Service was so slow. Took forever to get our drinks. Cocktails were watered down didn't take any alcohol in it.
Elisabetta
This place defines itself as a supper club: it has a very beautiful decor, it feels like being inside a Mexican cenote, and the atmosphere is definitely suggestive. It is very lively on weekend nights, with music and dancing parties. I went there to try out the Dine Out 2026 menu on a very quiet Sunday evening, as my main goal was the food: nothing wrong with any of the dishes, but nothing that really impressed me or would push me to go back. But I would definitely consider the place for a fun night out with friends.
Ana
Service was great and the restaurant was very accommodating, allowing us to change our group reservation to a later time when we called to inquire about it the same day. However, we were unimpressed with the food (especially at that price point), with everything we ordered being small portioned and overally spiced, seasoned, or cheesed. Overall, I think there's much better options in the area in terms of ambience and value.
Belsem
The host at the door took awhile to approach us. Our spot for birthday event was not my preferred place to sit. Didn't feel special for birthday event. I wouldn't book it again for birthday. Food was great and the server for our table was very helpful and friendly.
V
Our server was wonderful and the food came out pretty quick! Everything we ordered was pretty good, the Seafood Tostados and Prawn, Corn & Truffle Spaghetti were our favourites. The only thing we didnt like, as you enter the restaurant there is a weird smell, like the floor was mopped with dirty old water or something. You can smell it through out the restaurant.
Bry
Food was good but not the best. I will recommend the shrimp tacos! Those were the best! Service was great and prompt. Seating wasn't optimal. Tables were placed in the middle. We felt in the way, felt hard to feel intimate. But the service was great and very prompt.
John Dumfries
Good food, very hectic on Friday/Saturday nights!!
Rico C
The food, drinks and service is overall great. Todtadas, queso, tacos and enchiladas are all great choices, and don't disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grill Octopus, Prawn Tacos
Avani Patel
This was my first time at Monarca for dinner and I found the food to be exceptionally flavoured. We ordered the Salsa Quemada which was a great snack to munch on while waiting for our main course. We weren't in the mood to drink but they had a fun cocktail list with great presentation. I ordered the Pork Belly en Adobo Norteno and it was probably the best pork belly I have had in Vancouver. It was crispy on the outside and very soft and full of flavour on the inside. The sauce went very well with the pork belly. My partner got the Enchiladas Gratinadas and it was delicious, saucy and full of chicken. The salse verde was very flavourful as well. The service was not memorable and okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Avani
Great food and ambience! The servers were polite when we walked in. I wish they would have came by our tables more often.
It's the third time I go there. I went there because unfortunately I could not find tables anywhere else. I regretted immediately and remember why I hated in my previous experiences. Staff is absolutely not kind, service is less than mediocre same as the drinks. Food is not even average, it is bad. Do not waste your time or money, ai hate when people fall for nice decor and social media. Really the worst experience. If you want actual good food, fair prices and good service, Zapoteca in Kitsilano is 10000 better
Julie Ko
Busy, too expensive, staff tries but it's too crowded and way overpriced for the 'quality' so you pay for the atmosphere really. My favorite DJs are there , so this is my fun dancing place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Jason C
Terrible service avoid this place !
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Summer R.
I had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant, and unfortunately it was made significantly worse by the complete lack of professionalism from management.
After attending a special event, at the end of the evening, my coat was stolen from inside the restaurant. (My coat was placed in the designated coat hanging area in the front of the restaurant). While I understand that theft can happen anywhere, I expected the restaurant to take responsibility for what occurred on their premises and at least make a genuine effort to help. After speaking with Danica the manager, she offered no support, no empathy, and absolutely no solutions. She seemed annoyed with me that I had to report this inconvenience. I was treated dismissively from the moment I reported the incident.
I followed up politely a few weeks later, hoping for acknowledgment, assistance, or at the very least basic courtesy. This time, the other female manager spoke with me. She seemed really concerned, however I never received a call or text back from her either. Not only was nothing offered, but my calls and messages were ignored. I was never updated, never reassured, and never treated like a valued customer. ZERO compensation or solutions offered. The entire experience left me feeling brushed aside and completely disrespected.
It was not just the theft itself, but the unprofessional attitude and poor customer service that truly stood out. A restaurant that refuses to take accountability, communicate, or even treat guests with decency is not one I can recommend. I am extremely disappointed with how this situation was handled, and I hope management reflects on how they treat their customers moving forward.
These inexperienced young women have no business running an established restaurant like Monarca.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
serena ashburner
I sent a detailed email before submitting this explaining what happened on Saturday in the hope for having an apology but I had a one liner back asking when will we return. We will not return is the simple answer we had a group booking and apparently it was not on the list they wanted proof. I was talked to very rudely by a staff member insinuating that we were in the way and I should hurry to find the confirmation otherwise we should leave. Once I logged into my work email I showed the proof and the one email was not enough the girl went through all the emails regarding the booking and then said how long do we intend on staying as if we were an inconvenience. The time we were waiting by the door the faces glared at us and made us exceptionally uncomfortable. Comments were made consistently trying to intimidate us to leave. But this was our Christmas party which had been arranged for weeks. Clearly there is an issue and customer service needs to be educated here. It spoilt the whole evening. Our table came to over $1000 and we would have stayed longer if we had made to feel welcome. The management clearly need to review what is happening in Monarca. I rarely leave reviews but this has literally left us speechless.
