My dear friend brought me here for my birthday lunch, and I was immediately impressed by how beautifully the café is designed — every detail was thoughtfully done. We ordered the truffle fries and the Cobb salad, and both were absolutely delicious. What truly stood out, however, was the outstanding service from Michelle. She was professional, warm, and genuinely thoughtful. She overheard my friend mentioning to the maître d’ that it was my birthday, and to my surprise, she brought out some delicious macarons with a candle! That small but heartfelt gesture made my day and truly elevated the entire experience. I hope the management recognizes how fortunate they are to have such a dedicated and professional person on their team. I’ll definitely be coming back!
Overview
Café Holt | Cuisine Contemporaine Canadienne is a vibrant gem nestled in the heart of Montreal, offering a delightful blend of traditional and modern Canadian cuisine. Located at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, 1307 Rue Sainte-Catherine O, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1P7, Canada, this restaurant brings a refreshing dining experience that resonates with both locals and visitors. Whether you're in the mood for a casual lunch or an elegant dinner, Café Holt provides an exceptional setting with flavors that capture the essence of contemporary Canadian fare.
The moment you step into Café Holt, the stylish ambiance immediately sets the tone for an unforgettable meal. The design merges sleek modernity with hints of Quebec’s rich heritage, making it a perfect spot for both intimate dinners and business meetings. The location, within the iconic Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, adds an extra touch of sophistication and accessibility, making it a popular destination for those exploring the upscale shopping district. Whether you're a food enthusiast or simply looking for a comfortable place to unwind, this restaurant caters to a wide range of tastes.
What truly sets Café Holt | Cuisine Contemporaine Canadienne apart is its dedication to showcasing the best of Canadian ingredients, creatively reimagined. The menu features seasonal dishes crafted from fresh, locally sourced produce. From perfectly seared meats to inventive vegetable preparations, every dish tells a story of Canada's diverse culinary landscape. One standout is their bison tartare, which offers a contemporary twist on a classic dish. Paired with pickled vegetables and a zesty mustard vinaigrette, it delivers an explosion of flavors that delight the palate.
Another highlight is their exquisite seafood offerings. The Canadian coast is known for its bounty, and Café Holt does it justice with dishes like pan-seared salmon drizzled with a maple glaze. The salmon is cooked to perfection, its richness balanced by the sweetness of the maple syrup, creating an unforgettable combination of flavors. Whether you’re a fan of seafood or prefer hearty meats, Café Holt’s menu offers something to suit all tastes.
What makes dining here even more enjoyable is the sense of personalization and care in every dish. The team at Café Holt is committed to offering a top-tier dining experience, from the quality of the ingredients to the attention to detail in presentation. Whether you're seeking recommendations or have specific dietary preferences, the staff are knowledgeable and happy to guide you through the menu. Their expertise in pairing dishes with Canadian wines, for instance, elevates the meal to new heights, offering an authentic taste of Quebec’s renowned wine regions.
For those with a sweet tooth, Café Holt offers an array of delectable desserts that are just as inventive as their main courses. One of the favorites is the maple crème brûlée, a quintessentially Canadian dessert with a velvety texture and the right amount of sweetness. It’s the perfect ending to a meal that celebrates the diverse culinary culture of Canada.
In terms of service, Café Holt delivers an impeccable experience. The staff are not only friendly but also exude a level of professionalism that makes you feel like a valued guest. Their knowledge of the menu and their ability to create a welcoming atmosphere add to the overall enjoyment of dining here.
Beyond the dining experience, Café Holt’s location in the Holt Renfrew Ogilvy store makes it a convenient stop for those shopping in Montreal’s high-end retail area. Whether you’re spending the day browsing luxury brands or enjoying a break from a busy shopping spree, Café Holt provides the perfect setting for a restful and delicious reprieve. The combination of fine food, elegant surroundings, and exceptional service makes it a standout choice in Montreal’s competitive restaurant scene.
For anyone visiting Montreal or those already residing in the area, Café Holt | Cuisine Contemporaine Canadienne is a must-visit. It’s a place where Canadian culinary traditions are celebrated while embracing innovation, and every dish is a testament to the country's rich and diverse food culture. With its location at Holt Renfrew Ogilvy, it effortlessly combines sophistication with warmth, creating an unforgettable dining experience that is both luxurious and comfortable.
