As one of Canada’s most exciting cultural melting pots, Montreal is packed with celebration-worthy restaurants that serve food from around the world.
Ring in an anniversary at an intimate, dinner theater-esque omakase spot downtown. Toast a birthday at a plush Syrian restaurant in Outremont. And when the temperatures dip, opt for a cozy just-because celebration at an Old Montreal gem that evokes a rustic-chic wood cabin.
While Montreal’s dining rooms tend to skew small (often around 40 seats), many can accommodate groups, if you plan ahead—and there are a few larger restaurants, too. Book your next celebration at one of these 12 destinations for any special occasion, on OpenTable.
The best special occasion restaurants in Montreal to book right now – read on for a guide.
For a seafood feast with friends – visit Garde Manger in Old Montreal
Garde Manger may be led by famed Canadian chef Chuck Hughes, but it’s not coasting on name recognition. The classy but cool special-occasion spot is perpetually packed and all about celebrating with large platters of local seafood like oysters and trout, plus French-accented dishes like beef tartare with ketchup chips and a chicken and lobster bisque mashup. If you’re drinking, don’t miss a glass or two from the deep and impressive wine list. Note that due to the restaurant’s alcohol permit, diners under 18 can’t be accommodated.
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For a special occasion around flavourful Greek fare – head to Estiatorio Milos in Mile End
Restaurateur Costas Spiliadis has turned Estiatorio Milos into an international fine-dining empire, but it all started in Montreal’s Mile End, a historic hub for the city’s Greek community. Expect a celebration feast that takes cues from the Aegean: Seafood is the main focus, with Mediterranean imports like octopus, grilled to perfection. Be sure to dress up for your big night out—Estiatorio Milos’s sleek black-and-white dining room is a see-and-be-seen hotspot, and for good reason, considering the world-class food and wine.
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For a memorable festive evening – book Jellyfish Restaurant in Old Montreal
For a special-occasion destination that’s more upbeat than buttoned-up, consider Jellyfish, a trendy Old Montreal restaurant. As the place’s name suggests, there’s plenty of jellyfish on the menu, appearing in raw forms via crudo and tartare, and in juicy grilled versions, plus Korean-inspired dishes like kimchi veal short ribs. The interiors are just as modern as the menu, all industrial-chic concrete walls and wooden accents. A strong wine list, filled with seafood-friendly whites and full-bodied reds for steaks, rounds out your celebratory feast at this effortlessly elegant restaurant.
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For a Levantine dinner party – visit Damas in Outremont
Damas is easily one of Montreal’s most acclaimed dining destinations and a go-to for a sophisticated Levantine dinner party. Take a seat in the red velvet dining room (or on the leafy side-street terrasse in warmer months) to kick off your special night. The shareable tasting menu is worthy of many festivities and features Syrian classics like fattoush salad, plus succulent sea bass, chargrilled shish taouk (skewered chicken), and more. Don’t skip the cocktails, which highlight Middle Eastern flavours, including apricot and pomegranate. There’s an extensive wine list for toasting, too.
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For a celebratory tasting menu – try Île Flottante in Mile End
Executive chef Sean Murray Smith is known for a hyper-creative approach to vegetables, which is why produce gets main character-status at his sleek restaurant, best for an intimate occasion. Though it’s not a strictly vegetarian spot, produce appears in imaginative and lesser-seen forms at Île Flottante, such as tuiles and granitas. Creative cocktails and extra-friendly service make a celebration here especially memorable.
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For the best of Québec fine-dining – head to Restaurant Toqué! in the Quartier International
Dress to the nines for your special night here—Restaurant Toque! is a formal white-tablecloth place that was made for the splashiest occasions. Its seven-course tasting menu is an ode to French techniques and Quebecoise produce and sets the stage for an epic anniversary or proposal. Round out your chic celebration with plates of Quebec cheese with all the bells and whistles, plus an optional wine pairing.
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For a rustic celebration – visit Le Club Chasse et Peche in Old Montreal
If your idea of a celebration includes glamping in the Canadian woods, this Old Montreal restaurant is your spot. The food at Le Club Chasse et Peche matches the cabin-chic vibe (after all, the restaurant’s name means “The Hunting and Fishing Club” in French). It’s a meaty affair featuring sweetbreads and guinea hen agnolotti with a cider sauce. The hearty but polished plates make Le Club Chasse et Peche an especially ideal special-occasion backdrop during Montreal’s notoriously cold winters.
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For a special omakase experience – book a table at Okeya Kyujiro in Downtown
This ode to omakase is most definitely a splurge, but that’s exactly what special occasions were made for. Chef Takuya Matsuda and his team promise a captivating and celebratory experience that’s dinner and a show. Mark just about any occasion over 15 to 20 umami-rich courses with a spotlight on imported Japanese seafood and Tokyo-style sushi. At Okeya Kyujiro, service typically starts at one of two fixed times each evening and the minimalist dining room seats just about a dozen, so reservations are a must.
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For a special occasion at the Ritz-Carlton hotel – visit Maison Boulud in Downtown
Spoil yourself and your loved ones with a special-occasion meal at superstar chef Daniel Boulud’s Montreal outpost, Maison Boulud. The Art Deco-accented dining room in the Ritz-Carlton hotel has ample space, making it a solid bet for larger celebrations. Executive chef Romain Cagnat combines North American and French influences for a classic yet surprising menu filled with scene-stealers like foie gras terrine with fig, beet and cardamom purée, and roasted duck supreme with salsify and pear. You can also opt for the eight-course tasting menu, or celebrate with a distinguished weekend brunch instead—one of Montreal’s best.
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For a cosy date night – book Barcola Bistro in Mile End
Barcola Bistro screams casual neighbourhood haunt. But chef Fabrizio Caprioli’s top-notch takes on northeastern Italian fare make it a no-brainer for birthdays, anniversaries, and more. Dishes like focaccia topped with figs, stracciatella and tomato, and grilled tuna with baked eggplant allow ingredients to shine. And a short set menu means that Caprioli is most definitely about quality over quantity. For a more casual celebration, stop by on a Wednesday for special aperitivo night.
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For celebratory seafood platters – try Helena in Old Montreal
This Old Montreal fine-dining staple is a love letter to chef Helena Loureiro’s homeland, Portugal—with the occasional detour to Quebec. Classic seafood and meat dishes are the way to celebrate here, including bacalhau (salt cod fritters), lamb with a port sauce, and a massive seafood platter with garlic sauce. At Helena, the setting is classy yet relaxed, with a dining room that’s well-equipped for group celebrations, and extra-attentive service makes it worthy of a spot on your special-occasions shortlist.
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For wood-fired Spanish specialties – visit Ibérica in Downtown
For a taste of Barcelona in Montreal, look no further than this glamorous, occasion-worthy restaurant. Catalonia and Valencia get lots of shout outs on the menu via tomato-topped coca (chickpea flour bread) and a selection of shellfish paella. The wood-fired grilled oven was shipped in from Spain, as is the cheese and charcuterie, highlighting Ibérica’s straight-from-the-source mission. Dial up the festive vibes with cava from the heavily Spanish wine list.
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Tim Forster is a freelance writer and editor focusing on food, culture and technology.
