Montreal is one of our favorite food cities on the planet.
Montreal has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per capita in the Western hemisphere and definitely one of the highest concentrations of excellent restaurants around. They really take design, vibe, and ambiance to another level in Montreal.
We’ve been coming here for years. We first came for just a few days way back in 2017 and just never stopped. These days we spend a few months here each year just eating our hearts out.
These are some of our best restaurants in Montreal
More than just French food
Of course you can get really amazing French-Canadian food here, but you can also try out some of the best pizza and pastas in Canada, along with an inexplicably great dumpling scene.
There are no bagels, poutine, or smoked meats in this list. You probably already know where to get those. We go to St Viateur Bagels, save the poutine for Quebec City, and go to Reuben for smoked meat.
Restaurant hours
Most Montreal restaurants are closed at least two days a week, usually Sun/Mon and sometimes Mon/Tues. Sometimes it’s just random. In Montreal, checking the hours before we go is the first thing on our list.
Do you need to speak French?
Montreal is a famously anglophone city in a francophone province. Everyone is bilingual here, but customarily start conversations in french. You don’t need French (at all) to survive in Montreal, but like Paris, a simple bonjour goes a long way.
24 hours in Montreal
Mike and I often play a game where we ask ourselves: “Where would you eat if you were teleported to for 24 hrs?” For me in Montreal, it would be: Breakfast at Patisserie au Kouing Amann, Lunch at Mckiernan, Dinner at Gia, and Late Night at Barbara.
Our Favorites
McKiernan
I love McKiernan with my whole heart. It’s located on the “other side” of Montreal, across the Lachine Canal, in Côte-Saint-Paul. If you’ve know any of the heavy-weight hitters in the Montreal food scene (Joe Beef, Liverpool House, Vin Papillon) then you’ll know you’re in good hands at McKiernan as they’re part of the same group. Technically McKiernan’s supposed to be a luncheonette and rotisserie (very Montreal!) but they’re so much more. We love their pastas, their salads, and their freshly baked Parker House rolls.
McKiernan is where we go when we ask ourselves, “what should we eat?” and the answer is something delicious that you don’t have to think too much about. The fact that they’re open 7 days a week is a bonus. The room is gorgeously sunlit in the daytime and dappled with warm daisy lights at night, making it the perfect place for brunch or late night.
McKiernan Luncheonette
5524 Rue Saint-Patrick #200, Montréal
Open everyday, 11 am – 10:30 pm
BarBara
BarBara has to be one of our favorite wine bars that serves Italian-inspired dishes.
Located in Saint-Henri, BarBara is a cute little space that has a delightful patio, squishy focaccia, plates of pasta, crisp salads, and a very quaffable wine list. It also suffers from extreme popularity and long lines, so keep that in mind. The best time to go is late night, when it’s not as busy (and way more fun).
The pasta and focaccia are made fresh in house and if you’re looking for something relaxed but still buzzy, this is it. Don’t sleep on their seasonal specials. They’re open all day with pastries during breakfast, sandwiches at lunch, apertivo in the afternoon, and their full menu at dinner. They had one of the first Pistachio Latte I ever tried (way back in 2021) before the pistachio Dubai chocolate craze.
BarBara
4450 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal
Open everyday, 8 am – 1 am
Gia
Gia, like its sister restaurant Nora Gray, is one of our best loved restaurants in Montreal because of its perfect execution. The service, ambiance, and food are all spot on. Truly Montreal is a haven for classic modern Italian cooking. Gia features Abruzzese arrosticini aka meats skewered and cooked over a charcoal grill. They also have excellent seafood, especially crudo. And of course, let’s not forget, like most places in Montreal, their bread is so, so on point.
Tucked into a reclaimed renovated garage complete with windowed doors, the space is airy while staying intimate. Gia is the kind of place where, if you stay late enough, or show up enough times, the staff will start greeting you by name and pouring you and them a lil drink when they see you so you can all cheers to the good life. Because of this, we love sitting at the bar best of all.
