ALMA in Outremont

Nothing short of spectacular! Food is beyond amazing, service is impeccable, and the atmosphere is so welcoming. It is a food experience like no other. Highly recommend

The food was so disappointing too salty to enjoy ,we are avid foodies and love Mexican food ,this was very overly priced for the quantity and taste was sub par ..

What a delight it was to eat at Alma! It is rare to have a chefs menu where every dish is solid, but I felt this was the case at Alma. From appetizer to both the desserts, I thoroughly enjoyed this flavour profile mixing acidity, fat and spiciness, something you wont get in French or Italian fine dining. The seafood was delicious and as well as the beef tongue! It was great to be exposed to different types of corn tortillas as well! It would however be great to have a bit more options of drinks for people who cannot drink alcohol. Although I enjoyed my lime-onade, I have to admit I was a bit envious watching my husband enjoy his wine pairing! That being said, we will definitely be back! A true gem in Montreal!

Amazing from start to finish

Some very nice surprises/scallops, raw sea bream at the right time in the sequence and incredible mandarin/ganache dessert...but unfortunately, after $600 bill, the friendly, generous and natural gesture was not there.

I understand that its haute cuisine, but paying more than $100 per person for tiny portions ruins the experience and sticks in your throat. If you are looking for a place to enjoy yourself and get your fill, go your way, or pay the hefty bill and leave on an empty stomach!

Food was excellent! (People complaining about portions not being big enough.. quality over quantity. Go somewhere else if all you want are big portions of poorly made food)

Our experience at this restaurant did not live up to expectations for a fine dining establishment. We chose the five-course tasting menu, at $200 for two people without alcohol, hoping for a memorable culinary experience. Unfortunately, the flavors, while decent, lacked character and seasoning, giving an impression of simplicity that didnt justify the high price. The portions were also very small, which added to our disappointment given the cost. We felt like we didnt get what we paid for, in addition to the disappointing flavors. Although the staff were friendly and attentive, this was not enough to compensate for the disadvantageous value for money. In the end, we left with the impression that the prices charged were excessive in relation to the quality of the cuisine offered. We do not recommend this restaurant to those looking for a fine dining experience worth their investment.

Mexican restaurant with fresh local products. Everything has a touch of different Mexican corn. We had the 5 course menu and really enjoyed it. Excellent service and the Mezcalita was perfect!

After waiting over 4 weeks to find a table & time to dine, and after seeing all the social media videos I was really excited to try this place, and it was sooooo disappointing. There were many factors that made the experience less than memorable but the worst was by far the horrible wine selection. Not worth the hype, there are so many great restos in Mtl to blow $300 for dinner for 2

This review is written from a Mexican perspective and specifically regarding the taco omakase: YMMV. 0) booze selection: seems like the sommelier said I am in charge of the booze and I don t care what anyone thinks Il y aura aussi des margaritas, des mezcals et des bières disponibles pour cette occasion! Une selection de jerez, tequila, mezcal et vin doux est également disponible ainsi que des margaritas . Lies Jerez: I don t even think they know what that is. Mezcal: cheapest SAQ option, 1 option. Tequila: cheapest SAQ option, 1 option. Cerveza/beer: most commercial Spanish beer, 1 option. Cocktails: margarita (1 flavour) or mezcalita (1 flavour). 1) First dish was agua de tortilla. Just tortillas mixed with water, sugar and cinnamon. Minimal effort but fine 2) Second dish was an aguachile with tortilla chips. Very delicious aguachile but only 5 tortilla chips. At least give me an even number of chips if I they are meant to be shared between two people. Also, nowhere near the proper amount of chips for the amount of aguachile which was very generous. 3) Third dish was A tostada to share between two people. First time I had ever have to share a tostada. Not even physically possible to do it cleanly unless the tostada is getting soggy which it was getting there 4) Fourth dish was an octopus taco. I was afraid I was going to share one taco with my partner but we each got our own and it was delicious so nothing to complain here. 5) Fifth dish was a filet mignon carpaccio taco with a black garlic salsa; each our own. The filet mignon had 0 seasoning and it was placed on top of the garlic salsa covering the entire tortilla. Who in Mexico hides their salsa?!?! Besides not appreciating the salsa itself and making the tortilla soggy, in this particular execution, you take a bite and it tastes like tortilla + unseasoned beef and suddenly... boom! Garlic bomb! I was surprised no one internally picked this up. 6) Fish Zaranzeado with A tortilla. Surprisingly, the misspelling wasn t the worst part since what I was fearing the most happened: a single tortilla to share. I asked for another one and I was denied my request. FYI: in Mexico we get a side of tortillas with tortilla-based dishes. It kept getting worse: the tortilla had imprinted the name of the restaurant, which they obviously had to do in advance, so the special tortilla was soggy and room temperature. (Second) First time ever in my life sharing a tortilla which is pretty sad because the fish was seasoned and cooked perfectly. 7) The dessert amazing! Check Chef Mariana s Carlota Boulangerie Mexicaine. My favourite spot in town for Mexican pastries. She even went to our table to say hi and ask for feedback rather than having mezcal shots like the head chef did between dinner services. We are a generous culture. My blood is made mostly of corn. I am sorry, but I cannot have a lot of sympathy for a Mexican owner of a high-end restaurant who denies me an extra tortilla in QC while I can get it for free from any señito in MX selling way better street food.

