Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Nil Bleu

    4.1 (163 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian, Vegan
    Open 5:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Order Nil Bleu Takeout or Delivery

    Nil Bleu Photos

    NIL BLEU ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

    Recommended Reviews - Nil Bleu

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Vegan Platter
    GoVeg R.

    This was our second visit to Le Nil Bleu, and it was absolutely first-rate. We loved it the first time, but this was EVEN better. We are vegetarians, and had the shared 5-item vegan appetizers and dinner, then dessert. I also had a glass of honeyed wine. The service and atmosphere was delightful. If only we lived in Montreal, we would go there often, but as it is, this gem of a restaurant is a destination all on its own. After this meal, we now hold Le Nil Bleu above our favorite Ethiopian restaurants in Brooklyn and San Francisco. Can't wait to go back for more!

    Tasting meal for two
    Andy R.

    High class, and such good bites. They f you've never had Ethiopian, your server will orient you to the meal. Get ready for a flavor journey. So good. Cocktails were ok. Food and service outstanding. White tablecloth vibe, casual dress fine. I recommend highly the two course tasting meal.

    appetizer platter

    Great restaurant. The decor is special! We loved the vegetarian appetizer and dinner platters. Each dish was beautifully presented and had a unique taste. There was plenty of injera provided. Our waitress was helpful and kind. The spiced tea was a perfect with the strong flavors of the dishes.

    Chocolate mousse cake/
    Meg A.

    I'm disappointed that I didn't love this restaurant, but it just didn't meet my expectations. To start, in this area of Montreal, many restaurants are "Apportez Votre Vin", which provides a fantastic opportunity for guests to save money. Nil Bleu does not offer this feature. The decor is dark and eclectic, but definitely plays up on stereotypical African decor - Maasai hunters on the art, Zebra-patterned upholstery, carved wooden giraffes. Seems a little outdated in 2023. Our service was perfunctory and actually, a long wait for our appetizers. Our waiter was most animated when seeing our 18% tip and wishing us a bon soir. My companion and I ordered the tasting menu with meat. We quickly filled up on the Injera and needed to have most of our main course packaged up for home. Flavors were just okay - nothing remarkable. A dessert of chocolate cake seemed pre-packaged and made off-site. Similar quality as if purchasing from a bakery in a grocery. Again, nothing remarkable. I really wish I had gone to Le Virunga instead. I was on the fence, but thought the novelty of eating with our hands would be unique. And it was, certainly. But the flavors, service, and decor just did not wow us. Seems marketed for tourists and visitors, as much better options abound in a culinary city such as here.

    Vegan Menu
    Rebecca S.

    Great Ethiopian food. Love that they offer a wet washcloth to wash your hands before you use them to eat your meal!

    a plate of food and utensils
    Shaun Z.

    We ordered the tasting menu for two people and it was a lot of food! We couldn't finish them. The crepes were so delicious even though it was my first time trying it. The beef, eggplants and lamb were a little bit spicy. It was great for me but just a reminder for some people who are not used to spices.

    3 dishes (kitfo, tibs, derek tibs) True carnivores dinner!!

    See all

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andy R.
    35
    21
    17

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Amy C.
    4
    10
    1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Stephy Y.
    223
    12
    19

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Alan D.
    0
    13
    33

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Really tasty vegan combo, chill vibe, attentive service. I went with a beer but the cocktails looked good too

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Bree V.
    140
    34
    7

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 9
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan J.
    14
    34
    7

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Nil Bleu Reviews in Other Languages

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Ethiopian 159 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    East Africa Restaurant

    East Africa Restaurant

    (55 reviews)

    $$

    Notre-Dame-de-Grâce

    My friends have been here many times, but I only had the pleasure for the first time recently…read more I was told ahead of time to plan to spend a good amount of time here, Everything is cooked completely fresh to order. We arrived just as they were opening, so there was a bit of a wait, but we came prepared with wine and good company, so it was no issue, and SO worth it! The food was delicious. As a newbie to this cuisine, my side of the table ordered the mild dishes, and honestly, I can't wait to go back and try some of the spicier choices. Will visit again soon!

