Delicious food, great ambiance, reasonable price

This was recommended to us because it was one of the more reasonably-priced restaurants in Old Montreal. We weren't disappointed.
Lovely ambiance, it's been beautifully renovated with modern touches, but hasn't lost its old-world charm. Indoors, loft ceilings, exposed brick. Outdoors, terraces with flowers and lights.
I ordered the rabbit crepe - cooked perfectly, and very tasty. My husband had... more

yum

the menu is good, but it is the surroundings that makes the experience greater

Great ambiance

Jazz trio,great food, old Montreal! WHat more could you ask... more

Peaceful, Quality

Worth the money. Listen to the jazz music playing while being surrounded in what seems like a forest of grape vines and trees. The Sangria, the food, desserts everything is good!

Sidewalk cafe on a sunny afternoon -- priceless

After a morning walking around the sites of Old Montreal, we reached Square Jacques-Cartier ready for a bite to eat. Fortunately we were early enough to get a sidewalk table at the inviting Jardin Nelson, situated on the sunny side of the square. We really enjoyed the crepes while drinking in all the activity in the square. My husband like... more

Beautiful Terrace

For the Terrace only, it's worth the overpriced and not that good food. Perfectly located in old Montréal.

Excellent food with Jazz live music

Try the onion soup and one of the great crepes. The restaurant is just great!

Amazing place, good music

Good jazz, amazing architecture, good food. Of course there's a long line in the summer. That's because it's really good.

Ambiance and food

Good food, nice ambiance, loved the indoor-outdoor brick walls, great location... next to Place Jacques Cartier.

Come for the Weekend Jazz Lunch/Brunch

Wife had chicken pate, to die for, with generous amounts carmelized onions. I had great apple and cheese crepe. delicious red sangria; the green is a bit medicinal. Great jazz at no cover, we try to sit near the band.

Great place to eat and listen to the live music. Looks small from outside but seats tons of people. My wife and I are here on vacation from NJ and we really liked the restaurant. First time I had a crepe and they were great.

Great atmosphere.

I like the terrace in the summer with the live jazz music

Good, but over-rated.

Great atmosphere, and live jazz. Very nice to relax with friends. The food is good but nothing special. I go every summer when I'm in old montreal.

Du jazz et de bons plats. Le cadre est chaleureux. Par contre il y a beaucoup de monde l'été et les serveurs sont souvent très occupés.

Wonderful atmosphere, great food and service

My wife and I ate here after a 7 day cruise. The atmosphere was excellent as was the food, service and music. It was a great way to end our time together with others and go our separate ways. If you are in Montreal this is a place to eat on a pretty day.

Great environment, in one of the prettiest places of Montreal , great food, bit expensive, but excellent service, 1 problem though; some times the line to get in, is way to long. you may need to wait 1 hour+ for just get in... in my opinion this place could be 2 time bigger and yet be full most of the summer times... 4 stars from me just cause its take to long for enter... more

The terrace in the summer is absolutely incredible !

Very nice terrasse in summer with nice flower, birds and soft music. A nice place to go for a drink outside.

Un bon service et de la bouffe fancy. Je recommande vraiment.

The Value vs Price is very good. Not the best in Montreal but still one of the good ones. It has a big menu and you have lots of choices. Very popular for there band playing, this stop has a very outstanding atmosphere. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody. The cooking technic are very basic but still very good to the taste. If you love and enjoy a nice weekends at the old port with... more

Ambiance au RDV !

My two siters and I visited Montreal for a week and came here for dinner. It was a cool summer evening and the palce was gorgeous. We were seated next to the live jazz band and our waiter was awesome. We ordered a bottle of wine, appetizers, dinner, dessert, and coffee. Everything was tasty and we had the best time. We stayed for 2 1/2 hours. The perfect place to eat in Old Montreal, I felt I... more

l ambiance de la court a l arriere...la bouffe est pas si mal aussi!!1

Good music, nice atmosphere during summer, good crepes

Surprising good food for a tourist spot. Great terrace.

