For true foodies, the start of a new month is really just the start of a new four-week countdown to try as many restaurants as possible before it's time to flip the calendar page again.
Between new openings, terrasse season, limited-edition menu items, celebrity sightings and some old favourites feeling like the perfect spring vibe, these Montreal restaurants should be on every local's May bucket list.
Bella Sandwicheria
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Gourmet Italian sandwiches
Address: Place Ville Marie's Le Cathcart food court, 1, pl. Ville Marie - Kiosk 13
Why You Need To Go: Montreal's king of loaded Italian subs, BOSSA, has a new sister restaurant – and she's definitely fit to be sandwich royalty. Located in Le Cathcart, Place Ville Marie's gourmet 12-restaurant food hall and biergarten, Bella Sandwicheria offers a refined menu of perfectly balanced sandwiches made with high-quality ingredients that will satisfy both your taste buds and your hunger pangs.
MTL Blog assistant editor Mike Chaar was so impressed with Bella Sandwicheria that he chose it as his staff pick in the April 15 edition of MONTREAL THIS WEEK. "For first-timers, the Carolina is a must-try. Made up of truffle and mushroom spread, fennel salami, truffle pecorino, arugula and a fresh lemon vinaigrette, you'll be in sandwich heaven — I kid you not. Another go-to is the Teresa — packed with pesto, fried eggplants, smoked caciocavallo and Teresa's famous tomato sauce. Who is Teresa exactly? I'm not sure. But I can eat her sauce for the rest of my life," he said.
Pizzéria NO.900
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Neapolitan pizza
Address:
- 5611, av. de Monkland
- 4578, rue Wellington
- 1378, rue Notre-Dame O.
- 2049, rue Peel
- 248, av. Bernard
- 280, rue Sainte-Catherine O.
- 444, rue McGill
- 2305, ch. Rockland, Mont-Royal, QC
- 186, rue Jean-Talon E.
- 1481, av. Laurier E.
Why You Need To Go: Although Pizzéria NO.900 is a known Montreal staple, with locations all over the city, the local pizza chain has added a special menu item this month that's worth trying. Executive chef Mirko D’Agata and head of research & development Fiodar Huminski recently returned from scoring third place at the Pizza World Championship in Italy. They've recreated a version of their winning dish, which you can order at NO.900 for a limited time.
Regardless of whether you get the Artichoke and Crispy Speck Pizza ($23) or something off the regular menu, NO.900 is one of those places where you can't really go wrong.
Dandy
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: All-day brunch
Address: 244, rue Saint-Jacques
Why You Need To Go: One of Montreal's most touted brunch destinations, Dandy delivers on all fronts — from the atmosphere to the ricotta pancakes to the mimosas.
It's on the list for May because MTL Blog contributor Rosemary Twomey picked it as the best place to treat your mom to brunch this Mother's Day (May 12). "If you are looking for an elevated brunch experience to kickstart your Mother's Day, Dandy is a great option. The all-day brunch menu has something for everyone," she wrote.
If you're worried Dandy will be too busy since they don't accept reservations, consider it the best place to treat your mom to brunch any time you want to see her, and plan a meal, paired with a walk around Old Montreal, for another day this month.
Jukebox Burgers & Bar Laitier
Price: 💸
Cuisine: American diner classics & old-fashioned ice cream
Address:
- 11798, boul. Salaberry, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux
- 1749, av. Pierre-Péladeau, Laval
Why You Need To Go: If you want to feel like you've stepped inside an Archie comic, Jukebox Burgers is the place for you. From the vintage decor, complete with actual jukeboxes, to the extensive milkshake menu to the oversized cheeseburgers, everything about this establishment screams 1950s diner. With a special kids menu available, it's fun for the whole family, especially as the weather warms up, calling for more ice-cream.
This month in particular, Jukebox in Laval is one of 19 Montreal-area restaurants partaking in a Jarritos food crawl. Between May 3 and June 14, all participating restaurants will be whipping up a special dish that incorporates one flavour of the fruity Mexican soda. Jukebox Laval has prepared "The Jbb Smashburger" ($18.95), two 4-ounce beef patties with cheddar, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and Jarritos-infused sauce in a potato bun.