    Always, always, the best food on earth! These are some of my favourite dishes ever!!! From the…read moresucculent beetroot salad to the homemade cheese to the sultry spiced lentils; I'd eat this luxurious and mouthwatering food everyday for the rest of my life if I could and I'd still look like a hot snack. This resto is like a one-way ticket to Addis Ababa to have dinner with Mulatu Astatke and the Queen of Sheba. We eat our feast along the Blue Nile and listen to Yekermo Saw on repeat!! Then we are served the ancient and elaborate coffee ceremony. I see the Lion of Zion ! blessings of the Almighty unto thee in the name of the One and Celestial. Legend has it that the fabled lost Ark of the Covenant is in Ethiopia and with one bite ... it'll be all up in your mouth! Seriously, you will be talking directly to G-d her/him/it -self when you eat this food. As you saunter into the deliciously holy temple that is East Africa Restaurant you'll be ensconced in a warming red glow and a most enchanting scent which will undoubtedly transport you to a faraway spice market somewhere along the Eastern Rift Valley at the cradle of civilisation in the Horn of Africa. We are all African. We all come from Africa. Our ancestors were all borne into being ... right here in Africa. As you take your seat you will melt through space and time. This is the culminating point of the Spice Route. This is the terminus of the spice trade. This is where all things delicious come to be eaten. This is the sanctum sanctorum; the holy of holies, where the magic happens. Ethiopian cuisine is probably my favourite food in the entire world. This is an historic account of true fusion; ancient fusion. This is where spices from the four corners of the world reach their scrumptious confluence. This is the meeting point of global flavour. The amazing Jewish Ethiopian/Eritrean mom and pop dynamic duo who run the show here are some of the best people in the world and they are the proverbial mom and pop of all humanity. Mmmm scrumptious and delectable humanity. I always order my vegetarian platter. This comes with a beautiful stew of root vegetables like carrots, potatoes and turnips simmered to perfection in a sort of "curry" sauce. There are also two kinds of lentils on this platter; one oh so sumptuously flavoured savoury version and a more piquant spiced version. There is a beautiful tomato salad that'll knock your socks off. Then the spinach; I don't know what they do to that spinach but it's the best I've ever tasted. All of this is served on a pillowy soft and spongy sourdough-leavened flatbread called Injera; somewhat similar to a crêpe. You absolutely must order the beetroot salad; you've never had beets like this before. They also make a special Ethiopian cheese but if you're a keener you'll order it a day in advance because it goes fast. Finish your meal with Ethiopian tea or coffee. This is the best coffee you'll have at any restaurant like this. The tea is beautifully flavoured with a delicious and special African cinnamon. Wow, you can almost see the ancient ruins of Lalibela in the distance. Is that a civet stalking some prey? No, is it a gazelle or kudu? Yes, folks, rediscover your African roots here; you'll remember your ancient heritage with that first mouthful of glory and it only gets better. Humans became human beings in Africa and through Africa we will once again rediscover our humanity. Remember at the end of your day and at the end of each meal that countless men, women and children across the African continent lack the bare minimum of necessities for survival; abject poverty, malnourishment, drought, famine and starvation are the reality for so many people. Whilst this may seem inconceivably unfathomable to some of us living in Western opulence ... it is sadly all too true. Instead of buying materialistic Christmas gifts this year ... think about making a charitable donation to the CHF -- Canadian Hunger Foundation -- they have been ceaselessly engaged in the fight against poverty, inequality and hunger across the globe for the last fifty years. Don't buy some empty bauble, toy or iThing this season ... instead give the gift of a dairy cow, goat or vegetable garden to a family in dire need. Enjoy.

    Le Virunga - Chocolate mousse

    Le Virunga

    (48 reviews)

    $$$

    Plateau-Mont-Royal

    The first Michelin Star restaurant I've ever been to that served African food and that I managed to…read moreget a reservation for in Montreal on my first night. I got the tasting menu. The month i went, December, gave me a choice of a soup, an appetizer, entree, and dessert. The soup was delicious: Lightly spiced and warming for the weather outside. Same with the fish. I wish I got more of these. For my meat entree, I chose the guinea fowl as my entree. I was disappointed in this one because it was dry. Sorta like chicken, but all the way from New Zealand. Service was exceptional. The restaurant was dark, and the couches looked comfortable. I just wish I got a seat on one of the couches.

    Located outside of the bustling downtown Montreal, this was an amazing mouth watering experience…read more Never really tried African food, but this place is delicious. The interior is covered with African art and colorful decor. The tables are nicely situated and the bench and chairs are comfortable. The service was very good. Very professional and education presentation of the drinks and food. Truly a gastronomical dream. We ordered 2 appetizers one was cod fish and the other was a beef layered "napoleon like" delight. Both layered with much flavor and delicious to look at and to eat. Our entrees were fresh fish in a broth with cassava gnocchi and goat covered with the best pastry I have ever eaten. The server explained every dish and poured a delectable light sauce over the pastry. A truly amazing experience

    Nil Bleu - ethiopian - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...