91 Best Restaurants in Montreal, Quebec

Instagram famous for its dusty pink chairs and pleasing, contemporary space, this seriously cool brasserie is home to 41 home brews—sold by the bottle at the boutique upstairs—and a solid menu that includes monkfish burgers, beer-can roast chicken, and a hearty rib eye. In 2021, a new, larger brewhouse was opened. Waiters are masters at their craft; don’t hesitate to ask for beer pairings with your meal. 

Dinette Triple Crown is relatively small (a counter with just eight stools), but the real draw here is not indoor dining but taking the comfort food to go. Locals know to ask for a picnic basket (fully equipped with cutlery, dishes, and a tablecloth) that will be enjoyed in Little Italy Park across the street. Have it filled with fried chicken with fluffy mashed potatoes and gravy, braised greens, and biscuits, or pulled pork sandwiches and brisket.

This unpretentious, industrial-chic Little Italy restaurant has garnered a great reputation, thanks in part to its celebrity-chef owners, Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione, who make some of the best pasta dishes in town. 

Eating out at this establishment in the St-Henri/Little Burgundy neighborhood is a little like being invited to a dinner party by a couple of friends who just happen to be top-notch chefs. Everything written on the chalkboard menu is simple, hearty, and just delicious, from the fresh oysters to the organic rib steak and the now-famous lobster spaghetti. In summer, the best seat in the house is one of the 25 coveted chairs spread out on the back patio, among the beautiful patches of an organic vegetable garden. The restaurant is notorious for serving generous portions; thus an outing at Joe Beef should not be attempted without stretchy eating pants!  If there's no space at Joe Beef, try booking a spot at sibling restaurant Liverpool House a few doors down at 2501 rue Notre-Dame Ouest.

This iconic Montréal bistro hasn’t changed much since its opening in 1980, and it’s just as well—regulars would throw a fit if it did. Quintessential French fare is fairly priced and appetizing, outstanding even, with dishes like steak tartare with fries, salmon with sorrel, and calf's liver with tarragon. Tiny tables sometimes struggle to accommodate the ever-present crowds (including local chefs, who congregate here for dinner after hours), but the lively atmosphere is part of the charm. Kids are warmly welcomed.

Québec is notorious for poutine—French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy—and La Banquise has been the place for an authentic experience since 1968 with an extensive menu featuring 31 varieties. Neophytes might want to stick with La Classique, but mouthwatering novelties like La Taquise (guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes), L'Obélix (smoked meat), La Veggie Reggie (pickles, tomatoes, creamy coleslaw, and Banquise sauce), and La Véganomane (vegan sauce and cheese) are quite alluring. On the odd sunny day, have your poutine to go and enjoy it alfresco in nearby Parc Lafontaine.

The self-proclaimed "un coin perdu de Paris" (a lost corner of Paris) is famous for its wraparound patio, Parisian vibe, century-old corner building featuring stained glass and woodwork, an art deco chandelier, and an art nouveau bar. Although this is a full bistro serving three meals every day of the week, it shines brightest in the morning. Order the croissant with almond paste (increasingly hard to find in Montréal as most local pâtisseries and cafés make croissants with almond cream only) while nursing a large bowl of café au lait.

Take cutting-edge experimental art and mix it up with food and what you get is Labo Culinaire Foodlab. Located on the third floor of Montréal's Society of Arts and Technology, Foodlab is an ongoing culinary experiment with rotating themes that range from destinations (e.g., Jerusalem) to dishes inspired by chefs (e.g., Julia Child's cookbook). You can watch chefs cook in the large open kitchen or, when it's warm, sit outside on one of the most beautiful terraces in town. Minors are allowed only on the terrace.

There are lines outside this hip establishment before the restaurant even opens. The primarily teal blue and emerald green color palette makes for a soothing ambience—even the menu's binding is a chic peacock blue—the vibe is laid back and the service warm. The seasonal menu changes monthly, with a focus on small plates, but if the aged sirloin or the arctic char and sea urchin are available for dinner, you're in luck.

 Also try Larry's, a more casual all-day, all-evening café/restaurant/wine-bar/breakfast-joint around the corner at 5201 boulevard St-Laurent.

You'll want to keep coming back again and again to this adorable little gourmet convenience store and café with its mint-green façade and single-origin coffee. Le Petit Dep proudly stocks local products, including prêt-à-manger (ready-to-eat) soups, salads, and comfort foods such as chili, pasta, and vegan shepherd's pie. There are also mouthwatering home-baked goods and candy in bulk. There is a second Old Montréal location at 461 rue St-Sulpice.

The expertise and irreproachable service at Le Serpent truly make it an essential stop on any Montréal foodie itinerary. The industrial-looking space caters to trendy diners, and almost paradoxically, serves sublime Italianate plates that could be mistaken for comfort food if they weren’t so elegantly presented. Nothing disappoints here, from the sommelier picks to dishes like the linguini with almonds, cauliflower, and truffe or the iconic lobster risotto. 

