Nili — Restaurant in Montreal

In short, highly recommend : easy 4.5.

FOOD Started with the artichoke dip. Safe to say that it was the best I had ever had. Chunky , flavourful and delicious. Could have eaten 3 of them. Mom ordered the Moroccan couscous, which had raisins, slivered almonds, walnuts and some other vegetables, with some humous on top. She found each bite to have a different flavour, but would have like there to be more vegetables. Presentation was beautiful.

My partner ordered the fish balls and they were cooked to perfection. Soft and tender with a tomatoey sauce. I personally found it a little bland, but he loved it.

I ordered the chicken pastillo and it was easily the winner of the night. Flaky, moist with rich flavours and the most delicious combination of ingredients. Perfect proportion size for me. Also incredible presentation. Swear I could eat that 4 times a week.

Another highlight, was their slightly spicy and salty homemade sauce. It paired well with EVERYTHING : the artichoke tip, the couscous, the pastillo and the fishballs. I would love to see it available for purchase in jars.

Order the MSEMEN for dessert and it was okay.The size was too big for one person, and I felt like it could have used some vanilla ice cream, of apple slices, or a coffee.

SERVICE Cannot speak highly enough of the server : super attentive without being invasive. Friendly, authentic and prompt. Great personality that shined through her service and her style. Easily one of the best service experiences I have had in a long time (and I use to be a server).

AMBIANCE Comfortable seating with clean tables and amble space. Interesting and engaging decor. I found the music a bit loud (we were right under the speaker and I am slightly hearing impaired).

Overall I really enjoyed my first experience and will be returning hopefully soon - especially if they get coffee and star selling the special...

This place leans heavily on the strength of its concept—playful, stylish, and strategically nestled next to the iconic St-Viateur Bagel, it’s definitely designed to catch attention. The atmosphere is cute and well-thought-out, and it offers a fun, Instagrammable experience. However, the emphasis on branding and ambiance feels stronger than the focus on food quality.

The menu is carb-heavy, especially among the starters, and presents a kind of Mediterranean belt fusion with a surprising nod to Malaysian satay. Dishes are visually appealing—couscous is served in a creative way, and the boulettes de merlan stand out in presentation. But while the plating is inventive, the flavors don’t always live up to the look.

Desserts, too, are on the heavier side. We tried the msmen, which was overly oily. Described by the server as “baklava-like,” it was an interesting comparison—and perhaps a telling one, as it leaned more toward indulgent than refined.

Service was friendly and attentive, although at times a bit too much so, with staff hovering until we subtly asked them to ease the pace.

Overall, it’s a cool spot with real potential. But to achieve longevity—and to truly earn the title of “restaurant” in the restorative sense—it needs to refocus on food quality and affordability. Right now, it feels more like an experience than a place you'd return to for the...

Just before leaving Nili, our excellent waitress asked me what was my favorite dish of the evening. I could not come up with an answer because everything was outstanding. The presentation of each dish was so beautiful that you didn’t want to dig in. Once you do there was such an explosion of flavors that made us so happy we had found this treasure of a restaurant. The appetizers (hummus and bruschetta plates and piping hot pita bread) were 5 star. My main course of hachis parmentier (beef and mashed garlic potatoes) was so delicious, I had to share it with everyone at our table. The desserts of chocolate croissant bread pudding and caramelized banana tarte, were two of the best desserts I have had in my life. The food is so good that you feel the need for everyone at your table to taste what you ordered. Once you eat there, you will want to bring gastronomical joy to your friends by ensuring they eat...