123 Best Restaurants in Montreal, Quebec

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.

This new sophisticated Chinese eatery in Old Montréal is the city's second Uncle Lee location. This one, however, emphasizes “Kăo”, which means grill in Mandarin, but there is also a good selection of rice and noodle dishes. The 80-seat space is warm and welcoming, with high ceilings, hardwood floors, and lots of red and wood accents. A private room at the back can be reserved for between 12 and 36 people.

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.

Opened in Spring 2024, this rococo-inspired tea room feels a little like attending a real-life, Disneyfied Mad Hatter tea party. Think bubblegum pink walls, checkerboard floor, thick coral pink velvet curtains, salmon pink and burgundy button back seat banquettes, quirky tableaux, and lots of chandeliers. It's the perfect spot to enjoy a kooky Quebecois take on the English High Tea experience, finger foods on tiered platters and a tea sommelier and all. Go with your friends, your mother, daughter, or grandmother. And don't be afraid to take the kids; they're sure to delight in the fanciful children's menu.

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.

Sophie Sucrée was the first vegan bakery to open in Montréal in 2013. Owner Milène Laoun, a self-taught pastry cook, developed her skills by cooking and baking for her loved ones. The quaint 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 offers a small savory menu featuring items like fennel "sausage" and mozza puff, "tuna" salad croissant, and gourmet grilled cheese.

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.

Unveiled in September 2024, Pavillon, the Société des arts technologiques (SAT)'s new eatery replaces Le Labo culinaire. The new third-floor space was completely redesigned to accommodate a casual social club/wine bar concept, with the central focus the long, U-shaped bar. Small, Parisian-inspired bistro tables, pendant lamps, and dark red banquettes complete the interior look. A non-profit associative establishment with no chef-owner, prices at Pavillon are reasonable. With natural wines and aperitifs for C$10, cocktails at C$13, and a short menu of small plates plates costing between C$7 and C$30, you can't go wrong.

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 friendly, bona fide Greek/Greek-Canadian 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.   If you forget to bring your own bottle of wine there is a SAQ liquor store half a block away.

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, and tomatoes. 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.

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. 

Groups of students and other budget-conscious connoisseurs of hearty chow crowd the tables at this hole-in-the-wall for traditional Chinese jiaozi, or soup dumplings, just like they make them in northeast China, with a price that's right: just C$14 to C$18 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 Downtown at 1675 boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest.

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.

This unassuming but contemporary hot spot serves some of the best Vietnamese fare in the city. "Simple yet edgy" are the operative words to describe the menu here. Steamed buns blackened with squid ink; edamames in lime, coriander and sesame; Asian ceviche with sweet potato puree; and chai creme brûlée, to name a few. There is a pleasant terrace on the street and, downstairs, the hidden Nhâu Bar, with its dozens of hanging white and red lanterns, has a sophisticated cocktail menu.

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, 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. Several vegetarian and vegan options are also available.  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 Old Port, SeaSalt is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner while walking around Old Montréal. Its bright and clean interior, along with its large covered terrace, 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 and bok choy and the portobello burger, while the most popular brunch dishes include the smoked salmon plate 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.

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.

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.

Tula is a first in Montréal and a real find for lovers of southwestern Indian cuisine. Inspired by his grandmother's cooking, owner Abhishek Arun opened his calming, unpretentious, 100% plant-based restaurant in 2023 with a tasty menu highlighting his own take on curries, biryani, dahl, bhurjee, and other non-curry dishes. Arun believes in the principle of balance, thus naming his restaurant "Tula", which means balance in Sanskrit. Eating healthy is important, he says. “If your body is in balance, your whole life is in balance”. On weekends, Tula offers a vegan Indian brunch menu.

Montréal's first vegan ramen restaurant, this bright izakaya at the intersection of Mile-Ex and Little Italy, welcomes diners with its clean decor in white, teal, and blond wood accents. Umami makes its own noodles from organic wheat, as well as its own broth and kombucha. On the menu are ramens, needless to say, in addition to revisited Japanese classics like okonomiyaki, gyoza, korokke, and tempura, among others. And since the restaurant is an izakaya, there are also beers, wine, sake, cocktails, and a selection of Japanese whiskey, gin, and vodka.