Gibby’s Montreal Review: Menu, Prices and Dress Code
Table of Contents
Introduction
Gibby’s Montreal Review: Is This Old Montreal Steakhouse Worth the Price?
Gibby’s Montreal review verdict: Gibby’s is worth the price for travellers seeking a traditional steakhouse, generous portions, professional service and a dining room where conversation does not require shouting.
This is not the right restaurant for bargain hunters, tiny appetites or diners chasing the newest food trend. Gibby’s delivers an old-school special-occasion dinner in a historic Old Montreal setting. You pay for the steak, but also for the pace, atmosphere, service and included extras.
I booked an early dinner at around 5 p.m. The room felt calm, comfortable and unhurried. My filet mignon arrived properly cooked, the side dishes were substantial, and the staff handled a disappointing dessert without fuss. I would return for one good dinner during a Montreal trip. I would not eat there nightly unless someone else had volunteered to pay the bill.
Is Gibby’s Montreal Worth the Price?
Yes, for the right diner.
Gibby’s suits couples, solo diners and mature travellers who enjoy classic steakhouse food and slower service. The restaurant works well for an anniversary, birthday or the one dinner on a trip where you want something reliable and memorable.
Here is the quick decision:
| Question | My Verdict |
|---|---|
| Is Gibby’s worth the price? | Yes, for a special dinner |
| Is Gibby’s budget-friendly? | No |
| Are portions generous? | Yes |
| Is the dining room quiet? | Quieter during early dinner |
| Is formal clothing required? | No |
| Is Gibby’s solo-diner friendly? | Yes, especially early |
| Are there stairs? | The washrooms I used were downstairs |
| Should you reserve? | Yes, especially for weekends |
| Best value option | The fixed-price lunch |
Gibby’s sits inside a building more than 200 years old, with stone walls, exposed beams, fireplaces and low lighting. The history gives the restaurant a sense of occasion before the first plate reaches the table.
My Experience Dining at Gibby’s
Booking an early table was the smartest decision I made.
At around 5 p.m., the dining room felt peaceful. There was no loud music and no wall of noise from tightly packed tables. People were having dinner rather than competing to see who had the loudest laugh.
The atmosphere encouraged a slower meal. Nobody seemed eager to turn the table over before I had finished chewing.
I ordered:
- Filet mignon
- Blue cheese wedge salad
- Monte Carlo potato
- Asparagus
- Crème brûlée
The filet mignon arrived cooked as requested. The salad was rich, the potato was filling, and the asparagus made me feel I had shown some passing interest in vegetables.
The crème brûlée was slightly burnt. When I mentioned the problem, the staff removed the dessert from the bill without an argument or dramatic kitchen summit. That response told me more about the service than a flawless dessert would have.
The overall experience felt professional, calm and predictable. Those qualities matter when spending this much on dinner.
Gibby’s Atmosphere and Noise Level
Atmosphere is where Gibby’s earns much of its reputation.
You enter through a stone archway and leave much of Old Montreal’s street noise behind. Inside, thick walls, wood beams, fireplaces and subdued lighting create a traditional steakhouse mood.
This is not a minimalist dining room filled with hard surfaces, pounding music and chairs designed by someone who dislikes the human spine.
My early dinner stayed quiet enough for an easy conversation. The room became busier later, as expected. Travellers with hearing concerns should request an early reservation and ask for a quieter table away from large groups.
The official listing describes Gibby’s as “casual elegant,” which fits. The room feels polished without becoming stiff or ceremonial.
Gibby’s Montreal Menu and Current Prices
Gibby’s charges premium steakhouse prices, but the menu includes more than the main cut of meat.
