30 Best Restaurants in Montreal, Quebec

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.

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 prix-fixe, multi-course menu changes monthly, in sync with the seasons, and costs C$110 per person, including service but excluding drinks.

 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.

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 the meat, fish and pasta dishes down to the delectable desserts.

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, the asparagus and wild mushroom risotto, and hanger steak—all served with ceremonial aplomb on white linen tablecloths. Vegans and vegetarians will appreciate the grilled portobello with root vegetables and herbs cooked in a miso broth. Be sure to leave room for the tantalizing dessert menu. 

Voted Canada's best restaurant in 2023 and 2024 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; 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 design, it's sophisticated bistro: mosaic tile floors, burnished brass bar, and local art adorning the walls. “It’s not fine dining, it’s fun dining!” say the staff, who work more as a team rather than 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$145 per person. 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.

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$205 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, book a picnic experience in the orchard of Au Pied de Cochon's Cabane d'à Cóté in St-Benoît de Mirabel. In winter and spring, "pig out" on pork and maple syrup creations at one of two Au Pied de Cochon sugar shacks, also in St-Benoît de Mirabel.  Reserve via website or by email at [email protected].

Two months after being destroyed by a fire in 2024, Boullion Bilk was resurrected at a new location, now even closer to Place des Arts. The new décor recalls the sleek, minimalist design of the former location, a style which continues to reflect the restaurant's 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, yellowtail, and scallops; and an assortment of Québec cheeses. The wine selection includes private-import wines.

Inspired by Paris’s golden-age brasseries, Brasserie 701's spectacular setting features high ceilings, neoclassical architecture, giant arched windows, and lovely chandeliers. The menu incudes the usual suspects expected at a brasserie, from tartares to filet mignon, ratatouille, escargot, and foie gras.

Chef Carlos Ferreira and his passionate team put upscale Portuguese cuisine on the Montréal map when the restaurant opened in 1996. The open-concept kitchen in this sleek restaurant is renowned for its for "haute" Portuguese cuisine, including roasted salted cod, seafood bouillabaisse, and a whole array of appetizers like giant shrimp and grilled octopus or roasted sardine fillets. Wine connoisseurs are attracted to the impressive list of Portuguese wines.

Despite the name—French for "Hunting and Fishing Club"—this isn't a hangout for the local gun-and-rod set. Impeccable service and top-notch ingredients have made this one of the best restaurants in the city; the name is simply referencing the wood-and-leather décor. Chef sommelier, Joris Gutierrez Garcia, was named the 2025 Best Sommelier of the Americas by the Association de la Sommellerie Internationale.

The cellar of what used to be Montréal's first women's prison hardly sounds like the ideal setting for an Italian eatery, but Nonna Emma's cuisine shushes any bad vibes from the 1800s. Nonna Emma recently retired, at the age of 80, but today her daughter, Olga Aureli, and her grandson, Luca, the sixth generation of restaurateurs in the family, now helm the well-known institution. Stone walls and heavy beams serve as a backdrop for Roman dishes like roasted lamb, fettuccine con funghi porcini and salmone alla griglia, which have all forgone fussy presentation to focus on superior fixings. Repeat customers, including Hollywood A-listers, enjoy the privacy of the secluded garden.  Reservations are recommended Thursday through Saturday.

Colorful and cozy, with beautiful glass lanterns hanging from the red ceiling and hot and cold meze dishes that are perfect for sharing, this Syrian restaurant is a treat. If it's on the menu, try fatta (yogurt, tahini, pita, pistachios, pine nuts, and herbs), hummus shawarma, hummus with mushrooms, or moujaddaraa (braised lentils with bulgur and caramelized onions, tomato salsa, and yogurt mint sauce). Add a glass of arrak—a traditional, anise-flavored drink—or wine from the list of Mediterranean imports to bring it all together.

Located in Montréal's Downtown core, Deville Dinerbar is a fun alternative to the otherwise rather serious dining options in the area. A palette of neon pink, white, and black keeps the dining room vivid and exciting (but not diner-kitschy). The meat-heavy menu, with dishes like the substantial Deville burger, shepherd's potpie (peas, corn, braised short ribs, and puff pastry), or fish-and-chips on a brioche bun, provides filling choices, so be sure to leave room for dessert. Whimsical drinks like the Hawaii 5-0, Miami Vice, and Preciso Quetzal, presented in a bird-shaped glass with plumes of pineapple leaves, in addition to tasty, brightly colored mocktails, complete the entertaining vibe.

