+1 514-849-0333+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
10:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Mon
11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Tue
11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Wed
11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Thu
11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri
11:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Sat
11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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, European, Canadian, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
Details
About
Ouvert en 2003, cette grande brasserie à l’Européenne est devenue une véritable institution montréalaise. Derrière ce beau projet se trouvent trois passionés de la restauration: Maurice, Richard et Paul Holder (également propriétaires de La Brasserie Bernard, du Café du Nouveau Monde, du Darling, du Majestique, du Waverly et du 409).
CUISINES
French, European, Canadian
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
Contribute
4.5
1,501 reviews
Excellent
825
Very good
527
Average
112
Poor
21
Terrible
16
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Michael
Toronto7 contributions
Aug 2020 • none
Occasionally I like to eat alone, especially if I have a few minutes of work to do before I order. Often, restaurants will seem to rush solo dinners along or bury them in a back corner. Not Holder! I asked for a charming windowside table. I got it. I asked them to give me 20 quiet minutes with my Pastis while I scribbled some notes. They did. Chores done, I ordered the salmon tartare and duck confit and asked my waiter for wine suggestions. He provided them and they were perfect, as were the dishes I ordered. I think I was there for two hours, enjoying the calm after a frantic day and never was there the slightest hint that they might like me to move along. I paid the quite reasonable bill and strolled happily back to my hotel. As a rule, I never go to the same restaurant twice - there are just too many I want to try - but two nights later I broke that rule and returned. I intend to do so again. And again!
Written September 19, 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.
Lee S
Toronto62 contributions
Jul 2021 • couples
Well… I know everyone has different tastes/wishes/preferences but we (my husband and I) could not have been happier. We dined at Holder on a one night stay in Montreal en route to New Hampshire from west of Toronto. [My husband is Canadian so can’t cross the land border into the US. He will fly from Montreal to Boston while I drive to NH]. In any event, our meal at Holder was completely delightful. From the young man who greeted us at the door and seated us, to the waiter (Philippe!) and other staff , we were treated with great kindness and civility. I had been concerned that the restaurant might be huge and noisy but, while it was not a petite boutique kind of place, it was not onerously large and the volume was muted by the plexiglass barriers between the tables, which we hope will be kept post Covid. The interior design was pleasantly airy and stylish.
And the food was fabulous. For me, one of the great joys of visiting Montreal or Quebec City is eating French food in general and foie gras in particular. We chose Holder notwithstanding that there was no foie gras on the menu available on line. Lo and behold it was one of the daily specials for an appetizer!!! (Torchons with pear/basil chutney: utterly delicious!!). I followed that with a mushroom pappardelle that arrived at the table piping hot - steam billowing off it!! - also extremely delicious. My husband enjoyed the warm goat cheese appetizer and the veal flank steak with Marsala sauce. The frites were just as they should be - fabulous. (My meal was so good I didn’t even snitch many of them)
All in all an excellent experience. Would highly recommend.
Written July 22, 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.
JudyAnn_12
Lowell74 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
This highly rated brasserie with classic French cuisine has earned it's excellent reputation! The atmosphere is inviting and conducive to pleasurable dining. The service is impeccable, the staff courteous and attentive. The cuisine is, in a word, superb! We began with French Onion Soup for him and Mozzarella di Bufala (salad) for me...both were excellent. For an entree, he chose Shepherd's Pie (made with lamb as it should be but seldom is) with a uniquely delightful twist (no corn, meat shredded vs. ground, etc.). For my entree, I chose a perennial favorite, Lobster Ravioli, that was truly exceptional. From preparation to presentation, the chef and kitchen excell. We travel to Montreal frequently and have watched many favorite spots close...so glad to now have Holder as a go to.
Written February 15, 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.