In the heart of Old Montreal. Ultra touristy but surprisingly pleasant and tasty.

Amazing outdoor atmosphere, best Summer spot in Old Montreal. I try to go at least once a Summer, amazing place, great food!

Fancy restaurant

J'ai bien aimé mon expérience. C'était bien chaleureux et le service était bien réparti. J'ai été totalement satisfaite dans l'ensemble. La nourriture était très bonne. C'est cher bien sûr, mais ça en vaut la peine je vous le dis.

One of a kind

I keep coming back to this restaurant for the ambiance and unique environment on every Montreal trip. It's basically a live jazz garden built inside the facade of a historic building, with some interesting massive umbrella structures keeping diners dry and shaded. The food is consistently good, but "tourist priced"... of course in my mind part of the value is in the setting. It's quite... more

Wonderful Atmoshpere, Delicious Food..marycat.

Being in a wheelchair in Old Montreal can be difficult, but not at Jardin Nelson. I was easily seated at a front table under the awning, having an excellent view of the goings on in the street. The service was friendly and efficient. I like to try different and ordered the Saddle of Rabbit in a crepe...LOVED IT! My sister had pizza and it was the best that I have ever tasted..I had a nibble!... more

Le Jardin Nelson

We drifted in off the square around 1:30 PM on Oct. 12th., 2008. The back courtyard caught our eye. There was decent live jazz, tasty chicken crepes and some of the best hot tea I've ever enjoyed. The service was excellent and I though the prices were quite fair, especially given the live music and no cover charges.

1.5 stars

the only good thing is the place because its outdoor. other then that its bad.the food is expensive for what it is. and its not so good. my cocktail is SUPER SWEET. the waitress forgot my orders so i only ate when all my friend finished eating... more

I was just tooling around Old Montreal, and I wanted to visit this place because of the live jazz and the outdoor seating.  It was in October, and the flowers were still abloom.  I ordered a pineapple daiquiri, and it was good, but the texture was off.  I ordered a crepe with ham, cheese, and asparagus.  It was huge, fresh, and delicious.  I took a chance and ordered the strawberry cheesecake... more

Lovely Place

We enjoyed a lunch at Jardin Nelson. What made it special was live jazz performance. Loved it.

Beautiful!~!

The restaurant is very beautiful. The atmosphere is very enjoyable. The water melon sangria is delicious!

Picture a cool autumn night, sitting under a giant tarp with lush greenry all around you, sipping a fine drink, enjoying a bite of cheesecake, while a smooth jazz band plays some wicked Ella Fitzgerald in front of you.  Got it?  Then welcome to Jardin Nelson.

Mobile review

Worse restaurant ever... more

Live jazz. Outdoor garden with large awning type deals that funnel rainwater for the flowers.  Had shrimp avocado app. But the chicken liver mousse was bomb. Nice place for brunch but menu options werent too savory. Beautiful presentation though.

An incredible inner courtyard draped with abundant greenery and perfectly placed ambient lighting; we were serenaded by an accomplished jazz trio. A must when in old Montreal! The Caprese salad was fresh and delicious, lots of basil! The ham and spinach crépe was perfect, just the right amount of béchamel. Both courses were large enough to share! Our server brought an extra plate for each... more

On my first to Montreal with my gf we came here to eat a nice mid day lunch before walking around more and departing from Montreal. Now obviously i am one that has a love/hate relationship with spots that are touristy and well known but in this case it was worth it. I liked the fact that we walked down a nice cobblestone corridor then was greeted by the hostess who promptly showed us to our... more

In the heart of the adorable and toursity old town you find Jardin Nelson - a mostly outdoor cafe with delicious food, a great selection of wine and live jazz.  Really couldn't ask for better on a warm summer afternoon. We loved it so much we went back twice in one weekend.  Recommend:the Riojathe cidercheese plateFrench Onion Soupmushroom crepe, (the radish slaw served with the crepes is SO... more

