Kazu in Montreal

1844 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1M1, Canada

★★★★★
(2369 reviews)
Categories: Japanese restaurant Asian restaurant Bar

About

Inspired Japanese eats, from housemade tofu to shrimp burgers, in a cozy nook with an open kitchen.

Website
kazumontreal.com
Address
1844 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, Quebec H3H 1M1, Canada
Plus Code
FCVC+63 Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Time Zone
America/Toronto

Business Hours

Monday
Closed
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
5–9:30 PM
Friday
5–9:30 PM
Saturday
5–9:30 PM
Sunday
5–9 PM

Services

Service options
Delivery Takeaway Dine-in
Highlights
Great tea selection
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating Wheelchair-accessible toilet Wheelchair-accessible car park
Offerings
Alcohol Beer Cocktails Coffee Healthy options Small plates Spirits Vegetarian options Wine
Dining options
Lunch Dinner Dessert Seating
Amenities
Bar on site Gender-neutral toilets Toilets
Atmosphere
Casual Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly LGBTQ+ friendly Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards Debit cards NFC mobile payments Credit cards
Children
High chairs
Parking
Paid street parking Parking

Photos

Reviews

4.7
★★★★★
2369 reviews

Most Mentioned

shrimp burger (54) queue (35) salmon bowl (17) tuna (14) short ribs (13) homemade tofu (7) teriyaki burger (7) salmon salad (7) cherry blossom (7) grilled octopus (5)
5 stars
1897
4 stars
288
3 stars
98
2 stars
32
1 stars
54
★★★★★
November 9, 2024

After years we finally made it to Kazu and boy, it is indeed worth the hype and the wait outside in line. If you're looking for authentic Japanese food which is priced so fair (especially compared to other Montreal restaurants!) this is it. 10/10 everything we tried was delicious and authentic. We had several shared starters, main and desserts and loved everything.

★★★★★
November 8, 2024

Hands down one of the best authentic Japanese izakaya places I’ve been to. The owner was extremely friendly and courteous, and you can clearly see that come through with his team members, food and service. Congrats to the Kazu team. A must visit if you’re in Montreal… the lineup out the door speaks for itself. Will definitely be back the next time I’m in Montreal.

★★★★★
September 9, 2024

Absolutely amazing! We tried the 48h pork, smoked duck, homemade tofu, salmon don, and the salmon and tuna bowl. Every single thing was fresh and delicious. The service was insanely fast but very chaotic. Tables are incredibly tight.

★★★★★
August 31, 2024

The dishes were full of flavours and delicious. The place was a little cramped though, I was impressed by how the servers were able to move around in tight places with the big dishes. There's always a line up in front of the restaurant, so prepare to wait for at least 30 minutes to an hour. The 48 hours pork powl was conforting, delicious and even yummier with the curry sauce on. The fresh marinaded salad was great. The fresh raw tuna and salmon sashimi on vinegar rice and a side of salad was to die for, but the beef short ribs was definitely the highlight of the evening, it tasted heavenly. Will definitely come back to try their others dishes.

★★★★★
August 23, 2024

Was lucky to be able to eat inside without the lineup. Food is delicious, service is attentive. I was surprised by the price of the dishes, seems a lot more reasonable than anywhere else. All the dishes are full of flavour and light. The place is super cramped though, I was amazed by how the servers were able to move around tight places to serve dishes. Have been to there several times over the years and it never disappoints. The small space is a real problem but everything else is over expectations. Order to take out would be the best

★★★★★
August 19, 2024

Always an excellent meal at Kazu! The wait might be long (1 hour last Sunday when arriving at 6:30pm), so plan to go when you aren’t starving, but it is so so worth it. The ingredients are such high quality and so fresh, and the prices are very reasonable for the portions. Makes you feel like you entered a family-run izakaya in Japan, where the staff is so friendly. My recommendations would include the toro don with ikura and hotate (people came to us to ask what we ordered because of how good it looks, and the taste matches the appearance! salmon don is also very good) as well as the grilled octopus legs (grilled to perfection). Homemade tofu is very tasty if you are looking for a vegetarian option.

★★★★★
June 1, 2024

This place is always packed so expect a long line. I ordered takeout instead and it was ready in 20mins. You can even call ahead to pick up your order and skip the line. They have a wall of specials for the week and all the dishes are so creative and unique. My favourite dishes were the fried green beans with truffle dip and the tuna salmon bowl! The eel hand rolls were also very tasty. The eggplant dip was a bit bland and from the other times I have eaten here it had been better. Maybe an off day. Will definitely be back for takeout!

★★★★★
February 2, 2024

Amazing food also comes with their amazing services. The curry chicken was delicious. The rib was super well marinated and so tender that it comes right off the bone. The cod was a very big portion and was grilled to perfection. We only has the stomach to try two of their chicken brochettes, but would certainly want to try more. Finaly, the staff was amazing, the services was quick and efficient.

