Montréal shines on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list
Gastronomy
Montréal’s food scene has hit another high. In a glamorous ceremony in Las Vegas, awash in glitter, sequins and confetti, the inaugural North America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards featured no less than five winners in Montréal. Even more reason to take a foodie tour of our award-winning restaurants!
Normand Laprise gets his laurels
A standing ovation greeted the news that chef Normand Laprise of Toqué! fame was recipient of the Icon Award 2025, sponsored by Lavazza, in recognition of his impact on gastronomy. Laprise has long championed local and seasonal ingredients, earning international acclaim for his innovative cuisine.
Mon Lapin hops towards the top
Mon Lapin not only ranked No. 2 on the list, it was also named Best Restaurant in East Canada 2025! Wine director Vanya Filipovic, a champion of low intervention wines, was also named North America’s Best Sommelier 2025 for her deep wine knowledge and intuitive pairings.
Montréal Plaza is the place to be
Coming in at No. 22, Montréal Plaza won for the shared vision of its co-chefs here Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson, who greet diners in their quirky Plaza Saint-Hubert palace with sophisticated dishes full of playful flavour pairings.
Le Violon hits a high note
The Plateau gem Le Violon took No. 29, quite an achievement for restaurant that opened just in 2024. This latest project of chef Danny Smiles (alongside Mitch Laughren and Sara Raspa) attracts the IT crowd with its unique Italian-Egyptian cuisine.
Alma comes into the light
Earning No. 43 on the list, Alma gets recognition it has long deserved as one of the best Mexican restaurants outside Mexico. This small tasting-menu spot in residential Outremont expresses the shared vision of sommelier Lindsay Brennan and chef Juan Lopez Luna.
Beba brings the heat
Verdun’s beloved neighbourhood Beba earned No. 50 thanks to founder-brothers Ari and Pablo Schor’s relaxed approach to the noble flavours of Argentina, by way of Italy and Spain.
About the 50 Best
Following the success of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list is created by the North America’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of more than 300 independent (and anonymous) leaders from across the region, each selected for their expert opinion of the regional restaurant scene. The resulting list was the first ranking of its kind to encompass the United States, Canada and parts of the Caribbean.
Isa Tousignant
Isa Tousignant is an editor and storyteller with a curiosity that runs deeper than most. She has chatted life philosophies with celebrity chefs, gemologists, arena rockers and furries. (All were transformative.) Her favourite things include discovering new flavours and celebrating the creativity that defines her hometown, Montréal.