Hmmm...3 words...FORTUNE COOKIE CREPES.Blech!  Overpriced and overrated.  The serving sizes were large, but the food was mediocre at best and at over $15 for crepes...you've got to be kidding me.The batter is overly sweet and the texture of the crepes was just plain odd!A note about the wait staff, friendly enough, but as we sat broiling in the hot sun, he sat inside the restaurant folding... more

Completely touristy and overhyped! Pass!!!They do have a lovely patio but it all goes downhill fromthere. Food is overpriced and underwhelming.They have a large selection of savoury crepes ranging from $15-$20. Crepes came out looking more like a calzone, I think they were made in some kind of machine that presses them in half. What the CREPE????Server was friendly but was in the back folding... more

I went to Jardin Nelson on a Friday at lunch.  There can be a bit of line, but the wait wasn't too bad.This place is worth the visit for the ambiance alone! A beautiful courtyard patio with canopies and, trees and flowers and a jazz combo played in the not so background.We shared the nachos ($15) for starters and they were very yummy and cheesy.  My father kept commenting on the cranberry... more

Mobile review

Great outdoor patio for a Sunday lunch. Live jazz adds immensely to the atmosphere. Had the potage du jour (mushroom cream soup), Forestiere crepe & roast beef sandwich - all fantastic dishes. Definitely one to return to.

I adore the Jardin Nelson. Not only is the location stunning, being surrounded by historical buildings just off Place Jacques Cartier in Old Montreal, but the atmosphere in this indoor/outdoor restaurant can't be beat.The largest part of the restaurant and most well known is their big terasse (can you call it that when it's more than 3/4 of the restaurant?) with huge parasols in case it rains.... more

We stopped in for dinner while in Montreal in search of good crepes and this place came up as a place to see.the area is tourist trappy so my expectations were low but when I'm outside of NYC, I go into tourist mode so don't judge me.The wait to get in was ~40 mins but they moved us along rather quickly.We were seated and our server greeted us promptly and took our order for drinks.  Their beer... more

A mix of families, dates, casual, and nicely dressed people.  Good food, priced a bit high, but to be expected in an area like this.   But mostly its about the ambiance.  A live, light-jazz band playing amid the balconies, flowering plants, multiple levels, and open-air environment.

After a day of sightseeing, we were looking for something a bit different with a little local flavor... and Jardin Nelson definitely fit the bill. Interesting crepes - our family of 5 each had a different crepe and we took turns tasting each other's dish. All were excellent. A three-piece jazz band was playing in the courtyard. Great ambience. Crepes were about $15 each. Very enjoyable experience.

Great find nestled in the heart of Old Montreal.

3.5 StarsThe chicken liver mousse appetizer was creamy, light, and tasty.  Before I knew it, the basket of carbs was empty!  The  duck crepe was savory, but could have used more duck.  Hubby said he liked the rabbit crepe. The hard cider was bubbly and refreshing.  We were seated in the patio and it was a nice place to take a break from sightseeing and enjoy a relaxing bite.

Our visit to this wonderland of cheese was quite possibly the highlight of my friends' and my recent visit to Montreal. Even if the food had been terrible, the scenic brick courtyard with its lush, flowering planters, live jazz band, and oversized umbrellas would've made the dining experience memorable. But luckily, the dinner was great too!We tried the brie, pesto, and pine nut fondue as an... more

Came here last weekend and the food is neither good nor cheap. Ordered a thin crust pizza that would serve maybe one hungry adult for around $20. What you end up paying for isn't the food but rather the live jazz band that plays all night on an elevated stage in the dining room. They hit all the classics but my favorite was the Sinatra numbers. Overall still a good experience. If you're more in... more

It is expensive but on par with Old Montreal rates. But lets be honest, you go here for the atmosphere first and the food second. And it would be tourists that go here so they don't really care about the price. Atmosphere: You have to sit outside. It was raining what we went, but the upside down umbrellas catch the rain to keep you dry. There are a couple places where the rain enters the patio... more

Went here for brunch and was very pleased. I got the orange and cranberry pancakes with cheesecake and ricotta cheese. It was fabulous. As much as this sweet dish tickled my tongue, my wife's not so sweet dish was what really blew me away. She got a crepe with salami, onions, tomato sauce, and something else I can't recall. I was so delish. Great spot for brunch. I highly recommend it.