★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2024

The food was underwhelming as some of the dishes didnt match the price point. Service was fast at first but quickly fell behind once at capacity. There is a long line waiting outside, they try to serve you as fast as possible and get you out of there. Food : 3/5

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 19, 2024

Their tuna salmon is great I order it everytime. Unless you show up and line up before it opens youll have to wait 20-30 mins at least. Its fine if you have company get some time to take but if youre in a rush for something right away, Id suggest somewhere else. Food is worth the wait! Also hard to enjoy the food when you know theres a lot of people waiting so I take a star off for atmosphere. Still 5 star just somewhere youd go if you wanted to be quick. Imo only go as 2 people anything more youll have to wait longer.

Local Guide
December 15, 2024

When I first arrived in Montreal in 2011, this restaurant was one of the hottest spots in the city. Unfortunately, my recent visit was a major disappointment. The rice was overcooked, the service at the entrance was unwelcoming, and the overpriced meals lacked both care and creativity.

★★★★★
December 15, 2024

Best in town!

★★★★★
December 15, 2024

The Salmon Belly special is really special and worth the trip.

★★
Local Guide
December 15, 2024

I m so sad this place I was so excited to try. I was recommended the Kalbi plate. Feels like she recommended because it was going bad. It was cold and tastes like it was sitting a while and they just microwaved or something. Not worth it this place has many good reviews, I don t get why staff isn t trained to make proper recommendations. I m not so eager to go back. Service was fine, they don t bother you and I do like that. Galbi plate is bad, ambiance is cute.

★★★★★
December 15, 2024

Very fast service. Food was great, especially the beef kalbi. And the cherry blossom ice cream is the go to dessert

★★★★★
December 15, 2024

We loved it. The wait was still long but once inside it was definitely worth it. The service is pleasant and the food is so good! Not expensive too! We will come back!

★★★★★
December 1, 2024

Amazing dinner, Super like fried bean

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Excellent discovery!

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

I felt like I was traveling to Japan! The food was excellent. The service was too. My only problem was that there were too many choices and I wanted to take everything. (a false problem in itself) A little tip: arrive close to opening!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

This is the best restaurant in Montreal, always big line up. Tells you how good it is.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Everything I tried in Kazu was so delicious! Okonomiyaki is my favourite! They have non-gluten menu

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Truly a gem of an authentic, hole in the wall goldmine. Will come back to Montreal just for this. 10/10.

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Must visit if youre in Montreal. Its one of our go-to restaurant. Theres always a line to get in, but its definitely worth the wait. The food is amazing and the chef is always happy to see you!

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Really fresh and tasty food, friendly staff, with extra seasonal menu items on the walls that are delicious No reservations, but the earlier you get there the less wait there will be (we waited for about 10min for Thursday 6pm)

★★★★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

I FINALLY went to Kazu last night and it was one of the best dinners Ive had in Montreal. We ate so much and yet didnt feel heavy, actually felt nourished and happy :) We got soft tofu salad with Kimchi dressing, pancake w. Shrimp, grilled Seabass and Kalbi for just the two of us. And house warm house Sake to wash it all down. De-licious! Totally worth the 40 min wait in line. The servers were awesome and I even got to practice some Japanese with them. Highly recommend this eatery.

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Excellent experience, everything was delicious and the service is impeccable, with good advice. I loved it

★★
Local Guide
November 22, 2024

It used to be my favorite Japanese restaurant in Montreal, and my favorite dish here tuna salmon bowl since 2011. 2 years ago I left Canada once I came back my first stop was here and I ordered the same dish, but only so disappointed to find out not only the sauce taste different but also I found so little, sliced so thin sashimi in a huge bowl, and after I mixed everything I could barely taste any, only rice and vegetables. So one star for the food, plus one thank you for the past 10 years memories, but pity I won t go again.

Local Guide
November 22, 2024

Some hints of japanese and lots of salad. Mcdonald ice cream with instant coffee sprinkle. The hype is surreal.

★★★★★
November 22, 2024

Its just perfect. You have to queue but its always worth it. The mocked bar is my must.

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

Place is tiny, no reservations, but food is worth the wait!

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

This place was an excellent end to the Saturday night. Every dish recommended by the owner was exceptional. A journey of the palate full of pleasure. Kazu was extremely friendly, attentive and gave us the best recommendations. Their cooking is from the heart and you can feel it in every bite. An extraordinary person with an incredible place. Definitely the best

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Small fusion Japanese near our hotel. Excellent food and service It s a very small establishment, so you might have to wait during peak hours Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

Went on a Saturday and we were there a bit earlier to beat the lineup. My friend and I ordered to share as entrée the scallop sashimi: delicious, simple yet full of flavor, the scallop melts in your mouth. Our second meal was the Salmon bowl salad. It was very good, you could tell by the taste how fresh the salmon is. For the main dish we ordered the grilled tuna steak. Everything on that plate was exquisite. Wrapped it up with the ice cream sake which surprisingly reminded me of home. I had a great experience, they serve quality and authentic food, it is a 10/10 for me.

