Restaurants in Montreal
Foie gras, tartare, and charcuterie plates are just a few of the gluttonous, savory items that cause Montréalers to salivate and travelling gastronauts to convene on Montréal's hedonistic, no-mercy culinary scene. Add a penchant for quality, local produce (known as terroir), such as duck, pork, award-winning cheeses, and iconic maple syrup, it's no wonder that celebrity chefs are regular visitors or that the city's own kitchen glitterati are international stars as well.
While white-linen restaurants of yore remain a classic culinary art, the heart of Montréal's new foodie culture is found in her bustling, come-as-you-are yet decidedly upscale bistros. Think of the phenomena more as "fine diner" instead of "fine-dining," a happy, hearty concept that makes eating out not only laid-back and accessible but deliciously entertaining.
Restaurant Basics
Prices listed are for supper unless otherwise indicated (lunch prices are usually lower) and do not include the cost of wine, tip, or the 5% federal tax and 8.5% provincial tax that are tacked on the restaurant bill. Montréalers consider 15% of the check (before taxes) to be a fair tip, increased only for exceptional food and service. In all, count on taxes and tip to add another 30% to the bill.
Always look for table d'hôte meals. These fixed-price menus with three or four courses usually cost just a little more than the price of a single à la carte main course. Restaurants at all price ranges offer them, and they represent the best value around. If you want to try many of the top restaurants, schedule some for noon-time meals if they offer table d'hôte menus at lunch. You'll get your best deal that way.
The midday meal is called dîner (which is lunch, not dinner) and the evening meal is souper (supper). An entrée is an appetizer, and a plat principal is a main course.
Because parking space is at a premium in most restaurant districts, it's easiest to take the Métro or a taxi. If you're driving, find out whether valet parking is available.
Québec has long had a smoking culture, but smoking in bars and restaurants has been banned since 2006.
Except in a handful of luxury restaurants, dress codes are all but nonexistent. But Montréalers are a fashionable lot and manage to look smart, even in casual clothes. Save the T-shirts and sneakers for another city.
Insider websites featuring reviews and observations about the Montréal dining scene include www.midnightpoutine.ca/food, www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog, www.montrealforinsiders.com, and www.endlessbanquet.blogspot.com. Montréal Gazette restaurant critic Lesley Chesterman has a highly regarded blog at www.lesleychesterman.com about the city's food scene.
Price Categories
Very Expensive C$30 and up
Expensive C$20-C$30
Moderate C$10-C$20
Inexpensive Under C$10
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47 Results
- Contemporary
Au Pied de Cochon
Celebrity chef Martin Picard led Montréal’s meat “new wave” by opening Au Pied de Cochon (translation: the pig’s foot) in 2001, and its patrons and personnel today bank on a seemingly indelible reputation. The foie gras, served at least seven different ways, one as poutine, still…$$$Plateau Mont-Royal - Vegan
Aux Vivres
In a town of meat—smoked meat, pig’s feet, meat pie—it shouldn’t be such a surprise that the veggie way hasn’t taken firmer root. Thankfully, Aux Vivres has been hitting all the right notes since 1997, and with an especially open spirit. It’s set up like a diner, with flavors from…$Mile End (Laurier) - Light Fare
Beauty’s Luncheonette
At this iconic diner, you’d be right to deduce that a long line means good food, as it has since 1942. On Saturdays and Sundays the breakfast line often wraps around the corner and down the street. If you’re lucky, Beauty himself (a bowling nickname for the 90-year-old owner, Hymie…$Plateau - Contemporary French
Beaver Hall
With the same chef as the esteemed Europea, this “Bistro Gourmand par Europea” offers similarly spectacular food, but with a less over-the-top service experience (and at a more relaxed price). Great mains include homemade cavatelli with pesto and a panko-crusted poached egg, fish and…$$Downtown - Dessert
Bilboquet
Slowly and surely this little ice cream joint has been taking over Montréal. The more artful and fitting term for it is an artisan glacier, and it’s the real deal of handmade ice cream and sorbet, with no powder flavor additives. This Outrement location is the original and out of the…$Mile End (Laurier) - Brasserie
Brasserie T
