118 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. If they're on the menu, start your meal with the fried zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta, tomatoes, and basil. Primi like the spinach-and-nettle olive-leaf pasta, olives, and parmigiano broth or the busiate pasta with tomato, almonds, basil, and burrata are always a great choice, while the grilled halibut with lentils, garlic scape, and fumet is a nice secondo. 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 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 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.

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. Pastaga is best known for its all-natural wine list and small sharing plates.

This 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 and native 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.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023, Sophie Sucrée was the first vegan bakery to open in Montréal. Owner Milène Laoun, a self-taught pastry cook, developed her skills by cooking and baking for her loved ones. After dropping out of university, where she majored in math, and quitting her bank job, she did an internship with a local cake designer before opening her small pâtisserie. The charmingly decorated space is very small, with no seating, but of course Laoun's decadent confections—croissants, cakes, cupcakes, bars, cookies, and tarts—can be purchased to go. She prioritizes the use of unprocessed plant-based ingredients as well as organic and local products. Gluten-, nut-, and soy-friendly options are available as well, and the pâtisserie now offers a French/Mediterranean-inspired savory menu featuring items such as sourdough pizza, spanakopita, gourmet grilled cheeses, and soups and sandwiches.

Initially an artisanal frozen dessert brand, Végania unveiled its sit-down patisserie-boutique in August 2022, mere steps from Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal. Chef-pâtissier owner Justine's plant-based, mostly gluten-free desserts, made with cashew nuts, Québec maple syrup, and organic ingredients, marry gourmandise with healthy eating. The pâtisserie-boutique's antique décor is quaint and attractive, but it's the artfully presented, divinely delicious desserts that will have you coming back for more.

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 uber-friendly, bona fide Greek waiters, Petros makes you feel as if you've stepped 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 or on the terrace on warm summer nights, since the basement is a bit claustrophobic.  Don't forget to bring your own bottle of wine.

It may be in the heart of trendy Mile End, but this "phyllo bar" looks like it was transported directly from Athens, with food arriving on checkered cobalt-blue wax paper. The spanakopita, with a perfect crispy exterior, makes for an excellent lunch on the go, as does the Melina sandwich, with its spicy feta spread, kalamata hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, and graviera. Another must, the bougatsa, is a warm custard-filled phyllo pastry with cinnamon. It's all about takeout here, though warm temperatures allow for a small deck out front.

Pizzeria Napoletana has been at the heart of Montréal's Italian community since 1948. The menu consists of traditional thin-crust pizzas, pastas, and other southern Italian classics, many based on family recipes. Be aware that they do not serve wine; it's BYOB. If you forget to bring a bottle, you can buy one in their shop, Miss Napoletana, across the street. 

Groups of students and other budget-conscious connoisseurs of hearty chow 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 to C$16 for 15 dumplings. Among the 40 or so varieties of dumplings here, there are also vegetarian versions, including tofu and vegetables, zucchini and vegan "salami," cabbage and Texas "sausage," and pumpkin. Service can be a bit slow, but it's worth the wait.  Cash only.  There is another location in Downtown at 1675 boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest.

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 blackened with squid ink, ginger-carrot crispy tofu, and grilled chicken à la citronnelle 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 upscale Portuguese cuisine with plenty of seafood dishes. Share a few tapas plates, like the grilled sardines fillets, cod fritters, grilled asparagus, or 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 feature 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 housemade beignets, jams, and spreads and a riff on the classic pancakes, with theirs 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 foods 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.

The perfect seafood spot for the summer with impeccable views of the Vieux Port, SeaSalt is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner while walking around Old Montréal. Start off with one of the amazing tartares and try not to miss out on the maple-and-rose-crusted salmon with carrot and yuzu cream, lobster bisque sauce, and a kale and lemon salad on the side. Its bright and clean interior along with the large covered outdoor seating area makes this restaurant feel as if it belongs on the coast of Southern France.

Part cocktail bar, part British restaurant, this vintage-inspired spot with wooden pew seats sports a welcoming aviary motif. Dinner favorites are the soba noodles with salmon bok choy, the fried chicken burger, and the portobello burger, while the most popular dishes for brunch include the buckwheat pancakes, the smoked trout, and the Turkish breakfast plate. Sparrow uses only local and sustainable products.

Even New Yorkers have been known to (collective gasp!) prefer Montréal's light and crispy bagel to its bulkier Manhattan cousin, due to the dough of the Montréal version being boiled in honey-sweetened water before baking in a wood-burning oven. St-Viateur Bagel & Café is a great place to get them, especially with smoked salmon. For a novel experience, try the rosemary-and-sea-salt version. Be sure to check out St-Viateur's original location at 263 rue St-Viateur Ouest, where the bagel magic has been happening since 1957. That venue does not have a dining area, but you can pick up bagels fresh out of the oven until midnight.

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 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 and tofu dumplings with sesame sauce, and the sautéed mushroom waffles that even hardcore meat advocates will soon forget they're eating plant-based dishes.

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 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 a discreet restaurant that deserves to be visited by all noodle lovers—especially when temperatures drop below the freezing point here. The décor—dark-wood paneling and minimal knickknacks—immediately transports diners to a Japanese hole-in-the-wall. Service is slow, but worth the inevitable wait.

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.