Having dined at a few of the world s top-rated Michelin-starred restaurants, we were delighted to discover something truly extraordinary at Alma in Outremont, just a short drive from downtown Montreal. From the moment we sat down, the experience felt special. Hosts Lindsay and her husband, Juan, crafted one of the most memorable meals we ve ever enjoyed. Each dish, while appearing simple at first glance, revealed layers of complexity and transported us with every bite. Our server, Mariel, shared the rich stories behind each dish, many inspired by Juan s Mexican heritage, adding depth to the experience. Lindsay, the sommelier, thoughtfully paired these creations with rare, small-batch Catalan wines she discovered during her travels, elevating the meal to new heights. Alma s intimate atmosphere, nestled next to its casual counterpart Tinc, Tinc (which we can t wait to try on our next visit), makes it a hidden gem for culinary enthusiasts. This is a special dining experience we ll cherish and highly recommend to anyone seeking something truly unique and heartfelt. Merci beaucoup, Randy & Lizzy Elles, Killington, VT :)

I would give them 10 stars if I could. This is my favourite restaurant in Montreal. Chef Juan s creativity and skills is unmatched while wine aficionado Lindsay is providing customers with the best wine selection in the city. The way they make feel regulars like old friends and the restaurant s homie and cozy atmosphere is some of the reasons why I always recommend it and will always go back. PS: you should also try their other restaurant (right next door), Tinc Set. They have amazing tapas with amazing wine and the same extraordinaire duo.

Everything was delicious, each dish was a trip back to Mexico, totally recommended, I am sure I will return many times.

Absolutely wonderful food, wine, and service. So welcoming!

Im not a Michelin inspector, but I must say that the question of the star arises because of the service not up to standard...maybe a bad evening. I will try again

Came back to Montreal just for this meal. Get the wine pairing.

Very nice discovery in Montreal We were won over by the dishes of this restaurant. A big thank you to Muriel for her warm welcome and her wine recommendations. The atmosphere is very pleasant, we had a great time! THANKS

Absolutely delicious food & wine.

Great spot, food is excellent, we dont drink wine so I cant comment on it, but our friends all seem impressed with the wine list. Very tasty, be ready to spend quite a bit if you want to leave with your belly totally full.

Really, really good. Prime food quality and service. We had the 5 services tasting menu.

What an incredible experience. I brought my son for an evening with him. Not knowing if he would like it, we took the 5-course discovery menu rather than the carte blanche one. Even so, we offer you the rest if you ever wish to complete it. We were both delighted. Sitting at the bar, we could also see the chef and his team working in the kitchen. In an old cozy and relaxed, calm place (we can hear each other speaking very well which is also very pleasant), we discovered each dish with wonder: it was a visual pleasure before explosions of flavors with textures and tastes that are out of the ordinary. I definitely recommend it and will return, this time for the full experience.

Great atmosphere, delicious food, wonderful service. Thank you so much! We had a perfectly lovely time!

Easily one of the most meaningful meals I had in Montreal. The waiter takes you by one hand and the cooks by the other, and they walk down this beautiful road with you! Thanks for this amazing experience.

Unique experience! We went there for my birthday and took the 9 services couple with natural wines. Every plate was unique and tasteful. We found a new way to eat mexican food

My best experience in Montreal, every dish was a delight for my taste. Exceptional service with an explanation of everything we ate, very professional!! Many thanks!

I really enjoyed my first visit to Alma. The quality of the ingredients and the creativity were there! Each of the dishes we tasted was tasty. Special mention to the sea bream crudo for the visual presentation, texture and flavors! The tasting menu is definitely a good option with the wine pairing. The atmosphere is pleasant and the service attentive. I would definitely go back!

The food was beautifully presented but not overly great! We had the 5 course meal but left hungry and somewhat unsatisfied. The service is good, the ambiance quite wonderful. I am glad I went as it is an experience (an expensive one) but would not go back.

Amazing food that tastes like Mexico with beautiful local, high quality ingredients. Just Beautiful

Very mixed experience at Alma, but which ends with a desire to never return there. The most first: - friendly and pleasant service - a delicious crudo - a beautiful wine list... Cons: - Small portions. We had a 5 course for $79 and I thought it was a good deal, in fact its the opposite. The dishes are so tiny that several times my friends and I were in fits of laughter. We added a dish to our 5 courses thinking that it would help us satisfy our hunger...we received 4 small pieces of pork belly for $32. We left the restaurant hungry... - The wine list is beautiful as I said, but very expensive. There are no bottles under $88 and most start around $110. Single glasses of wine are prohibitively expensive. - The price for the entire experience is....incredibly expensive. For four (3 bottles of wine), the bill came to $980 (tax and tip included) for very, very little food. Really, a bill that goes through the throat especially since we all ate a real meal when we got home to calm the gurgling in our stomachs... I am lucky enough to be able to frequent several restaurants of this type in Montreal and I have never felt cheated in this way. I understand that gastronomy has to be paid for and I am aware that Alma serves high quality products, but here I seems like it was indecent.

Tapas style and creative. If you have dietary needs be sure to check first.

