As an antidote to Montreal’s brutal winters, the city springs to life in the summer. From around May to September (if the weather cooperates), restaurants, bars, and cafés burst out onto sidewalks, rooftops, patios and courtyards—or terrasses, as locals say in French. From romantic destinations for date night to spectacular views to lively alfresco brunch spots, the best terrace restaurants in Montreal promise a memorable meal outdoors.
A seafood-centric fine-dining spot in Plateau/Mile End features an outdoor space with stunning Jeanne-Mance Park views. An acclaimed Swedish-American chef brings Japanese-accented fare to a swanky hotel terrasse in central Montreal. In Outremont, a beloved Syrian restaurant is home to one of the city’s best streetside setups, ringed by trees and planters.
These are the terrasses and alfresco spaces best equipped for a hot and humid southeastern Canadian summer. Read on for a guide to the best terrace restaurants in Montreal that nail outdoor dining. Kick-off patio season and book your sunny meal out now on OpenTable.
The best terrace restaurants in Montreal for outdoor dining – read on for a guide
For special occasions – book a table at Renoir in Downtown
With polished stone walls, colorful umbrellas, and plenty of plants, the terrasse at the Sofitel’s in-house restaurant Renoir feels far from the bustle of Sherbrooke Street below. Executive chef Olivier Perret oversees a menu of vibrant modern French fare, loaded with zingy flavors in dishes such as ham and cheddar croque monsieur, olive tapenade and croutons, tempura shrimps and spicy mayo, perfect egg with parsnip velouté, and pork loin confit with squash gratin. A menu of bar bites such as charcuterie boards and Quebec cheese is ideal for a languid summer afternoon. Stop by on a Thursday and you’ll be treated to the tunes of a live DJ.
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For one of the best rooftop terraces in Montreal – try Marcus in Downtown
Acclaimed Swedish-American chef Marcus Samuelsson made the leap across the border with his namesake restaurant in central Montreal’s luxe Four Seasons Hotel. Set on the building’s third floor, Marcus’s glimmering white terrasse is ringed with greenery and gives off a distinctly Californian vibe. Samuelsson’s team serves a seafood-focused menu that nods to Japan with dishes such as sesame black cod with edamame, and many standout vegetable and meat options like sweet and sour aubergine with togarashi and Quebec maple syrup, and chicken with peperonata, polenta gnocchi and za’atar.
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For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal with dazzling views – try Terrasse William Gray in Old Montreal
Head up to the eighth floor of the boutiquey Hôtel William Gray to find Terrasse William Gray, and take in a formidable view of Old Montreal, the St. Lawrence River, and beyond. Pair it all with sangria or a spritz, plus casual bites including a charcuterie and cheese board, beef carpaccio, crispy shrimps, porcini cream orecchiette, truffle fries and a killer burger with bacon, onion marmalade and sun-dried tomato aioli.
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For a transportative meal out – book a table at Damas in Outremont
One of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants also has one of its best streetside terrasses, ringed by trees and planters on a leafy street in Outremont. Fine Syrian food is the focus at Damas, with silky smooth dips and tender charcoal-grilled lamb and chicken. The tasting menu is an excellent choice that lets you sample a large part of the impeccable Middle Eastern menu here. Expect 10 to 12 courses featuring smoked eggplant purée, sheep milk labneh, stuffed fried dumplings, hummus with marinated lamb striploin shawarma and braised duck leg served with fried garlic chips.
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For one of the best terraces in Montreal for date night – try Maison Boulud in Downtown
Daniel Boulud’s Montreal outpost at the Ritz-Carlton is a veritable oasis in the city’s concrete jungle. Maison Boulud‘s veranda, right on the hotel’s landscaped garden, is one of Montreal’s most striking outdoor dining options, and the exquisite food from executive chef Romain Cagnat matches the dreamy ambiance. Expect a French-accented menu with Beaurivage farm pork pâté, grilled salmon with fennel compote, roasted cockerel with green pea mousseline, local lamb and rabbit, and fine Canadian beef and cheeses.
