This week, Montreal offers a rich tapestry of experiences, from the warm embrace of North African hospitality to the sultry sounds of R&B and a landmark anniversary celebration in Old Montreal. Whether you’re seeking a relaxed neighbourhood bistro, an intimate evening of soulful music, or a night of world-class entertainment, the city’s stages and tables are set for an unforgettable week.
👉 For more nightlife and dining picks, visit MontrealNightlife.com.
🍱 Restaurant of the Week: Darna Bistroquet
📍 Address: 2311 Rue Beaubien Est, Montréal, QC H2G 1M2
Darna Bistroquet is more than a restaurant—it is an invitation into someone’s home. The name, meaning “our home” in Arabic, captures the essence of what owners Otman Amer and Selma Laroussi have created on Beaubien Street East. For Otman, a longtime restaurant industry veteran, Darna is his first restaurant, born from a shared vision with Selma to focus on what they do best: entertaining people in a warm, generous atmosphere inspired by the hospitality of their native Morocco.
Atmosphere & Décor
Selma, a landscape architect by trade, has skillfully crafted a space that feels both intimate and inviting. The bistroquet—a small bistro—is designed for comfort and connection, a place where you can linger on a rainy Tuesday or celebrate on a summer Saturday. In warmer months, their lovely terrace on Beaubien East extends the welcoming vibe to the street, making it a true neighbourhood gathering spot.
🍽️ What to Order: A Menu of Sharing
Darna’s culinary philosophy is built on sharing, conviviality, and discovery. The menu is strongly oriented toward seasonal vegetables, with a “farm to table” ethos supported by a close partnership with the Arrivage network of local producers. Dishes are inspired by Moroccan and Mediterranean heritage, with a constant evolution that follows the rhythm of the seasons.
The Evening Menu (Small Plates to Share):
- Pain Darna ($3): House bread with toasted anise seeds—a simple, aromatic start.
- Choux de Bruxelles ($18): Crispy fried Brussels sprouts with vegan aioli, sumac, and fresh mint.
- Halloumi grillé ($18): Grilled halloumi cheese with Darna sauce and nigella seeds.
- Falafels aux herbes ($14): Herb-packed falafels served with harissa aioli, preserved lemon, and house pickles.
- Aubergine rôtie ($19): Roasted eggplant with ratatouille, chermoula, and crispy chickpeas.
- Tajine d’Jaj ($22): Grain-fed chicken tagine with saffron daghmira, parsley, and baby potatoes.
- Flétan de la Gaspésie ($24): Gaspesian halibut with saffron barley.
- Merguez de veau grillées ($21): Grilled veal merguez sausages with lima bean sauce and pepper salad.
Special Formats:
- Les petits mercredis et jeudis ($40 per person): A three-service sharing format perfect for midweek discovery.
- Menu découverte: Let the kitchen create a custom menu for you—$56 for three services, $70 for four services.
Brunch (Weekends):
Darna’s brunch is equally inventive, featuring dishes like Chakchouka with peppers and poached eggs ($24), Assiette Merguez with grilled merguez and Loubia beans ($24), Pain Perdu brioche French toast with pistachio cream ($20), and the indulgent Poutine déjeuner with roasted potatoes, halloumi, and a rich brown sauce ($20).
🍷 Drinks to Match
The wine program is a highlight, focused on natural, organic, and biodynamic bottles with a strong emphasis on the Mediterranean basin. An excellent selection of wines by the glass complements the menu. The bar also offers classic cocktails, inventive signature drinks like the Kahwa Martini with espresso and medjool date ($16), and a well-crafted list of mocktails for those seeking non-alcoholic options. Their warm beverage list features unique creations like a Cappuccino à la datte with date sugar and rose water ($6.50).
Why You Should Go
Because Darna Bistroquet delivers on its promise: good wine, good food, and the feeling of being welcomed into a home. It’s a charming, relaxed neighbourhood spot where the hospitality is genuine, the food is vibrant and thoughtful, and the atmosphere invites you to linger. Whether for an impromptu apéritif, a leisurely brunch, or a shared evening of discovery, Darna is a true gem on Beaubien Street.
🔗 Visit Darna Bistroquet’s website
📖 View the Full Menu
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
🎶 RHYE at Théâtre Beanfield
The ethereal and sensual sounds of RHYE return to Montreal for a night of sophisticated, soul-stirring music. The project of Canadian singer and producer Mike Milosh, RHYE creates a world of intimate, lush soundscapes that blur the lines between R&B, electronic, and ambient. With the elegant Elleira as support, this promises to be a mesmerizing evening of pure, romantic atmosphere.
📍 Venue: Théâtre Beanfield, 2490 Notre-Dame Ouest
🗓️ Date & Time: Thursday, March 26, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🌹 The Garden of Temptation: Bord’Elle 9th Anniversary Celebration
Bord’Elle, the legendary Old Montreal destination where fine dining meets world-class entertainment, celebrates nine years with a spectacular anniversary event: The Garden of Temptation.
For nearly a decade, Bord’Elle has established itself as a staple of Montreal nightlife—a place where tradition lives, details matter, and the modern Gatsby fantasy comes to life. This anniversary celebration transforms the venue into a lush, immersive Garden of Temptation, designed to engage all the senses in an evening of pure indulgence.
What You Need to Know:
- 📍 Location: Bord’Elle, Old Montreal (address available upon reservation)
- 🗓️ Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
- 🎟️ Tickets & Reservations: Dinner reservations and tables for the celebration are limited. Contact the Bord’Elle concierge directly to secure your spot.
- Phone: 514-379-3553
- Email: concierge@bordelle.ca
- Website: www.bordelle.ca
Why You Should Go:
This is a celebration of one of Montreal’s most unique and enduring nightlife institutions. For those seeking an evening of exquisite dining, electrifying entertainment, and the glamour of Old Montreal at its finest, the Garden of Temptation promises to be an unforgettable night.
📚 Sources