I am not a picky eater by any means but the food was hilariously awful. I never spend a lot of money on gourmet food so while on vacation I thought I d try something new. I did the 9 course tasting, very expensive! So I was hoping for something special. Instead EVERY single dish tasted only like SALT. I m not exaggerating, covered in salt. Other tables around us were saying the same thing I also never write reviews but this was so awful that I thought I should send a warning for people not to come here. The server was very kind and it was a cool atmosphere but NOT worth it at all. I just can t believe how much money I wasted here it s really upsetting.

Some dishes were over seasoned (too salty). The portion is small as you are sharing a small plate for two people on the majority of the dishes.

Amazing place in the world! Super people, super team, super food and super Mediterranean wines! Enjoy!

Absolutely superb - A++ on atmosphere and menu! Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a memorable meal.

We were almost scared away from this spot due to some recent reviews but I m so glad we weren t. Undoubtedly lucky enough to experience top notch restaurants when traveling for work and this was one of the best meals we ve had in a long time. The tastes, the quality, the music, the wine, the service. Couldn t have been better. Don t sleep on Alma.

Enjoyed an amazing 9 course tasting menu paired with unique wines from small batch wineries from the Basque regions of Spain and France. Staff very friendly and service was exceptional. If youre looking for a delicious and artfully created menu with excellent service, look no further. Truly a special experience.

My blurry photos do not do justice to the quality of the dishes. The flavors were surprising while being well put together. The carte blanche menu transports us to another universe between Spain and Mexico!

Beautiful inside and out! Wonderful food, excellent service. Thank you for an unforgettably delicious experience!

Exceedingly expensive (very) and incredibly long service. No prices for the suggested wine pairings and oh surprise. Exorbitant. Some dishes disappointing, others good. Some too little. The churros were not cooked. This was our third time but the last time. This neighborhood restaurant seems to have lost its bearings. We prefer Tinc-set, the unpretentious little brother.

Excellent place where we shared as a family almost all the starters, then all the main courses and finally all the desserts! Well done to the team, we give it a 10/10

Lived up to expectations and more! Magnificent and delicious dishes, especially from the sea. The crudo: our favorite!

Amazing experience at Alma with the menu carte blanche . The food was excellent and the wines that were suggested to us were out of this world

The 9 service option was one amazing dish after another, we had a hard time deciding which one was the best, the place is small (tops 20 people I would say) but this adds to the atmosphere, great experience and delicious food combined with great wine recommendations.

I haven t been back since post-pandemic. I absolutely LOVED my experience. From the attentive service of our sommerliere/waitress to the beautifully execute food done by the staff. Balanced flavour to everything else: CHAPEAU! The tiny tiny small thing I wish was maybe the portion was bigger but that s only gluttony speaking . We were 4 and ordered 8 plates to share with a bottle of wine. I left happy, satisfied and satiated. I WILL BE BACK SHORTLY FOR TINC SET! (Same group located on their left side.) Good job team! You make me proud.

Shared some food with friends and The atmosphere was great. The wine is exceptional, the food delicious and love the staff.

I have tried many places, including mousso, pied de cochon, stellina, le filet etc, but I would say that one of my favorite places is Alma. Their special menu (9 plates) is, every time, absolutely amazing. For the price they ask, the incredible service and the spot: I think its a deal. Always say yes to try their wine. They have the best choices and are always on point with the food. We keep coming every month so far .

Very good service and we liked the atmosphere of the restaurant as well as the dishes in general. The only downside was that some dishes were a little too salty for our taste. Even though the suggested wines were very good, I find that at $20+ per glass, it is a little expensive.

The carte blanche dinner at ALMA was absolutely fabulous. The current menu is globally inspired with Spanish, Italian and Mexican influences that come together for a beautifully curated meal, and the wine selection is second to none. I highly recommend sitting at the bar for a chance to see the kitchen team at work.

We understand that the restaurant industry is difficult, but booking for 4 people and being asked in advance to pay not only for the meal, for taxes, but also by imposing an 18% tip before even having set foot in the restaurant seems abusive to me. Too bad, it looked delicious.

Astounding execution; they happened to find some of the best ingredients Ive had the pleasure of tasting, including the whole fish dish which, as many others here have said, is incredible.

as needed. Alma Restaurant As established foodies who have tried a large number of restaurants on this planet, we believe we are qualified to describe this evening at Alma It s easy to understand our enthusiasm in the face of all these palace challenges. The place is packed from 6 a.m. and there are hungry people around us exchanging their anticipations in a sort of joy of being there and making the noisy restaurant. Immediately, the hosts welcomed us cordially and presented us with the menu as well as a broad description of the dishes. We are offered wines to accompany each dish. As an assessment, we are poured a tear of wine into a small glass. Its just enough to moisten the mucous membranes without really tasting the wine. The pettiness continues in the glass. The glass is small into which a quantity of approximately 3 ounces of wine is poured. We consumed 4 glasses or 330 ml of wine in total. The amount of $90 with tips and taxes comes to $119.64. The 750 ml bottle is expensive. The first course includes a cold gazpacho with green tomatoes accompanied by a crispy bun hugged by an anchovy. It only took 15 seconds to consume it and we are once again in suspense for our next tasting. We will have six dishes. The dishes, although particularly tasty, are presented in limited portions. The last course is finally accompanied by bread...a sort of filler to make up for the deficit from the previous dishes. Total costs: $348.35 for two people. Worse still, it leaves you wanting more.

