Le Club Mamaia - Montréal

This was our 3rd visit to the restaurant and as per our previous outings, we only have good things to say!!! The quality of the food is superb, very fresh and homemade feel to everything. If you’re craving good European comfort food, this is the place! Service is great and quick, yet you never feel rushed. Ambiance is very relaxed and comfortable. Great for a simple date, family dinner or group outings. They also have eastern European wines that match very well with the food. You can order specific meals or if you want to have the full experience, they have a great selection of mixed platters on the menu. Thank you!

I went last night with my food group. I have been to Romania so I knew what to expect and ordered first the Beef Soup, which I'd had in Bucharest and enjoyed. This one was much better. Absolutely delicious! On the server's recommendation, I ordered the cabbage rolls, 4 small rolls served with polenta. The cabbage rolls were good and while at first I thought this wouldn't be enough, I found I could only consume 3 of the 4 (and gave the last to a friend who was taking hom a doggie bag. I think most people ordered the cabbage rolls, which is the recipe of the server's mother, as are many of the meals. One person had the lamb and enjoyed it. Another had the Romanian Salad he enjoyed and a dish with several types of meat, most of which he ate. Two women shared a salad and two dishes. Everyone seemed to like the resto which is situated in a three-step down basement with large-stone walls, as is typical of Montreal basement restos. It was a nice cave-like feeling. If you like Romanian food or if you just want to give it a try, this is an unpretentious place with personal service and reasonable prices.

There are some of us with some Romanian genes, who have visited tara noastra, who know something about the food and are on a lifetime quest for a fantastic Romanian restaurant experience. I've been to various places in Bucharest, Transylvania, Paris, Toronto and now Montreal. At Mamaia, much of the food was authentic and nicely cooked. But I found the decor lacking, the service awkward, and the music much too loud even after asking for it to be turned down. All the tuica in the world would not obscure that this was not at all a five-star experience. The quest continues.

Romanian cuisine is a hidden gem that deserves more recognition outside of Romania. Traditional dishes like sărmăluțe (cabbage rolls) and mititei (ground meat sausages) offer a refreshing change from the typical Western European and North American fare. The sărmăluțe boast a tangy sour cabbage flavor paired with a spiced meat filling, while the mititei, also known as "mici," offer a complex taste profile that is far more intriguing than a basic hamburger. Mămăliga, the Romanian version of polenta, provides a smooth complement to these dishes. Le Club Mamaia is a must-visit spot for these delicious Romanian specialties, offering the best versions of these dishes that I've ever tried. The young professional couple who own the restaurant create a pleasant atmosphere and the prices are very reasonable. Located just a short cab ride from downtown Montreal, this restaurant is a great choice for convention visitors and business travelers. Just be sure to call ahead if you have a large group, as the restaurant is not very large. Overall, Le Club Mamaia offers a delightful dining experience that showcases the best of Romanian cuisine.

I love this restaurant. The six dishes I've tried so far have all been delicious. They offer a fantastic Moldovan red wine, which is one of the most underrated producers of quality red wine in the world. The prices are reasonable and on my last visit, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with the Romanian owners. If you can't make it to Romania, I highly recommend giving this place a try.