Costa G
Ottawa5 contributions
Oct 2021 • couples
Went with my wife on a Saturday evening as it was recommended by a friend. We both ordered the hanger steak medium-rare. The steaks came extremely rare, and my wife was only able to eat about a third of it. No quality check from the server, not even when they came to clear our plates with two thirds of the steak remaining on her plate. On top of that, I had finished my drink 20 minutes into our 75 minute meal, and not once was I asked if I wanted another. It felt like they were only concerned with turning the tables over and pumping people through the place.
Written October 25, 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.
Maurice H
Hello, we apologize for the abysmal service. That said, if a course is not to your liking (undercooked, etc.), let the server know, we will be happy to change/correct it. And yes, the waiter should ask if you would like another glass of wine. We are living in trying times and we thank you and your wife for reminding us in writing of the importance of every detail in the restaurant industry. As for "pumping people through the place", it sounds like we do not care, and that is simply inaccurate: we allow for 2.5 hours for patrons to dine (we inform them if the table is needed and their time is shorter). Again, thank you for your comments. Best regards, Maurice
Written October 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
jay_eatz
London881 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Went to Holder on a recent trip to Montreal with friends. Was looking for somewhere with a French vibe since we were visiting la belle province. Holder hit the mark. The restaurant is in a beautiful space not to far from the river in Old Montreal and seems like less of a tourist trap than some of the places further in Old Montreal. Our server('s) were amazing. We started with Dominique and when her shift ended another server named Dominique took over. The first Dominique was extremely friendly, explained and made recommendations from the menu and was very personable.
I ordered 6 oysters to start and the beef tartar. The oyseters were fresh and the tartar was one of the best I've ever had. The g.f. ordered a garden salad to start and said it was fresh.
I went with the lobster ravioli for the main. The ravioli was cooked to perfection, had a good ratio of filing and was served in a delicious butter and truffle sauce. The g.f. went with the beef cheeks, I had a taste, very tender and flavourful. I almost regretted ordering the ravioli and would order this dish next visit.
Our friends had the calamari to start, lobster ravioli and the hanger steak for mains and a bottle of vino. I had a bite of the steak and it was cooked perfectly.
We all had a great experience, the price was appropriate for the quality and quantity of the dishes. The only thing that would have been nice was some bread served at the table to start.
I would highly recommend Holder and would suggest asking for either of the Dominique's to serve you.
Written July 22, 2023
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.
Mister Perfect
New York City180 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
Everything was on point. My Basil Hayden old fashioned was just right. Oysters were perfect and the Calamari well cooked and came out in a flash. We ordered the Hanger steak, Beef Cheeks, Mussels Frites were all delicious and well seasoned. Steak temperature perfectly medium rare. The only hiccup was the maître d' at first tried to seat us at a dark table by the entrance when the place was half empty with everyone else seated by the windows. He accommodated us when I asked for a better location. Highly recommended.
Written June 26, 2022
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.
Philip J
2 contributions
Sep 2022 • friends
We had dinner here last week. Overall we had a good meal, but there were a few things that let it down.
Tables were very close together which made it feel a little bit overcrowded. It was also a very loud environment - much more than usual restaurant buzz.
Starters were generally good. Steak was over cooked (asked for medium but it was more well-done) and veal was tough. Several pieces of shell in the lobster ravioli.
Probably a little over-priced considering the issues.
Written September 24, 2022
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.
Christine D
Rossland26 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
This was a favourite of ours for years. Every time we would go to Montreal we would stop in for dinner but this time, it was a mess. Server brought oysters before cocktails - we had finished the oysters by the time the drinks came. Then all of the food - appetizers and main courses all showed up at the same time. It felt like the server was in training for the first time and didn't understand the concept of service. The mousse de foie de volaille was soft...almost wet. GROSS!!!
The beef tartare tasted like the meat had been cut ages ago and they just added tons of onions. Not all of it was bad but the service was awful and we won't ever go back.
In Montreal, you have choices, and many of them. When the service goes, it time for us to go.
Written July 5, 2024
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.