Excellent restaurant! The staff very kind, attentive and know their products very well

smells but doesnt eat

Unfortunately, we were very disappointed with this restaurant, although the food was good. The prices are ridiculous for the portions served. We took the 5 course option, and it was 5 mini starters to share between two people. We even had to split a scallop between two, pretty cheap considering the price. The evening ended in another restaurant, because we were still hungry. The kind of restaurant you only go to once, too bad.

An incredible dining experience. The service, wine and food were all excellent. I loved it and I highly recommend this place!

Inviting little tapas-style restaurant on a quiet street in Outremont. We ordered the five-course menu plus one extra dish and dessert. At first, I was surprised by the first one or two portions, which others have mentioned, is on the small size. But the meal ended up being nicely portioned and well paced. We had enough food - even without the extra. Plus the dishes were tasty, creative, and nicely presented. The wine pairings and options are great and the server was the ideal host - knowledgeable, friendly, not pushy, nor intrusive. I did not pay the bill, so cant speak to cost or value, but it was a spectacular meal and we happily recommend and visit again. *The flan was divine!

Great service more than accommodating. Best Crudo I have ever had.

Unfortunately, it will be a 2 for the Alma even though I had wanted to try this place for a long time. We took the 5-course menu at $80/person. The 5 dishes were really delicious (except the first course which is 4 slices of potato with sour cream...) but we left hungry.. The portions are tiny, you are forced to take some additional dishes which adds up to the bill quickly. At $80 a menu, we expect a certain quantity of food, or there should be a mention of the quantities on the site. The cheapest wines are $90, glasses of wine between $18 and $25, its a shame that the menu on this side is not more affordable. I have no problem spending money at restaurants when its worth it. Our evening ended in another restaurant.. The service was ok but we arrived around 6:30 p.m., we waited for the other reservations to receive the first service at 7:30 p.m. Unfortunately we had already finished our bottle of wine...

Incredible evening. Delicious food, the best wines. Highly recommend the carte Blanche menu for the full Alma experience. Can t wait for next time!

We had a catastrophically bad experience at Alma last night. I always loved this beautiful little place but something has gone seriously awry with their food quality and quantity. Prepare yourself: $79 for 5 courses one of which was (I kid you not) 4 miniature slices of cold potato on a plate yikes. The scallop tacos were over salted, underwhelming, and the remaining dishes seemed texturally and compositionally confused in a way that left us thinking - fine dining??? The star of the 5 dishes was the crudo, which was excellent, but everything else was a swing and a miss. Montreal has some AMAZING places to indulge in gastronomic experience and let me tell you Alma is not up to scratch with other similar establishments. At one point we asked for bread and received ONE piece of bread cut in half ($6?!) while the table next to us mysteriously received an entire bowl. There s fine dining land then there s just plain offensive. Really toeing the line there with a $6 slice of bread in my opinion. The cherry on top was being served half glasses of wine at the suggestion of our server which naturally I presumed would be HALF the menu price of a whole glass (priced at $18-25). Wrong. I had 3 x half glasses of wine for $14-15 each so $44 for 1.5 glasses of wine. Were the wines excellent? Yes. But transparency is of the utmost importance so that clients are not left with an unwelcome surprise. I was caught off guard when I saw these prices on my bill and thought it was a mistake. When I tried to politely address this with my server I was briskly and rudely informed by the manager that it was MY fault. She said the waitress had clearly explained everything to me and then implied that I don t understand what fine dining is. This person really needs to learn a thing or two about managing situations with unhappy clients. They 100% exacerbated the situation, as I became increasingly upset, instead of apologizing for the confusion and attempting to smooth things over. After my 1.5 glasses of wine for $44, my partner s $12 beer, and the comically small portions of food - our bill was $252.95! We left hungry, dissatisfied and with a prickly, lingering I ve been robbed sentiment. We love food and wine, have travelled all over the world eating in everything from hole in the walls to Michelin star restaurants. We know food and we know service. This simply isn t it period. We will not be returning and will advise others to steer clear. Unfortunate.

Excellent! Nothing to say.

What a disappointing experience at Alma. Its a shame, because I was really looking forward to trying this restaurant. The quality of the food is there, but the quantity is almost insulting for the price. I see by reading other comments that I am not alone in having had this impression. In response to the reviews, the owners write that by choosing the 5-course menu, it is very clear that it is only a taste of their complete menu. Ive searched hard, but I cant find any clear mention to this effect. The only indication you find when booking is that it is possible to add dishes. But even adding in the dishes that were offered to us, I would have left the restaurant just as hungry. I feel like I ate the equivalent of a starter... However, I left the restaurant with a hefty bill ($135), which included a bottle shared by 4. The cheapest bottle being $87, we didnt want to order a second one.... I would have had no problem paying that much if the quantity AND the service had been up to par. Unfortunately, this was not the case. We arrived for the 6:30 p.m. service (slightly late, so around 6:40 p.m.). The first course was served at 7:40 p.m., since the 2nd table only arrived at that time and all customers were served at the same time. It is unacceptable to make people wait 1 hour to receive a first course, or should I say an appetizer, and to make them wait a long time between each course. We left the restaurant after 9 p.m., with a bitter feeling and above all, on an empty stomach. So we went to the neighboring restaurant to end the evening. I very rarely write negative reviews, but I had to do so given our disappointing experience. I hope this comment will be received constructively. This is unfortunately not what I see for the other reviews that have been written before me...