Service was so slow. Took forever to get our drinks. Cocktails were watered down didn't take any alcohol in it.
This place defines itself as a supper club: it has a very beautiful decor, it feels like being inside a Mexican cenote, and the atmosphere is definitely suggestive. It is very lively on weekend nights, with music and dancing parties. I went there to try out the Dine Out 2026 menu on a very quiet Sunday evening, as my main goal was the food: nothing wrong with any of the dishes, but nothing that really impressed me or would push me to go back. But I would definitely consider the place for a fun night out with friends.
Service was great and the restaurant was very accommodating, allowing us to change our group reservation to a later time when we called to inquire about it the same day. However, we were unimpressed with the food (especially at that price point), with everything we ordered being small portioned and overally spiced, seasoned, or cheesed. Overall, I think there's much better options in the area in terms of ambience and value.
The host at the door took awhile to approach us. Our spot for birthday event was not my preferred place to sit. Didn't feel special for birthday event. I wouldn't book it again for birthday. Food was great and the server for our table was very helpful and friendly.
Our server was wonderful and the food came out pretty quick! Everything we ordered was pretty good, the Seafood Tostados and Prawn, Corn & Truffle Spaghetti were our favourites. The only thing we didnt like, as you enter the restaurant there is a weird smell, like the floor was mopped with dirty old water or something. You can smell it through out the restaurant.
Food was good but not the best. I will recommend the shrimp tacos! Those were the best! Service was great and prompt. Seating wasn't optimal. Tables were placed in the middle. We felt in the way, felt hard to feel intimate. But the service was great and very prompt.
Good food, very hectic on Friday/Saturday nights!!
The food, drinks and service is overall great. Todtadas, queso, tacos and enchiladas are all great choices, and don't disappoint.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Grill Octopus, Prawn Tacos
This was my first time at Monarca for dinner and I found the food to be exceptionally flavoured. We ordered the Salsa Quemada which was a great snack to munch on while waiting for our main course. We weren't in the mood to drink but they had a fun cocktail list with great presentation. I ordered the Pork Belly en Adobo Norteno and it was probably the best pork belly I have had in Vancouver. It was crispy on the outside and very soft and full of flavour on the inside. The sauce went very well with the pork belly. My partner got the Enchiladas Gratinadas and it was delicious, saucy and full of chicken. The salse verde was very flavourful as well. The service was not memorable and okay.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Great food and ambience! The servers were polite when we walked in. I wish they would have came by our tables more often.
Restaurantji Recommends
It's the third time I go there. I went there because unfortunately I could not find tables anywhere else. I regretted immediately and remember why I hated in my previous experiences. Staff is absolutely not kind, service is less than mediocre same as the drinks. Food is not even average, it is bad. Do not waste your time or money, ai hate when people fall for nice decor and social media. Really the worst experience. If you want actual good food, fair prices and good service, Zapoteca in Kitsilano is 10000 better
Busy, too expensive, staff tries but it's too crowded and way overpriced for the 'quality' so you pay for the atmosphere really. My favorite DJs are there , so this is my fun dancing place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 3
Terrible service avoid this place !
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
I had a very disappointing experience at this restaurant, and unfortunately it was made significantly worse by the complete lack of professionalism from management.
After attending a special event, at the end of the evening, my coat was stolen from inside the restaurant. (My coat was placed in the designated coat hanging area in the front of the restaurant). While I understand that theft can happen anywhere, I expected the restaurant to take responsibility for what occurred on their premises and at least make a genuine effort to help. After speaking with Danica the manager, she offered no support, no empathy, and absolutely no solutions. She seemed annoyed with me that I had to report this inconvenience. I was treated dismissively from the moment I reported the incident.
I followed up politely a few weeks later, hoping for acknowledgment, assistance, or at the very least basic courtesy.
This time, the other female manager spoke with me. She seemed really concerned, however I never received a call or text back from her either. Not only was nothing offered, but my calls and messages were ignored. I was never updated, never reassured, and never treated like a valued customer. ZERO compensation or solutions offered. The entire experience left me feeling brushed aside and completely disrespected.
It was not just the theft itself, but the unprofessional attitude and poor customer service that truly stood out. A restaurant that refuses to take accountability, communicate, or even treat guests with decency is not one I can recommend. I am extremely disappointed with how this situation was handled, and I hope management reflects on how they treat their customers moving forward.
These inexperienced young women have no business running an established restaurant like Monarca.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
I sent a detailed email before submitting this explaining what happened on Saturday in the hope for having an apology but I had a one liner back asking when will we return. We will not return is the simple answer we had a group booking and apparently it was not on the list they wanted proof. I was talked to very rudely by a staff member insinuating that we were in the way and I should hurry to find the confirmation otherwise we should leave. Once I logged into my work email I showed the proof and the one email was not enough the girl went through all the emails regarding the booking and then said how long do we intend on staying as if we were an inconvenience. The time we were waiting by the door the faces glared at us and made us exceptionally uncomfortable. Comments were made consistently trying to intimidate us to leave. But this was our Christmas party which had been arranged for weeks. Clearly there is an issue and customer service needs to be educated here. It spoilt the whole evening. Our table came to over $1000 and we would have stayed longer if we had made to feel welcome. The management clearly need to review what is happening in Monarca. I rarely leave reviews but this has literally left us speechless.
Food: 2
Service: 1
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