39 Best Restaurants in Montreal, Quebec

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. 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. 

The Schkolnick family has been serving brunch at this Montréal landmark since 1942, and very little here has changed, including the menu. On weekends, the line out front can be daunting. The Beautys Special—bagel, lox, and cream cheese—is the ultimate classic. Standard picks also include the Mish Mash omelet, with sliced frankfurters, salami, green peppers, and fried onions; and the Superbeautys 2 with two eggs, pancakes, bacon and sausage, and a toasted bagel. Until he passed away in 2017 at the age of 96, Hymie, the original owner, still sat at the counter and directed patrons to their seats.

Instagram famous for its dusty pink chairs and pleasing, contemporary space, this seriously cool brasserie is home to 41 home brews—sold at the boutique upstairs—and a solid menu that may include beer-steamed mussels, portobello burger, and beef tartare. 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. 

One part pâtisserie, one part café, one part French bistro, this little restaurant has been a darling of food critics since it opened in 2017. Serving deftly executed French dishes like quiche, vol-au-vent, and tartines niçoises in a fresh, modern setting of white subway tiles, decorative brass struts, richly patinated wooden tables, and mint-green velvet seating, Café Bazin is a little corner of France in the heart of Anglo Westmount. You'll likely feel sated after your main course, but don't make the mistake of passing on dessert. Bazin is originally a pâtissier by profession, and the pâtisseries here are exquisite. Try the tartelette choco café, a chocolate flan with Chantilly coffee cream, or the Paris-Brest, a choux pastry with hazelnut praline mousseline.   

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, and Art Nouveau bar. Although this is a full bistro serving three meals every day of the week, it shines brightest in the morning. Order a croissant while nursing a large bowl of café au lait.

Influential types arrive at lunchtime en masse for a table at this bustling bakery and sandwich shop where vegetables are organically grown in a nearby garden. Crowd pleasers include the Cuban panini sandwich and the #24 salad with pickled daikon, peanuts, roasted marinated tofu, fresh herbs, and soba noodles.  There is now a second location in the new Royalmount mall.

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 with cherry tomatoes and capers appetizer as well as delectable mains, like the spicy pancetta and figs or the humble but sturdy margherita bianca pizza. For celiacs, wheat flour can be substituted for rice flour for an extra C$5.   In the probable event that the tiny 20-seat restaurant is full, reserve online via the website 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.

Named after the gourmand father of one of the owners, this all-day breakfast spot quickly became a favorite breakfast/brunch destination for Montrealers. The luminous green and white eatery with terracotta brown banquettes and bar seating, serves up Eastern European Jewish fare with Middle Eastern influences. A wine list of mostly private imports and classic brunch cocktails like mimosas, Caesars, and peach Bellinis round out the weekend brunch experience.

Nobody questions the authenticity of the Neapolitan-style pizza here, seeing as there's a nearly four-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.

There's no need to cross the pond to find perfectly battered fish and delicious chips, as they can be found right here in Old Montréal. The cod is a staple, but the salmon dipped in beer batter is also a menu favorite, and for a Canadian touch, try the haddock covered in golden maple syrup batter. Vegetarians will appreciate the tofu in chipotle batter and the veggie samosas. There's gluten-free available as well. Polish off your jolly ol' British experience at the chippy with sticky toffee pudding. Wine and a range of beers are also served. 

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.

Open since 1920, this iconic eatery bordering the western edge of Downtown is popular with locals for its old-school diner ambience, friendly staff, and consistent quality of its food.

Vegans, vegetarians, and meat eaters alike love this casual Thai restaurant where no meat is served. The chefs prepare meatless versions of such classics as calamari with basil, chicken with green beans, fish with three hot sauces, and beef with yellow curry and coconut milk, substituting the real thing for soy and seitan.

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.

This popular Québec restaurant/chocolate bar chain is the brainchild of Juliette Brun, a self-confessed chocoholic since she was a child. First opened in 2003 when Juliette was only 22, there are now nearly 30 locations across the province. From the molten chocolate lava cake served with a scoop of ice cream and melted chocolate sauce to the dark chocolate raspberry dome, the speculoos cookie butter fondant, and the banana split milkshake, chocolate and sweets lovers are sure to fall in love with Juliette’s. Brunches and savory meals are also served.