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For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal for pizza – visit Fiorellino Laurier in Outremont
This casual take on Italian dining comes from the owners of the famed but shuttered Montreal supper club Buonanotte. Fiorellino Laurier‘s menu is made up of classics such as antipasti, pasta, and a robust selection of red and white pizzas. They are all best devoured on the terrasse, a large wooden deck stretching out onto quiet and leafy Laurier Avenue. Take note: there are two other Fiorellino locations—one in Little Burgundy, also with a sizable terrasse, and the original Fiorellino downtown restaurant, with very limited outdoor seating.
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For one of the best outdoor dining restaurants in Montreal for local fare – book at Hoogan & Beaufort in Rosemont
Chef Marc-André Jetté converted a former industrial building in Rosemont into Hoogan & Beaufort, one of the city’s most popular outdoor dining destinations with a spacious courtyard terrasse and an in-house fire pit. Impeccably crafted fresh pasta dishes and meaty mains that showcase Quebec’s bounty are just as stunning to look at as they are to eat. For a special occasion, order the tasting menu showcasing buttermilk lobster, Quebec beef tenderloin, scallops with fried shallots, and a stellar wine pairing. For more fine wines, visit the sister wine bar Annette bar à vin for blind tastings and live jazz Sundays.
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For a stellar Italian-style brunch and aperitivo – book a table at Jacopo in Old Montreal
Jacopo may have the best terrasse in town for people-watching and heritage architecture views, thanks to a prime location in the heart of Old Montreal. The menu led by executive chef Giovanni Vella (of celebrated eatery BEVO Bar + Pizzeria) is all about trattoria-style Italian fare. Housemade pasta lies at the heart of the selection, but heartier secondi, such as meat dishes braised in a stone oven, grilled shrimps with spicy rosé sauce and braised short ribs with polenta and red wine sauce also figure among the must-try options. Don’t miss the stellar fettuccine served with a creamy white wine and truffle sauce prepared in a pecorino cheese wheel at the table, and stop by on a weekend for an Italian-style brunch with bellinis and pane dorato, or Italian-style French toast.
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For one of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal for wines – visit Mauvais Garçons in Griffintown
Upscale bistro Mauvais Garçons serves creative dishes that strike the ideal balance between class and comfort, with a little international flair to boot. Think burrata studded with za’atar, cheesy arancini, popcorn chicken or jerk cauliflower tacos. It’s the kind of casual summery fare you’ll want to eat outside–and that’s doable, courtesy of a hedge-ringed off-street terrasse that brings a garden party atmosphere. Bonus points for the terrasse’s cover, equipped for Montreal’s impromptu summer storms.
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For one of the best seafood restaurants in Montreal – visit Le Filet in Plateau/Mile End
This seafood-centric fine-dining haunt from the owners of Montreal’s famed Le Club Chasse et Pêche features a knockout terrasse looking out onto beautiful Jeanne-Mance Park. But the main attraction at Le Filet is the excellent menu, filled with carefully sourced seafood and nods to Japanese cuisine, including kampachi with fried wontons, beets, and soya and king salmon with cauliflower, black brioche and saffron sauce. A few equally elegant meat dishes round out the menu, such as duck ballotine with foie gras and caramelized endive and a must-try pork flank and scallops with braised red cabbage.
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Tim Forster is the former editor of restaurant news site Eater Montreal, and is now a freelance journalist and editor covering food, tech, culture and more.
Hungry for more? Explore more of the best terrace restaurants in Montreal on OpenTable.
Looking for more great spots to eat in Montreal? Check out these guides:
- The best date restaurants in Montreal for a romantic night out
- The 12 best restaurants in Montreal for celebrating right now
- 13 top Montreal outdoor dining destinations
- The best brunch in Montreal for a great start of the day
- Take cooking off your plate: top Montreal restaurants for date night by Stella Artois