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

The food is amazing! The owner is such a nice guy. The staff are fairly attentive. Everyone is pleasant and helpful. Atmosphere isnt fine dining and right but not unpleasant. The food is the star. The owner is a master of sauces. The forked meats are sooooo good. Highly recommend

★★★★★
Local Guide
October 22, 2024

The best Japanese resto in Montreal

★★★★★
October 22, 2024

crazy

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

The food was very tasty and the waitress very kind and helpful. There might be a long line due to the few places available but it s definitely worth it! It s mostly a place where you will want to try multiple meals, as the quantities are not very large. The quality however is definitely there and it s one of the best quality/price ratio in Montreal. As a Frenchmen, I also believe that it s one of the few places where the tips are not expected but earned, and therefore deserved

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Very good

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

A place Anthony Bourdain would talk about.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

highly recommend the grilled fish dishes and homemade ice creams

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Amazing authentic Japanese food

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

Superb beautiful place to eat Japanese! The service is fast and the food really good

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Always delicious! Fresh and fantastic

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Staffs are friendly. Food is really good. Best Japanese restaurant in Montreal.

★★★★★
September 22, 2024

This place is a gem. Great food, really cool atmosphere, and relatively affordable. Also the staff are super nice.

★★★★★
Local Guide
September 22, 2024

Worth the wait. Service and food are fantastic . Had toro Don

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

There is a reason that there s always a lineup in front of this restaurant ! It s simply the best one in town! So flavourful and mouthwatering! We enjoy every single dishes! I especially love the beef carpaccio, the sashimis and the shrimp burgers. The wait is about 45 minutes depending on what time you arrive. They make their own soft ice cream which is extremely delicious!

★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

pretty good food! though I wonder it is ever worth the wait... it is not good enough compared to a random izakaya you can walk in in Tokyo. I would come here every week if there is no wait, at the moment, I have no plan to come back to join the line.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Cheap but delicious Japanese street food. Dont regret waiting in line for a long time. It is recommended to come before opening time.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Watching the kitchen staff with is looking at art in progress. Still awesome after all these years

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

Got the salmon noodle bowl, the beef rib dish, the scallop sashimi, and the matcha yuzu cocktail. Everything was delicious. Friendly service. Long wait times though.

★★★★★
Local Guide
August 22, 2024

If you have not been you most. Great food. An atmosphere close to what you may encounter in Japan. A essayé sans faute.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

I opted to eat outside and almost went to the closed restaurant right next to it. But this food was unparalleled the best take out I have ever had especially Asian food. The service is impressive to say the least. I loved it and would give it a 6/10 the prices are also good for the food you are getting. Kid-friendliness: They loved my kids and though there isn t a lot of space they went out of their way to make us feel appreciated.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

I ve been to Kazu for sooooo many times and I ve never disappointed! Always always satisfied with their food and the people there are so friendly. Even thought it takes no reservations but it definitely worths it to wait.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

I love coming to Kazu regardless of the wait. The service is great, with servers always happy to have you. My favorite drink is the yuzu beer, and the food is phenomenal. Highlights include the shrimp burger, Bibimbap, and Okonomiyaki. Be sure to try their specials on the wall.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Best Japanese food in Montréal, the chef is a true master.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

The food is worth waiting in line for and the service here is unmatched

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

Was served by Kazu himself while sitting at the bar. Top tier service and incredible food!

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Youre gonna love the food. Every penny is worth it.

★★★★★
July 22, 2024

I live 6 hours away and keep coming back here. I tell everyone to come here. Ive eaten so many items on them menu and nothing has ever disappointed. This place is the real deal, worth the wait, dont pass it up!

★★
July 22, 2024

no place to seat

Local Guide
July 22, 2024

do not trust the reviews, they add hundreds of grams of sugar to every single dish. if you want high quality food this is not it.

★★★★★
Local Guide
July 22, 2024

Best Japanese in the city

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

This is a seriously fun place. Line ups are regular things and there s a reason for it. The place is unique. Menu specials on the wall. Dog earred menus. And some of the most original and interesting Japanese inspired dishes you ll ever have.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Highly recommend grabbing a seat at the bar for dinner and a delightful show. The ginger and egg soup is the perfect starter to kick off your culinary adventure. And dont miss out on the surprisingly delicious yuzu foam beer its a refreshing treat that pairs perfectly with the vibrant atmosphere.

★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Good food & drink. Small & cramped restaurant, there is usually a line up to get in. Make sure to check your bill.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

The best izakaya in Montreal. The food is excellent, the service courteous and very fast. Oishiiiiii!

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Amazing

★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

The food was okay to be honest and the service really fast but everyone in rush to ask people to order and also the bill they just bring it, when they think we are done eating

★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

I had an okay experience at Kazu. I had to wait about 30 minutes to get inside so make sure you get there early! The service was really good and fast. As soon as I closed the menu, the server came right away. The food was good but maybe overhyped. I ordered the shrimp burger which was a 10/10 and the Salmon and Tuna bowl (I give a 5/10). The atmosphere was okay but I felt like I was squeezed in a corner. Lots of tables in a small space.

