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From top-quality steak to gourmet burgers, there's lots of meat in Downtown. There's also a nightlife vibe here most evenings. There are rich Indian curries, simple Chinese dumplings, whole-animal cooking, dry-aged beef, designer hamburgers, and updated Italian dishes that stretch the definition. The dress code can be as formal as in Old Montréal or completely toned down and hip—it all depends on where you go.
What was once a fur showroom in the 1970s now hosts Café Parvis, a stylish, bohemian eatery with floor-to-ceiling windows, faded peach and half-stripped mint-green walls, mismatched chairs, and luxuriant plants hanging from the ceiling. If morning visits are for artisanal coffee and pâtisserie du jour, dinner is for ordering shareable wood-oven-baked pizzas enhanced by fresh salads and the on-point selection of organic wines.
Escondite's young, ambitious, and talented owners know a good idea when it comes to them. So much so that they now have seven branches across the city since the avenue Union location opened in 2015. Each of their Mexican restaurants (they're also behind a handful of funky Japanese izakaya and Hawaiian poke eateries) crackles with energy and eclectic style, a mishmash of neon signs, portraits of Frida Kahlo, bright murals of saints, Día de los Muertos skulls, turquoise banquettes and barstools, and mismatched press-back chairs. On the menu is inventive Mexican-inspired cuisine—think Mexican General Tao cauliflower with tamarind, agave, and coriander; Monterey Jack and jalapeño gyoza nachos with pomegranate pico de gallo, serrano chili and black pepper cream; and Korean steak with Oaxaca cheese, grilled cactus, pickled jalapeño, and orange crush sauce—and delicious tequila-based cocktails. There is a second Downtown location on rue Drummond.
A boisterous Japanese pub (known in Japan as an izakaya), Imadake serves small plates meant to be shared with a beer or cocktail in hand, and you won't find any sushi on the menu. The name Imadake means "only for now" and is a reference to the restaurant's ever-changing menu and "live in the moment" philosophy. You can pick from a variety of dishes, including ramen and noodle bowls as well as house specialties like korokke (mashed potato croquettes); konoko (oyster mushrooms served with yuzu sauce); or shiitake karaage (deep fried shiitake mushrooms) marinated with seafood dashi (stock) and spicy mayo.
You could almost walk right by this small, unpretentious establishment on this seedier stretch of rue Ste-Catherine, but the line of people waiting to get in is a telltale sign. Locals and visitors alike love Kazu not for its décor but for its delicious Japanese comfort food. The tiger shrimp burger, the tofu vegetable hot pot, and the salmon and tuna bowl are all great options. Arrive 15 minutes before opening time or well before 8 pm to beat the queue.
If you're in the mood for a big, nourishing, market-fresh salad served in a colorful ceramic bowl in a pastel setting, Mandy's is the place to go. Choose from among a dozen signature varieties or make your own. If you don't believe that a meal can be a meal without meat, there are options that do include meat or another protein source. There's a second Downtown location in Phillips Square, as well as others in Westmount, the Old Port, and Mile End.
The salmon and avocado tartare is a must at this surprisingly affordable Japanese tapas restaurant and lounge. Vegans and vegetarians will appreciate plates like the shiitake lettuce cups, avocado tacos, and black truffle mushroom dumplings. Carefully selected wines and classic cocktails combine with sleek lighting (the dragon changes color throughout the night) for a memorable dining experience. There are also locations in Griffintown and Westmount.
Time Out Market, the popular "anti-food court" gastro hall opening in cities around the globe, unveiled its Montréal location just a few months shy of the pandemic lockdowns. The industrial-chic, dimly lit 40,000-square-foot space features a black ceiling, gray and concrete surfaces, and warm, oil-finished maplewood floors. TOM Montréal includes 16 unique stalls, representing 12 of the city's best restos, in addition to four bars. Currently, gourmets and gourmands will find such epicurean delights as Marusan (Japanese), Le Red Tiger (Vietnamese), Moleskine (pizzeria), Le Taj (Indian), Paul Toussaint (Haitian/Caribbean dishes), and Ibéricos (Spanish tapas), among others. A partitioned bar area, demarcated by a custom iron grill to gently separate it from the food hall, boasts the original arched windows from the now-defunct Eaton department store. It consists of the Time Out Bar, Beer Bar, and Wine Bar. There are also a dedicated mocktail and soda bar that concocts exquisite non-alcoholic libations, in addition to a new milk bar.
This multilevel restaurant filled with young professionals lures in patrons with its lively atmosphere and deliciously updated English food. The signature fish-and-chips is deservedly popular, as are other classics like bangers and mash and shepherd's pie. The Burgundy Lion can get boisterous with good cheer in the evening, fueled by the extensive beer list and the 200-plus varieties of whiskey. It's a popular spot to watch football (that's soccer to North Americans) and hockey. Classic British breakfasts like "bubble n' squeak" (cabbage, eggs, onions, and smoked meat) and French toast made with crumpets make for busy weekend mornings.
