 8 & 12 yo) We stumbled across a restaurant called Modavie. We were warmly greeted by a wonderful gentleman at the front desk. The restaurant was filled with charm and amazing artwork. The server took time to familiarize us with the menu. While we were there the live music started and it was heavenly! The food was delicious (Osso Buco, Steak Frites, Penne Bolognaise, Shrimp Risotto, Calamari) and the ambience amazing! They even have a children’s menu. They also offer brunch on Friday and Saturday and live music throughout the week and weekends! I would highly recommend a visit when next you are in Montreal.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber
Montreal162 contributions
Jan 2020 • friends
Happening gourmand
After having a great experience at Maggie oakes with this event we decided to invite our friends out to let them join in on the experience.
Booked a table for 6 on Friday night at 6:30. Location is right on the corner you can’t miss it you will hear the jazz from outside and see all the amber coloured tea lights on the tables through the window.
Southern mule was one drink they had for the event gave it a go it was good just sweet. Same for the old fashion because of the honey they put in it. The olives in the martini were good and the cosmos were nice. Unfortunately they had no Jamieson maybe next time.
I started with the foie gras which was delicious but the plating looked like nothing pretty awful to be honest. They could of added some fleur de sel or more chutney or something.
The gravlax was good very flavourful but since 3 people ordered it at my table everyone’s looked different and that’s not acceptable.
Got the salmon which in my mind I pictured it another way but got something different. It was delicious I enjoyed every bite but again the way the described it was not what I got.
Onion soup was good but it was +9
The osso bucco tasted nice with the Risotto but one was cooked perfectly and than another plate had it not cooked properly. The plates didn’t match again which is weird one had one big pieced and than someone had 3 little pieces.
The crusted lamb was very good it came was potato’s and veggies and a whole circle of goat cheese. This was +18
Desserts were the lemon tart and brownie with caramel.
Both were good but I prefered the lemon as it was refreshing after my meal.
Service was good waiter was nice.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
…
Showing results 1-15 of 4,315
Related Stories
Best moderately priced restaurants
See all 
Best nearby
We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Best nearby hotels
See all 
Best nearby restaurants
See all 
Is This Your Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Free Listing