Gia
1025 Rue Lenoir, Montréal
Tues-Fri 11:30 am – 3 pm, 5 – 11 pm
Sat 5 – 11 pm
Closed Sun-Mon
Nora Gray
Nora Gray is that neighborhood joint everyone wants to live near. It has a casual vibe, a menu that changes pretty often, and perfect pasta that always hits the spot. Their sister restaurants, Elena and Gia, are both on our lists as well, because they’re super consistent in their execution.
Nora Gray in a nutshell is: gorgeous cocktails, locally sourced seasonal vegetables and proteins presented creatively, and perfect handmade pasta. As with their sister restaurants, their bread is unsurprisingly amazing. The room is dark and cozy and on the classic side, with lots of dark wood and booths. Go here for date night or when you want an excellent cocktail and traditional Italian food.
Nora Gray
1391 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal
Tues-Thur 5 – 10 pm
Fri – Sat 5 -10:30 pm
Sun-Mon Closed
Fleurs et Cadeaux
Forget high end Japanese with perfectly lacquered boxes and hinoki countertops, Fleurs et Cadeaux is much closer to a place you’ll find in actual non-tourist Japan with loud music, excellent sake (far better than the usual stuff you find in most sushi restaurants), and impeccably made dishes. Fleurs et Cadeaux is kind of like a bumping club that serves food. The music is loud, the playlist is curated, and it’s always a fun time.
Located in Chinatown in a historic pink house, F&C is full of dim lighting, red lamps, and the kitchen right in the center of it all so you can see all your food being made. They do terrific sashimi and small izakaya dishes that burst with flavor.
Fleurs et Cadeaux
1002 Rue Saint-Urbain, Montréal
Everyday 5 – 10:30 pm
Larry’s
Larry’s is a casual all day cafe/wine bar that’s situated perfectly in between downtown and little Italy, in Mile End. The mackerel spaghetti is an inspired take on pasta al tonno, the tartare is excellent (Montreal is a tartare city) and wine list is fantastic. It’s the kind of place you stop into when you’re wandering around and need a little break.
I love the pikelet pancakes and their all day breakfast items in general. If you or someone you know loves natural wine, definitely stop in for a glass along with their egg yolk topped beef tartare and a side of crispy fries.
Larry’s
5201 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal
Tues – Sun 9 am – 10 pm
“The best restaurants in Montreal”
Everyone who goes to Montreal hears about these same few restaurants, but these ones actually live up to their hype:
Joe Beef
If you look up restaurants in Montreal, you’ll inevitably come across Joe Beef. It’s the kind of place you make a reservation for, the kind of restaurant that people plan trips around. It’s very French, with its abundance of dark wood, chalkboard menus, chaotic seating, and eccentric antique bric-a-brac. Joe Beef has been open for over 20 years now, and if you’re looking for new and modern, this is not it.
Joe Beef is classic French opulence of the Lyonnaise variety. That is, hearty with huge in-your-face flavors. If you like French food, Joe Beef is for you! You’ll see almost every table with their famous lobster spaghetti, the foie torchon, or the bone marrow. We’ve been twice and enjoyed it both times but it’s definitely one of those “once you go and satisfy your curiosity you won’t be dying to go back” places. It’s a solid, good restaurant but not something that’s a particular stand out in a city that has so many excellent places to dine.
Joe Beef
2491 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal
Tues – Sat 5 – 10:30 pm
Pichai
Montreal loves Thai food and one of the places that consistently gets mentioned is Pichai. Pichai is what places like Thai Express dream about becoming if they ever grow up. Pichai is all about Northern Thai food. If all you know about Thai food is pad thai and you love it, expand your horizons and check out Pichai.
Local ingredients and the signature Thai fresh and vibrant combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy will blow your mind. If you’re lost, but adventurous, go with the specials.
Pichai
5985 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal
Wed – Mon 5 – 10:30 pm
Closed Tuesdays
L’express
With its black and white checkered floors, mirrored walls, and paper-topped tables, L’express will make you feel like you’re in France, minus the jet lag and flight. It’s classic, simple French food done right and it does not disappoint. Plus, it’s open late so it’s perfect for hungry night owls.
Currently closed for renovations, but open again in September 2025
Le Vin Papillon
Nestled next to Joe Beef and Liverpool House, Le Vin Pap is the 3rd on the block that’s run by the same team. It’s a chaotic, buzzy, rustic wine bar with an excellent wine list and creative small plates. The sage green facade and corner spot makes it a bit more light filled and gentle, both in vibes and food compared to JB and LH.