Dorette
Blackpool229 contributions
Jun 2023 • couples
The atmosphere of this venue is lovely; it’s also a very busy and popular venue. The staff are very friendly, attentive, obliging and offered their expertise in selecting from the menu. Our first time in Montréal; we chose the French onion soup, mussels & frites and a salmon. The food was, however, disappointing. The soup was lacking in flavour, the cheese bread stringy, hard to eat and not as tasty as a Gruyère topping. The mussel stock/sauce…flavourless and watery. The mussel portion was great! (Perhaps a finger bowl should be provided as diners can get messy with this finger food). The salmon dish was pleasantly lemony but again there was lack of any great creativity in presentation or accompaniment. Overall disappointing cuisine. Throughout the old town Montréal we dined at many fabulous restaurants with wonderful creative menu offerings….a venue that shouldn’t rest on its laurels!
Written June 26, 2023
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.
Cindy
Washington DC120 contributions
Apr 2023 • couples
What a lovely restaurant. We had lunch here on our visit to Montréal and it was perfect. The restaurant itself is very pretty, it has a very European feel. The staff was so very nice, especially our server. I wish I had her name (they have a tattoo of Africa on their wrist) bc she was incredibly attentive and sweet. Now the food! We started w the calamari, which was tender and very lightly crisped. For our mains, my husband and I both had the moules frites (traditional white wine version) and it was fabulous! The broth was amazing and the muscles just melted in your mouth. I also had a lemon drop martini that was perfect. It was such a nice experience from start to finish. We were too full for dessert, but I'm sure it would've been wonderful too! Highly recommend!
Written April 15, 2023
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.
Adam N
23 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
Amongst a sea of tourist traps in old Montreal, we had high hopes for Holder. It certainly looks the part. Loud, white paper table cloths, a nice looking bar. But here’s the rub…you can judge a French bistro on the three primary things - it’s Martini, it’s French onion soup, and it’s steak frites. On all three of these Holder gets a solid D grade. The vodka martini was small, almost lukewarm, and not the product of a great barman. The French onion soup was thin, lacking in depth of flavor, and more or less just onion water underneath croutons and cheese, which felt less like cheese you’d get from a high end fromage counter and more like the stuff you buy at the grocery store. And finally, the steak frites, supposedly a hanger steak, were actually steak tips so overdone they were chewy and flavorless. So 0-3 Holder. Not good. Not remotely good. We won’t be back and I’d advise avoiding it altogether.
Written July 3, 2023
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.
Sandra M
London28 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
Delicious food, friendly and efficient wait staff and a pleasant ambience. Would definitely return next time we are in Montreal. Diners are separated by plexiglass for Covid precautions. Would recommend everything we ordered: gazpacho, duck confit, salmon with buerre blanc sauce, and the lemon mousse dessert.
Written August 5, 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.
FlavourSeeker
Ottawa470 contributions
Feb 2022 • none
Great food and great vibe in this place. The hanger steak was a very tasty, and came with a generous side of fries. Appetizers were great as well, and the service was also top notch! Would definitely return!
Written March 1, 2022
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.
Paulade
Toronto372 contributions
Nov 2021 • business
Beautiful restaurant set inside an old building in the old Montreal area. Loved the styling and the bar !! All pretty cool !! The welcome & service was excellent !! The menu was good and every dish was excellent ! The wine choice good too ! Highlights around the table of 8 seemed to be a salmon starter and then beef cheeks !! Priced very well and served at a comfortable pace allowing you to enjoy the evening. A great choice of you are visiting Montreal line us !!
Written November 14, 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.
MomRocco
Chicago538 contributions
Sep 2023 • couples
Definitely a busy spot. We arrived for an early reservation and it seemed like half the tables were already full! We began with cocktails while enjoying our beef tartare and warm goat cheese appetizer. We switched to wine by the glass to go with our entrees. I had the hangar steak with frites and my husband had the duck confit. Both were exceptional! For dessert I had the chocolate cremiuex which was this incredible chocolate cake accompanied by ice cream and caramel and chocolate sauce. Perfection! Will come back to Holder if we travel to Montreal in the future.
Written September 27, 2023
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 1,263
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