At the time of this July 2026 update, many standard steak choices fall between $70 and $90 CAD:
| Main Course | Listed Price |
|---|---|
| Pepper steak, 12 oz | $70 |
| Filet mignon, 8 oz | $78 |
| Sirloin, 15 oz | $80 |
| Rib eye, 15 oz | $82 |
| Rib steak, 20 oz | $84 |
| Filet mignon, 12 oz | $90 |
| Beef Wellington, 8 oz | $90 |
Premium cuts rise higher. The bone-in filet mignon is listed at $125, while the 34-ounce cowboy steak reaches $175. Seafood mains range from $56 for grilled king salmon to $89 for three Canadian lobster tails.
Most main courses include:
- A Gibby’s salad or blue cheese wedge salad
- Lemon sherbet
- Fresh asparagus
- A Monte Carlo potato or baked potato
That matters.
At many steakhouses, the steak arrives alone, looking slightly embarrassed, while every potato, vegetable and sauce appears as another charge. Gibby’s includes enough food to make the main-course price less outrageous than the number first suggests.
What Does Dinner at Gibby’s Cost Per Person?
For planning purposes, set aside roughly $110 to $160 per person for a steak dinner with one drink, tax and tip. Dessert or wine raises the total.
Current signature cocktails generally range from $18 to $28. Wine by the glass starts around $18, with many red wines priced between $20 and $38 per glass.
A couple ordering two standard steaks, two drinks and dessert should expect a substantial bill. This is not the place for an impulsive meal after checking your bank balance at the table.
The value improves when you remember the salad, sherbet, asparagus and potato come with the main course.
Gibby’s Lunch Offers the Best Value
Travellers who want the Gibby’s experience without the full dinner bill should look at lunch.
The official lunch menu currently lists a $52 table d’hôte, including:
- A starter
- A main course
- Lemon sherbet
- Dessert
- Coffee or tea
- Bread, pickles, croutons and bacon crumble
Main-course choices include pepper steak, Diane steak, a prime burger, Cornish hen, salmon and eggplant Parmesan. A rib steak costs an additional $32. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. on selected days, so confirm availability before building your plans around the offer.
For many mature travellers, lunch also solves the noise and transportation problems. You dine earlier, avoid a late return to the hotel and have more time to digest a meal large enough to qualify as a weekend project.
Best Gibby’s Menu Choices for Mature Diners
Portions are generous. Ordering every course sounds festive until the main arrives and you begin negotiating with a potato.
For a comfortable meal:
- Choose the eight-ounce filet rather than the largest cuts.
- Remember the salad and vegetables already come with your main.
- Share an appetizer unless both diners have serious appetites.
- Ask about splitting dessert.
- Skip extra sides until you see the included portions.
- Request sauces on the side when watching salt, sugar or richness.
The filet mignon worked well for me. The portion felt substantial without reaching cartoon-cowboy territory.
The restaurant also lists seafood, chicken, lamb and a vegetarian eggplant Parmesan. OpenTable identifies gluten-free and vegan options, but anyone with allergies or strict dietary needs should speak with the restaurant before reserving.
Gibby’s Montreal Dress Code
The official OpenTable listing states casual dress. The dining style is described as casual elegant.
In practical terms:
- Clean jeans or trousers work.
- A collared shirt, blouse or neat sweater fits the room.
- Comfortable, tidy shoes make sense.
- A jacket or formal dress is optional.
- Gym clothing would feel out of place.
You do not need a suit. Nobody is checking whether your socks match your tie.
Dress neatly, wear shoes suitable for Old Montreal’s uneven surfaces and spend your worrying energy on whether to order the Monte Carlo potato.
The answer is yes.
Accessibility, Stairs and Washrooms
This section matters.
During my visit, the washrooms I used were downstairs. Travellers unable to manage stairs should not assume a suitable alternative exists.
Contact Gibby’s before reserving and ask:
- Whether a step-free entrance is available
- Whether an accessible washroom is located on the dining level
- Whether your table requires stairs
- Whether staff will seat you close to the entrance
- Whether a chair with arms is available
The restaurant invites guests with special questions to contact the staff at 514-282-1837.