This new restaurant from chef Normand Laprise of the city’s top restaurant, Toqué!, is fun, flirty, adventurous, and romantic; it wows us at every turn. Its location, in a unique all-glass box perched on a sidewalk in the city’s newly renovated fine-arts neighborhood, the Quartier…$$Downtown - Breakfast/Brunch
Café Cherrier
It’s not about the food, exactly, at this amiable cafe—though it is quite tasty. Through rain, sleet, or shine, students, older couples, and families gather under the wrap-around awning to sip coffee and people watch. In summer, there are bowls of gazpacho and crisp pours of white…$$Plateau Mont-Royal - Gourmet Canadian
Candide
Though they weild big knives, you get the feeling that the chefs in the kitchen of Candide wouldn't hurt a fly. And engage in meditation before they don their chef whites. There's just something so damn Zen about Candide—and I mean that as a compliment. Those lucky enough to sit at…$$Sud-Oueste Montreal - Contemporary
Chez l’Épicier
Chef Laurent Godbout’s inspiring haute cuisine menu provides a perfect example of modern gastronomy in Montréal. The ever-changing menu offers mostly locally grown ingredients prepared with a playful, global feel. Recent standout items include braised and smoked pork belly with…$$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Deli
Chez Schwartz Charcuterie Hébraïque de Montréal
Tell friends you’ve recently visited Montréal and one will inevitably ask if you made it to the famous Schwartz’s deli. Smoked meat sandwiches here are hand-sliced and come piled high on fresh rye; the plates have a side of fries, sour pickle, and cole slaw. There’s a “fat” choice to…$$Plateau - Diner
Deville Dinerbar
This splashy downtown restaurant is packed with local businesspeople at lunchtime and a partying crowd at night—and kids love it, too. It claims to take its cue from American diners, but that goes only as far as its use of booths for some of the seating and its enormous portions;…$$Downtown - Breakfast/Brunch
Eggspectation
Don't be put off by the goofy name, the 15-page menu, or the fact that this is a small chain (there are six outposts in Montréal alone). This breakfast-centric restaurant delivers. Food is fresh and comes out fast, even when there are crowds. There are 10 versions of eggs benedict…$Downtown - Contemporary French
Europea
Montréal has a handful of celebrity chefs, and Europea’s Jérôme Ferrer is justifiably one of them: his elegant, white tablecloth venue is one of the special spots in the city. For the full treatment, order the extravagant menu dégustation, which starts with a lobster cream…$$$Downtown - Bakery
Fairmount Bagel
There’s only so much convincing one can do: Visitors must try a bagel while in Montréal! It’s a whole different ballgame from bagels elsewhere. Bagels here are thinner and closer to a pretzel in appearance, as compared to the fluffy stand-ins you may be used to. Bakers hand-roll each…$Mile End (Laurier) - Seafood/Portuguese
Ferreira Café
Ferreria exude a warm, festive, Mediterranean grace, and you can’t go wrong with its take on Portuguese classics, including oysters (huîtres à la portugaise; 6 for C$21), salted cod (morue salée rôtie en croûte; C$34), and bouillabaisse (C$38). A smaller, late-night menu for C$24 is…$$$Downtown - Italian
Graziella
Graziella’s open kitchen plan lets diners watch chef-owner Graziella Battista and her staff prepare modern Italian dishes served in understated yet beautiful presentations, like little works of art. Blonde wood and soft, creamy tones create a calming backdrop, and the high ceilings…$$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Vegan
Green Panther
This sunny vegan and vegetarian pita spot has something called “hippie sauce” on the menu. Need we say more? Now in three locations (the others are downtown at 2153 Mackay, tel 514/903-4744; and on the Plateau at 145 Mont-Royal est, tel 514/503-4800), Green Panther does veggies up…$Mile End (Laurier) - Brasserie
Holder
This large, high-ceilinged space offers a chic atmosphere with copper walls, tall columns, and expansive windows overlooking busy rue McGill. Chalkboards dotted throughout feature the day’s specials, along with wine and beer selections. Holder offers good value for what you get: the…$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Italian
Hostaria
Not only has Hostaria garnered attention for its simple, but formidable Italian cuisine, developed from inherited recipes, but there’s not a bad seat in the house. In this intimate restaurant, established in 2009, tables are draped in white tablecloths, even at lunch, and most…$$$Mile End (Laurier) - Contemporary
Hôtel Herman