This restaurant offers catalan food and wines, served as tapas over 5-8 services. The concept is nice , and there is a need for such restaurant in the area. Although the service was great, the food was inconsistent. Off on certain courses, and surprisingly good on others. Given the price point, I would expect more consistency. The plates are inviting, but not technically right. Perhaps the chef is trying too much ? Wine pairing wasn t up to the expectation either, which is unfortunate from a cellar filled with bottles only from northern Spain the team needs to rethink how to best combine the flavor, wine, especially at this price point . Ultimately, it fell below expectation to me, nor to mention that the size of our plates were very small. Promising, however, considerable work need by the chef and the owners to turn this concept into a successful story.

I give a perfect score for this restaurant. The chic and relaxed atmosphere, the warm welcome, the impeccable and personalized service from the waiters immediately put a smile on my face. Their choice of wine is quality and sought after, in addition to having a very interesting selection of wine from Catalonia. The food was simply exquisite and executed with detail and delicacy. We had the pleasure of tasting, among other things, grilled octopus, scallops, bluefin tuna, sea bream, and clams. The seafood was simply Wow! I advise anyone!

A cool dining experience with an impressive Spanish wine collection.

Very disappointing for the price of the bill Very limited service, people who take their tasks more seriously than others.. the waitress abandoned the bill on the table... We are far from a tasting menu, not the right destination for a real gourmet meal as claimed.

Excellent in every way. The service is warm. Delicious and very careful food

One of our new favorite restaurants. We tried their carte blanche menu and we were not disappointed - it was amazing! Everything was so fresh, minimalist but complex at the same time. The wine pairing was also spot on. I definitely recommend!

My favorite Catalan restaurant! The tapas-style gourmet food is incredible and what can we say about the sought-after natural wines. The service is always impeccable and friendly. I recommend it to everyone! Exceptional quality products! The Tinc Set located in the same establishment will also make you savor the flavors of Spain. 3.8/5

Thank you for this wonderful evening! The welcome was warm and the service perfect, whether in the rhythm or in the wine recommendation. And what about dishes as varied in flavor as they are just right in taste and balance. I had wanted to come for over a year and I was not disappointed. Definitely in my top restaurants in Montreal!

Alma is my first recommendation for anyone looking for a nice restaurant. Not only in service incredible, the wine list amazing and the food truly out if this world, but it ties all together so well. Alma is a must

Special tastes and wine menu. We loved our visit.

Overpriced! Even if this restaurant is pleasant and the tapas are good, the quantities are ridiculous compared to the price of each tapas. Wine by the glass at $16 even though the glass is half full and the quality is average, exaggerated! In short, overrated reputation...

Very nice place. Very tasty.

Five stars all round! Food, wine, terrace, service, ambiance

Delicious, fresh and tasty products. Beautiful range of wines

Alma is a place for you if you love wine. They have a great selection from Barcelona. But even if you dont like wine, you can surely enjoy their tapas food. Its mainly made to share with 3-4 people. The oysters were ordinary. The grilled octopus is a MUST !!! The lamb also was great and the Churros are to die for ! Its a nice and quiet neighborhood in Outremont with a cute terrasse. Worth a try !

I was here. This was so delicious. Everything was great. Radishes were just amazing. I never thought I would say that radishes would be amazing in a review of a restaurant. Everything else was also delicious. Before or after you can go beside for some wine at tincset!

Very good. Great service, great food.

Wow! Delicious food, quaint terrace, knowledgeable professional staff. Who can ask for more

Delicious feast for the eyes and belly. Delicate flavours, fresh and vibrant and surprisingly light. They wine selection is wide, and both orange wines we tried were the perfect pairing for a meal. All round a must try for delicious upscale tapas. The reason for the lower review is due to the super rushed service (due to covid maybe?!) we arrived at 5pm and before we finished eating or our glass of wine(at 6.45), we re told we had to pay and if we wanted dessert would have to go next door as they had another service at 6.45. I don t think 1.5 hrs is enough time to enjoy a nice relaxed evening with a stream of dishes, if they wanted us out, they should have 1. Let s us know as we were being seated. 2. Brought all the food at once, 3. Given us more than a 2 min warning. It is such a shame, as everything else is on point and I would highly recommend, just expect to be rushed out at the end!

Alma cooks mediterranean inspired food. The first time I tried Alma was on their first 3 months. Then due to the covid-19 pandemic I did not have the opportunity to go back. I finally went back recently and they are still as great as on my initial visit. Which surprised me as many restaurants impress when they make their debut then they rest on their laurels. Not the case of Alma, based on this second visit. Flavours continue to be delicious, the quality of the ingredients , overall ambience and the service are also great.

Extremely unpleasant evening, rushed in time and completely kicked out of the restaurant. A word of advice, if you want to have a good time with friends, this place is to be avoided at all costs!!

The dishes are really very good but expensive, like all tapas restaurants in Montreal.

So the food and table service deserved 5 stars. I removed one because of the reception which we found borderline rude, and their strict service schedule. They wouldnt seat anyone from our timeslot until the last time slot emptied, so we were at least 15 people standing outside on a grey day waiting to be seated, meanwhile most tables were available and ready. And then they were so eager to get us out at the end, that they invited us to have our desert at their tapas bar next door. We essentially couldnt order desert from our tables. I really have mixed feelings about this experience, because as much as I loved the food and our waiter, the rude woman who greeted us and the strict table schedule made the price seem less acceptable.