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.

As a gourmet grocery shop, take-out counter, and French bistro rolled into one, this splendid space was quickly adopted by local foodies. Instead of being dejected by the brunch queues on Saturday and Sunday, visitors should take advantage of that time to browse the restaurant’s inviting boutique for gourmet souvenirs to take home.

This casual Syrian spot is comfortable and homey but still has style, with music, ivy, exposed-stone walls, and a lovely terrace come summer. The menu is perfect for grazing, and excellent sharing options include the mouhamara (pomegranate-and-walnut spread), sabanegh (spinach, coriander, and onion pie), fattouche (a salad with pita chips and mint), and yalandji (vine leaves stuffed with rice, chickpeas, walnuts, and tomatoes). There are Armenian dishes, too, like the salad with cumin and flefle (hot peppers). Delicious kebabs dominate the main courses, with the moderately spiced terbialy a favorite. Le Petit Alep also has an older sibling, Restaurant Alep, at 199 rue Jean-Talon Ouest.

"The crazier, the merrier"—that's the motto that greets patrons on the neon sign behind the canary yellow counter of this cheerful Vietnamese pub. Serving up authentic yet creative reinventions of Vietnamese street food, the three third-generation Vietnamese Canadian owners of Le Red Tiger have been wooing Montrealers in this quirky, convivial setting since opening in 2015.

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 dining room is small and not much to look at, but no matter—the food here is the main attraction, and locals come in droves for the homemade noodles and dumplings. If you time your visit right, you might see the staff through the huge kitchen window working on the dough. Noodles with spicy vegetables and pork are popular—either for one, or to share. Traditionalists take note: the General Tao chicken is one of the best in the city (you can also order it with tofu instead).

Hipsters head to this laid-back ’70s diner for one thing: delicious, classic greasy-spoon dishes with a modern twist. A close second is the décor; think cheap wood paneling and vinyl seats. The Palace Hamburger (Palais Burger) is gaining a reputation among Montrealers as one of the best in the city, and the sweet-potato pie for C$6 also has fans. On Friday and Saturday the bar is open until 1 am.

This small, unpretentious, plant-filled eatery serves up the usual Lebanese fare—meze, salads, and pita sandwiches—but the sandwiches come with a variety of twists: Thai, Indian, Latin American, Italian, pescatarian, with grilled veggies, and so on.

More of a brasserie than a restaurant, Orange Rouge pays tribute to its neighborhood with creative interpretations of traditional dishes that might ruffle the feathers of authenticity sticklers but will please Asian food aficionados. The chef takes liberties by combining familiar flavors with a surprising twist like the unusual, slightly herbaceous chrysanthemum salad or the intriguing foie gras steam buns. The whole roasted duck is an homage to Chinese-style Peking duck and can easily be shared by five people.

While perhaps not the top pizzeria in Montréal, Pizzeria Napoletana has been at the heart of Montréal's Italian community since 1948. In summer, the outdoor patio hums, with more tables spilling out onto the sidewalk. The menu consists of traditional thin-crust pizzas, pastas, and other southern Italian classics, many based on family recipes.   They do not carry wine; it's BYOW. If you forget to bring a bottle, you can buy one in their shop, Miss Napoletana, across the street. 

This family-run restaurant, in existence for three generations, offers more than 60 dishes on rotation on any given day, making this the place for dim sum feasts. Waiters clatter up and down the aisles pushing a parade of trolleys bearing such treats as firm dumplings stuffed with pork and stir-fried squid and shrimp. The best way to order? Halt a cart as it's going by and point to the dim sum dish you desire. You can order from a menu, too, but that's not nearly as much fun.

A beautiful young crowd, tasty cocktails, and delicious tacos are what this dynamic restaurant and bar is all about. The menu is a mix of some of the best Latin fare in Montréal—with toppings like marinated chilis, homemade jalapeño crema, and cumin-roasted walnuts, or the more carnivore-friendly veal tongue with red peanut salsa—as well as other great "Latin-inspired fare." For something festive, order a Paloma (a savvy mix of tequila, lime, hibiscus syrup, and fresh grapefruit juice).