161 Best Restaurants in Quebec, Canada

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).

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.

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.

Ouroboros, a Michelin Bib Gourmand honoree, offers a cozy bistro ambiance, centered around a large circular bar mirroring its namesake. This unique spot champions low-intervention natural wines, and yet, boldly, does not have a wine list—just ask owner Daniel for a recommendation. The creative market cuisine, with many ingredients sourced directly from the owners' garden. The menu, designed for sharing or solo enjoyment, embodies a cyclical philosophy: from market to plate and even composting. In spring, don't miss the Arctic char, served on a layer of zucchini with a fish skin chip and a delicate, creamy dill emulsion.

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 fun and friendly place has a menu with terrific meats, grilled cheese, and whimsical ideas, like the use of guinea fowl wings in lieu of chicken wings. The food here has personality, humor, and . . . lots of butter. Sit at the varnished plywood counter, have a glass of tasty organic wine, and watch the kitchen run in a way that seems a tad chaotic but always delivers. Its twin restaurant, L'Affaire est Ketchup, is a little farther east on rue St-Joseph.

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.

Massawippi pale and brown ales and a vast selection of microbrews and imports are all on tap here. Pub food is served both in the upstairs dining room and in the tavern. There are three terraces at this waterfront restaurant, so you'll be sure to enjoy the fantastic view of the Massawippi River. It's a popular place and can get busy at lunch and on warm summer evenings, so try to get there early.

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. 

Sleek and modern, this friendly restaurant hits all the right spots—it's devoted to local ingredients and its dining room and deck overlook the St. Lawrence River. While the menu items are constantly evolving, expect creative plates: bison tartare, pickled mushrooms, and salt foie gras; sablefish, lime mousseline, and clementine white butter; and savarin, elderberry, and white chocolate Chantilly as dessert. Chef surprises come on the tasting menu, which features a five-course meal with wine.

A true pub, with local beers, ribs, burgers, onion rings, and homemade chips, but the kitchen also serves gourmet delights with local and international flair. Foie gras, salmon tartare, filet mignon, Coquille St. Jacques, spaghetti and goat cheese, and vegetable pizza have all shown up as specials. People-watching is great, especially on the heated, partially enclosed patio that feels a little like a beer garden. Come on St. Patrick's Day and you're likely to get green beer.

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.

A view of the Mingan Archipelago and big portions make this restaurant a favorite—lines can be long—and outdoor seating is a bonus on a fine day. The seafood-centric dinner menu features giant, colorful seafood platters focused on lobster, a seafood pizza, and a lobster club sandwich. Pasta, burgers, and American-style breakfasts are also served.

The premise already has foodies salivating: "anthropomorphic universe" of local and organic cuisine. Chef Stéphane Modat, whose fame on this side of the pond is largely due to his masterful time in the kitchen of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, surrounds himself with precious collaborators (the name of the restaurant, "the clan," is by no means a coincidence) and brings his characterful verve to boreal gastronomy. This is the kind of place where it's best to just trust the process—and savoir-faire—and enjoy every miraculous bite. The menu, whether for lunch, brunch, or dinner, is not posted online and changes daily according to market arrivals (the geographical coordinates of each producer and gardener are listed on the menu), but the mussels, harvested in the remote waters of Côte Nord, are certainly among the best in the world.

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.

This family-owned restaurant is rooted in French classics but has a taste for pizza and pasta, too. Escargots, steak tartare, veal scallops with mushroom cream sauce, grilled steaks, and various steamed mussel presentations join numerous Italian-style linguine dishes including Alfredo, Bolognese, and carbonara. Go super retro for dessert with flaming crepe suzette.

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).

Step into this Québec City "den" (tanière), nestled within ancestral 500-year-old stone vaults. As the province's only restaurant honored with two prestigious Michelin stars, Tanière³ offers a dazzling gastronomic journey with a blind tasting menu of 15 to 20 courses, meticulously crafted by the inventive Chef François-Emmanuel Nicol. Every detail—from creative presentation to the intimate atmosphere and remarkable quality of service—is carefully orchestrated, ensuring a truly unforgettable meal. Almost all ingredients are locally sourced from small-scale producers, featuring unique Québec treasures like St. Lawrence sturgeon, wild wasabi, fir gum, and apple vermouth. While a superb wine pairing is available, the innovative mocktail pairing proves to be a positively unexpected surprise. For the ultimate immersive dining experience, consider booking the chef's table.

Towering gourmet burgers are made exactly to order with a choice of lamb, chicken, salmon, local beef, or a vegetarian patty. Dress it up with one of several cheeses (maybe fresh chevre), various garnishes (how about caramelized onions and smoked bacon?), and a range of sauces (a dab of citrus tarragon mayonnaise?). Burger meals are not mandatory. Steak, grilled salmon, bacon macaroni and cheese, and other appetizers and entrées are also on the menu at this friendly pub.

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.

For an unforgettable journey into Indigenous culture, Sagamité restaurant offers a truly authentic dining experience. Explore the rich, robust flavors of First Nations cuisine with hearty, compelling dishes like elk terrine and smoked bison ravioli. The cozy ambiance and deep cultural immersion make Sagamité an essential, unique culinary destination in the heart of historic Québec.

The menu at this Italian-leaning restaurant with a laid-back, industrial-cool feel is satisfying, with a number of imaginative pizzas, pastas, salads, and such. Try the fried mozzarella or the chef's risotto, which changes daily. The space, which features stone walls and steel chairs as well as a great, somewhat secluded terrace in the summer, is open late for drinks and snacks. A second location has recently opened in Petit Champlain.

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.