112 Best Restaurants in Montreal, Quebec

The crowd that fills this casual and lively spot nightly is hip, and the simple, modern Southern Italian comfort food and impeccable service keeps them coming back. Start your meal with the roasted cauliflower frittata or the Dungeness crab salad with confit Meyer lemon and deer carpaccio. Primis like the spinach and nettle olive leaf pasta, olives and Parmigiano broth, or the tajarin pasta with fennel-almond pesto and matane shrimps are always a great choice, and the celery root Marsala with mixed mushrooms and hazelnuts make for nice secondis. The extensive, mostly Italian and French wine list is varied and offers several by-the-glass choices.

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 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 also has fans.

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.

Don't be fooled by the name: Pastaga is not a pasta joint; the name is a slang term for alcoholic drinks composed of anise, specifically pastis. Although famous for its signature dish of crispy pork belly marinated in brown sugar (or maple when in season) and inventive chopped liver à la juive (creamy chopped liver, hard-boiled egg, crunchy bagel chips, and tart-marinated onions), Pastaga is best known for its all-natural wine list, which is certain to yield uncommon finds. If you want to watch the chefs at work, ask for a seat at the chef's table inside the large kitchen.

The compact bakery serves some of the best croissants in Montréal, but the specialty here is the eponymous kouign amann, a multilayered butter and sugar cake originally from Brittany. The aroma of freshly baked bread is alluring to say the least and the passion for pastries is evident and sometimes demonstrated by perfectionist owner Breton Nicolas Henri. In fact, if he sees you eating your croissant the "wrong" way, Nicolas will even suggest the proper way to eat it—broken in half so you can bite through the many layers; according to him, it tastes better that way.

Pick up a pastry to go at the counter or choose one of the plated desserts to enjoy on-site at Patrice Pâtissier, a beautifully designed pastry shop and lunch spot, overseen by one of Québec's most renowned pastry chefs. The almond cream with seasonal fruits is luscious and will certainly please those following a gluten-free and/or vegan diet. The chef's kouign amann (a French sugar and butter layered dessert from Brittany) is delicious, as is the maple financier—a nutty-tasting, brown butter cake.

A local favorite in Westmount, this BYOW Greek estiatorio (more upscale than a taverna) specializes in seafood and has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. With its Grecian-blue tiles and shutters, white walls, traditional Greek music, and ultrafriendly, bona-fide Greek waiters, Petros makes you feel as if you've stepped through a portal straight onto a Cycladic isle. Favorites here include the jumbo shrimp, the octopus with capers and red onion, and the moussaka, but it serves a range of grilled meats (no souvlaki) and a vegetarian gemista (rice stuffed tomatoes and peppers) that is one of the house specialties. And of course there's tzatziki, fava, and hummus served with moist grilled bread. Ask for a table upstairs on the terrace on warm summer nights. The basement floor is a bit claustrophobic. Don't forget to bring your own bottle of wine.

Groups of students and other budget-conscious connoisseurs of hearty chows crowd the tables at this hole-in-the-wall restaurant for traditional Chinese jiaozi, or soup dumplings, just like they make them in northeast China, with a price that's right: just C$12 for 15 dumplings. Demand is high for the lamb-and-coriander dumplings; the boiled shrimp, leek, and egg version; and the fried dumplings with chicken and curry. There are also several varieties of vegetarian dumplings, including tofu and vegetables, zucchini and vegan "salami," cabbage and vegetarian Texas sausage, or pumpkin. Service can be a bit slow, but it's worth the wait.  Cash only. There is another location downtown at 1675 boul. de Maisonneuve O.

Located at the foot of Mount Royal, this unassuming but contemporary local hot spot serves some of the best Vietnamese fare in the city on one of the most enjoyable patios in Montréal. "Simple yet edgy" are the operative words to describe the menu here. Steamed buns attractively blackened with squid ink, ginger-carrot crispy tofu, and grilled chicken à la citronelle with napa cabbage are among the surprising novelties.  There is a second location at 600 rue William in Old Montréal.