★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Food is OK. Everything is too salty!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

Food was so tasty and the staff was so friendly! Service is quick, we got our food in a timely manner and everything tasted great.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

A very good place to eat Japanese! Everything was very very good. You have to take the time to look at the walls and the menu because there are quite a few choices! There is often a line so come early.

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

We enjoyed this little Japanese restaurant in June 2024. The food was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is different and a little chaotic but it adds to the experience. The menu is on yellow pieces of paper scatter throughout the walls (the regular menu wasnt even necessary). We tried the pig cheeks, the shrimp toast, the gyozas, beef, sashimi, fish and more. Each dish was better than the next. And you have to try the cheesecake ice cream. Lauren (our server) was like a Ninja.. always there to help even when you didnt expect it. And the staffs ability to muti task on such a chaotic environment was impressive. They were all very thankful and all smiles. It is a small restaurant with some bar seating where you can watch them cook. Be prepared to wait as they do not take reservations and they will seat you based on the number of people on your party and what is available at the moment...so others who have smaller or the exact number they need will go ahead of you regardless of when you got there. We waited about an hour on a friday night for 5 of us, but tables for 2 waited maybe 20 minutes. We would not hesitate to go back. The food, the staff and the overall experience was great. If you want a normal night out at a Japanese restaurant, this isnt it. But it will be worth the patience and adjustment to their methods... the food and the staff speak for themselves.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

My favorite Japanese restaurant in Montreal! Family atmosphere, great proximity between servers and customers, incredible cuisine 10/10 I highly recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
June 22, 2024

This restaurant is a must try!! It was some of the best food Ive ever had!! Its a tiny place, theyre only open half the week, and they dont take reservations. Because of this, I was warned about how busy they get so I lined up at 4:30/4:45 to get in. They were really nice and let you sit early if your whole party is there. Im so glad I did because it completely filled up by just after 5, and there was a line out the door. They have tiny tables all shoved together so theres very little space. No high chairs but they do have a booster seat. Theres a menu but most items are actually written on pieces of paper all over the walls. I recommend that you try a lot of different things, though honestly the portions are very generous for the price. We had the deep fried green beans with truffle mayo, the 48 hour pork with curry, the homemade tofu (only available on Sundays), the shrimp burger, the onigiri (see picture), and the salmon/tuna sashimi plate (cant remember what it was called, something zushi - see picture). Everything was really good, but the beans, pork/curry, and shrimp burger were AMAZING. Life changing. The only things I found disappointing were the onigiri (nothing inside, just rice balls with a layer of some kind of pate under them, I assume salmon - Im used to onigiri with salmon or whatever inside) and we also had some ice cream for dessert which wasnt all that great (the one with cheese and cookie crumbs and the cherry blossom one - neither were worth the price though cheese on ice cream is interesting). The service was okay, they were very friendly but you could tell they were a bit overwhelmed and the ice cream took forever to come. Otherwise food generally came out quite quickly (we barely had enough room on the table for everything). The price was very reasonable for how good (most) of the food was. I will definitely be going again! Vegetarian options: Quite a few vegetarian options! Kid-friendliness: No kids menu or high chairs but they have a booster seat. Wheelchair accessibility: Not very accessible at all because the tables are so close together.

★★★★★
June 22, 2024

Great food, atmosphere and staff. Really wide selection. I came solo and sat at a bar stool. You could see everyone was really working well together and staff genuinely lovely. Food was just delicious good quality, fresh Japanese food

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Delicious ramen! Their fried chicken was also great

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Absolutely amazing. Automatically became a favorite due to the fast service, wonderful staff and mouth watering food. Delicious food, always fresh and at a wonderful price. I the lines can be long but they can be avoided if you come aliens 5:30, then you might wait only about 20 minutes. One of the best spots in the city, and a must try for anyone passing through Montréal

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Despite the long line-up, everything about this place is a gold! fantastic food, humble prices, authentic vibe. Recommend to go 5-10 mins prior to the opening to avoid the line:)

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

I d give this place 10,000 stars if I could!! Whenever any of my friends visit montreal for the first time I tell them to go to Kazu. Whenever I am in Montreal I try to go to Kazu. If I walk by Kazu it calls to me and I cannot resist its pull. The food is always super fresh they will take items off the menu or have special items only in stock when they get certain ingredients. There are options for most food restrictions veggies, halal, no fish etc. I would recommend their home made tofu if you go on a Sunday. Anything with raw seafood will be delicious. Any of the grilled meat will be incredible. Also their salads are fresh and flavourful sauces on everything! The desserts are always exceptional. The staff is all super friendly! It is a cozy little restaurant with a lot of energy so I might not recommend taking your very elderly family members or anyone sensitive to louder environments. I cannot recommend Kazu enough!!!!! This isn t a paid sponsorship (although if anyone from Kazu is reading I will gladly accept food as payment hahaha!). Vegetarian options: Tofu. Get the tofu & salads. Fried Green beans are also delicious and pretty unique!

