As part of one of the world’s culinary capitals, Montreal boasts an exceptional gastronomic scene that doesn’t cease to impress visitors and locals alike. The city is renowned for being a top foodie destination, serving up everything from perfect poutine to fancy fine dining and anything else in between. Innovative and wildly creative, the Montreal food scene is one you will want to be a part of. From romantic destinations for date night to spectacular views to lively alfresco brunch spots, the best restaurants in Montreal promise a memorable meal out.
Head on over to Old Montreal, where you can discover the delicate flavours of Japan at one of the city’s best izakaya and sushi bars. Or take a trip to Downtown, where you’ll believe you’ve been transported across the pond to Portugal with excellent Mediterranean fare. Montreal East is home to one of the best cozy spots for your next romantic date night and Mile End is home to a Middle-Eastern feast to remember.
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The best restaurants in Montreal for your next night out – read on for a guide
For one of the best seafood restaurants in Montreal for Mediterranean fare – visit Ferreira Café in Downtown
Discover the very best of modern-day Portugal without ever leaving Canada at Ferreira Café in Downtown Montreal. Serving up only the freshest seafood Mediterranean style, you’ll be transported to Europe’s shores with every delicious mouthful. Floor-to-ceiling windows, polished wooden floors and crisp white decor feel both classic and contemporary all at once. Book a private or semi-private room for your next event or special occasion at one of the best restaurants in Montreal Downtown. To start, share the plateau de fruits de mer – the freshest lobster, oysters, clams, mussels, octopus, shrimp and more served on ice. Cleanse your palate with juicy heirloom tomatoes and Lebanese cucumbers before moving on to a seafood rice casserole, mushroom and duck confit risotto or filet mignon cooked as you like it.
For one of Montreal’s best restaurants and wine bars perfect for date night – book a table for two at Annette bar à vin in Montreal East
Planning your next date night in Montreal is simple – just book yourselves a table at Annette bar à vin, where you can enjoy fine wines, refined cocktails and scrumptious bar snacks in an intimate and romantic environment. Fashionable yet ultimately cozy, Annette bar à vin is the ideal spot to rekindle a romance or start something fresh. Even the menu is an aphrodisiac – think freshly shucked oysters, crisp green asparagus and warm and fluffy brioche with lemon butter. Check the calendar before you book as Annette bar à vin runs a series of events every month. From wine tasting evenings ideal for getting a buzz on, to live jazz you can cuddle up and listen to – Sundays are live jazz and lobster roll nights with a themed wine list. Or for something more upbeat, pick an evening with a live DJ and dance the night away in each other’s arms.
For a Middle-Eastern feast with a group – don’t miss Damas in Mile End
Syrian cuisine is renowned for its fieriness, freshness and refined flavours, combining traditional staples with exotic ingredients to create dishes that will astound. Damas is Montreal’s best restaurant for top-quality Syrian cuisine, with Eastern-infused small plates ideal for sharing. The ancient art of spicing is part of Syrian food heritage and can even be found in the drinks – try a cocktail with saffron or cilantro to complement your meal. Alternatively, show your palate what’s what with wine pairings from expert sommeliers to complete your fine dining experience. The menu focuses on a combination of hot and cold mezze and sharing dishes. The best way to try is with the tasting menu, where you can explore all the chef’s favourites in one evening. Maybe start with moloukhiya, a mulard duck leg with fried garlic chips, then try the melt-in-your-mouth rack of lamb with seven spices and green hummus.
For a fancy brunch and afternoon tea – try Rosélys in Downtown
Located inside The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Downtown, Rosélys is one of Montreal’s best restaurants for brunch and afternoon tea. Open all day, from early breakfasts to specialty brunches, afternoon teas and your evening meal, there’s always a good time to drop into Rosélys. Warm and friendly with spectacular views through the floor-to-ceiling picture windows, the restaurant is a favourite with businesspeople as well as hotel guests and sightseers. Gaze upon the magnificent Marie-Reine-du-Monde Cathedral while you dine, or just people-watch along the bustling street. The decadent Sunday Brunch buffet features cheese, charcuteries, a raw bar and pizzeria, as well as a bakery serving bread fresh from the oven and moist and fluffy pastries. Or try dinner at the chef’s table, where up to 20 guests can share a meal and discussion with a top artisan chef, over dishes such as poached halibut with caviar or veal grenadine with supreme sauce.
For one of the best Japanese restaurants in Montreal – visit Kyo Bar Japonais in Old Montreal
Kyo Bar Japonais delivers an immersive izakaya experience in the heart of Old Montreal. Savour the delicate flavours of Japan in this atmospheric underground venue, with legendary Japanese hospitality. Exciting yet chilled and highly creative – describing both the food and the ambience of Kyo Bar Japonais. Each of the exceptional chefs is a master of the art of preparing sushi and sashimi, along with freshly grilled izakaya. Open for lunch from 11:30 am and dinner until 11:00 pm, with an afternoon special menu to satisfy those middle-of-the-day cravings from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Highlights from the hot food menu include the pan-fried gyoza with pork or chicken, fried octopus balls with Kewpie mayo, and yaki udon noodles with kimchi and peanut sauce. If sampling as many flavours as possible is your bag, then go for the chef’s choice makis, sashimi or nigiri platters, with seven to 30 pieces of the best sushi of the day.