We were met by a brash hostess/owner. Firstly when she greeted us she was more concerned about finishing setting tables than seating us as a priority so we just stood there outside the place! Then after we waited, again very brash said we can sit outside or inside and we chose inside. Then she asked for vaccine verification to which I responded that I have mine but my daughter forgot her phone so she proceeded to say sorry you can t sit. Now we are sept 5 and the Québec government said there is a grace period till sept 15 which I tried to explain to which it was no no no I do not want a fine! Here is the government decree As of September 1, 2021, Québec s vaccine passport rules are in effect. However, during the grace period from September 1 to September 15, no penalties will be imposed on businesses for not requiring the passport to use their services or enter their premises. She then had the audacity to proceeded to complain that we made a reservation and it s very bad as tables are in high demand! and almost suggesting we were causing her missed business opportunity! The missed opportunity in my opinion is that she did not understand the government rules of enforcement! I obviously did my research and know the government is giving a grace period when I realized my daughter forgot her phone and i said to myself surely the restaurant will not turn us away because of the grace period! She on the other hand did not bother to research, saying I am personally not interested in serving people without vaccination papers! I believe at this stage its more discrimination than genuine concern! Or worst she is not interested in our business! She did not want to hear it to the extent that we ordered an Uber and we re waiting for it on the side walk she came out asking us again are you waiting to get served!!! No we are waiting for an Uber I said! If you want to have happy clients I suggest you be a little more friendly and accommodating! You are in the hospitality business I suggest you take a course in how to communicate with people with empathy and understanding. Given the reviews on this place, if I was the owner I would be concerned that there is a trend of inadequate customer service at this establishment (I am not the only one complaining thank god) Not coming back vaccinate passports or not!! Also based on the response below you lack what it takes to have HOSPITALITY as you #1 priority!! I respect all kinds of people so do not lecture Me of a flawed implementation program! The policy is being implemented on Sept 15 and not Sept 1 but clearly you can t read understand or both! And if you were so concerned about you customers and respect them so much maybe you should have implemented a vaccine policy before Sept 1 (as you know business can refuse clients) have I sat in your restaurant on august 31 vaccinated or not you weren t going to lecture me about respecting the clients so don t lecture me!!

Beautiful food (and wine) and even better service!

A somewhat ordinary place, we understand the concept but we dont subscribe to it! Want to drink a glass of red wine but not possible because only one relatively mediocre wine on offer! Too bad for a wine bar! Well pass next time, disappointing!

Incredible food. Best if you can go with at least 4 people so you can try more of the dishes. The two hour service was a bit short, -- I was still eating/drinking when they brought us the bill --- but the servers were excellent and its a lovely atmosphere.

Always good.

Well balanced, deliciously flavoured, perfectly cooked and presented. Service is welcoming, friendly and discret ! Merci beaucoup et à la prochaine.

Everything is exceptional at this restaurant. The food, the wine and the service. And even in the middle of autumn, the outdoor terrace (covered and heated) is comfortable and welcoming. In the top of Montreal without a doubt.

Excellent wines. As for the food, the intention is there but too focused on fat. 80% fat porchetta, potatoes in oil and mayo, fish fried in oil with mayo dip, cheese in oil. We did the two restaurants side by side with the same owner and everything was swimming in oil. The staff is incredible though. Beautiful place, nice atmosphere.

Delicious food, excellent service, definitely going back, merci! OMG try the churros!

Simply stunning!

Disastrous experience. The food was very good but very expensive. The service is absolutely deplorable. From our arrival until the end of the meal we were pushed towards the exit....time for the next service. Clearly the formula does not work for the client. We need to make cutlery!

Wonderful gastronomic experience and great service! It is on the more expensive side, but if that s not an issue I strongly encourage anyone to try this place.

I went for the carte blanche menu with a friend. An experience that is definitely worth it. Each dish was excellent and truly unique. We discovered new flavors and finished it all off with 2 desserts included. Note that the wines are natural wines, which is less to my palate, but there are several wines by the glass so you should find what you like. The atmosphere complements everything well - personalized service and intimate atmosphere.

Poor service, small portions and over priced. Not worth it, skip.

Over-priced, food is avarage, not worth the visit. Do not recommend.

Have to prepay for your meal when you reserve. This even includes tipping for service in advance! What kind of business does this and has such mistrust with its clientele? Leaves a sour aftertaste. 100% Wont be returning.

Original

Are you looking for a friendly place to go out with friends? The Alma wine bar is for you. Dishes to share, interesting selection of wines, all on the Catalan theme, you cannot be disappointed. Portions can sometimes be small, so make your choices larger if you have a group. A neighborhood restaurant in Outremont thats a great place to go.

Good Portuguese restaurant where the dishes are relatively small and expensive. Very good selection of wine.

Delicious food creations, amazing service and great wine!

Beautiful place. Nice selection of wine and great recommendation. But ordinary, pretentious food. Overpriced for this type of product. Strange combinations. Very trendy.

I just came out of this restaurant. Wow. Everything was so good. We chose 5 dishes for 2 and had more than enough. We had the ham, tuna, ravioli, octopus and sausage. I followed the waitresss recommendations for wines and everything was PERFECT. Reasonable price for the quality of food and wine. The staff is super welcoming, warm atmosphere. I will definitely come back.

