As the sizzling summer fades, the leaves turn, and Montrealers start to move inside from their beloved outdoor spaces, there are new hotspots to choose from.
From an intimate nook that’s all about steak-frites to a buzzy place for Latin American cuisine and tropical cocktails, here are five must-book new restaurants—and one bar—in and around Montreal right now.
Read on for Montreal’s 7 most exciting new restaurant of 2023.
Mignon Steak (Old Montreal)
The forces behind this brasserie-inspired place, which opened in June, sure know how to name a restaurant. The restaurant is definitely mignon (French for “cute”) and steak is the undeniable focus. Specifically, steak-frites, which play a starring role on the menu. They come doused in a buttery house sauce and with unlimited fries on the side. If surf and turf is more your vibe, you’ll also be well taken care of with excellent options like oysters and salmon tartare with seaweed and horseradish. Whether you’re in the mood for beef or seafood, the list of private import wines will pair well—otherwise, there’s an especially extensive martini menu at this promising Old Montreal newcomer.
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Brasserie T! (Sainte-Thérèse)
Iconic Montreal chef Normand Laprise is known for elevating Québécois cuisine at his exquisite Montreal fine-dining icon Restaurant Toque! and brings a more accessible version of his culinary expertise to various Brasserie T! locations around Greater Montreal. As of June, Sainte-Thérèse in the northern suburbs is the newest outpost, and serves carefully sourced local produce. In a quintessentially Québécois approach, the menu mashes up French and North American influences—and does it with lots of swagger. Choose between duck rillettes and salmon confit or a classic cheeseburger and enjoy it all in a trendy industrial-chic space.
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Sabrosa (Old Montreal)
Situated on bustling Place Jacques-Cartier, Sabrosa may have a prime location for people watching—but that’s not the only drawcard here. The menu is filled with pan-Latin American staples, from birria tacos to Peruvian-style tiradito and juicy ribeye steak with herby Argentinian chimichurri. Cocktails are a prominent fixture on the menu, made with spirits like tequila and (opt for a tasting to go all out). A sprawling terrasse for warmer days and sultry heritage details, like historic stone masonry inside, seal the deal at this vibrant hotspot.
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Hogar Steakhouse (Westmount)
Steakhouse classics get the Mexican treatment at this brand-new restaurant, which landed in Westmount in the spring. Think steaks with chile rubs or a filet mignon flamed in smoky mezcal. If you’re more turf than surf, consider snackier dishes like scallop tostadas or a sea bass main with tangy salsa verde. The vibe is chic with plenty of wooden accents and exposed brick, without crossing over into overly formal territory. Hogar is a sure thing for an elegant but relaxed dinner—or an extra-special dinner date.
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Muze Lounge & Terrasse (Downtown–Quartier des Spectacles)
Head to the fifth floor of the newly-opened Honeyrose Hotel, a June opening, for swoon-worthy views over Place-des-Arts and downtown Montreal, courtesy of Muze. The menu draws on light and bright Californian influences starring plenty of seafood in the form of tiger shrimp salad and a ginger-infused salmon tartare. There are often DJs playing, fueling a fun party vibe that matches the fruity cocktails. If you’re looking for something a little more restrained, consider heading down to Commodore, the Honeyrose’s in-house French brasserie-style restaurant.
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Café Monk (Côte-St-Paul)
Head a few metro stops beyond the trendy Wellington Street strip in Verdun and you’ll find this unpretentious neighbourhood gem. Café Monk opened in May and takes farm-to-table dining to epic new heights. Case in point: its owners grow mushrooms, kale, beets, and more in the basement. Enjoy the urban harvest in a bright space with floor-to-ceiling windows (the space was formerly a bank), with café and brunch fare served during daytime hours, including top-notch shakshuka and a breakfast poutine. In the evenings, Monk becomes a bar with craft beers and classic-leaning cocktails (sours, mojitos), plus posh pub grub—duck rillette with pickled vegetables, anyone?—burgers, and grilled hanger steak.
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Tzatzi-qui (Old Montreal)
Whether it’s for a quick lunch or a full-on Hellenic banquet, this Greek restaurant on the historic Place d’Youville has you covered. When it opened in May, Tzatzi-qui enticed the area’s grab-and-go crowd with pita sandwiches filled with fried feta, juicy pork, and chicken. But you can make a grand evening of it in the taverna-like space by getting a mix of dips, souvlaki platters, and classic salads to devour. Wash it all down with a drink from the mostly Greek wine list or some ouzo-laced riffs on sangria and espresso martinis.
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Tim Forster is a freelance writer and editor focusing on food, culture and technology.