We`ve been here a few times over the years.  The food is average.  Service is slow and they don`t really go out of their way for you.  My friend can`t eat gluten, but they said they were unable to modify any of the dishes to accommodate him (even something as simple as leaving out some cheese was too much to ask).  Probably won`t bother coming here again.  There are plenty of great restaurants... more

Mobile review

The back patio is a summer oasis. Live jazz on weekends and holidays adds to the old Montreal charm. The crepes are sweet giving even the Confit of Brome Lake Duck crepe a light feel. The Salmon Salad is light and delicious especially on a hot summer's day

This place is unique because you are sitting outside in a garden that is covered when it is raining, the food was alright but it was over priced and there are very limited options for vegetarians, and almost none for vegans.I know this isn't the right town for a vegetarian or a vegan but they could add a few more options for us. I am giving them 3 stars for the atmosphere and excellent service.

Only So So

We were visiting Montreal on a Wednesday and stopped here for lunch. A jazz good duo was playing. The place was crowded but the service was OK. I ordered Crepe Forestier and my wife had the Crepe Basilico. They were okay, somewhat bland and over priced. The wine selections were standard and again over priced. But then it seems every place on street was over priced so ... more

Hubby and I were in Montreal for the weekend...did an entire day of biking, sightseeing, etc and needed to wind down after a nice dinner. Enter Jardin Nelson! What a cute, quaint little restaurant! I can only speak for drinks and dessert...excellent! The waitress was super nice (and spoke English) and very knowledgable about the drinks and dessert. We had the porthouse sangria which was awesome... more

All I can say is...Pouding Chômeur...order it and you'll love it... more

After seeing the great reviews, I had been eyeing this place for several days. I finally went here for brunch on the day before flying home. I ordered the Nelson crepe and my bf got the smoked salmon and goat cheese egg casserole. Everything was very delicious and fulfilling. If the prices were a little more reasonable, I would definitely give this restaurant 5 stars. The bill was a little... more

Call ahead to make sure they are open. Their website says "From May 1st, the Jardin Nelson welcomes you into its courtyard seven (7) days a week, regardless of weather". After reading reviews on Yelp and checking their website, I went for dinner on May 3rd and they were closed.

I was here over 2 years ago, but I don't think this has changed at all based on the reviews. This is a great place to bring anyone, date, family, big group. It's unique that it's all (mostly) outdoor with live jazz, and will always be a favourite of mine. The food is good, not the best crepe I've ever had but the atmosphere is really inviting and a great place for lunch, or dinner. Especially... more

I had the opportunity to re-visit Jardin Nelson on my recent trip to Montreal.  As in the past, the crepes, the jazz ensemble, and the overall atmosphere were wonderful.  Yes, it is a bit touristy, but isn't most of Vieux Montreal?I enjoyed the Newburg and my dinning partner the Argenteuil....wonderful!

Mobile review

The epitome of the old port experience:all style little substance. Buy a keychain instead and save a good 50 bucks

One of the most unique dining experiences I've ever had. It's a building constructed around a courtyard, with wind sail overhangs that protect you from the elements inside. So basically, your entirely outside, and if it's raining it's quite the show. Rain funnels down the sails into large glass columns. Hard to explain, but VERY cool. Food was above average, but set amidst all of the tourist... more

I was under the weather when I came here, but I could still taste the food.  I think it was decent. . . crepes?  More importantly, the back patio was welcoming and they served me cups and cups of hot tea with honey.  The staff was excellent and for being in my state, I really enjoyed the experience and the outdoor area.  The jazz musicians weren't half bad either. . .