Good to know
Service options
✓ On-site services ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-in ✓ DeliveryHighlights
✓ Great coffee ✓ Great tea selectionPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toilet ✓ Assistive hearing loopOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Cocktails ✓ Coffee ✓ Happy-hour food ✓ Healthy options ✓ Spirits ✓ Vegetarian options ✓ WineDining options
✓ Brunch ✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Catering ✓ Dessert ✓ Seating ✓ Table serviceAmenities
✓ Bar on site ✓ Toilet ✓ Wi-Fi ✓ Wi-FiAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ Trending ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ Groups ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly ✓ TouristsPlanning
✓ Accepts reservationsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Paid parking lot ✓ Paid street parkingPhotos
Location
Reviews
Lovely afternoon tea, beautiful ambiance and delicious food. My only complaint would be the tea was a bag of tea rather than loose leaf
Café Holt is spectacular- always my go-to when in Montreal. The Caesar Salad with chicken was amazing! Marc, our server, made our experience extra special- he suggested a great wine, was attentive and so pleasant! Highly recommend this restaurant (and server, if you can get him)! :)
An upscale café nestled among luxury brand boutiques, spacious and elegant. The food was delicious, and the service was flawless from the coat check-in to the food serving. Our waitress, Jacky, stood out with her attentiveness and courteousness, always smiling as she spoke. The Americano coffee, while decent, fell short of my expectations. It lacked the richness needed to satisfy my caffeine cravings. When Jacky brought my second Americano, she misplaced the spoon on the wrong side of the cup and immediately apologized for the oversight, even though I hadn't noticed it myself. The overall experience was delightful, making it a place worth visiting.
Cafe Holt is one of my go-to-place. I love the ambiance, its luxurious without breaking the pocket. Service is excellent and food is always great! Each time, I cant resist to order for their Holt Burger!
Brunch food was just ok. Nice atmosphere/setting and good service but nothing exceptional for the price range.
Nestled on the second floor of Holt Renfrew Ogilvy in downtown Montreal, Café Holt offers a luxurious and visually stunning setting. The design, inspired by 1920s Hollywood with mid-century modern elements, features warm colors, wood and marble accents, and unique sun-like lighting, creating an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere.  Upon arrival, we were promptly seated by the windows, and our server quickly provided water. Opting for a light indulgence, we shared a moist and rich chocolate cake accompanied by whipped cream, strawberries, chocolate ice cream, and chocolate biscuit crumble. I ordered an absinthe, while my partner chose a Grand Marnier on ice. The service was attentive, though there was a minor oversight of forgetting the ice in my partner’s drink, which was swiftly corrected. While the experience was delightful, the total cost of $57 for two simple drinks and one dessert was notably high. This price point makes Café Holt more suitable for occasional splurges rather than regular visits.
The place is really nice and the service there is good. I like the environment. However, with the food I ordered, which is smoked salmon with Benedict eggs. Well, the egg is good, above average quality, the salmon is also good. But the bread under the salmon is cold which kind of sabotage the quality for the meal. The fried potato comes with the meal is nice. The fruit is excellent. Even though they cut it into small pieces and put it in a nice bowl (I kind of like the bigger bite). But it is really fresh. You can taste the quality from it. Also, the staff who works at the bar is really sweat, smile like an angel! And the service is warm. Overall, I hope they can look into the bread thing in the future and become better. I am willing to come back.
Chef makes the greatest tuna tartar in town! Amazing place to grab a bite. The atmosphere is very cozy modern and the staff is extremely attentive. Chef Derek does not disappoint with any of his dishes. This is a no brainer, try it for your self!
Located inside Ogilvy (Holt Renfrew), this spot is perfect for a drink or a bite after some luxury shopping. The staff is always friendly, and the drinks are excellent. My personal favorite is the passion fruit cocktail. The food is also good, including their brunch options. It’s the ideal place to sit with a friend, relax, and gossip about life.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in montreal. You can enjoy their special pastas as it’s different every time I visit, and they are so delicious. I usually start with beef tartare and a drink, and pasta as a main dish. I will definitely visit here again.
I had a great experience at Café Holt with my waitress Michelle who was serving me. I was truly satisfied with the service. I would return again certainly. The food was really good as well. I went for brunch. Great atmosphere. Great place. Thank you again!
Nice brunch experience. Nice fluffy pancakes. Note: the half portion (2 pancakes) is not much less than the full portion (3 pancakes), if you're feeling like trying another add-on options.