7 New Montreal Restaurants That You Shouldn't Miss This Year
They're love at first bite.
Someone holds a cocktail while laughing. Right: A chef stirs the contents of a wok on a fired up stove.
New Montreal restaurants are upping the food game this year with openings that'll have you reconsidering your dinner plans. There's a new restaurant where the lasagna alone could cause a line out the door and a sushi bar where the view competes with the menu for your attention. Another spot reimagines Chinese cuisine for the night owls, while an Art Deco gem could bring back the glamour of 1930s dining.
With everything from comfort food turned gourmet to a brasserie that spotlights Quebecois ingredients, Montreal's dining scene is introducing an array of exciting options. Here are some of this year's most-anticipated eateries likely to become the city's worst-kept secrets:
Estelle
Where: 630, de Courcelle
Reason to go: The new spot in St. Henri specializes in modern Italian cuisine and boasts an excellent wine list. The restaurant offers a beautiful setting and valet parking. Highlights include meatballs with a unique sweet and spicy topping and popular oyster mushroom pasta. While the food and wine receive high marks, the experience comes with a price tag to match. Service is top-notch, earning it a strong recommendation.
Oncle Lee
Where: 222, ave. Laurier Ouest
Reason to go: Oncle Lee, a new Chinese restaurant by Andersen Lee, is opening in Mile-End. It marks Andersen's first solo project after working in famous restaurants worldwide. The late-night spot will offer modern Chinese food, including dishes like black bean beef tartare, soy-marinated devilled eggs, scallops with XO sauce, and crispy seafood chow mein. The World's 50 Best particularly recommends the five-spice duck platter.
Climats
Where: 705, rue Saint-Catherine Ouest
Reason to go: Climats, opening at Time Out Market in February, is spearheaded by Chef Jean-Sébastien Giguère. The menu combines classic comfort foods with unique additions, like truffle mac and cheese, crispy halloumi tacos, and duck confit burritos topped with maple cucumber and creamed corn. Giguère has said his direct relationships with the local fishermen and farms that supply his ingredients help set his dishes apart.
Fondue Haidilao
Where: 1194, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest
Reason to go: The downtown Montreal restaurant combines interactive dining with entertainment, featuring a customizable hotpot experience and unique attractions like noodle dancing and secret codes for freebies. The restaurant offers a selection of broths, including a popular tomato soup, and a variety of ingredients for a tailored meal. While the à la carte menu may lead to higher prices, the added value of entertainment and top-notch service make it worth the splurge. Guests can enjoy complimentary perks, including drinks and snacks, in the waiting area and discounts are available for quick dining.
Sora45 Sushi
Where: 1, place Ville-Marie
Reason to go: This addition to downtown Montreal offers a perfect spot for a date with its gorgeous panoramic views from the 45th floor of Place Ville-Marie (hence the name). The restaurant specializes in Japanese-style seafood, with sushi that's beautifully prepared and exceptionally fresh. Highly recommended dishes include the ora king salmon nigiri, otoro tuna nigiri, and kampachi roll. The ambiance and service are superb, making it a great new venue for a late-night snack and cocktails.
Le 9e
Where: 1500, boul. Robert Bourassa, 9th floor
Reason to go: The iconic Art Deco restaurant located on the ninth floor of the Eaton Centre, which closed its doors in 1999 and was later declared a heritage site, is set to reopen in 2024. The restaurant, which first opened in 1931, reflected the era's architectural innovation, mirroring the style of the luxurious ocean liner with geometric shapes, streamlined forms, and bold colors.
Gino's
Where: 4639, boul. Saint-Laurent
Reason to go: This new Mile End Italian restaurant specializes in negronis and lasagna and opened last December to rave reviews. Chef Glorindo Giovanni Clara offers classic, veggie, and vegan lasagna alongside Italian entrées and desserts. The standout, Gino's classic lasagna, features beef, lamb, homemade tomato sauce, Soffrito, red wine, béchamel, and generous amounts of Parmigiano Reggiano. The menu also includes dishes like burrata with olives and avocado cream, and a fresh tuna tartar. For dessert, tiramisu and pistachio semifreddo round out the meal. Service is highlighted for being warm and knowledgeable. The decor, with its soft lighting and red decor, complements the traditional Italian menu.
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