The menu is ever-changing, written on chalkboards that you’ll strain to read. Just go with what’s on special: order a bunch to share, but make sure to get the Vin Papillon Jamon, a dish that’s always on the menu and has spawned a million Montreal copycats. The seasonal market vegetables are always a good idea as well.
Le Vin Papillon
2519 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal
Tues – Sat 5 – 10:30pm
Mon Lapin
House made pastas, fresh fish, natural wines, and perfectly prepared proteins are just some of the highs you’ll experience at Mon Lapin. It’s been Canada’s #1 restaurant for two years in a row, according to Canada’s 100 Best Restaurants and continues to remain in the top 5, consistently. It’s French, it’s Italian, it’s a love letter to food.
It was started by the Joe Beef restaurant group, but has now been taken over by a husband-wife team (who have moved on from JB to start their own little restaurant group). If you love food and all the vibes that a good meal bring, go to Mon Lapin. It’s a little bit poncy, a little bit casual, and a lot delicious.
Mon Lapin
150 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, Montréal
Tues – Sat 5 -10:30 pm
Best Italian restaurants in Montreal
Montreal has deep Italian roots and is home to some of the best Italian restaurants around. Don’t miss our favorites.
Mano Cornuto
There are some places that are good cafes and some places that are good restaurants. Mano happens to be both. During the day, it’s a laid back casual vibe with the fluffiest focaccia sandwiches, cold cocktails, and strong espressos. At night, it’s filled with in house made pasta, towering salads, and flavorful fresh crudo.
To say we love Mano is to understate it. It’s not that it’s exceptionally mind-blowing or innovative, it’s that it’s consistent, easy-to-love food. The staff are friendly and easy going, the room is beautiful, and it’s fun, the way going out should be.
Mano Cornuto
988 Ottawa St, Montreal
Everyday 11 am – 11 pm
Il Miglio
No frills, no fuss, good pasta is what you’ll find at Il Miglio. They have several locations, but don’t come here for the ambiance, come here for the food. They serve plates of pasta that will have you dreaming about Italy. It’s mostly a lunch place and accordingly packed with daytime patrons. Check it out if you love pasta but don’t want to leave in a food coma.
Il Miglio Mile End (the original location)
5235 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal
Tues – Sat 11:30 am – 6 pm
Il Miglio Time Out Market
705 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal
Mon – Thur 12 – 8 pm
Fri – Sat 12 – 9 pm
Sun 12 – 6 pm
Il Miglio Old Montreal
111 Boulevard Robert-Bourassa
Mon – Fri 11:30 am – 6 pm
Vesta
The pizza landscape in Montreal is vast and Vesta is a standout. Think New York-style pizzas with a decidedly sourdough, slightly thicker, Montreal-style crust. Vesta is focused on local, Canadian ingredients, fresh pasta, and comfort food. The room is modern and gorgeous, with a green ceiling, white paneled walls, and burgundy banquettes.
We go back to Vesta repeatedly even though it’s kind of far from where we live. Vesta is in Villeray, a neighborhood that’s about 30 minutes by car outside of the Montreal core. The trip is worth it, every single time.
Vesta
206 Rue Jarry E, Montréal
Everyday 5 – 10:30 pm
Elena
Speaking of Pizza, Elena is also one of our favorites. The crusts are charred and chewy, the centers are not floppy, and the toppings are local and fresh. We love the bar (not so much the main dining room) and the backyard terrace. Just like Nora Grey (they’re owned by the same people), the pasta is perfect and the salads are exceptional.
Open 7 days a week, Elena is the kind of place that we wish was right next to home but are a little glad it isn’t because we’d overdose on good pizza, pasta, and wine.
Elena
5090 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal
Sun – Thur 5 – 10 pm
Fri – Sat 5 – 11 pm
Moccione
Why go to Italy, we have Italy in Montreal!
