As spring arrives and the snow melts away, it’s time for Montrealers to emerge from hibernation with a visit to a new restaurant.
Dig into ramen and sake at a cyberpunk noodle bar in Old Montreal. Opt for modern riffs on French brasserie fare at a sleek hotel downtown. Head to Boisbriand for bubbly Neapolitan-style pizzas at the second outpost of a Laval favourite.
Late winter isn’t typically the peak season for new restaurant openings in Montreal. But this year, there are a host of new dining and drinking spots worth your time.
Read on for a guide to six exciting new restaurants to book now in Sin City.
Baby (St-Henri)
This dimly lit cocktail bar opened in December and is essential for anyone searching for a unique drinking experience. For a truly special night, reserve a spot in The Study, a cozy bar-within-a-bar that serves three original cocktails featuring unlikely ingredients such as beets, potatoes, and ras el hanout (an earthy Moroccan spice blend). The main bar has a more sizable drinks menu and occasionally hosts DJs and artists. Chesterfield sofas and funky rugs fuel a chic house party vibe.
Anemone (Mile Ex–Marconi Alexandra)
Anemone’s earthy, industrial digs are worth visiting in their own right. But chefs Minh Phat Tu (of Mui Mui) and Mike Madokoro’s creations steal the scene at this genre-defying spot that opened in November. The menu leans east Asian and spotlights wild, foraged, and preserved ingredients featuring dishes such as Shaanxi-style biáng biáng noodles with braised rabbit and kale salad with house pickles and a savory granola. Imaginative cocktails and a selection of natural wines round out the menu of inventive plates.
Monème (Downtown–Quartier International)
This Hotel Monville restaurant opened in late 2022 and offers a modern spin on French brasserie fare. Staples such as steak frites and salmon tartare are made from Canadian produce. Dessert is practically mandatory, featuring exquisite confections including lemon tart and chestnut cake. The only menu that veers away from France is Monème’s cocktail selection, full of Canadian-inspired drinks such as a maple old fashioned, plus local beers and cider. Enjoy it all in a high-ceilinged space with huge street-facing windows.
Palma (Griffintown)
Part Japanese fusion spot and part fancy steakhouse, Palma landed in Griffintown in October. Standouts from the inventive sushi selection include rolls such as the butter crab (snow crab, truffle butter, avocado, and ponzu sauce) and the surf and turf made with a luxurious trifecta of wagyu, lobster, and caviar. Serious carnivores can go for various cuts of prime beef including filet mignon and a 50-ounce tomahawk. To all that, add some Champagne and the restaurant’s velvety interiors and you’ve got all the ingredients for a splashy night out.
Gatto Matto (Boisbriand)
The second outpost of one of Laval’s favorite Italian restaurants landed in Boisbriand in November. Expect bubbly, Neapolitan-style pizzas topped with fior di latte and prosciutto, plus a top-notch carbonara. Check out the antipasti selection, which includes burrata, radicchio salad, and crispy arancini if you’re just here to graze. Floral wallpaper, pastel banquettes, and greenery galore make Gatto Matto’s interiors just as warm and inviting as its menu.
Neo Tokyo (Downtown–Quartier International)
Fans of Blade Runner shouldn’t miss this downtown noodle bar with interiors inspired by neon-lit imagery from the hit sci-fi film. When it opened in December, Neo Tokyo upped Montreal’s ramen game courtesy of a menu partly crafted by NYC noodle legend, Shigetoshi Nakamura. Choose from broths such as rich tonkotsu (pork-based), salty shio (chicken-based), plus a miso option (vegetarian). The hearty bowls pair well with sake and Japanese brews, including a matcha-beer hybrid. Take note: Neo Tokyo does not accept reservations.