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Best food Ive had in a long time. Everything was delicious. Service was great 10/10

Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Don t understand how this place has 4.7 stars. The moment we entered we were greeted with a your table is there, what are you waiting for? which another employee was still cleaning, and no one talked to us prior to that to take us to the table. The Kalbi was simply awful, could barely chew it, some pieces were so hard that I had to spit it out because I couldn t chew it. The chicken seemed to be uncooked properly because of the taste and it was still pink inside. After all that, I obviously gave a low tip and the employee said no more tip? As if I was obligated to tip more when the food was bad and the service even worse. This was such a disappointing experience

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

WELL WORTH THE WAIT Tiny restaurant, huge lines, and for a good reason. The food quality is astounding. Never have I had food this good this fast for this cheap. Main courses under $18 abundant, appetizers under $10, service is crazy fast like a good busy restaurant should be. Get the curry get the bibimbap

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

Excellent Japanese restaurant in Montreal. Lots of off-menu choices (more than the official menu). The dishes are to be shared. Very varied choice of fish and meat. A personal taste, I find that there is sometimes too much sauce in the dishes. Very small restaurant, but thats what gives the atmosphere to the restaurant. Not suitable for groups, 4 people max otherwise it is very difficult to find a place. You have to go early at 5:00 PM, otherwise there is a line-up and wait. The service is excellent and very fast. An absolutely must-try restaurant in Montreal!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

The food is excellent, the staff super efficient and really friendly. Its worth the line, Ill go back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

My favourite Asian restaurant. I ve had almost everything on their menu and everything is excellent.

May 22, 2024

Ive been a patron of Kazu for years. Having understood, at my level, Japanese service and equity, Kazu always met expectations until now. They forgot my food. Half an hour into waiting I make mention of it, as my spouse is eating his, and they sheeply mutter sorry and do nothing to remedy the error. At least, have the courtesy to admit the mistake. At least, have the decency to tell me that theyll produce my meal. I waited until my spouse finished, where they promptly served me the bill, smile in hand, ad if nothing had happened. I hope youre better than this.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Amazing spot!!! The food was amazing and the staff were so nice and generous. Definitely worth the wait in line. The vibe is just awesome, highly recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
May 22, 2024

A warm welcome despite the large crowds and for good reason, the cuisine is excellent, varied and reasonably priced. Don t hesitate to explore the very varied menu. Remember to arrive early, because very quickly a queue forms on the sidewalk to get a table.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

One of the few restaurants that I just keep coming back to. Amazing food, amazing presentation, amazing service. The chef owner and his are are both so heartwarming and passionate about their work and it really shows in the food they serve! I remember asking the owner if he ever planned on franchising since the restaurant was getting ever so popular and he said no because he needs to be there to supervise in order to maintain overall quality. Much respect for his work ethic, I hope they keep on flourishing.

★★★★★
May 22, 2024

Trust the process. Wait in line, order from the neon sheets on the wall, pair with crispy beers. One of the best dining experiences in Montreal hands down.

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Simply the best restaurant in Montreal, hands down! Make it a priority to come eat here. One of the only restaurants on earth where waiting in line is worth the wait! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
April 22, 2024

By far the best restaurant in Montreal.

★★★★★
April 22, 2024

Great service with delicious dishes!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

The taste is 85 points. The feeling is definitely more than 100 points. But it should be over 1,500 calories. First come, first served. Otherwise, line up

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Best chef and food in the world.

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

First visit Sunday February 25, 2024 5:15 p.m. already crowded, sitting at the bar was an incredible visual experience These cooks are artists. The atmosphere completely transported me elsewhere! The dishes are exquisite Rating 10/10 across the board Big thank you to this whole team

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Kazu is an absolute gem. Easily the most authentic Japanese cuisine in the entire city. The place has a small Tokyo bar style atmosphere and is complemented well by absolutely sublime service. Seriously, every server is attentive, smiling, and they move with the speed of sound. The food is incredible. My wife and I have been to Japan twice now and this food comes closest to getting us so nostalgic and excited to go back. Its comforting, warm, and delicious. Best part is the price! For four shared appetizers, two mains, 4 shots of yuzu sake, and 1 ginger Sapporo, I was floored to see the bill be just over $100. We were so stuffed we even took a doggie bag. So incredibly worth it! Yes, the lines can often be long, but I now see exactly why this is the case. This was a phenomenal experience and looking forward to coming back soon.

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Small festive restaurant with excellent service and what can we say about the food! A delight!

★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Busy place with very interesting and tasty food. I l enjoyed the beef ribs.

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

The best place ever!!!

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

obviously great. good vegetarian options. the wait in line is worth it the first couple of times but after that, meh. hard to recommend to people unless they have 2 hours on their hands to wait.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

The restaurant deserves a 5 star!

★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Way overrated - This is typical American Japanese (even the rice was overcooked, come on ). I am happy to haven t waited too long. Don t understand the ratings of other people there is much better in Montreal

★★★★★
March 22, 2024

Food was phenomenal! Absolutely delicious! Salmon belly, beef cheeks, and cheesecake were my favorite. Whats even better is that the staff are so fun and friendly! Very kind and friendly staff! Worth the waiting line!