La Panzeria
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Apulian (southern Italian) café
Address: 4084, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: Le Panzeria is another restaurant participating in the Jarritos food crawl. The traditional Apulian (southern Italian) restaurant will be serving up "Focaccia Diavolaccia" ($27) with spicy soppressata, buffalo stracciatella and a fiery drizzle of spicy olive oil, with a sprinkle of roasted almonds for crunch until June 14.
However, everything on the menu at La Panzeria is perfect comfort food to help us make it through the last of these chillier, rainier days and bring us into summer. The orecchiette — made completely by hand by Mamma Francesca — is not to be missed.
Tropikàl
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Afro-Caribbean and Latin
Address: 3426, rue Notre Dame O.
Why You Need To Go: Tropikal's Afro-Caribbean, Latin flavours and its sleek, botanical decor set the ideal tone for moving between spring and summer, transporting you and your taste buds to a tropical paradise. The Saint-Henri hotspot serves delicious dishes like "Finger-Licking-Good Jerk Chicken Legs" ($28) and "Curry Goat" ($28) in addition to hosting special events, like the "Afrobeat Paint and Sip" night taking place May 16.
Tropikàl is another one of the 19 local restaurants creating Jarritos-inspired dishes this month. Taste the "Oxtail Empanadas" ($19), made with juicy slow-cooked meat marinated in Caribbean spices and Jarritos, for a limited time only.
Terrasse Alizé
Three people hold drinks to "cheers" on the Alizé terrasse.
Terrasse Alizé | Handout
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Cocktails and elevated summer-fresh bites
Address: Humaniti Hotel, 340, rue De la Gauchetière O. - 9th floor
Why You Need To Go: Bored of your usual Montreal food and drink spots? This brand-new plant-filled terrasse on the 9th floor of the Humaniti Hotel just soft-launched May 2, bringing the city a whole new rooftop oasis to explore. More places to indulge in refreshing mojitos while taking in breathtaking views of the Montreal skyline? Yes, please! By the way, their signature mojito — made with rum, peach purée, maple, and mint — sounds extraordinary.
An email from the Terrasse Alizé team says Jean-Sébastien Giguère, the chef-partner behind La Cabane du Coureur, Le Coureur des Bois, Climats and Restaurant h3, will create "seasonal delights, including a shrimp roll and scallop ceviche." The team also promises that "dance enthusiasts will delight in the terrace's vibrant dance evenings, from Latin rhythms on Tuesdays to nostalgic 90s beats every Friday night."
Santé, Montreal!
Le Super Qualité
Price: 💸
Cuisine: South Indian snack bar
Address: 1237, rue Bélanger
Why You Need To Go: Sometimes the only excuse you need to revisit a favourite restaurant is hearing someone else bring it up. That's what happened when MTL Blog editor Sofia Misenheimer recommended Le Super Qualité in the April 15 edition of MONTREAL THIS WEEK. She unofficially appointed 'right now' as the time to go back — especially if you have a hankering for a solid south Indian meal.
"At Le Super Qualité in La Petite-Patrie, you can expect quick seating even when there's a line (and there often is, because it's so popular). The spot serves shareable South Indian favourites, like dosas and thali plates. Their homemade lime soda is a crisp counterpoint to the spicy dishes," Misenheimer said. "The setting is simple and energetic, ideal for a meal out with friends where the focus is on good food and quick service. If you're after an uncomplicated meal that will leave you full, this restaurant fits the bill."
Jack Saloon
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: The American South (Nashville, Tex-Mex)
Address: 1445, rue Crescent
Why You Need To Go: This new downtown location of Jack Saloon, which opened its saloon doors in April, is the latest addition to Montreal's country-western scene. From Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter to our very own LASSO music festival and Spaghetti Western bar, country is having a moment, which means it's time for you to jump on the bandwagon (or, rather, stomp on it while wearing big ol' cowboy boots).