Hôtel Herman re-defines hip, both in atmosphere and food quality. First the interior: pine plank floors, industrial fixtures, and exposed brick could add up to retro-chic blah, yet the U-shaped, beaming white bar anchors the establishment and transforms the place to impeccably cool.…$$Mile End (Laurier) - Light Fare
Java U
This cheery Java U is part of a local cafe chain that got its start in 1996 at Concordia University. College students and families make up most of the clientele at this particular outlet, which is a buttoned-up venue with friendly, laid-back staff. Options include quiches, salads,…$Downtown - Seafood/Steak
Joe Beef
Foodies will have heard of the glutton-inducing Joe Beef before arriving in Montréal, and it’s likely that some of them will have planned their trip around dining here. Co-founder David McMillan and the restaurant—think boisterous diner with adventurous food—have been profiled…$$$Outer Districts - Dessert
Juliette et Chocolat
This chocolate-centric cafe has been steadily expanding its locations over the years, probably because it fills the broad need of coffee house, luncheonette, and purveyor of exceptional chocolate desserts. You can also order wine or beer, and savory options, too, such as buckwheat…$Plateau - Bistro
L’Express
Beloved by Montréalers and visitors alike for its old-timey Parisian style, there’s almost always a wait for tables at L’Express. Main courses include the usual bistro fare, from pot-au-feu to duck confit, and the maple syrup pie is outstanding. (It’s possible that the globe lights,…$$Plateau Mont-Royal - Light Fare
La Banquise
The classic French-Canadian poutine is served here in a dizzying 30-plus ways, all day, every day. Twists on the classic comfort food include La Dan Dan (with pepperoni, bacon, and onions) and La Kamikaze (merguez sausages, hot peppers, and Tabasco). And yes, vegetarian is now on the…$Plateau - Bistro
Lawrence
When clotted cream gets top billing, you know a place is serious about their brunch. Lawrence serves one of the best biscuitlike pancake marvels we have ever had: the stuff of dreams, soaked in Canadian maple syrup and topped with local strawberries. Blatant about its British…$$$Mile End (Laurier) - Contemporary
Le Club Chasse et Pêche
One of the top restaurants in Montréal. In English, the name means Hunting and Fishing Club, paying homage to the sportsmen’s club that once occupied the building. The short, but well-executed menu keeps this theme going: grilled octopus or hamachi tartare share the menu with…$$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Tapas
Le Filet
Seafood’s profile gets bumped up another few notches on Montréal’s map with Le Filet, which opened in 2011. Let the menu’s categories of Raw, Warm Tide, Amphibians, and Earthly add an air of intrigue since there really is no wrong choice. Oysters are creatively garnished with yuzu…$$$Plateau Mont-Royal - Seafood
Le Garde Manger
At this supper club, everything is a little different. For starters, the staff greet you in English, not French. There is no signage other than a dimly lit neon pink square out front. The interior decor is half hunting lodge, half antique shop. Chef-owner Chuck Hughes, star of the…$$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Contemporary French
Le Local
Located in a brick building that was a foundry many lifetimes ago, the interior at Le Local is industrial-chic: polished cement floors and exposed beam-and-brick ceilings and walls hint of the building’s former life, while contemporary touches such as black leather furniture,…$$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Vietnamese
Le Red Tiger
Behind a deceptively industrial garage door, the younger set of the Village frequently crowds this lively, contemporary Vietnamese choice in a diner-like setting with an open kitchen. House-recipe cocktails, whiskys, and comfort food are served in a single boisterous room not much…$$Village - Gourmet Canadian
Le Vin Papillon
The original idea, we're guessing, was that guests would alight here, as a butterfly (papillon) might, down a few glasses of wine and small plates of food, and then flit elsewhere for dinner. But this wine bar, the third restaurant from the much-lauded Joe Beef team, has had lines…$$Outer Districts - Bistro
Leméac
For dinner or weekend brunch, this classic bistro is competent, elegant, yet refreshingly at ease. Tucked on the western end of the upscale avenue-Laurier, it’s a neighborhood go-to as well as a destination for those who want beef tartare or moules frites and want it done right.…$$$Mile End (Laurier) - Pizza
Magpie Pizzeria