Nice on a summer night

I love this place - because it is outdoors. Prices are fair (20-30$) per person. Food is average... I usually go on a summer night just to enjoy the outdoors.

Beautiful Outdoor Terrace with Live Jazz

Love this place. Perfect for a Sunday brunch with friends or a romantic dinner for 2. The outside terrace in the back of the restaurant is where you want to be to experience the gorgeous garden and fantastic live jazz band. Food is French style cuisine yet they also serve some of the best Sangria in town.

Great JAZZ Music with an outdoor terrace!!!

This place is highly recommended. It could be a casual/romantic place for dining. I strongly recommend that flavoured watermelon Sangrias are AWESOME (something tasty and different).It is a place to be to feel relaxed and to enjoy your day/evening with live music entertainment!

For Jazz lovers

This restaurant has an outside terrace in the back that features a Jazz band in the evening. hte terrace is even open in early Spring or early Fall thans to heaters.

Caramel Egg Pudding

In the heart of Old Montreal, I chose to dine at Le Jardin Nelson, right at le place Jacques-Cartier. The restaurant was literally a garden with a lovely ambiance. There was also a live... more

The chicken liver mousse appetizer was outstanding: light, creamy and delicious. I had the rabbit crepe and my wife had the duck crepe.  Both were good but I think the rabbit was a little better.  The outdoor atmosphere was very "Persian." An enjoyable lunch.  A must if just to sit, relax and watch the people.

Very pretty place. You're kind of outdoors but with a tent like ceiling with jazz playing. I had a crepe...which was plain...I thought they were known for their crepes but all crepes looked plain. I should have gotten what my friend had...the egg dish...which looked like it was in a casserole...MMmmmI was eying some guy who got a HUGE French onion soup. It looked like twice the normal size.... more

My wife and I ate at jardin nelson for our 3 year anniversary and we weren't disappointed. The live music was the perfect volume, the crepes were very good (I had the ham and asparagus), and the flowers with birds flitting about were lovely. Try the apple sangria!

A good time

Great music, delicious bruschetta, but it can get a little tourist-y. I believe they're trying adding some Asian-inspired dishes to the menu which seemed out of place to me, the menu is full of many other good options, though.

Great food and setting

Jazz during Sunday brunch was great, food was outstanding, service was attentive and the ambiance was excellent.

Charming

If you have out of town guests, impress them with Montreal's charm in this hidden gem! (hidden in the sense that you can't see it from the Place Jacques Cartier, not in the sense that its obscure!)The menu needs to be expanded, service should be brought up a notch... And yet, somehow, you don't mind too much because you only go once a year, the sangria you ordered is good and the overall... more

Fine Restaurant

J'ai bien aimé mon expérience à ce resto chic. Le service était moyen, quelques peu désuet, mais bon c'était une belle soirée quand même. Nous avons tous bien aimé nos repas. C'est un resto plutôt romantique également, excellent pour des diners à deux je dirais.

Great atmosphere & OK crepes.

Jardin Nelson is a beautiful restaurant in the heart of Old Montreal. We stopped in on a very hot, very busy holiday weekend during the Montreal Jazz Festival. My advice--don't be impatient and sit inside or in the front. Wait in line (it moves fast) for a table on the back terrace, where mammoth hanging planters filled with gorgeous blooms filter the sunlight and offer respite from the heat.... more

Great terrasse!

The food is ok (nothing out of the ordinary) but the terrasse is beautiful in the back!Service is ok.