A light croissant or rich pastry from the city's oldest pâtisserie makes for a nice break after visiting the Parc Mont-Royal or Oratoire St-Joseph. For lunch, try the avocado toast with goat cheese, cherry tomatoes, and olive oil; the onion soup; or the mushroom or lobster risotto, followed by a tartelette aux abricots (apricot tart). If you're taking pastries home, try to snag an almond-paste (as opposed to almond-cream) croissant (or roulé) before the shop runs out.

Blink and you'll miss it. While the address is written on the building's façade, the restaurant's nondescript exterior and lack of a sign mean you may be searching for a while. Popular options at this atmospheric see-and-be-seen locale, steered by local celebrity chef Chuck Hughes, include bountiful platters of seafood, mains featuring fish, duck or beef, and usually a pasta dish with meat. With few plant-based sides on the menu, vegetarians and vegans will be left wanting. The bar, where flirting is in high gear, is a fun option for dining and hanging out. The kitchen closes at 10, after which the party rages until 3 am. Minors are not permitted on the premises.

Although La Chronique is indeed an elegant place with white walls and high ceilings flooded with light, people don't come here for the setting; they come for the excellent food. Without fuss or fanfare, La Chronique has remained one of the best French restaurants in town since it opened in 1995. The cuisine seamlessly blends lightened French fare with seasonal and local ingredients. If you are a foie gras fan, the seared version served with seasonal fruit is easily the best in town. This is an excellent place to splurge on the prix-fixe five-course tasting menu at dinner for C$145, or C$250 with wine pairings.

A study in contrasts, Le Filet has a discreet blink-and-you'll-miss-it façade with a glitzy black-and-gold interior and a hot-spot buzz. Though it's been around a while, there is no mixed messaging when it comes to the exacting presentation and superb food and wine. The menu is divided into three courses, or "sets." While the first set consists of shareable cold dishes (such as garnished oysters with toppings like maple crisp, jalapeño, or miso gratin), the main course is dedicated to hot seafood and meat dishes (for instance, squid ink linguine with seafood and fried shallots or gemelli with braised veal cheek, mushrooms, and foie gras). For dessert, expect items like cheesecake with poached pears and cassis sorbet; a maple syrup square with fresh cream and chocolate-coated pecans; or an exotic fruit carpaccio with coconut sorbet, vanilla cream, and kumquat. Wine lovers also appreciate the impressive wine list.

Regularly lauded on Canadian best-of dining lists, Le Mousso is helmed by chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard, who dreams up exquisitely plated, northern European–inspired dishes that are as much works of art as they are imaginative combinations of flavor and texture for the taste buds. Using mostly local and seasonal ingredients, the seven-course tasting menu might feature dishes such as borscht décomposé (beet soup), grilled scallops lightly smoked with fir and served on coals with wild plum butter, or tataki Wagyu beef accompanied by cream, New Brunswick caviar, and nasturtium leaves. Dessert might be a fanciful whirl of chocolate with cucumber or squash with honey and rapeseed oil.  The restaurant will attempt to accommodate food allergies and vegetarian diets but reserves the right to refuse a reservation in cases where it would be too difficult to do so. Mousso does not offer vegetarian variations, but a dining "experience" without meat or fish is possible. All dietary restrictions must be mentioned at the time of reservation.

Local celebrity chef Derek Dammann teamed up with famed British chef Jamie Oliver to open this pub-style restaurant that perfectly blends Canadian and British traditions. The interior is dark and cozy; the handwritten menu changes frequently based on what's in season. Expect dishes like black pudding, Welsh rarebit, oven-baked oysters, foie gras parfait, or cold roast with dandelion.

For fine dining in Old Montréal, head to this elegant contemporary restaurant and brasserie serving expertly presented Canadian fare, from oysters to Prince Edward Island côte de boeuf. A chic, illuminated bar showcases the wine collection, with 400 selections including some Quebecois bottles.

A little off the beaten path, this intimate Italian eatery can be easy to miss. The restaurant's head chef Dmetro Sinclair emphasizes simple, seasonal dishes using techniques and ingredients outside the classic Italian canon yet feel more attuned with the true essence of Italian cooking than what you find in most other Italian restaurants.

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.

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.