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

Best Japanese Pub in town. Owned by real japanese and the food is amazing.

★★★★★
Local Guide
March 22, 2024

A great izakaya with excellent price points. Ive come to this place when it was first opened and I am glad to see this place has not only kept up with the quality expanded their operation as well. Between the 2 of us, we ordered 3 entrées, 1 yakitori and shared a dessert and the check came to $67 before tips. Excellent food and value. One girl was rather abrupt with her attitude but everyone else was nice and friendly.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Favorite Japanese resto in Montreal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Excellent delicious and quality food at decent prices.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

The takoyakis are definitely the best Ive eaten in Montreal. Excellent service, from start to finish. Super nice place, we were lucky and got two seats at the bar without waiting. There are several gluten-free, vegetarian and lactose-free options. Its perfect for all tastes! Dietary restrictions: Several gluten-free options, including desserts

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Kazu is definitely the best Japanese food you can get in Montreal. Outstanding menu, delicious food, the friendliest service and cool atmosphere.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Everything was excellent, super affordable prices and friendly and efficient staff.

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

This is my favorite restaurant in Montréal. Chef is very talented, food is delicious and fresh, staff is friendly and attentive. I absolutely love this place. Prices are acceptable for the amazing quality of food. Favorite dishes: kalbi beef, don samon, bone marrow, sake ice-cream, panna cotta, and many more! The only wish is that this place would be a bit warmer in winter.

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

just the best

★★★★★
February 22, 2024

Montreal institution! . Always a pleasure to go!

★★★★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

All customers are so happy and hyped about what they are ordered. The food overall is good! The oysters is fresh but not that good as I expected. I will say the sauce on top is a bit overwhelmed. But definitely will go back to try out their menu again!

February 22, 2024

it was cold and I decided to drink tea and warm up, but when I entered I was asked to leave the restaurant without providing me with either a menu or any service

★★
Local Guide
February 22, 2024

Their only redeeming quality is their food, otherwise service, atmosphere and seating are garbage. Con: -Very hard to be seated if youre an odd-numbered group. Theyll straight up just seat someone else before you. We waited easily 1h30+ outside because they absolutely wanted to fill every single seat and had groups of 2 and 4 skip us consistently even if they arrived after us. -Service was existent, but does not deserve more than 10% tip. Its so minimal that the food is what makes up for it. -The ice cream was very expensive. A small teacup was 5$. Pro: The tuna & salmon bowl was very tasty. The portions are decent.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

The food is very very authentic! Love the subtle flavors! The restaurant itself is very small, packed and the poor staff seemed overwhelmed.

★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

The perfect place for authentic Japanese food if youre willing to wait 30 minutes outside in the cold. The service is expeditious to reduce the wait, but at the same time you feel pressure to eat quickly. If there is no queue, its a must go!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

The service was very fast after we got a table. Had bit of a wait time. People out here are very humble. Yakitori and takoyaki were my favorite

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Tasty and fresh meal, I recommend the sashimi platter with oysters and sea urchin.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

2024 January 4.5 At time of writing, this restaurant is one of the top 10 Japanese restaurants in Montreal. Along with the fact this is a small tightly packed restaurant, youll certainly need to wait. Though with the speed of the restaurant, it helps with the lineups. CARPACCIO DE BOUF $10 Very good with some citrus notes. Would order again. YAKITORI - chicken $5 for 2 Not bad, though not as juicy as expected. Would pass next time. OKONOMIYAKI $13 Crispy Japanese pancakes with shrimp. A good flavor. Lots of cabbage base. Topped off with greens. Great 4 person sharable appetizer. Special du jour $27 pork shoulder steak. Very very good. Perfectly charred, perfectly cooked. Tender and very flavorful. Paired with some greens, mash potatoes and fresh tomatoes, it was perfect. Would recommend. Ceviche $22.00 A mix of hot (deep fried shrimp) and cold items (mussels, tomatoes etc.) in a tangy tomato style sauce. Its not bad, but would pass next time. Right on one of the busy street, youll see this amongst many others. This is one to try. Note: seating is tight. Room for up to about 22 Some Free Parking available on side streets.

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

The best and most delicious one

★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

Love the food and the variety of Japanese dish. Would definitely recommend!