For one of the best French bistro restaurants in Montreal – pay a visit to Modavie in Old Montreal
For almost 30 years, Modavie has been creating varied menus inspired by, but not limited to, traditional French recipes. Think beef tartare with mustard and capers, pan-seared foie gras with caramelized pear and Calvados, duck confit with roasted almonds and spinach, and classic moules marinière. Complete your evening with a unique cocktail crafted by one of the expert in-house mixologists – perhaps a refreshing Blood Orange Squeeze with triple sec and lime, or a May Flowers featuring Campari, Tanqueray and menthe. While the food and drink are spectacular, there’s far more than that on the menu at Modavie. Enjoy live jazz and blues music while you dine, with contemporary and old-school solo acts and bands performing every evening, and during weekend brunches from 11am until 2pm. Absorb the melodies while relaxing in the vintage ambience of Old Montreal.
For one of Canada’s most beautiful restaurants – book a table at Gibbys in Old Montreal
Gibbys – Old Montreal has everything you would expect from a classic steak and seafood house, with the charm of a 200-year-old historic building. Take your seat under original wooden beamed ceilings or pull up a chair by the cozy fireplace and let the attentive waitstaff see to your every need. Let the waitstaff greet you with fresh bread and pickles for the table and talk you through the menu, including expert recommendations for wine pairings to ensure your experience is complete. Start with a creamy New England clam chowder or escargot bourguignonne or push the boat out with an indulgent seafood tower, featuring lobster tails, oysters, shrimp cocktail and octopus salad. Moving on, choose from prime cuts of steak or fresh fish and seafood – all mains are served with Gibby’s famous Monte Carlo potatoes and fresh asparagus with a lemon sherbet palate cleanser. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert.
For a romantic date night at one of the best restaurants in Montreal Downtown – cozy up at Bar George in Downtown
Named for Sir George Stephen, who once resided in the heritage building that today houses the restaurant, Bar George is the ideal spot for your next romantic date night. Elegant, beautiful and luxurious, the surroundings are perfect for creating an intimate yet relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re having a night on the town, a cozy lunch or even breakfast – a table at Bar George delivers what you need. And it’s not only for date night – pop in any time and pull up a stool at the bar for a chat and some nibbles, whether solo or with friends. Start your day with a tropical chia bowl or smoked salmon bagel, or indulgent oysters and caviar with blinis for brunch. Lunchtime showstoppers include sea bass with artichoke puree and beef brochette with a ponzu glaze. In the evening, try the risotto with black truffles or lobster, after enjoying the house special, pate en croute.
For some of the best vegan food in town – head to LOV in Downtown, Brossard and Laval
LOV has three locations across Montreal – Downtown, Brossard and Laval. Each has a focus on serving the very best plant-based dishes, revolutionizing the way you might think about vegan cooking. From delectable weekend brunches to lunches, dinners and take-out, and with wheat-free options available, it’s always a good time to embrace the LOV. The kimchi fries with sesame dressing are a must-try – upgrade to sweet potato fries for an even more complex flavour. The crunchy forest crostini topped with pan-fried umami mushrooms in a truffle sauce is also one to look out for. For mains, try the truffle mushroom risotto with asparagus or the rich and velvety LOV lasagne. For dessert, the crème brulee made with coconut and vanilla soy milk could easily put the dairy industry out of business. And the best part – all the beverages are vegan too, including the house cocktails.
📍 Downtown — Check availability
📍 Brossard — Check availability
📍 Laval — Check availability
For one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in Montreal – visit Estiatorio Milos in Mile End
Philoxenia – the ancient Greek word for “love of strangers” – encompasses the philosophy at Estiatorio Milos. Bringing the time-honoured virtue of excellent hospitality to Montreal, Milos embraces the act of eating as an act of sharing. Enrich your life and experience nature in its purest form. The menu revolves around freshly caught fish and seafood, which guests can select from the market display before the expert chefs prepare it for consumption, Greek-style. Simple yet elegant dishes with impeccable service. Browse the fish market with the help of The Captain to choose your favourite – from all types of oysters to fresh salmon and tuna, red snapper, black sea bass and oh so much more. Have it expertly sliced and served raw or cooked to perfection in front of your eyes, over the grill in the open kitchen. Meat-based and vegetarian dishes are also available.
Montreal’s best restaurants have a table waiting for you, so make your mind up about what type of cuisine you fancy and book now. From classic yet elegant French cuisine to Japanese izakaya, superb Syrian and the best of British, there’s sure to be something that will tantalize your tastebuds on the menu at the best restaurants in Montreal.
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If you’re looking for something special, check out some of these guides to discover more of the best Montreal restaurants:
- 12 exceptional Italian restaurants to try in Montreal
- 10 of the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Montreal
- The best family restaurants in Montreal for a fun meal out
- The best terrace restaurants in Montreal for outdoor dining
- The best brunch in Montreal for a great start to the day
- The best date restaurants in Montreal for a romantic night out
- The 12 best restaurants in Montreal for celebrating right now