Amazing little gem in outremont with great tapas, great service and an amazing wine list! A must for wine lovers and catalan cuisine!

Im on the fence about this place. It is food that goes out of my comfort zone which I like but I didnt like what I ate. Not sure if it was because it was out of my comfort zone or it was bad. My uncle hosted his after wedding dinner here and so we were a group of 13 people separated in two tables on the terrace. The service was pretty bad in my opinion, this could be because I was at the kids table and so the waitress was a bit snobbier/careless because she knew we werent paying. She would forget our drinks and/or not listen to what we wanted. It was a lengthy meal, with about 5-6 services. Lots of entrees: olives, asparagus, sausage, oysters. I did like that they included vegan options, since two of my cousins are vegan. There was a mushroom paste toast as their main meal. The other main meal was fish. I had to leave before dessert was served but it was cake. I would not come back.

Tonight was my first restaurant outing after the Covid lockdown, and my first Alma experience. What an experience it was. I had only previously enjoyed their sister-concept Tinc Set, a back-alley rotisserie takeout spot located convinently behind Alma. My girlfriend and I were warmly greeted onto their spacious terrace that more than satisfied the social distancing protocols. Colourful flowers, elegent staff, beautiful decor all on a lively Outremont street. One could easily imagine themselves in the hippest New York City eatery, yet luckily we were seated in our own backyard. We enjoyed mussels escabeche, charred radishes, and a fantastic pasta dish that I incidentally forget the name ( lets blame that on their well curated wine list ;) ). The entire staff was knowledgeable and graceful, from Audrey, Charlotte, and Claudia to Lindsay and Juan. Thank you for the wonderful evening. Merci Tellement!!

Superb place, delicious food, well-appointed wine and unparalleled service! Im going back for sure!

The terrace is splendid and quiet. The staff patient and helpful. The artic char was sublim. As well as the clams and anchovies toasts. A bit pricey but its worth is for the quality in my opinion :)

Pretty terrace, friendly owners, always good food and a very good choice of natural Catalan wines, both by the glass and the bottle. The arctic char dish was exceptional!

Simply delicious, one of the best restaurants in Montreal without hesitation, the service is perfect, no complaints! Go there with your eyes closed!

Went August 1, 2020. Will definitely return. The service is impeccable, the wines varied and delicious and the dishes accompany the wines perfectly. To try!

The dishes were excellent and the wine suggestions as well. Quiet place and very courteous staff.

I am completely addicted to this restaurant. The staff extremely kind, attentive and they know their products very well. Every bite is an experience. Their wine is a discovery every time, not to mention the terrace is exceptional.

Place to discover absolutely. Tapas to share with conviviality. Great gastronomic quality of the dishes. Wide variety of wines. So no more hesitation!

Great tapas style food and attentive, knowledgeable service. Churros were amazing to finish.

Always top, very good wines, excellent food, the sommelier perhaps does a little too much but knows her wines well.

Excellent service!! The food is very good and the place very nice.

I loved the atmosphere. The food is super delicious and the portions are excellent sizes! I will surely return!

Incredible!

The food it was amazing and the service lovely...

Friendly, refined, exclusive wines. On the other hand, big appetites, refrain.

Every bite was delicious. Impeccable service.

Amazing food, great ambiance, excellent wines and service.

A flawless experience for our first visit: good natural wines, excellent food (you can feel the quality of the products), friendly and friendly service. THANKS!

The wine selection is good, and the food is very good. However, that s being counterbalanced by the very poor service, exaggerated prices, and very small portions. We decided to take only three entrées instead of the five they recommended. We then saw our waitress talk about it and judge us with another waitress. Her attitude was also just unpleasant when we didn t order what she suggested. I just wasn t that hungry, not a reason to point fingers or judge. Unacceptable in any restaurant, let alone in one that considers itself high class. Glasses of wine start at about 18$ each. For three entrées and two glasses of wine the bill was 110$, plus the tip. In this price range there are tons of other options in Montreal. 5 starts for the quality of the food and wine, 1 star for service and prices, hence the 3 stars.

Incredible experience at Alma. Warm, professional and friendly service from the reservation until the very end of the meal. The portions are ideal for a group of 4 - we practically tasted the entire menu and every dish was amazing. The cuisine is refined and intelligent while being simple and accessible - the flavors are present, the dishes well seasoned and spicy (be careful for those who dont like salt - for us it was perfect but those who dont cook with it salt may not be appreciated). Nestled in a small street in Outremont, the location is ideal. The atmosphere is warm and lively - the restaurant was full but not stuffy. And what about the wines - original choices and staff who know their products very well. A big, big congratulations! The essentials: fresh pasta, whole fish, grilled radishes and white fish carpaccio. Thanks again!

My evening at Alma blew me away! The food, served in perfect portions for tasting and sharing, was some of the best I ve had anywhere. And what a lovely mix of fish, pasta, and delicious vegetables! The dishes were filling and (of course) flavourful, yet nothing felt heavy, not even the churros (!). My personal favourites: the anchovies and the octopus dish. We let the sommeliers take the lead for picking wine pairings, and they did not disappoint. I absolutely suggest deferring to their advice, given their expertise and knowledge of the impressive wine list. I d say that new discoveries are guaranteed when dining at Alma. To top it all off, the location is lovely (a quiet Outremont street), the space is cool and cozy (with a little peek into the kitchen!), and the staff is absolutely charming. A night we ll remember for a while, and we ll be sure to come back!