The seating during my visit felt comfortable, and the tables did not feel jammed together. Still, a historic building often brings quirks which newer restaurants avoid.
Do not wait until arrival to solve a mobility issue. A two-minute telephone call beats spending dinner wondering how badly you need the washroom.
Getting to Gibby’s Old Montreal
Gibby’s is located at 298 Place d’Youville in Old Montreal.
OpenTable lists Square-Victoria-OACI as the nearby metro station. The restaurant also offers complimentary valet service every evening and during Saturday lunch.
My ride to the restaurant took far longer than expected. Old Montreal’s narrow streets, one-way routes and traffic delays turn short distances into small adventures.
For the least stressful arrival:
- Leave extra time.
- Ask your driver to drop you near the entrance.
- Avoid planning a tight connection between a tour and dinner.
- Wear footwear with grip.
- Use a taxi or ride service during snow, ice or heavy rain.
- Confirm valet hours before driving.
Old Montreal looks lovely in winter. The cobblestones are less lovely when covered with slush and plotting against your knees.
Are Reservations Essential?
I recommend reservations.
I have booked an early table on the same day more than once, but weekend evenings, holidays and festival periods deserve more advance planning. OpenTable accepts online reservations, while the restaurant’s official contact page provides direct booking access.
An early reservation offers several advantages:
- Lower dining-room noise
- Easier transportation
- More relaxed service
- A comfortable choice for solo diners
- An earlier return to your hotel
- Less time walking after dark
I would choose a table between 4:45 and 6 p.m. when quiet conversation matters.
Check the current reservation times at Gibby’s here via Open Table.
Is Gibby’s Comfortable for Solo Diners?
Yes.
An early reservation felt comfortable rather than awkward. The staff treated me as a diner, not as someone waiting for a missing companion.
Solo mature travellers often worry about being rushed or seated at a poor table. I did not feel either happened during my visit.
Bring a book, review your photographs or watch the room. Gibby’s suits a solo traveller who enjoys a proper meal without needing entertainment from a television over the bar.
For more solo-friendly ideas, read my guide to things to do alone in Montreal for mature travellers.
Where to Stay Near Gibby’s Montreal
Staying in or near Old Montreal reduces the transportation headache after dinner.
The trade-off is walking comfort. Old Montreal offers history and atmosphere, but also uneven streets, cobblestones and busy pedestrian areas. Downtown hotels often provide easier metro access and more predictable sidewalks.
Stay in Old Montreal when:
- You walk comfortably on uneven ground.
- You want a short return after dinner.
- Historic surroundings matter more than modern convenience.
- You plan to spend most of your visit near the Old Port.
Stay downtown when:
- You have balance or mobility concerns.
- You prefer quick taxi access.
- You want easier metro connections.
- You want a wider range of hotel prices.
My guide to the best Montreal hotels for senior travellers compares Old Montreal and downtown choices by comfort, location and walking demands.
A Relaxed Old Montreal Evening Around Gibby’s
Do not turn dinner into an endurance event.
Choose one nearby activity before or after the meal.
Option One: Museum and Early Dinner
Visit Pointe-à-Callière during the afternoon. The museum covers Montreal’s archaeology and history and sits within the Old Montreal area. Finish your visit, rest briefly, then head to Gibby’s for an early reservation.
Option Two: Notre-Dame Basilica and Dinner
Book a daytime visit to Notre-Dame Basilica, then leave enough time for a coffee or hotel break before dinner. A standard self-guided visit lasts roughly one hour.
Option Three: Dinner and a Short Old Port Walk
After dinner, take a short walk toward the river when weather and mobility allow. La Grande Roue operates year-round, although extreme weather affects conditions and temporary closures.
In winter, rain or poor footing, return to your hotel. No view is worth a surprise meeting with an icy sidewalk.
Compare relaxed Montreal Tours here
For broader planning, start with my Montreal Travel Guide.