Come to Magpie for wood-fired pizza in a rustically hip atmosphere. Schoolhouse-style chairs surround thick pine tables and industrial pendants light the space. Simplicity rules the menu with Italian-sourced and fresh ingredients. There are nine different thin-crust options with…$Mile End (Laurier) - Bistro
Marché de la Villette
This rustic-looking deli was originally a boucherie (butchery) and charcuterie, evidenced by the old-fashioned lettering on the window. These days, it’s known to locals as one of the best spots for a weekday lunch. The decor is kitschy: every inch of wall is covered with something,…$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - South American
Mezcla
Word spread like wildfire when this nuevo latino bistro opened in 2012. It could’ve been the novelty—to prepare traditional Peruvian recipes with European cooking techniques—but more likely it was the outstanding results. Start with a Pisco Sour, a South American cocktail topped with…$$$Outer Districts - Bistro
Modavie
Featuring a unique combination of French bistro classics and Italian-influenced pasta dishes, Modavie hits all the right notes. It’s a place where the atmosphere is loud but convivial, and everyone seems to be in a good mood. The service is attentive without being overbearing—you’ll…$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Steakhouse
Moishes
Montréal has a handful of culinary institutions and for steak lovers it’s Moishes. Long-time patrons may favor the classic bone-in rib steak while the younger crowd opts for marinated shish kabab or organic salmon. With an ever-evolving menu and cozy, but sophisticated atmosphere,…$$$Plateau Mont-Royal - Bakery/Light Fare
Nocochi
For a breakfast crêpe or omelet, or an afternoon sweet treat (macarons are a specialty) or a glass of wine, try this bright little cafe and patisserie just one block west of the Musée des Beaux-Arts. The airy room is a balm after taking in the mountains of art at the museum or…$Downtown - Bakery/Light Fare
Olive et Gourmando
This place started as a bakery, but soon expanded to include a dining room and quickly became the go-to lunch spot in Vieux-Montréal. The wide-ranging menu is a hit with everyone from grown-ups to toddlers. You’re greeted by a gorgeous display of baked goods, ranging from croissants…$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Contemporary French
Restaurant de l’Institut
Apart from the name, you’d never know that this restaurant is run largely by students from the Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec. The menu reflects of-the-moment experimentation by beginner chefs and is presented by warm and eager wait staff in training. For value, try…$$$Plateau Mont-Royal - Light Fare
St-Viateur Bagel & Café
Myer Lewkowicz brought his bagel recipe from eastern Europe in 1957 and it’s still being followed to a T at St-Viateur’s many outposts. Like Fairmount Bagel, above, the process includes shaping each bagel by hand, dressing with seeds or spices, and baking in a wood-fired oven…$Mile End (Laurier) - Polish
Stash Café
Hidden among the myriad expensive French restaurants and steakhouses of Old Montréal sits this little gem serving traditional Polish cuisine at extremely affordable prices. It’s the real deal: on a recent visit we overheard servers speaking to each other in Polish. We highly…$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Light Fare
Titanic
The ambience at this lunchtime spot could best be described as frayed chic. Feeling a bit like you’re entering a 1920s speakeasy, you descend a flight of stairs into a basement with a labyrinth of pipes overhead, chipped exposed brick walls, and worn wooden floors. The bare-bones…$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Contemporary French
Toqué!
When chef Normand Laprise opened this gem in 1993, the city’s culinary reputation was virtually non-existent. Toque! changed all that, and more than 20 years later it’s still the top of the heap. The decor is both refined and whimsical: a playful sunflower sculpture greets you out…$$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Steakhouse
Vieux-Port Steakhouse
Bring a huge appetite to this massive (we’re talking seating for 1,200) steakhouse and tuck into one of their hearty options that includes T-Bone, filet mignon, and New York–cut sirloin, among others. Other choices include a tangy Santa Fe grilled chicken and herbed rack of lamb. A…$$Vieux-Montreal (Old Montreal) - Diner
Wilensky Light Lunch
The thought that comes to mind when you step through the doors here is “time travel.” Every year that Wilensky’s adds to its history, the more devoted people become to it’s remaining exactly as-is. The interior is spare and so, well, 1952. That’s when it moved to this locale, though…$Mile End (Laurier)