★★★★★
Local Guide
January 22, 2024

The best izakaya in town!!! Show up when the restaurant opens at 5PM because there is bound to be a huge lineup. (Or cheat and call for takeout to bypass the line, they ll have your food ready within 15 min) For the best seats in house, grab a stool at the bar and watch the chef and his team pop out beautiful dish after beautiful dish with practiced efficiency. The ever changing seasonal menu is found on small pieces of paper stapled to the wall. (We tried the beef tongue stew this time around and it was a huge hit) The octopus and lamb chops are both a bit on the pricier end, but every smoky tender bite is worth it. From the regular menu, popular items such as the tuna salmon bowl, the kalbi and the beef ribs are some of my favourites. And if you re extra hungry, the 48 hour pork bowl is a cheap and delicious option.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A place you have to go, yes or yes, you can taste a harmony of flavors integrated with a lot of creativity in each of the dishes offered on the menu. You cant miss it.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Good food and good prices. No wonder there s always a line up there

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

The food is very delicious

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Classic Japanese spot in Mtl I went there relatively often pre-pandemic. I didnt go back there. Everything renovated while keeping the spirit of the original place. Everything is still good there. We took: Gyoza (vegetarian and chicken) short ribs Pork Burgers and pork cheek Ill be back again this restaurant has remained loyal despite its popularity. The beer and sake selection is better than before.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

You know a place is good if you see a lineup. Don t let that deter you though; Kazu is worth the wait as their food is so tasty at very reasonable prices. My sister and I arrived around 7:15 PM on a Sunday night and waited about half an hour to be seated. The service was great and the food was delicious. We were seated at the bar and were concerned with the table space as we ordered a ton of dishes. Surprisingly, everything fit and the pace of the food coming out was perfectly timed. We may be small girls but we have big appetites so we cleared those plates. No crumbs we will be back!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Great dining experience. We had dinner at the bar. The chef worked before our eyes.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Fantastic and speedy service. Best lamb chops EVER

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Definitely will frequent this location again. Everything was near perfect. There are many dishes on their Instagram account Id like to try. Incidentally, if youre not familiar with this type of dishes their IG account is a great guide. Food

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very good restaurant if you dont mind the noise and the very restricted table/spots. You are able to choose to have either a seat at a table or at the bar with the open kitchen view where the chef and his staff cook in front of you. Menu is ok, but they also offer meals outside their menu, which makes the atmosphere a lot more directed for people who dont mind a messy and busy service. The waiter (the chefs wife) was a very sweetheart always smiling and very helpful that cheers up the place. The other waiters were a lot more bland and would need more experience into trying to cozy the customers into a more warm welcoming and experience. The food was good, but from the recommendations I received, they just barely scraped the expectation, even my friend who is a frequent was a tiny bit disappointed as it wasnt up to par to their regular standards, hopefully next time we will return, I will be able to give a 5/5 in the food. Would recommend to try in a not busy day. Expect some waiting queue if you dont arrive early, there are already people waiting by 4:30pm to secure a table. Not suited for large groups as they have very limited seats.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

So glad to finally eat at Kazu and it did not disappoint! Everything was delicious, the staff were incredibly kind and very fast, we sat at the front and watched as the chef and staff worked fast and diligently to create each plate and I will definitely be going back

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A bit packed but a lovely atmosphere. Delicately plated food, beautiful and intricate; not what I was expecting!! Calpico sake cocktail was not a combo Ive come across before, but it just might become my new favourite thing!! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

I had a perfect experience there. The dishes taste amazing, plus they look beautiful, come in good sized portions (they can look smaller in the pictures, but dont be fooled), and the price is good. The place has a nice decoration and atmosphere. On top of that, the staff is kind, efficient and they seem happy and motivated. I really loved Kazu, it deserves the fame! Vegetarian options: They have vegetarian dishes and also allow you to modify existing dishes to become vegetarian

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Wonderful dishes! Such sweet staff and great atmosphere!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious food good service

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Je nen reviens toujours pas. Tout simplement succulent et délicieux. Je comprends à présent la raison pour laquelle il y a toujours une file dattente. Le service offert par le personnel est exceptionnel.Il ny a pas beaucoup de place disponible, mais tout le monde doit se mériter une place au moins une fois dans ce restaurant. Vous me verrez plus dune fois, cest certain!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Worth the wait in line. Have been going for years and we ve never once had a bad experience. My wife is Celiac (gluten free, but for real) and they ve always taken great care and are attentive about allergies. 11/10 - Kazu rules.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Definitely a must for Japanese food in Montreal. The place is a bit cramped, but it adds to the atmosphere. It s busy, but the line moves fast. Food was excellent!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Get the green beans!! Very friendly and fun staff. salad included in pretty much every order, and huge portions. Faves so far: beef ribs Takoyaki Green beans Wasabi ice cream

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delightful meals! Explosion of flavors with subtile aromas between each bite. I particularly loved the carpaccio plate and japanese chicken curry. Freshness is always good to taste! My calpico matcha was also on point. Dont get fooled by 1st impression. The owner is very nice, humble and fun. Passion can be felt in each movement in the kitchen. Staff is attentive and quick. Clean place with great atmosphere, small tables are closed to each other - same intimacy as in Japan. Had a great night in good compagny! Go try it out. PS: Make sure to come early before the line-up.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

Amazing food and excellent service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

About as close to perfection as one can expect. Very gracious service. Great value for the flavour explosion and generous serving size. There are a lot of items on the wall that arent in the printed menu, and theyre often some of the best dishes. For 4 appetizers, two mains and 4 drinks, the total was about $150 all in and its possible to have a great meal for significantly less. Truly a must try! Vegetarian options: There are several tofu dishes, possibly vegan. The delicious egg soup was also vegetarian.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

If you do not mind waiting in line, big recommendation! If you go early to beat the line, even better! Atmosphere was amazing, food was amazing, and the service was so quick, friendly and kind! Price range was alright, too! We got seated right away for two, however, we came a bit early, just before their opening time. We bought four items, which totaled $105 with tips included! Without tips was $90. Highly recommend this place!