On a super hot day, my husband and I were looking for a nice place to stop in a have a cold drink.  After my husband saw the live duo play (a stand-up bass player and a keyboardist), he wanted in.  This is really a nice place to sit and absorb all the loveliness of the garden around you, and the music, too.  We were seated and the waiter didn't seem to have a problem with us ordering drinks and... more

Enjoyed an lovely evening on the Jardin Nelson terrace...listening to their house jazz band and enjoying our drinks and dessert.  Great location in the heart of Old Montreal.  Although you're probably paying more for the convenience of being in the the tourist area but a nice venue.Didn't look at dinner options or prices but two desserts and a pitcher of Sangria set us back $37 Canadian. The... more

On our recent vist to Montreal we dined here and had a very disappointing meal. The service was pitiful. When our waiter was not avoiding our repeated attempts to gain his attention he was just plain rude and unhelpful. The food was 3 stars at best but the portions were stingy and the food overpriced for what you receive. The ambiance was 3 stars. The service was a big zero. We weren't the only... more

Jardin Nelson is fantastic for several reasons, the first of which is that it's one of the cheaper joints in vieux-Montreal.It was hot on the sun-baked cobblestone main path and I was aching to sit and enjoy a french style brunch and JN delivered beautifully. We sat in the back garden, and we were instantly cooled by the shade and breeze the architecture of the inner eaterie. It's beautiful,... more

Came here with my cousin, my aunt and my sister.The french onion soup.  It was really very good, and it started off the meal very well-- a nice clean broth, good onion flavor, and I'm a sucker for emmental cheese.  As for the rest of the fare, it was okay.I had a veal crepe, my aunt had a seafood crepe (Newburg), and my younger sister had the Cartier pasta salad (which is really just pasta). ... more

Smooth

Good ambiance, good food, the service was great that was quite a big surprise with all the people in the restaurant. I really love my evening therem, I recommand this one for sure !

The atmosphere is really lively and fun. Coloured lights shine down on sections of diners seated at different heights.  Huge umbrellas loom overhead.  It's quite a unique space.  Live music plays at night.  The appys were very tasty.  That was my first time having crepes for dinner.

Mobile review

Ask for a table for 2 in the sun at 2:30 in the afternoon few available for 4 or 6 persons. "We can't split the group tables" they told us... My response... " We can't eat here then ! "

Mobile review

A little expensive for what you get but worth it for the atmosphere and live music. Fantastic for brunch on a Sunday and a walk around the old city.

Food Junkie Chronicles

...I knew I wanted to go to a crepe place in Montreal (i.e. one that is known for their crepes), and preferably located in Old Montreal, and preferably with a patio with a nice / romantic... more

Ambiance is wonderful for weekend brunch. There's plenty of outdoor patio seating fully equipped with umbrellas that catch rain and heaters / fans. Unfortunately the food was nothing to write home about. It was okay but nothing great compared to all the wonderful choices in Montreal. Come here for drinks and the ambiance.

Only 3 stars because of the crepes, if it was atmosphere it would be 5 stars but I couldn't go 4 over all because they are known for their crepes.  The patio is super cool, the sidewalk dining and location is priceless.  A fun place to go, problem was we went for the crepes...I mean french quesadilla.  Maybe I'm been spoiled or eating the wrong crepes but I thought they should be moist and a... more

Great place; fantastic patio and the prices seem fair.  Sitting out front is also pleasant in the sunshine as the back patio is almost all shade.  So many tourist traps around this area, we found this one listed in Frommer's and were not disappointed.

My husband and I were big fans of this place, not only for the great food, service, and jazz but for the experience as a whole. We sat outside in the garden (after a 10 minute wait for a  late dinner on a Friday night) and marveled at the design of the place. The giant, umbrella-like contraptions probably allow for outdoor seating when it rains and made you feel like you were sitting under... more

Mobile review

located on a popular street on Montreal, this restaurant is great for people watching and taking in a lot of touristy sites. the food here is fine - lots of it is just baked full of cheese, which isn't bad unless you're looking for flavour. that said, some of the salads are pretty good. there are a few interesting and unique choices, too, but the service (at least on this night) was pretty... more