Refined Le Taj carries a piece of Montréal's history with its ornate mud wall originally made for India's pavilion at Expo ’67. With northern Indian cuisine in mind, which isn’t as spicy as its southern counterpart, thalis—platters comprising a variety of curries—are ideal for sampling unfamiliar flavors. Vegetarians and vegans will feel right at home with the veggie-heavy menu, notably the saag paneer (white cheese with spinach), the tandoori vegetable platter, and the channa masala (chickpeas seasoned in coriander, garam masala, mango powder, onions, and garlic). Le Taj is open for lunch only at the Time Out Market, an upscale food court at 705 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest.

First and foremost a wine bar, this atmospheric 30-seat spot also dishes out delicious vegetable-centric, market-based cuisine. The cuisine features local and seasonal ingredients, and the flavors are simple enough to pair well with the stars of the show: the many wines on offer. The homemade bread topped with mushrooms and lobster, the rotisserie whole cauliflower, or the Brussels sprouts a la plancha are just a few of the small plates that have become crowd favorites. End your meal with an assortment of Québec cheeses. The plates are all meant to be shared while you sip on some of the most unique wines in the city, carefully selected from wineries near and far.   If you are a pure vegetarian or vegan, be forewarned that even if a dish appears to be vegetarian it may have been prepared with animal stock or fat. You may want to inquire before ordering.  

A mother-daughter team helm this delightfully cozy pan-African Québécois fusion restaurant in the Plateau. Innovative and well-executed dishes like cassava couscous with okra and goat stew celebrate local produce and sub-Saharan flavors for an experience you won’t soon forget.

Open since 2001, this sophisticated French bistro pleases Montrealers with its flawless classics and its heated wraparound outdoor terrace. Regulars gravitate toward dishes such as the beef or salmon tartare, grilled Cornish hen, asparagus and wild mushroom risotto, mushroom ravioli, and hanger steak—all served with ceremonial aplomb on white linen tablecloths. Be sure to leave room for the generous dessert menu.

Voted Canada's best restaurant in 2023 by the prestigious "Canada's 100 Best," Mon Lapin has gone from being a compact wine bar to a full-fledged 70-seater restaurant with a daily-changing menu of small plates emphasizing local, seasonal ingredients and playful flavor combinations that make the mouth sing. Depending on the day and the season, the minimalist menu might feature chicken brined in sourdough; croque-pétoncle; white asparagus atop razor clams with elderflower; radish and chicken-liver parfait; barbecued whelks; or Nanaimo bars with chestnuts and amaro. But it's not just about the great food. The sommeliers here really know their low-intervention wines and which to pair with each dish. As for the design, it's sophisticated bistro: mosaic tile floors, burnished brass bar, and local art adorning the walls, making for an elegant yet warm and welcoming atmosphere. “It’s not fine dining, it’s fun dining!” say the staff, who work as a team rather than in a regimented kitchen hierarchy. 

Sustainable, organic, and fresh every day is the philosophy of this high-end sushi restaurant. The menu is eclectic, with excellent sashimi, noodles, and some vegetarian-friendly Japanese and Korean dishes mixed with a variety of influences from chef Antonio Park's multiple backgrounds—Korean, Argentinian, and Canadian. You can leave the inspiration to him and opt for an omakase (chef's choice) sushi menu starting at C$135. And don't forget to leave room for dessert! Park partnered with the French pâtissier a few doors down to serve exceptional confections like the sorbet maison; the Tout Chocolat, a chocolate brownie with milk chocolate mousse and roasted pecan caramel; or the raspberry lemon cheesecake.

No one does pizza quite like these pizzaiolos; they are, after all, legally certified by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napolitana in Italy. Using all-natural and non-processed ingredients, and adhering to traditional pizza-making methods (like using a 900-degree oven), Pizzeria 900 on avenue Bernard is one of the most sought-after high-end pizza joints in town with one of the most popular patios. Classics include an unfussy mozzarella di bufala and fleur de sel appetizer as well as delectable mains, like the spicy pancetta and figs or the humble but sturdy margherita blanca pizza. They now also offer the option of vegan cheese for an extra C$2.  In the probable event that the tiny 20-seat restaurant is full, look out for the Pizzeria 900 food truck, or head to one of the other locations around town.

Many would say that you simply haven't eaten in Montréal if you haven't eaten at Schwartz's, Canada’s oldest deli. This Montréal classic has zero frills on the décor front, yet crowds have been lining up here since 1928 for a thick and legendary smoked-meat sandwich on rye with mustard. The cooks do such an excellent job at curing, smoking, and slicing beef brisket that even when it's 20 below zero, locals (and celebrity visitors) endure the consistently long queues.  Try to avoid lunch and dinner hours, as the wait is particularly long. If you're in a rush, use the take-out counter next door.