Moccione is one of those neighborhood Italian restaurants that you would die to have in your neighborhood. Humble, unpretentious, delicious food. It can feel a little bit fancy depending on who is in the dining room with you; you’ll get the gamut, from frat boys in ball caps to first dates dressed to the nines. All the dishes are amazing, but especially the pasta, which is made on site, like any good Italian place. Their bread is no cap the bread I dream about on the regular. They also have a pizza place that we haven’t visited yet, but is on our list!
Moccione
7495 Saint Denis St, Montreal
Tues – Sat 5 – 10 pm
Best Asian restaurants in Montreal
Junior Bee at Junior
Junior
Filipino food is pure comfort and if you’ve never had it, you’re in for a treat. Junior does it right, with great food and amazing ambiance. There’s Filipino pride everywhere, from Manny Pacquiao’s boxing gloves to Pinoy themed t-shirts for sale (and worn by the staff). The Junior Bee, which comes with spaghetti and fried chicken is not to be missed, as well as the lechon. Finish with the squishy, not too sweet cassava cake!
Update: Junior is closing but they are relocating to an as of yet undisclosed location.
Sammi & Soupe
Some say their soup dumplings rival Din Tai Fung. I say: it depends on which DTF. Unlike Din Tai Fung, which is a little dressed up, the Sammi & Soupe locations (of which there are many) are a little more low key. Nevertheless, these are good soup dumplings, and easily one of our go to restaurants in Montreal.
Grab the window seat in the chinatown location and watch the world go by as you eat delicious dumplings for the price of a glass of wine elsewhere. If you’re looking for a no-frills, really good dumpling place, this is it.
Sammi & Soupe
1909 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal
Sun – Thur 11 am – 10 pm
Fri – Sat 11 am – 12 am
Qing Hua Dumplings
Classic, juicy homestyle Chinese dumplings are the name of the game. Xiao long bao always get all the hype, but there’s something about a good dumpling that can’t be beat. You can get them steamed or fried, but if you’re in the know, you get both. They have enough filling choices to give you choice paralysis and it’s always a good time. Fun fact: Qing Hua and Sammi & Soupe are both owned by Sammi Liu.
Qing Hua Dumplings
1019 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal
Sun – Thur 11 am – 9:30 pm
Fri – Sat 11 am – 10 pm
Satay Bros
Satay Brothers is consistently busy whenever we wander by and for good reason. A cozy, colorful room, a good playlist, and easy to appreciate food. Satay Brothers’ food isn’t insanely good, per se, unless you’ve never had laksa or kolo mee before. If you don’t want to wait, check out their outpost at Marche Atwater – the vibe is excellent and eating Singaporean Street food in the middle of a bustling market just feels authentic in a weird way, even though you’re in Montreal.
Satay Bros St Henri
3721 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal
Everyday 5 pm – 11 pm
Satay Bros Atwater Market
3026 Sainte Émilie St, Montreal
Everyday 10:30 am – 5 pm
Best bakeries in Montreal
Patisserie au Kouing Amann
This is the place! The one place I would visit in Montreal if I could only have one bite. Their focus is kouign amann (they misspell it on purpose) in the traditional Breton manner: whole, gloriously giant cakes of yeasted dough, butter, and sugar. You can find individual kouign amann anywhere, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a classic Breton edition outside of France. One bite of this delicious (and deadly) butter and sugar creation and you will be in heart-attack heaven. Grab a slice (hopefully still warm from the oven) and pair it with black coffee for the contrast.
Patisserie au Kouing Amann
316 Avenue du Mont-Royal E, Montreal
Wed – Fri 7 am – 3 pm
Sat 7 am – 4:30 pm
Rhubarbe
Come for the amazing cakes, stay for the incredible croissants. Rhubarbe is an excellent bakery in a city full of excellent bakeries. With a focus on viennoiseries, you’ll find a curated selection of flaky layered pastries studded with local, seasonal fruit. Rhubarbe is tucked away, aka nowhere near the center of Montreal, but it’s a cute destination to aim for when going on a meandering walk. There’s a park near by where you can take your box of sweets. Go early if you don’t want to be disappointed!
Rhubarbe
1479 Laurier Ave E, Montreal
Thur – Fri 10 am – 6 pm
Sat – Sun 9 am – 5 pm
That’s it for now, hopefully you enjoy and don’t gain too much weight during your stay in Montreal!
xoxo
steph