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

This is by far the best Japanese food we ve ever had! Authentic, rich flavours, kind service, and a special atmosphere. Worth the wait in line any day!! Kazu is a genius!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Delicious meals, vibrant atmosphere and cuisine in full view of everyone. First time but not the least. Vegetarian options: Tofu prepared in different ways

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

One of montreals rare gems. The food is phenomenal, and very reasonably priced. You can easily have an amazing time for two under 100$. We sat at the bar facing the open-air kitchen. It was a treat to observe them prepare the food, and it left us salivating while waiting for ours.

Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The service was not good at all.The waiter asked the table next to us if everything is OK many times,but they did not do that to me.Obviously they are racist,and I did not give them tips .I will not go to a restaurant with racist service.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Really fun Izakaya with delicious food. I really loved their chicken curry and the yakitori. The atmosphere was upbeat with very fun decor. The service was super fast. The food is really reasonably priced too, particularly for the high quality. Get there early at opening times as even at 5:04 when they opened at 5:00pm we had to wait in line for a table.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A usual line-up because it s always full because it s always excellent. Very affordable. You can eat for as little as $30 healthy. Tried the tofu taco Vegetarian options: Lots of choice. They make their tofu.

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Pricey for the portions you get but the food is top notch

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This place makes you feel like you ve been transported to an izakaya in Japan especially if you re sitting at the counter. Then you check out the menu and you re brought back to reality. The menu here is pretty unique where they blend Japanese food with western options and I must say that have married the two perfectly together. It was hard to decide what to order as there was so much we wanted to try. They also have entrees not in the menu listed on the paper at the bar so don t forget to look there!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Yum. Everything here is good. They even customized my cream cheese ice cream with matcha powder on top lol! Friendly & attentive staff, quick service. I ll come back here every time I visit montreal :)

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Tight space but thats part of the experience. I have visited this small restaurant many times. It was in the old location when i first visited. but still i found something amazing every time i dine here.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

As a Japanese food lover, I am glad that I finally find one that I am satisfied in Montreal. The food is made with heart, with nice plating and delicious of course.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

All of them were super good! Luckily we only waited around 10mins comparing to the general lines I saw before. Just go and try!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Superior quality at a very affordable price!! Its small but welcoming! There is a risk of queuing outside.. And its in the city center, so parking is not easy..

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

One of the best Japanese restaurants in Montreal.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Sooooooooooo good

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

A friend recommended to us this place, and it exceeded our expectations. The food was decent with a reasonable price. Will come again next time we visit Montreal!! Food

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Tried the Vegetarian range at Kazu. We had Veg Bowl and Bibimbap Japanese style (veg). We wanted to try the Japanese curry which was in the chefs list apart from the menu but it was out of stock. But no regrets, both the dishes were absolutely amazing. The sauces, both quite unique were rich in flavor and i would highly suggest you to try them. The tofu was very soft, felt fresh. The vegetables were quite nicely done, carrots were pickled and sesame seeds drizzled on top. On the bibimbap contained an egg nicely done, the rice tasted soooo good and overall very well worth it compared to the price. Both bowls were very big and imo one bowl could serve 2 people. Kazu stays at a bar to its high rating, especially the staff is awesome. Very polite , helpful, quick service and everything you wish in a restaurant. The ambience is also unique. Feels like a hustling and bustling restaurant in Japan with songs, happy people and tasty dishes. Definitely order the fried beans on the side. We also had desserts , one cheesecake ice cream and one sake icecream. While the cheesecake icecream was the best (really soulful) in Montreal, the sake icecream was very unique and we tried it for the first time. It has vanilla ice cream with sake on the top. Which made it taste quite unique and definitely try it out if you love experimenting things. In all, superb place, deserves 5 star and the staff makes the place lovely.

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

This restaurant was definitely worth waiting in line for. The dishes were fresh and delicious, good portions too!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Very friendly staff and the food is amazing. Must try.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

One of my favorite restaurant! One of its kind in Montreal, as if you were in Japan

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Amazing everything!

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Finally got to try this place, there was a little line-up but it moved fast enough. Had the tempura halibut ,temupra lobster and chicken tortilla ( i think). Everything was super tasty and staff are super friendly

★★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

Worth the 2 hour wait! It was our last evening in Montreal when you came across this amazing place. It was packed to the rafters. We waited for about 2 hours in th3 cold but it was worth it! The food is fantastic and the service is nothing short of amazing. Would definitely recommend!

★★★★
Local Guide
December 22, 2023

The food is excellent, best takoyakis ever (Im weighing my words). It would be perfect if we could enjoy it in a more spacious location and if we accepted reservations.

★★★★★
December 22, 2023

best restaurant i ve been to in my life