A darling of Montréal food critics since it opened in 2014, Canada's first vegan sushi restaurant is an innovative twist on the traditional sushi eatery. The setting, fresh from a renovation and redesign in 2021, is replete with brick walls, natural woods, and soothing tones, including a few stunning walls of botanical murals. The new décor is inspired by Mexican Canadian chef and owner Christian Ventura's environmental values as well as by wabi-sabi, a Japanese spiritual and aesthetic concept. "You eat with your eyes," says Ventura, "so everything has to be beautiful." And beautiful it is. Exquisitely plated confections—such as 3 Champions (a play on the French word for mushroom, champignon), with mushroom tartare, shiba zuke, rice pops, and truffle mayo; Taj Mahal, with kabocha tempura, red pepper tempura, shishito tempura, avocado, and onion; and Geisha, a creation of "salmon," "shrimp," marinated shishito pepper, avocado, and citrus ponzu sauce—are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds. The bar serves organic wines, colorful cocktails, and privately imported sakes, making Sushi Momo an attractive destination for a quiet 5 à 7 (cocktail hour).  There's also a Sushi Momo takeout counter at 16 avenue des Pins in the Plateau.

Time Out Market, the popular "anti–food courts" 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. Low-intensity pin lights illuminate the dark surfaces and the blond wood tables and benches, creating an understated effect. TOM Montréal includes 16 unique "food concepts” (Time Out Market's description for the stalls), representing 12 of the best restos in the city, in addition to four bars. Currently, gourmets and gourmands will find such epicurean delights as Mezzmiz (Beirut-style Lebanese meze), Le Red Tiger (Vietnamese), Moleskine (pizzeria), Le Taj (Indian), Paul Toussaint (the chef's 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's also a dedicated mocktail bar that concocts exquisite nonalcoholic libations.

Frequently named one of Montréal's best restaurants and Canada's third best by Canada's 100 Best ( canadas100best.com), a meal at Toqué! is not so much about sustenance but rather about experience. Toqué is slang for "a little stubborn," as in the chef's insistence on using fresh, local ingredients; consequently, the menu changes daily in accordance with market offerings but foie gras, duck, and wild venison are on constant rotation. Some patrons wouldn't consider ordering anything but the seven-course C$182 dinner tasting menu.

Not for the timid, the menu at this famous bistro—one of the late Anthony Bourdain’s favorites—is an ode to gluttony. Wild restaurateur and chef Martin Picard serves pickled bison tongue, guinea hen liver mousse, duck in a can, a whole pig's head for two, and pork hocks braised in maple syrup. However, his obsession with foie gras is what truly sets him apart; he lavishes the stuff on hamburgers and, brace yourselves, poutine. Come summer, look for the Au Pied de Cochon food truck. In winter and spring, "pig out" on pork and maple syrup creations at one of two Au Pied de Cochon sugar shacks in St-Benoît de Mirabel.  Reserve online via website or by email at [email protected].

A favorite among vegans, celiacs, and vegetarians (and even omnivores), Montréal's first vegan restaurant serves comfort food dishes and beverages that are creative and delicious—not to mention packed with vitamins. A large chalkboard displays specials of the day. Try the gigantic sandwiches such as the Sirocco (grilled eggplant and hummus), which comes on chapati bread, or for something a little earthier, go with the Dragon bowl, a crowd favorite of steamed bok choy, organic rice, tempeh, marinated veggies, and tamari sauce. Don't forget to order the "uncheesecake" for dessert.

Beaufort Bistro, a cross between haute cuisine and comfort food, has received a lot of attention since it opened in 2014. Since then, this part restaurant, part busy café-bar has moved to a much larger space to better accommodate more—and more types of—diners. As owner Jean-François Girard says, he wants Beaufort to welcome everyone from families with kids to remote workers with laptops, the young and young at heart, bohemians, bankers, and solo diners who want to sit at the bar. A fan of Norwegian cuisine, Girard features cod fritters, gravlax pavé, Nordic shrimp rolls, and Icelandic cod with pan-fried black rice, almonds, and mushrooms, along with more standard bistro mainstays such as tartare, pasta, and ratatouille—and for the kids: Thérèse's mac and cheese. 

A relatively new addition (opened in late 2019) to the plant-based sushi zeitgeist, Bloom on rue St-Paul aims to prove that it's possible to enjoy sushi without harming our oceans and the fish that live in them. With its white-painted brick and stone walls, blond wood surfaces, and low-hanging cloth lamps, this gorgeous resto is like a cross between a spa and a traditional Japanese restaurant. Choose between a wide array of artfully plated makis, futomakis, nigiris, gyozas, salads, and soups, each dish a captivating fusion of flavors. Complement your meal with a kombucha or a bottle of organic Pinot Noir or Tsukinokatsura Junmai Iwai sake. 

Nobody questions the authenticity of the Neapolitan-style pizza here, seeing as there's a nearly 4-ton wood-burning pizza oven made from Vesuvian rock in the kitchen which cooks pizza in 90 seconds flat at 500°C (932°F). There are just a few toppings available, but all are fabulously flavorsome, like fresh tomatoes, vegetables, and top-quality salumi.

The décor at this restaurant reflects its philosophy: fresh, thoughtful, and simplified (yet not simple). The market-based menu changes often and includes dishes that are just as beautiful to look at as they are delicious. House specialties feature local and seasonal products such as juniper, fiddleheads, asparagus, pears, and maple syrup; game like deer and duck; seafood such as oysters, lobster, and crab; and an assortment of Québec cheeses. The wine selection includes private-import wines.