Housed inside a welcoming space with alcove windows and stone walls, this airy, colorful restaurant serves traditional Portuguese with plenty of seafood dishes. Share a few tapas plates, like the grilled sardines fillets, cod fritters, the grilled asparagus, or the baby potatoes with herbs before delving into the main course. Leave room for natas, the legendary Portuguese tarts filled with a vanilla-scented custard.

Housed inside a stately former bank topped by a clock tower, this well-worth-the-trek restaurant uses the bank's old vault as a walk-in cellar, while the dining room features stone walls and elegant leather chairs. Main dishes are hard to predict because of the product-driven cuisine, but regularly features local and seasonal ingredients such as snow crab, Québec halibut, asparagus, and fiddleheads—but one thing that indeed does not change is the dedication and resourcefulness of the chef. The brunch menu is surprisingly creative and includes house-made beignets, jams, and spreads, and a riff on the classic pancakes, with theirs being made with apples, homemade yogurt, and maple syrup.

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).

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.

Bringing southeast Asia to southwest Montréal, Satay Brothers is operated by two brothers obsessed with the street food found in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. The eclectic and oddly charming space—think red walls, illuminated Chinese lanterns, a mishmash of Asian patterns and décor—features communal seating and a long bar facing the kitchen, which fires out steamed pork buns, laksa soup, papaya salad and, of course, satays to keep the constant and lively crowd fed. If the restaurant is closed or too busy, try its original stand at nearby Atwater Market.

Part cocktail bar, part British restaurant, this in-vogue spot has welcoming aviary décor motifs. Diners can get a traditional English breakfast in the morning, followed by a Sunday roast and a good old-fashioned basil gimlet. Brunch favorites include buckwheat pancakes, the smoked trout, and the Turkish breakfast plate. Sparrow uses local and sustainable products, the meat is certified organic, hormone- and antibiotic-free, and ground in-house for the famous Sparrow burgers.

Bringing tapas uptown, this Spanish-inspired eatery is a chic yet casual place to drink imported wines and share a few small plates. The Tapeo version of the classic patatas bravas served with a spicy tomato sauce and aioli is always a good choice, as are the roasted vine tomatoes and the grilled chorizo. For an unforgettable meal, book the chef's table in the open kitchen, where you can watch the action and get special attention.

This lovely new bistro, with its minimalist interior in coral pink, seafoam green, and golden ochre, attracts locals for its casual yet stylish atmosphere, appetizing vegan cuisine, gourmet cocktails and mocktails, and natural and organic vegan wines. So flavorsome and satisfying are dishes like the seared cauliflower with panisse and green goddess sauce; the cabbage, bok choy, and tofu dumplings served with sesame sauce and cilantro; and the sautéed mushroom waffles sprinkled with dill, mint, cilantro, and maple and truffle mayo, that even hardcore meat advocates will soon forget they're eating plant-based dishes.

Time Out Market, the popular "anti-food courts" gastro halls opening in cities around the globe, unveiled its Montréal location in late 2019. 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'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 Casa Kaizen (plant-based Japanese-Mexican fusion tacos), Le Red Tiger (Vietnamese), Moleskine (pizzeria), Le Taj (Indian), chef Paul Toussaint's Haitian/Caribbean dishes, and Campo (Portuguese chicken and poutine). 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 concocts delicious non-alcoholic libations.

Film producers and poets congregate at this corner café-bistro, sitting on the terrace to sip award-winning espresso. Although there's a hearty lunch and dinner menu of tofu salads and grilled meat, brunch is the big draw. It features soft-boiled eggs with strips of toast for dipping, fruit, and cheese. Regular breakfast is served seven days a week. Try the Baklava Coffee topped with toasted almonds and honey.

Frequently cited as the best ramen house in Montréal bar none, Yokato Yokabai is indeed a discreet restaurant that deserves to be visited by all noodle lovers—especially when temperatures drop below freezing point here. The décor—dark-wood paneling and minimal knickknacks—immediately transports diners to a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. The ramen broth is incredibly aromatic and equally flavorful. Vegetable broths are available. Service is slow, but worth the inevitable wait.