Who Will Love Gibby’s Montreal?
Gibby’s fits diners who:
- Enjoy classic steakhouse meals
- Value attentive service
- Prefer generous portions
- Want a slower dinner
- Like historic surroundings
- Appreciate quieter early seating
- Are celebrating a special occasion
- Feel comfortable paying premium prices
Couples and solo mature travellers are the strongest fit.
Who Should Skip Gibby’s?
Look elsewhere when:
- Your budget is tight.
- You prefer small portions.
- You want modern or experimental food.
- Stairs create a serious barrier.
- You dislike traditional steakhouse menus.
- You need a fast meal.
- Loud, lively nightlife is part of the plan.
For a more contemporary Old Montreal meal with lower typical main-course prices, read my L’Orignal restaurant review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gibby’s Montreal
What is the Gibby’s Montreal dress code?
The listed dress code is casual. Neat jeans, trousers, a collared shirt, blouse or sweater fit the room. Formal clothing is not required.
How expensive is Gibby’s Montreal?
Many standard steaks currently cost between $70 and $90 CAD. With a drink, tax and tip, set aside roughly $110 to $160 per person.
What comes with a steak at Gibby’s?
Most main courses include a starter salad, lemon sherbet, asparagus and a Monte Carlo or baked potato.
Does Gibby’s offer lunch?
Yes, on selected days. The current $52 fixed-price lunch includes a starter, main course, sherbet, dessert and coffee or tea.
Is Gibby’s suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Early dining feels relaxed, and the professional service style suits solo guests.
Is Gibby’s accessible?
The washrooms I used were downstairs. Travellers with mobility needs should call the restaurant and confirm the entrance, table and accessible washroom arrangements before booking.
Does Gibby’s have parking?
The restaurant advertises complimentary valet parking every evening and during Saturday lunch. Confirm current details before arrival.
Should I make a reservation?
Yes. An early reservation gives you the best chance of a quieter table and a less stressful journey home.
Final Verdict: Is Gibby’s Montreal Worth the Price?
This Gibby’s Montreal review comes down to expectations.
Gibby’s is worth the money when you want a calm, traditional steakhouse dinner with generous portions, strong service and a memorable Old Montreal setting.
The price feels less painful once you account for the included salad, sherbet, asparagus and potato. The $52 lunch offers a smarter entry point for travellers who want the experience without the full dinner bill.
Gibby’s is not trendy, cheap or built around small plates. Good.
Montreal already has plenty of restaurants serving three artistic bites on a plate the size of a hubcap.
I would return to Gibby’s for one good dinner during a Montreal visit. I would reserve early, order the filet, wear sensible shoes and arrive hungry.
That is my verdict.
Other Of My Posts You Might Like:
- https://almurrayenterprises.net/almurraytravels/how-i-evaluate-an-eatery/
- https://almurrayenterprises.net/senior-travel/where-to-stay-in-montreal/
- https://almurrayenterprises.net/senior-travel/montreal-spring-travel-for-seniors/
Some Links to Some of My Reference Material for You to Use:
- https://www.gibbys.com/
- https://www.stm.info/en
- https://www.opentable.ca/r/gibbys-old-montreal
- https://www.mtl.org/en
- https://www.lonelyplanet.com/canada/montreal
Please note: the opinions expressed in this post should never be construed as advice. The thoughts are based on my experiences and those of my friends and family. Whether traveling, exercising or other activity it is always a matter of personal preference. Find what you like and enjoy and share if you want with us all!
Also: If considering a change in diet, exercise, nutrition and or supplements, you must consult your medical practitioner to make sure that what you are about to embark upon doesn’t interfere with your current treatments.
Photo acknowledgements
Where the image contains my watermark of Al Murray Photography, I hold the copyright to that image. If interested in purchasing images or license agreements please visit: https://almurrayphotography.com/ or you can contact me via email at: althephotographer101@gmail.com
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