With a revamped food and beverage menu by award-winning mixologist Lawrence Picard, mosey on down for apps like beef tartare served with marinated onions, buffalo sauce and bone marrow ($23) or dynamite sticks — tangy green pepper strips rolled in dough topped with cream cheese and cheddar, then fried ($18). In terms of mains, the salmon, chicken wings and smoked meat are all smoked in house.
Jack Saloon Crescent also has a terrasse overlooking the downtown core that's open for business. Yee haw!
Piel Canela
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Latin American fusion (with a Montreal twist)
Address: Same location as Caifan, 4542, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: By the people who brought you Barranco and Nikkei comes Montreal's newest Latin American brunch spot: Piel Canela, which opened last month. Despite being a new restaurant, the space may seem familiar. Piel Canela is located in the same magnificent 4,500-square-foot venue as Caifan Mtl, which serves tacos and other Mexican fare in the evenings.
"Caifan Mtl has a huge space that we wanted to maximize and bring to life from morning to night. The idea came to us to open a restaurant specializing in coffees, artisanal breads and brunches,” explained Fidel Vasquez, co-owner, in a press release.
That said, Piel Canela is far from just a space filler. The chef, Karla Guzman, has worked at some of the city's best restaurants (Tapeo, L'Express) and even consulted for Pujol, a Mexico City restaurant ranked 13th best in the world.
Try not to drool as you picture "Duck Tlatoyo," a corn pancake stuffed with black beans and queso fresco roasted in duck fat, duck breast and salsa tomatillo, or French Toast made with brioche bread from Boulangerie Carlota, accompanied by a creamy compote of pineapple, cinnamon, rum and maracuya cream, all served with seasonal fruits.
Is there such a thing as "quintessential May brunch"? Because, if so, Piel Canela tops the charts thanks to its artful plating — full of edible flowers — and colourful smoothies.
Île de France at Le 9e
Price: We'll update you when the menu is released (but we're expecting 💸💸💸)
Cuisine: Modern French
Address: 1500, boul. Robert Bourassa - Suite 900
Why You Need To Go: The long-awaited reopening of Eaton's art-deco ninth floor brings with it a new yet old restaurant, which officially starts serving customers May 17 — although reservations are currently available online. At Île de France, not only do you get to experience the culinary delights of a menu curated by executive chef Liam Hopkins (Hopkins, McKiernan) and culinary director Derek Dammann (Maison Publique, McKiernan), but you also get a taste of history.
Île de France originally operated on the ninth floor of the former Eaton's department store (now the Montreal Eaton Centre) from the 1930s to the 1990s. "Original art, furniture, and even dining utensils have been restored, retaining the venue's original glamour, now polished up and ready for the Instagram era," wrote Sofia Misenheimer in an article about Le 9e.
Yubari
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi
Address: 355, rue McGill
Why You Need To Go: This chic new Japanese restaurant located inside Hôtel St. Paul was Mike Chaar's staff pick in the May 6 edition of MONTREAL THIS WEEK.
"Montrealers can experience Tokyo in the heart of Old Montreal at Yubari," he said, noting that the decor — wagasa umbrellas, dim lighting, leopard print seating — adds a "sultry touch" while the woodwork is "reminiscent of traditional Japanese architecture."
He continued, "Their menu boasts classic Japanese dishes like a stunning sashimi platter with salmon, fresh tuna, yellowtail, and mackerel, alongside exceptional rolls like the Signature Yubari maki and a mixed nigiri plate."
La Gargamelle
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Creative, market, chef's choice
Address: 22 rue Saint-Paul E.
Why You Need To Go: Netflix mixologist Loyd Von Rose (Loïc Fortin) opened his Old Port speakeasy last month, and those in the know are already singing its praises, citing creative cocktails made to pair with outstanding food. Spicy yuzu oysters, beet orzotto (like risotto but made with orzo) and scallops with sweet pea purée, grapefruit oil and macadamia espuma are all on the menu, served in a cozy, rustic environment. Though it's usually closed on Sundays, La Gargamelle is offering a special Mother's Day service on May 12.
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