Terrasse Nelligan — Restaurant in Montreal

After months of passing by Terrace Nelligan, I noticed one thing: it’s always busy on weekends. Whether the crowd is spilling over from the hotel or flocking specifically to the restaurant, one thing was certain—I had to take my wife there. After all this time, I decided to drop by spontaneously without a reservation, curious to see if the glowing reviews lived up to the hype.

One thing that stands out about Terrace Nelligan is the staff. They are truly one of a kind. The team is incredibly observant, anticipating needs before they even cross your mind. It’s a rare skill, and it made our experience all the more seamless. What really elevates the service, though, is their attitude—warm, welcoming, and genuinely positive. For us, this wasn’t just another night out; it was a Tuesday that felt like a packed Friday, thanks to our servers, Marie and Ann-Christine, who made the evening unforgettable.

We initially visited just to enjoy the views from the rooftop patio. Old Montreal has its share of recommended rooftop spots, but in my humble opinion, Terrace Nelligan is a hidden gem. Whether you’re seated at the back with a view of La Grande Roue de Montréal or at the front facing the Notre-Dame Basilica, you’re in for a rare treat, especially on a sunny late afternoon.

We ordered the "Plateau de Fromages & Charcuteries" which was beautifully presented on a wooden board, showcasing an array of cheeses, cured meats, and accompaniments. The variety and quality of the ingredients were immediately apparent, making it an ideal starter to share.

Cheeses: The selection of cheeses included both local and imported varieties, each offering a distinct flavor profile. From creamy brie to sharp cheddar, the cheeses were perfectly paired with dried fruits and nuts, adding a delightful contrast to the richness.

Charcuterie: The cured meats were equally impressive, with thinly sliced prosciutto, salami, and other artisanal cuts. The meats were tender and flavorful, highlighting the skillful curing process. The inclusion of pickles and olives provided a refreshing tang that balanced the savory elements.

Accompaniments: The board also featured a selection of artisanal breads and mini-pickle, which complemented the cheeses and meats nicely. The fig jam added a touch of sweetness, while the grainy mustard offered a bit of heat, making each bite a well-rounded experience.

Pairing: We paired the Plateau with a bottle of 2021 Gemtree Dragon's Blood Red Wine. The wine's bold and fruity notes enhanced the flavors of the charcuterie and cheeses, creating a harmonious balance that elevated the overall dining experience.

Overall Experience: The "Plateau de Fromages & Charcuteries" at Terrace Nelligan is a must-try for anyone looking to indulge in a sophisticated and flavorful appetizer. The combination of high-quality ingredients, attentive service, and stunning views makes it a standout dish. Whether you're a local or a visitor to Montreal, this platter is sure to impress and leave a...

Old Montreal. Rooftop patio. 29 degrees Celsius. Spectacular view. Excellent starters. So, how can you achieve 2 stars?

Terrible slow service finally delivering dry and tasteless food, that’s how.

Ordered guacamole dip with chips and a formage platter, which were delicious. The guacamole was so abundant that we exhausted our chips leaving a sizeable portion of dip left. No problem. We would add it to our mains.

There began the issues…

We ordered beef skewers for the kids + fries (separate order), a burger and Niçoise salad for the adults.

On any bbq a non frozen burger albeit a thick burger is max 20 minutes. Skewers, especially these minuscule ones 5 minutes. A salad? Even with the tuna should be no more than 20 minutes (prep work?)

No, refills of water? No, would you like (to buy) another drink? In that heat I could easily have ordered 2 more beers over the hour wait. No, is everything ok?

Zero.

The mains took over an hour to arrive. Normally time makes one more eager and food taste better. If that was the case, then the service should have waited a couple more hours.

When food did arrive, the skewers were presented as skewers, just skewers, no love. Sure we asked for the dressing to be separate, but it was non existent. The burger, aside from decent toppings, was served plain and boring. Zero presentation. No plating? No flavour? No pizazz? No love.

The skewers were waaaaaaaaaay overcooked. How can you get skewers wrong?

You could make better fries, buying a bag of frozen shoestrings, popping in the oven at 450 Celsius, taking a nap and oversleeping.

Oh yeah… remember the guacamole? By this time it had turned a shade of brown. Yeah. No thanks.

Well, 3 of 4 orders came. As a matter of respect our group tries not to eat until all members are served. So 3 warm meals are served, but no salad(?). After 7-8 more minutes, the waitress is called over. She is asked about the salad. “Oh you didn’t get it?”. I begin to say “it’s ok just canc…” and out pops the salad. It was good, not great, but that review may be subjective.

The manager was called by the waitress, who speedily walked over to the terminal. After some more time he came over and quickly apologized. He comped some of the bill (which I didn’t ask for) but took no time to listen to us. Absolute zero curiously as to what was wrong. Either completely out of touch or routine. At their prices, routinely tearing 20-30% still nets a nice profit.

One could easily buy a premixed tub of salad from the supermarket and charge 8 times cost. Add a cold beer and the place is a goldmine.

I guess with constant turnover of tourist filling a majority of the venue, there is no need for effort.

Apps, view and setting 5 stars Mains and...

This terrace is really beautiful - great view, elegant decor and has a great low key vibe - perfect for a date, or a night out with friends. What it is not is a great restaurant. Terrace Nelligan might be the worst food I’ve seen or had in years - the reason I say seen is because I actually refused to eat the sad, dry, room temperature chicken Caesar salad that was brought to me minutes after I ordered it. This was clearly some chicken that had been cooked hours earlier and just sat out to get dry. Given the 31 degrees outside, one could only imagine temperatures in a hot kitchen - that chicken was full of bacteria and would have made anyone sick. I couldn’t believe they would have the audacity to serve this - bear in mind before tax and tip this is a $30 salad. I sent it back and the server gave me attitude and made me explain multiple times why I didn’t want to eat this unsafe and horribly unappetizing food. A very courteous manager, Kaleem, then came over and apologized for the low quality food and graciously offered a dessert on the house. My rude server came to take my dessert order about 25 minutes later. Sadly, this might be the worst cheesecake I’ve ever tasted - it was dry, gritty and crumbly. Basque cheesecake is by definition creamy and rich in the centre with a “burnt” top. This cheesecake was about an inch thick and the only thing that they got right was the burnt part as it was severely overcooked. When the server asked how it was, I told her it’s actually terrible and she said “well now you’re just being difficult”….she never came back and I had to get up and go find another server to get my bill. All that to say, be prepared for terrible food and possibly poor service, but this terrace is still absolutely worth visiting for drinks and ambiance. Special shout out to the super lovely hostess, Sarah, who made sure I had a really great table and the manager, Kaleem who made sure I left with a positive overall experience. I would still definitely go back but I would steer clear of...