Quick answers — eating in Montreal
- Best restaurant overall
- BACCARAT Restaurant
- Best value
- L'Express (CAD 70-120+ / USD 50-90+)
- Strongest cuisines
- French, Modern European
- Dishes to try
- Poutine, Smoked Meat Sandwich, Montreal Bagel, Tourtière
- Booking window
- For top fine dining, book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for Friday/Saturday evenings. Some exclusive spots require a month or more, particularly during peak seasons.
Booking well in advance, especially for weekend evenings, is highly recommended for top establishments. Dress codes are typically smart casual to business casual, eschewing very informal attire. Tipping in Canada is customary, usually 15-20% for good service. Dinner service generally begins around 5:30 PM and continues until 9:30 PM or 10:00 PM.
French
Best French restaurants in Montreal
French cooking is still the backbone of fine dining almost everywhere — expect sauce work, butter, precise service and set lunch menus that cost a fraction of dinner.
BACCARAT Restaurant
Acclaimed local fine diningModern French · Downtown · CAD 150-250+ / USD 110-185+
Francis Laurin
Situated within the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, BACCARAT offers an elegant, refined atmosphere with a focus on modern French cuisine. Chef Francis Laurin artfully prepares dishes showcasing premium ingredients and sophisticated presentations. It's a destination for luxurious dining in a grand setting, emphasizing classic techniques with contemporary flair.
Order: Pan-seared Foie Gras, Lobster Thermidor
Joe Beef
Acclaimed local fine diningEclectic French-Canadian · Little Burgundy · CAD 100-180+ / USD 75-135+
Frederic Morin, David McMillan, Marc-Olivier Frappier
Joe Beef is renowned for its indulgent, unpretentious, yet supremely refined take on French-Canadian cuisine. The atmosphere is boisterous and charmingly rustic, reminiscent of a classic French bistro. Focusing on rich, hearty dishes often featuring extravagant ingredients, it offers a unique, celebrated dining experience that has garnered international attention for its distinctive character and quality.
Order: Foie Gras Double Down, Lobster Spaghetti
Monarque
Acclaimed local fine diningModern French · Old Montreal · CAD 120-220+ / USD 90-165+
Jérémie Bastien
Monarque offers a duality of experiences: a bustling brasserie and a more intimate, refined dining room. Chef Jérémie Bastien presents classic French dishes executed with precision and contemporary sensibility, using high-quality local and imported ingredients. The elegant, well-appointed space and consistent service contribute to its reputation as a leading destination for sophisticated dining.
Order: Duck Confit, Beef Tartare
Le Club Chasse et Pêche
Acclaimed local fine diningGame-focused French · Old Montreal · CAD 150-250+ / USD 110-185+
Olivier Perret
Tucked away in a historic building, Le Club Chasse et Pêche provides an intimate, rustic-chic setting ideal for an elevated dining experience. The menu expertly focuses on game, fish, and offal, showcasing refined French techniques with bold flavors. It’s celebrated for its consistent quality, sophisticated wine list, and discreet, impeccable service, attracting a discerning clientele.
Order: Wild Boar, Scallops with Foie Gras
Bouillon Bilk
Acclaimed local fine diningModern French-Quebecois · Quartier des Spectacles · CAD 100-180+ / USD 75-135+
François Nadon
Bouillon Bilk is known for its contemporary, minimalist aesthetic and inventive, seasonally driven menu. Chef François Nadon crafts elegant dishes that blend precise French techniques with a creative use of local ingredients, resulting in vibrant and complex flavor profiles. The restaurant maintains a lively yet refined atmosphere, making it a popular choice for discerning diners seeking modern cuisine.
Order: Octopus with Chorizo, Duck Magret
L'Express
Acclaimed local fine diningClassic French Bistro · Plateau Mont-Royal · CAD 70-120+ / USD 50-90+
Jean-Philippe Gagnon
L'Express epitomizes the quintessential Parisian bistro experience in Montreal. With its classic checkered floor, zinc bar, and bustling ambiance, it offers consistently excellent, timeless French dishes executed with skill and tradition. It's a beloved institution, celebrated for its extensive wine list and dependable menu, making it a enduring destination for authentic French dining.
Order: Steak Frites, Bone Marrow with Parsley Salad
Modern European
Best modern European restaurants in Montreal
Modern European is the catch-all for kitchens that borrow technique from France, produce from their own region and ideas from everywhere — usually tasting-menu only.
Candide
Acclaimed local fine diningModern Quebecois · Little Burgundy · CAD 90-140+ / USD 65-105+
John Winter Russell
Candide champions a hyper-seasonal, ingredient-driven approach to modern Quebecois cuisine within a converted rectory. Chef John Winter Russell crafts a fixed, multi-course menu that changes frequently, celebrating local producers and sustainable practices. The intimate, unpretentious setting and attentive service create a warm, welcoming environment for a thoughtful and delicious culinary journey.
Order: Seasonal tasting menu with emphasis on local vegetables and ethical proteins
Budget
Where to eat cheaply in Montreal
Schwartz's
Montreal's legendary deli since 1928, serving arguably the best smoked meat sandwiches globally. Expect queues, a no-frills setting, and exceptionally flavorful, hand-sliced brisket. A classic sandwich is around CAD 12-18.
La Banquise
A 24/7 institution famous for its extensive poutine menu, offering over 30 varieties from classic to more adventurous toppings like smoked meat or pulled pork. A hearty poutine is typically CAD 15-25.
Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon)
Explore this vibrant public market for fresh Quebec produce, local cheeses, baked goods, and artisanal products. Many vendors offer delicious, ready-to-eat snacks and light meals, typically CAD 5-15.
St-Viateur Bagel & Café
Experience Montreal-style bagels, distinctively hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and wood-fired. Get them fresh and warm, plain or with cream cheese, often under CAD 3 per bagel, or enjoy a simple sandwich.
Rôtisserie Romados
Known for its succulent Portuguese rotisserie chicken, marinated and grilled to perfection, served with spicy piri-piri sauce, fries, and salad. A half-chicken plate is a generous and satisfying meal for around CAD 15-20.
Local dishes
What to eat in Montreal
Poutine
This iconic Québécois dish consists of fresh-cut French fries, cheese curds, and a rich brown gravy. While it sounds simple, the quality of each component is crucial. La Banquise is a famous spot, offering over 30 varieties, from classic to more adventurous toppings like smoked meat or pulled pork.
Smoked Meat Sandwich
Montreal's answer to pastrami, this beef brisket is cured, smoked, and steamed to perfection, then thinly sliced and piled high on rye bread with mustard. Schwartz's Deli, a historic institution on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, is the definitive place to experience this local delicacy, often served with a sour pickle.
Montreal Bagel
Unlike their New York counterparts, Montreal bagels are hand-rolled, boiled in honey water, and baked in a wood-fired oven, resulting in a slightly smaller, denser, and sweeter bagel. St-Viateur Bagel & Café and Fairmount Bagel are legendary establishments where you can enjoy them fresh and warm, often with cream cheese.
Tourtière
A traditional French-Canadian meat pie, typically made with minced pork, beef, or game, mixed with spices and baked in a flaky crust. It's a comforting, hearty dish often associated with holidays and colder months. You can find excellent versions in traditional Québécois restaurants like Les Deux Gamins or local markets.
Maple Taffy on Snow (Tire sur la neige)
A delightful treat made by pouring hot maple syrup onto fresh snow, where it instantly solidifies into a chewy, sweet taffy that you roll onto a stick. This seasonal delicacy is primarily enjoyed during maple syrup season (early spring) at sugar shacks or local markets, offering a true taste of Quebec's maple heritage.
Pâté Chinois (Shepherd's Pie)
Quebec's unique take on shepherd's pie, featuring a layer of ground beef, topped with corn (often creamed), and finished with a layer of mashed potatoes. It's a quintessential comfort food, simple yet deeply satisfying. Many traditional Québécois eateries, such as L'Express, serve this comforting, homestyle dish.
Pouding Chômeur
Translating to 'poor man's pudding,' this classic Québécois dessert is a rich, moist cake or sponge baked in a heavy maple or brown sugar syrup. It's a decadent, sweet treat perfect for colder weather. Many traditional restaurants and bakeries in Montreal will offer this comforting, historical dessert.
Coeur de Veau
Often prepared by celebrated Montreal chefs, this dish involves pan-searing or grilling calf's heart, typically served with seasonal vegetables and a rich sauce. It's a robust, flavorful, and often overlooked cut of meat, showcased brilliantly at establishments like Au Pied de Cochon, highlighting nose-to-tail dining.
How to book a table in Montreal
- · For top fine dining, book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for Friday/Saturday evenings. Some exclusive spots require a month or more, particularly during peak seasons.
- · Many higher-end restaurants require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for tasting menus, typically CAD 50-100 per person, to deter no-shows.
- · Consider weekday lunch menus at fine dining establishments for a more accessible price point. These often feature smaller, curated versions of dinner dishes, offering excellent value.
- · Be aware of no-show and late cancellation policies. Most restaurants charge a fee (often the deposit amount or a set per-person charge) if you fail to arrive or cancel within 24-48 hours.
FAQ
Montreal restaurant questions travellers ask
What is the best restaurant in Montreal?
BACCARAT Restaurant in Downtown is the benchmark table — Modern French, led by Francis Laurin, acclaimed local fine dining, around CAD 150-250+ / USD 110-185+ per person. Order the Pan-seared Foie Gras, Lobster Thermidor
Where is the best French restaurant in Montreal?
BACCARAT Restaurant in Downtown is the French table to book in Montreal (CAD 150-250+ / USD 110-185+ per person). Other strong options: Joe Beef, Monarque, Le Club Chasse et Pêche.
Where is the best modern European restaurant in Montreal?
Candide in Little Burgundy is the modern European table to book in Montreal (CAD 90-140+ / USD 65-105+ per person).
Where can I eat well in Montreal without spending a fortune?
L'Express is the best-value table on this list at roughly CAD 70-120+ / USD 50-90+ per person. Beyond fine dining, locals point to Schwartz's, La Banquise, Jean-Talon Market (Marché Jean-Talon).
How far in advance should I book restaurants in Montreal?
For top fine dining, book 2-4 weeks in advance, especially for Friday/Saturday evenings. Some exclusive spots require a month or more, particularly during peak seasons. Many higher-end restaurants require a credit card guarantee or a non-refundable deposit for tasting menus, typically CAD 50-100 per person, to deter no-shows.
What food is Montreal famous for?
Poutine, Smoked Meat Sandwich, Montreal Bagel, Tourtière, Maple Taffy on Snow (Tire sur la neige) — the dishes most worth eating where they come from. This iconic Québécois dish consists of fresh-cut French fries, cheese curds, and a rich brown gravy. While it sounds simple, the quality of each component is crucial. La Banquise is a famous spot, offering over 30 varieties, from classic to more adventurous toppings like smoked meat or pulled pork.
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