Montreal City Guide - Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Restaurant charges are subject to GST (goods and services tax) of 6% and TVQ (Québec sales tax) of 7.5%, which are usually added to the bill at the end. Restaurant bills do not usually include a service charge (although it is more common for large groups), so a tip is expected. The standard tip is 15%, adjusted up/down for exceptionally good/bad service.

The restaurants below have been grouped into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over C$65)
$$$ (C$45 to C$65)
$$ (C$25 to C$45)
$ (up to C$25)
These are based on an average three-course meal for one person; they do not include drinks, service charge or tax/tip.

Europea

Three restaurateurs from the Languedoc region in the south of France opened this restaurant in 2002. It quickly established itself as a favourite of Montreal restaurant critics and gourmets alike. Europea offers delicious, traditional southern French haute cuisine with a strong Mediterranean flavour. The wine list leaves precious little to be desired, and the service is superb.

1227 rue de la Montagne
Tel: (514) 398 9229.
Website: www.europea.ca
Price: $$$$

Laloux

Large windows, gilt mirrors and creamy yellow walls reflect the lightness of chef André Besson's touch as he applies nouvelle leanings to classic French cuisine. He likes to experiment with flavour and texture, but the results are always superb. The menu is accompanied by an extensive wine list, including a couple of dozen organic vintages. No lunch at weekends.

250 avenue des Pins East
Tel: (514) 287 9127.
Website: www.laloux.com
Price: $$$

Toqué!

Long the king of Montreal's restaurant scene, Toqué! has moved to bright new quarters opposite the Palais des Congrès convention centre. Chef Normand Laprise works magic with fresh market ingredients and his seared foie gras is legendary. Toqué! won CAA's (and America's AAA) highest award, the five-diamond rating, in 2006, only one of two restaurants in the city to receive this accolade. Reservations are essential – book a month ahead. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch on Saturdays.

900 place Jean-Paul Riopelle
Tel: (514) 499 2084.
Website: www.restaurant-toque.com
Price: $$$$

L'Avenue

The Plateau is the most vibrant and hip neighbourhood in the city, and L'Avenue reflects that, from the quirky décor (sparkly gold booths and a Harley mounted on the wall above the tables) to the new takes on traditional diner fare and French comfort food. There is often a queue, especially for weekend brunch. No credit cards (but there is an ATM on site).

922 avenue du Mont-Royal East
Tel: (514) 523 8780.
Price: $$

Boris Bistro

They serve good bistro fare like steak tartare, duck confit and braised rabbit at this Old Montreal restaurant, but the main reason locals and visitors alike come is the terrace. Leafy trees provide a canopy over the candlelit tables, ensconced within high stone walls and the freestanding facade of the old commercial building that once stood here. Closed Sunday. No dinner Monday. No lunch Saturday.

465 rue McGill
Tel: (514) 848 9575.
Website: www.borisbistro.com
Price: $$

Globe

The strip of the Main above rue Sherbrooke is packed with see-and-be-seen restaurants, but more than the others, Globe succeeds on the food front as well. The bright and sleek interior (white pressed-tin ceiling, mirrored columns and bamboo-strip floor) provides a backdrop for seasonal market cuisine sourced from local producers and simply but expertly prepared. There is also a short 'midnight menu' (Friday and Saturday until 0200). No lunch.

3455 boulevard St-Laurent
Tel: (514) 284 3823.
Website: www.restaurantglobe.com
Price: $$$-$$$$

Café Santropol

They have savoury vegetarian pies, but the huge and hugely inventive sandwiches are the trademark here – the triple-decker St Urbain Corner has cream and cottage cheeses, honey, nuts, olives and ham or chicken served on fat slabs of the most delicious bread. All meals come decked out with fruit, as do the divine milkshakes. The design of the cosy interior is as eclectic as the food, surpassed only by the blooming back garden. No credit cards.

3990 rue St-Urbain
Tel: (514) 842 3110.
Website: www.santropol.com
Price: $.

ChuChai

Anyone who thinks they know what a vegetarian meal looks like is in for a shock at this small Thai restaurant. Everything from the crispy 'duck' to the 'fish' in spicy sauce tastes as good as (or better than) the real thing, especially accompanied by the deep-fried seaweed. Next-door Chuch has a similar but cheaper menu to eat in or take away to a nearby park. No lunch.

4088 rue St-Denis
Tel: (514) 843 4194.
Price: $-$$.

Schwartz's

One of the first points of call for expat Montrealers returning to the city is this small, decades-old diner. Throughout the day (and until quite late at night) there is often a queue to get inside for what most consider to be the best smoked meat sandwiches in the city - and thus the world. Similar to pastrami, the brisket meat is sliced thin and stacked high on rye bread. A simple pleasure.

3895 boulevard St-Laurent
Tel: (514) 842 4813.
Website: www.schwartzsdeli.com
Price: $-$$

Da Emma

Tucked away in the stone-walled basement of a 19th-century building at the western end of the Old Port, Da Emma is a real find. Handsome black-clad waiters can advise on the vintages in the large wooden wine coolers to go with the simple but exquisite starters. Mama cooks up a storm in the kitchen, and the portions of rustic Roman cooking are as generous as if she were feeding her own family. Home-made sorbets and tiramisu are the final blow. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday.

777 rue de la Commune West
Tel: (514) 392 1568.
Price: $$$

L'Express

This ever-buzzing bistro feels like it has been imported whole from Paris, with its black-and-white checkerboard floor, efficient waiters and mirror-lined walls, which give the narrow space a roomier feel. The menu is classic bistro as well, with standards like pâté, confit de canard and steak-frites simply but superbly prepared, accompanied (naturally enough) by some choice French wines. Reservations recommended, though there is usually space at the bar for single diners.

3927 rue St-Denis
Tel: (514) 845 5333.
Price: $$$

Fonduementale

For a romantic evening, Fonduementale is a great place to linger over its namesake dishes, by the fireplace in the Victorian dining room or, on warm summer nights, on the patio terrace. Start by dipping croutons in emmental and gruyère cheeses infused with pink peppercorns, or choose from a variety of meats in oil or broth – there is caribou for the adventurous. Either way, finish off with fresh fruit dipped in chocolate or maple syrup fondue. No lunch Monday to Friday.

4325 rue St-Denis
Tel: (514) 499 1446.
Website: www.fonduementale.com
Price: $$$