Babar: a must-visit restaurant in Bromont

Babar is the latest project from the owners of La Selva in Bromont. This charming restaurant, inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine, offers a remarkable selection of natural wines, all within a welcoming and warm setting, perfect for toasting and gathering.

A Love Story

Thalissa Gailloux and Michel Malo hail from the region and met in Montreal while she was studying law and he was studying culinary arts. The couple shared a mutual passion for food and hospitality. “It clicked between us mainly because we had this fire for the restaurant industry. We loved exploring restaurants, observing not just the food but also the chairs, the plates, and the overall ambiance,” Thalissa recounts. “We often hosted friends at our Queen Mary apartments, and they always told us we should start a catering service,” she adds. That’s how it all began. After gaining plenty of experience, they first launched a catering service, followed by a breakfast restaurant in Bromont, a food truck, and the restaurant La Selva. Ultimately, these ventures led them to open Babar in February 2023.

When asked about the origin of the restaurant’s name, Thalissa explained: “When we were brainstorming names, we wanted repeating syllables. My father is Lebanese, and ‘papa’ is baba in Arabic. Plus, we thought having the elephant Babar in our logo would be cute.”

Freshness and Delicacy

So, what’s on the menu? The offerings have remained mostly unchanged since the opening, and Michel truly has a talent for elevating seemingly simple dishes. The highly recommended trio of dips (hummus, mutabbal, and muhammara) is a must-try! For seafood lovers, the charcoal-grilled octopus served with yellow pea hummus is sure to impress. The beef and lamb dumplings with yogurt sauce and Aleppo pepper butter have already become a restaurant classic. In short, you can expect colorful, modern, and enticing dishes inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine.

The wine list is as impressive as the menu. Sommelier Guillaume Lemay offers a selection to suit all tastes and budgets, with a focus on natural wines. You’ll find everything from affordable hidden gems to grand cru wines for special occasions. “We try to guide people to ensure they have the best experience based on their preferences. We really want to make the approach less intimidating,” Thalissa emphasizes.

“For the decor, I wanted something that evoked the earth,” explains the owner. Velvet banquettes, wooden chairs, stone tables, and beautiful lighting fixtures contribute to the warm and contemporary atmosphere. The restaurant is stunning!

We’ve fallen in love with Babar, which has already won over the locals of Bromont and is increasingly attracting visitors from elsewhere. For all these reasons, this spot earns a place on our list of the best restaurants in Bromont. Enjoy discovering it!

Written by Fabie Lubin
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: June 25, 2024

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