15 Montreal Restaurants Made This Year's List Of Top 100 Places To Eat In Canada
If you thought you knew all the top spots in town, think again.
Two people eat brunch at Regine Café. Right: A lasagna drenched in tomato sauce from Le Muscadin.
Montreal's food scene just got a high-five from Yelp, with over a dozen local hotspots making it onto the Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada. The list is like a who's who of Montreal dining, from your favourite brunch place, to that fancy spot you save for special occasions.
It's also a nudge to step out of your comfort zone and maybe swap your go-to for something a bit more unexpected. Joining the familiar faves are a bunch of newcomers, which means your next food obsession could be waiting in a place you've yet to try.
How did Yelp pick the winners? It's not just a popularity contest. They crunched the numbers on reviews, ratings, and a smattering of foodie photos to find the places that really dish out the best in town.
So, get ready to update your dining bucket list. These are the Montreal restaurants bringing Canada's best dining experiences right to your doorstep:
Burger Bar Crescent
Where: 1465, rue Crescent
Reason to go: Choices at this downtown Montreal burger bar range from smash burgers to bison and AAA burgers, with prices from $12 to $32. The Hangover Burger ($22.95) features a six-ounce patty, American cheese, smoked bacon, a mini classic poutine, an over-easy fried egg, caramelized onions, and a touch of truffle oil, served with green salad, coleslaw, or French fries. Daily cocktail specials are available, including a sangria pitcher ($28) on Saturdays. For dessert, the Fried Mars Bar with Ice Cream ($14.95) combines fried Mars Bars with vanilla and chocolate ice cream, chocolate and caramel sauces, topped with a mint leaf. It's ideal for sharing, so consider asking for two spoons.
Damas
Where: 1201, ave Van Horne
Reason to visit: Ninth on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada, this Mile End restaurant offers a taste of Syrian cuisine with dishes like the Sour Cherry Kebab ($47). The dish features charcoal-grilled lamb kebab, served with Aleppo sour cherry sauce, a blend of seven spices, pine nuts, and grilled Saj bread with butter. For vegetarians and vegans, the Moujaddara ($34) is a perfect choice with braised lentils, bulgur, and caramelized onions, accompanied by tomato salsa and a mint yogurt salad. You can end your meal with Kunafa ($22), a sweet treat made with sheep milk cheese and pistachios, combining creamy and nutty flavours in a traditional dessert.
Bouillon Bilk
Where: 1595, boul. St-Laurent
Reason to go: This downtown Montreal restaurant combines classic and contemporary French cooking. The menu, though pricey, offers a range of fine dining options. Seafood dishes include oysters ($42/dozen) and tomato salad with peach, daikon, and dune pepper ($25). Meat options include a beef dish with almonds, zaatar, and fig ($26), and beef short ribs with lobster, chanterelles, and rapini ($48). You can expect a sophisticated but welcoming atmosphere. There are also two tasting menus: a five-course meal for $105 and an eight-course option for $135.
Café Lulu
Where: 852, rue Sainte-Catherine Est
Reason to go: Ranked 41 on the list, this Village café serves great food and friendly service in a nostalgic atmosphere. It's a welcoming classic coffee shop serving everything from salads and sandwiches to crepes and French toast (made with panettone, if you're lucky). Prices range from $10 to $30.
Monarque
Where: 406, rue Saint-Jacques
Why You Need To Go: This French brasserie in Old Montreal -- ranked 43rd on the list -- offers upscale dining. The Gougères au Gruyère ($7) are small, cheesy puffs that are a hit for an appetizer. For something different, the Pieuvre grillée ($26) offers grilled octopus with curry. And the Boudin des Bastien ($29) is a must-try, especially for those who enjoy blood sausage with a unique cider sauce. There's also a tasting menu for those who want to explore even more flavours.
La Finca
Where: 1067, rue de Bleury
Reason to visit: This downtown Montreal café, known for its limited yet coveted seating, is a favourite of those who like specialty coffee. The menu features baked goods, uncomplicated yet tasty soups, sandwiches, and fresh salads. The highlight, however, is the coffee, sourced directly from a small farm in Costa Rica and roasted right in Montreal.
Falafel St-Jacques
Where: 345, rue St-Jacques | 1299, rue Notre Dame | 323, rue Chabanel Ouest
Reason to go: Ranked 62nd in the country by Yelp, this Lachine counter is known for its exceptional falafel. They offer both spicy and regular options, but the spicy sauce is a game-changer, elevating the falafel from great to extraordinary. Unique to this spot is their gluten-free laffa bread, ensuring everyone can enjoy their falafel sandwiches. Their Falafel Trio, which includes a Falafel Sandwich, Potato Wedges or two salads, and a drink, is a great deal at $15. Another highlight is the home-baked Chocolate Danish Babka (family size), also priced at $15. The quaint spot surprises many with its entirely vegetarian menu.