What a glorious gem!! The food and wines at Alma were all spectacular, and the service was impeccable. Especially recommended if you want to try hard-to-get natural wines from Spain...their selection made my jaw drop. I cant wait to go back!

Amazing food, staff, service and ambience.

Excellent tapas and great wine recommendations

Overall had a great experience, food presentation was on point, I would recommend both the grilled whole fish and the red tuna. however the dishes were a bit on the salty side of things, if you dont like salt make sure you mention that.

My favourite restaurant in Montreal, tucked away in Outremont. The food is great and they have a lovely wine selction. The staff is extemely nice. I would recommend making a reservation in adavcen and being on time especially in winter because it is packed. I recommend Alma to all my friends, its the perfect spot for an evening with friends .. or a date night!

We had the fennel, anchovies, radish, octopus and the fish and for dessert the churros. An acquaintance had recommended this restaurant for using local ingredients. I was sadly disappointed. I had high hopes, but most of the dishes were too salty, too sweet or too sour. In my opinion the ingredients natural flavors were not enhanced but overpowered. Especially the saltiness in most of the dishes felt a bit tiring at some point. Salt cannot be the solution to everything. Sometimes less is more. The radish appetizer was amazing though and did exactly what I was hoping for, letting the ingredient speak for itself by using an appropriate cooking technique. The dessert was way too sweet, because of the dulce de lecce, which was pronounced dulco latte ( which left me very confused ) the desserts are on no menu, also did the churros not have the to me essential quality that I am looking for when having churros. To me churros are not fluffy and thick but a bit chewy and their sweetness is at its best melded with bittersweet hot chocolate... I understand they were not going for that, but the churros we ended up getting ate like sweet donuts with a caramel sauce that didn t taste like caramel, but sugar. Also, the tables are too close to each other and I didn t feel like I had any privacy, getting up or sitting down was not possible without pushing the next diners table a few centimeters to the side. I am rather thin, but I felt sorry for other guests trying to squeeze out whilst other were giving them angry looks, as if they had had any other choice but disturbing their neighbors. I cannot say that I enjoyed that evening very much. Considering the bill we ended up paying I should have had a better time. Sorry. I don t mean to be harsh, but I am just disappointed as this was supposed to be a meaningful dinner during my stay in Montreal. Another small but crucial detail. We were told a glass of wine was 13$, it ended up being 14$ plus taxes and so on... I am already rather frustrated with the North American way of pricing goods, excluding taxes and tip thereby not really knowing what I end up paying, I don t like it when restaurants are playing loosey goosey themselves.

@ Alma My friends and I went to Alma restaurant and bar on la joie in Outremont. This is my second visit and I must say it was an extremely unpleasant one. I had done the reservation at 8:45pm as it was the only available time slot and I specified on the phone that we will arrive early to which I was told it is no problem and that we will be accommodated on the terrace. As planned, we arrived at 7:30pm and it was a full house. The head waitress/owner seated us at the terrace as anticipated and we ordered our drinks. From then on; it was a non -professional servicing and lack of customer servicing skills. While serving one of my friends to taste a red wine, my friend expressed that it was not that rich in taste and to that she replied, you should have it because we have nothing else . Following that, another big faux- pas in wine tasting and any hospitality industry! I was tasting my white wine and I said that it was a bit bubbly to which she responded all our wines are bubbly because they are natural wines and then she offered to make me taste a different one and I agreed. So automatically she poured the second wine on top of the first one in the same glass. To my shock! I told her that she should have changed the glass or at least emptied the first wine and used some of the second wine to wash off the glass. At this point, she completely lost it. She became hysterical while trying to maintain a nervous smirk saying: this is the whole experience of the place; we mix wines (whatever that means) and you guys have been very difficult from the beginning . One of my friends at this point said we should leave to which the head waitress/owner replied: yes I think you should . Ms. Owner; If you cannot accommodate and well serve people on the terrace, then you should not claim that you can. If you cannot keep your calmness and politeness under stress, then you are in the wrong industry. If you are used to mixing all sort of wines in the same glass and call it wine tasting; I suggest that you name it wine shake instead. Finally I would like to think that this was a bad day for you because I sure hope that you don t live with this passive aggressiveness and anger every day.

Endroit terriblement prétentieux et hors de prix pour des portions minuscules. Nous avons attendu plus d 1h notre table et encore nous devions nous taire et être heureux. Je n ai rien mangé. Cela m a gâché la soirée. N allez surtout pas dans cet établissement. C est de l authentoc. Le personnel est désagréable et ne sait pas mettre ses convives à l aise

Damn.

Great food with extremely interesting wine list heavy on wines from Catalonia. Attentive and knowledgeable servers and Lindsay the sommelier makes Alma an enjoyable experience.

A little pricey for the portions, but the food is tasty enough. A little too salty sometimes... But the best part was the wine by the glass selection and tasting.

This restaurant is a gem! The food is exquisite and the service is equally excellent! <3 Wine list ++

Their tortilini plate was delicious

Amazing food and very cozy atmosphere. Highly recommended l! A++++