Must-see restaurants in Montréal

  • Olive + Gourmando

    Old Montréal

    Named after the owners’ two cats, this bakery-cafe is legendary in town for its hot panini, generous salads and flaky baked goods. Excellent choices…

  • Café Parvis

    Montréal

    Hidden on a quiet downtown lane, Café Parvis is set with oversized windows, hanging plants, old wooden floorboards and vintage fixtures. Once part of the…

  • Tuck Shop

    Montréal

    Set in the heart of working-class St-Henri, Tuck Shop could have been plucked from London or New York if it weren’t for its distinctly local menu, a…

  • Barroco

    Old Montréal

    Small, cozy Barroco has stone walls, flickering candles and beautifully presented plates of roast guinea fowl, paella, braised short ribs and grilled fish…

  • St-Viateur Bagel

    Montréal

    Currently the bagel favorite of Montréal (or is it Fairmount?), St-Viateur Bagel was set up in 1957 and has a reputation stretching across Canada and…

  • L'Express

    Montréal

    L’Express has all the hallmarks of a Parisian bistro – black-and-white checkered floor, art-deco globe lights, papered tables and mirrored walls. High-end…

  • Veuve Chalet is a bistro located in the Plateau Mont-Royal.

    Veuve Chalet

    Montréal

    With its friendly staff, warm-yet-chic ambience and a charming back patio, Veuve Chalet makes you feel welcomed. The menu ranges across oysters and…

  • Au Pied de Cochon

    Montréal

    One of Montréal’s most respected restaurants features extravagant pork, duck and steak dishes, along with its signature foie gras plates. Irreverent,…

  • Satay Brothers

    Montréal

    Amid red walls, hanging lamps and mismatched thrift-store furnishings, this lively and Malaysia-chic bar-bistro serves some of the best 'street food' in…

  • Impasto

    Montréal

    There's much buzz surrounding this polished Italian eatery – largely owing to the heavy-hitting foodies behind it: best-selling cookbook author Stefano…

  • Garde-Manger

    Old Montréal

    The buzz surrounding Garde-Manger has barely let up since its opening back in 2006. This small, candlelit restaurant attracts a mix of local scenesters…

  • Orange Rouge

    Old Montréal

    Hidden down a narrow lane of Chinatown, Orange Rouge has a quaint, low-lit interior that's rather nondescript save for the bright open kitchen at one end…

  • Damas Restaurant

    Montréal

    Unique Syrian-inspired cuisine just a few minutes from Mile End and Little Italy, Damas is consistently rated as one of the top restaurants in the city. A…

  • Le Filet

    Montréal

    Le Filet presents masterfully crafted fish and seafood with Japanese touches in a low-lit setting facing Parc Jeanne-Mance. Small plates are meant for…

  • Le Vin Papillon

    Montréal

    The folks behind Joe Beef continue the hit parade with this delightful wine bar and small-plate eatery next door to Liverpool House – another Joe Beef…

  • Moishes

    Montréal

    Moishes feels a bit like a social club, although guests from all backgrounds come to consume its legendary grilled meats and seafood. Closely set tables…

  • Liverpool House

    Montréal

    Liverpool House sets the standard so many Québec restaurants are racing for: an ambience that feels laid-back, like a friend's dinner party, where the…

  • Robin des Bois

    Montréal

    Montréal’s own 'Robin Hood,' restaurateur Judy Servay donates all profits and tips from this reliable favorite to local charities. The relaxed, spacious…

  • Montréal

    Inspired by the street food (and beer) of Vietnam, this neighborhood charmer showcases simple but delectable recipes, near the foot of Mont-Royal. The…

  • L'Gros Luxe

    Montréal

    With classy vintage decor, booths or tables and inexpensive comfort fare, L'Gros Luxe has obvious appeal. The small dining room is always packed with…

  • Joe Beef

    Montréal

    In the heart of the Little Burgundy neighborhood, Joe Beef remains a darling of food critics for its unfussy, market-fresh fare. The rustic, country…

  • La Banquise

    Montréal

    A Montréal legend since 1968, La Banquise is probably the best place in town to sample poutine. More than 30 varieties are available, including a vegan…

  • Foodlab

    Montréal

    On the upper floor of the arts center SAT, Foodlab is a creative culinary space where the small menu changes every two weeks, and ranges around the globe…

  • Toqué!

    Old Montréal

    Chef Normand Laprise has earned rave reviews for his innovative recipes based on products sourced from local farms. The bright, wide-open dining room has…

  • Salmigondis

    Montréal

    Young waitstaff traverse an airy space and a shaded back porch, bringing out plates topped with artful arrangements of haute Québécois cuisine: farm deer…

  • Kouign Amann

    Montréal

    The name of this bakery – challenging even for some French speakers – comes from its famous Breton cake (flaky on the outside, rich and tender on the…

  • Fairmount Bagel

    Montréal

    One of Montréal’s famed bagel bakeries – people flood in here around the clock to scoop them up the minute they come out of the oven. Classic sesame- or…

  • Omnivore

    Montréal

    Amid rustic wood tables and potted plants, the friendly staff at little Omnivore whip up delicious Middle-Eastern mezze plates of hummus, tabbouleh, baba…

  • St-Viateur Bagel & Café

    Montréal

    A splendid cafe that serves its signature bagels, grilled or nature, with soup or salad. There are about a dozen sandwiches but most popular are the…

  • Kazu

    Montréal

    Kazuo Akutsu’s frenetic hole-in-the-wall in the Concordia Chinatown draws long lines of people waiting for gyoza (dumplings), ramen-noodle soup and…

  • Le Bon Vivant

    Montréal

    Part of the lineup of great restaurants on Rue Notre-Dame in Little Burgundy, this locally owned bistro has a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff,…

  • ChuChai

    Montréal

    In Montréal's first vegetarian upscale eatery, zippy Thai-inspired stir-fries and coconut soups explore the potential of fragrant kaffir lime, lemongrass…

  • Canada, Quebec, Montreal, Schwartz's smoked meat sandwich

    Schwartz's

    Montréal

    Reuben Schwartz, a Romanian Jew, opened this Montréal icon in 1928, and it’s been going strong ever since. Schwartz’s meat goes through a 14-day regime of…

  • Cheskie's is a landmark Jewish/Kosher bakery in the Mile End.

    Cheskie's

    Montréal

    Cheskie's is a landmark kosher bakery serving Montréal's Jewish community and beyond. Stop by and grab freshly baked challah bread or some traditional…

  • Arts Cafe

    Montréal

    The Arts Cafe has instant appeal with its plank floors, white clapboard walls and sculptural knickknacks (a frenzy of light bulbs above the windows,…

  • Le Bremner

    Old Montréal

    Celebrated chef Chuck Hughes – the mastermind behind Garde-Manger – has wowed his fans with this subterranean, low-lit haunt across from the Marché…

  • Tapas 24

    Old Montréal

    Celebrated Catalan chef Carles Abellan brings a bit of Barcelona magic to the New World with this outstanding addition to Old Montréal – his first foray…

  • Dépanneur Le Pick Up

    Montréal

    A hip favorite, unpretentious Le Pick Up began as an authentic 1950s dépanneur (convenience store) and snack bar before the current owners took it over…

  • Invitation V

    Old Montréal

    A game-changer in the world of vegan cuisine, Invitation V serves up creative, beautifully presented dishes in an elegant dining room of white brick and…

  • Le Serpent

    Old Montréal

    Industrial style dominates at this renovated factory next to the Fonderie Darling art space, which draws a creative tech-industry crowd. The menu features…

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