Pégase
Where: 1831, rue Gilford
Reason to go: Located off Papineau and ranked 66th in Canada, this BYOW restaurant specializes in upscale French cuisine. Their menu features dishes like braised pork cheek with hazelnut and raisin ($32) and doe filet with bacon, cabbage, and mushroom sauce ($35). The price can vary depending on whether you choose the table d’hôte option, which includes soup or salad, main course, and coffee, or the more extensive gourmet meal that adds an entree and dessert to the selection.
Ma Poule Mouillée
Where: 969, rue Rachel Est
Reason to go: Ma Poule Mouilée, ranked 69th on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada, is renowned for its Portuguese chicken, cooked to perfection over charcoal. Menu highlights include Le Tony Alves, a whole chicken served alone ($20), a unique Poutine that consists of house-cut fries, São Jorge cheese, chorizo, chicken, and gravy, available in regular ($18) and small sizes ($14), and Le Victor Medina, a chicken leg served with fries and salad ($15).
Régine Café
Where: 1840, rue Beaubien Est
Reason to go: At 75th on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada, this brunch locale near Plaza St-Hubert is a fusion of comfort and elegance. Known for its Brioche French toast with banana butter ($22), it offers a sweet start to the day. The Gros Jambon ($23) is a hearty choice, featuring eggs, ham, bacon, beans, and potatoes. There are also vegan options like the Scrambled tofu brunch ($22). For something new, try the Smoked Salmon Waffle ($24) or the Mushroom Toast & Scotch Egg ($32).
Cadet
Where: 1431, boul. Saint-Laurent
Reason to go: At 85th on Yelp's list, this restaurant is known for its top-notch, affordable dishes. Their menu includes Aubergine with chickpeas, feta, and pita ($12), and Brocoli with späetzle, labneh, and pistachios ($16). Pleurotes are served with Fleur des Monts cheese and pear ($18), while Fenouil comes with citrus, Parmesan, hazelnuts, and juniper ($20). Chou-fleur is prepared with tahini, pine nuts, and pomegranate ($20), offering a variety of tastes for diners seeking quality meals at a good value.
Restaurant Bonaparte
Where: 447, rue Saint Francois Xavier
Reason to go: This gourmet French restaurant, set in a restored 19th-century building that was once the Bank of Montreal, combines classic architecture with luxurious interior elements like grand chandeliers and opulent draperies. The menu includes dishes like beef bourguignon ($36) and scallops with truffle oil and mushroom fricassee ($48). You can also pick from an impressive wine list with over 500 labels and pairing suggestions for each dish.
Le Muscadin
Where: 443, rue Saint-Vincent
Reason to go: Ranked 95th on Yelp's top restos list, this spot is a go-to for authentic Italian cuisine in Montreal. Prosciutto di Parma (CA$26), with its perfect pairing of seasonal fruit and Parmigiano Reggiano, makes for a solid start. The Antipasto Misto Muscadin (CA$34) offers a variety of classic Italian appetizers, like fried calamari and grilled shrimp. Lumache alla Piemontese (CA$16), featuring snails in creamy garlic and white wine sauce, and Polpette della Nonna (CA$18), homemade veal meatballs with tomato sauce, are other must-tries that showcase the rich culinary traditions of Italy.
Île Flottante
Where: 176, rue Saint Viateur Ouest
Reason to go: This fancy French restaurant is known for its evening tasting menu available from 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., focussed on vegetable-forward dishes with a selection of meats and seafood. Priced at $115. you can expect a balanced meal with diverse flavours and styles. Well-love dishes include eggplant carbonara, paired with lemon mayonnaise and a roasted tomato and bell pepper emulsion. The asparagus vichyssoise features three types of asparagus in a leek and cashew pesto. Attention to detail and the presentation in each dish don't skimp on the indulgence factor.
L'Avenue
Where: 3612, rue Notre-Dame Ouest | 922 rue Mont-Royal Est
Reason to go: Last on Yelp's Top 100 Places to Eat in Canada, but not least is a popular brunch spot in Montreal's Plateau. Known for its large portions and unique decor, including a motorcycle hanging from the ceiling, it attracts visitors for its oversized colourful smoothies, hearty huevos rancheros, and fluffy pancakes with blueberry coulis, along with dozens of other breakfast/lunch fusions. There's also now a dinner option.
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