10 Great Restaurants in Montreal

Le Club Chasse et Peche is a high-end restaurant in the heart of Old Montreal. Housed in a historic building near the port, it has a very romantic feel with old world decorating. It’s one of the best fine dining options in the city, with the chefs well known for producing an innovative menu from local ingredients.

It's particularly known for its seafood and game dishes, but you’ll also want to leave room for some dessert. The pastry chef serves original and mouth-watering sweets to end the evening. Everything about the restaurant is world-class, including the food presentation, extensive wine list, and service. The prices are justifiably high, so it's a nice spot for a special occasion.

Bouillon Bilk is a sophisticated, modern French restaurant located on the quieter end of Saint Laurent Boulevard in Downtown Montreal. The simple yet stylish décor of dark timber elements and white walls is popular with a younger crowd.

The food is impeccably presented at Bouillon Bilk, with fine-dining textures and flavours creatively put together. There’s also an extensive wine list to pair with the menu. To experience the best of this restaurant, we recommend indulging in the tasting menus, which come in 5 or 8 courses. It’s a good idea to book in advance, especially for dinner.

L’Avenue lies in Montreal’s buzzing dining hub, along Mont-Royal Avenue which runs north of Mount Royal Park. The trendy restaurant serves up a hearty brunch menu, with large serving sizes to fill you up for the rest of the day.

L’Avenue’s interior also attracts hungry crowds in droves. It’s characterised by exposed brick walls adorned with arty graffiti, and colourful furniture. Many locals claim that it serves the best brunch in Montreal, with French toast, eggs benedict, and steak and eggs among the most popular choices on the menu.

Toque! is an upmarket restaurant that offers a creative take on Quebec cuisine. Located in the middle of the city, it overlooks a pretty square in Old Montreal. It features floor-to-ceiling windows so you can admire the view and partake in some people-watching from your table. You’ll also find some clean-cut furniture and décor for a modern vibe.

The high-end restaurant has various menu options, including a 3-course lunch menu and a 7-course tasting menu. It features plenty of fresh vegetables and high-quality meat products impeccably presented. While certainly not cheap, Toque! has become a trendy place for an all-around nice meal.

Maison Boulud is a posh dining room inside The Ritz-Carlton, Montreal. It’s very close to some incredible attractions, including the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The warmly lit restaurant offers a French-inspired menu from Head Chef Daniel Boulud. It has a large dining area with a bar, 2 private dining rooms, and plenty of outdoor seating in the garden.

You’ll find a few menus to choose from, depending on when you dine in. Maison Boulud has a brunch and lunch menu during the day, followed by a dinner menu from 6 pm onwards. If you want to try the best of the best, the tasting menu is a must-try.

Damas is a high-end Syrian restaurant in Outremont. It’s beautifully decorated in traditional style with colourful lanterns, dark timber furniture, and Persian carpets. This restaurant is an outstanding option for a slightly different cuisine than you might find in other fine-dining restaurants around the city.

You can either choose from the main menu or the tasting menu. Either way, there are some incredibly delicious mezze and plates. Popular options include hummus, fattoush, grilled halloumi, and shish borek. If the weather is nice, you can dine on the pretty plant-filled terrace.

Joe Beef was founded by well-known Montreal chefs, David McMillan and Frederic Morin. It's best known for its smoked meats created in its own backyard smokehouse. Everything is done in-house, including its self-brewed beer and distilled absinthe served at the bar.

There are plenty of steak and seafood dishes to choose from. One of the most famous dishes at Joe Beef is their lobster pasta, which gets rave reviews from past patrons. You can also find some traditional French-inspired options, including smoked eel with caviar and croquettes. Prices are quite high, but most agree the food is worth it.

L’Express is one of the most iconic restaurants in Montreal. It has been a mainstay in the city’s ever-evolving dining scene for over 4 decades. The French restaurant serves up high-quality bistro food, with some seasonal specials. You can expect some popular dishes like bone marrow, octopus salad, chicken liver pâté with baguette, and quail on wild rice.

The restaurant has a classic bistro interior, with a checkered floor, dark decor features, and a long skinny bar. You’ll also find a wide selection of drinks to pair with the menu. L’Express is often crowded until the early hours of the morning.

Liverpool House is among several famous eateries in the Little Burgundy neighbourhood, including its sister restaurant Joe Beef. However, this particular venue has emerged as a favourite among locals due to its comfortable and casual atmosphere.

It prioritises seasonal and local produce, including fresh vegetables, top quality seafood and meat. The oyster bar is a popular choice, along with the lobster spaghetti. Liverpool House has an extensive wine list to pair with your meals. You'll find that the prices are more modest than many high-end restaurants, so it's a good choice for a decadent yet wallet-friendly meal in Montreal.

Tandem Restaurant is a French restaurant in the Villeray neighbourhood, northwest of Downtown Montreal. The local eatery is not far from the market, so you can expect some of the freshest food dished up in Montreal. It serves classic French cuisine, including fresh oysters, deer fillet served with garlic butter, filet mignon, and reversed lemon tart for dessert.

It has a degustation menu if you want to sample a few plates over multiple courses. The small dining space is great for an intimate meal, with plenty of natural lighting and white features. Tandem Restaurant is one of the few high-end options offering BYO wine, which is great for group dinners.