Montréal’s best French restaurants
Mayssam Samaha
Montréal’s dining scene is rich in a variety of cuisines representing a wealth of cultures from every continent. We are far from the culinary landscapes of decades ago when French restaurants were the leading cuisine. However, classic French restaurants are still part of the city’s dining DNA and are much loved by locals and visitors alike. Below are some of Montréal’s best.
Brasserie Le Pois Penché
Spectacular seafood platters, French brasserie classics that bring comfort and a festive ambiance are all on the menu at Le Pois Penché, an authentic Parisian brasserie in the heart of downtown Montréal.
1230 De Maisonneuve Boulevard
Chez Delmo
Continuing the long tradition of gastronomy in Old Montréal, Delmo is an historic venue updated with contemporary flare. The owners revived this eatery, which originally opened in 1934, and murals by Carlito Dal Ceggio now adorn the interior. The menu showcases a variety of traditional fish and seafood specialties the likes of Dover sole, lobster Thermidor, lobster bisque and walleye amandine as well as novelties such as lobster rolls and salmon tartare.
275 Notre-Dame Street West
Le Boulevardier
Le Boulevardier is downtown’s new French go-to. The chef draws his inspiration from Auguste Escoffier, the “godfather” of modern French cuisine, with a menu that shines the spotlight on a few French dining classics. Extra touches include the bistro-chic decor, which amps up the already inspiring experience.
2050 Mansfield Street
Restaurant Leméac
Leméac has become a much-loved spot since its opening in 2001. The Outremont restaurant is always buzzing with diners for lunch, dinner or their famous brunch. Their menu offers a lot of brasserie classics with a contemporary touch. Do not miss out on what is probably their most famous dish: the tall and delicious pain perdu with maple caramel and dulce de leche ice cream.
1045 Laurier Avenue West
Henri Brasserie Française
Located in the stunning, landmark Birks building downtown, Henri Brasserie Française charms at first glance by its gorgeous 19th century-inspired décor with brass accents, ornate ceiling, and stained-glass windows. The menu is steeped in French brasserie classics such as duck confit, lobster thermidor or tarte tatin.
1240 Square Phillips
La Chronique
White tablecloths, a luminous dining room and a flawless fine cuisine are what distinguish La Chronique, an elegant restaurant that’s called chic Laurier Avenue its home since 1995. If you’re a fan of foie gras, you’ll be happy to know that theirs is unmissable.
104 Laurier Avenue West
L’Express
Open since 1980, L’Express is an absolute institution in Montréal. Whether you decide to sit at the long bar or in the dining room with the checkered floor, the French classics on the hand-written menu will absolutely transport you to a lively Parisian brasserie. The Île flottante for dessert is a must!
3927 Saint-Denis Street
Le Molière par Mousso
Le Molière is a new French brasserie is a part of Espace Saint-Denis. Designed like a backstage area, patrons can enjoy dinner while feeling like they’re part of the show. Award-winning chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard (Le Mousso) is the Gastronomic Director of the project while star chef Daniel Vézina (Laurie Raphaël) is a consultant. This promises to be a great eating establishment.
1594 Saint-Denis Street
Café Cherrier
Café Cherrie is another French institution operating on Saint-Denis Street since 1983. Open all day, it’s a great spot to linger, indoors in the classically decorated dining room in the winter or on the vine-wrapped terrasse in the summer. Their menu offers classics of French cuisine such as black pudding with caramelized apples, duck confit or classic lemon tart.
3635 Saint-Denis Street
Maison Boulud
Star chef Daniel Boulud’s eponymous restaurant located inside Montréal’s Ritz-Carlton hotel is the epitome of class and elegance. It’s also a great place to enjoy contemporary French cuisine imbued with the chef’s personal touch and featuring local and seasonal ingredients.
1228 Sherbrooke Street West
Le Renoir
Montréal’s Golden Square Mile and the Sofitel Hotel are home to Le Renoir, an exquisite restaurant rooted in French cuisine but with an inventive and contemporary approach. Don’t skip desserts, as they are among the best restaurant desserts in Montréal.
115 Sherbrooke Street West
Monarque
Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of a brasserie or the more restrained ambiance of a fine dining restaurant, Monarque offers both. Duck confit, bouillabaisse and Paris-Brest are among the classics served brasserie side, while a more inventive seasonal menu is offered in the dining room.
406 Saint-Jacques
Holder
This bustling Old Montréal brasserie is always an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. The light-filled dining room is classically designed and the staff greatly efficient. It’s also loud, like any authentic French brasserie. On the menu you’ll find classic dishes such as tartares, liver pâté and foie gras.
407 McGill Street
Paname
Located on the “Coolest Street in the World”, Paname is a great addition to the French restaurant scene in Montréal. Their menu invites guests to rediscover some French classics while featuring local and seasonal ingredients.
4847 Wellington Street
Chez Alexandre
This downtown French bistro has been serving Montrealers and visitors since 1977. Its distinctive red Peel Street façade and bistro chairs attract customers who flock to taste its authentic cuisine, with items such as nails in garlic butter, Toulouse-style cassoulet and profiteroles adorning its menu.
1454 Peel Street
Mignon Steak
With a relatively short menu on offer, Mignon Steak concentrates on some delightful dishes that it makes well, mainly its famous steak frites served with its decadent signature Mignon Sauce.
2523 Notre-Dame Street West & 101 Rue Saint-Paul West
Croissanterie Figaro
Open every day from 7am to midnight, La Croissanterie Figaro is a delightful French Bistro located on a quiet street in Outremont. The Art Deco décor and the lovely garden-terrasse make this place quite special. The menu consists of simple fare such as flaky croissants, great sandwiches, salads, quiches, flammekueches and more.
5200 Hutchison Street
Casavant
Casavant is a neighbourhood restaurant open 7 days a week in the heart of Villeray. Serving updated and modernized version of classic French dishes such as beef tartare, Grenoble-style fish, sausage with mashed potatoes and more. Their low intervention wine list is remarkable and should be explored.
350 De Castelnau Street East
La Prunelle
This BYOW restaurant located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal is a light-filled space that is both elegant and modern. In addition to a list of French classics such as fish and meat tartares, steak and fries and veal sweetbreads a few seasonal specials make appearances on the menu every week.
327 Duluth Street East
Kabinet
Formerly a cocktail bar, Kabinet has morphed into an elegant and sumptuous French bistro with plush velvet seats and an entire list of fish eggs. In addition to the caviar bumps, you can order some classic French dishes such as snails in garlic brown butter with an anchovy persillade, foie gras terrine, onion soup, baba au rhum and so much more.
98 Laurier Street West
Restaurant Paloma
This tiny neighbourhood restaurant is a collaboration between a father and daughter duo, him at the helm in the kitchen and her taking care of the excellent wine list and the service. The cuisine is an ode to the comfort dishes of the South of France, more precisely Nice, with a little Italian flair sprinkled about every now and then. It’s an absolutely excellent place to eat and drink, especially in the summertime when you can enjoy their secret back garden.
8521 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
La Casina
The brainchild of two Canadians and two French citizens, the restaurant is a perfect blend of French sophistication, welcoming Canadian spirit and Italian culinary mastery. Enjoy a selection of remixed classics including fresh fish accras, tuna tartare, indulgent pasta dishes, a great wine list and much more. La Casina also features a takeaway menu that can be enjoyed at home or on the go plus the space can be reserved for private events.
5314 Parc Avenue
For more French restaurants, try one of these:
Plein Sud, Le Pégase, Le Valois, Bonaparte, Chez Delmo, Brasserie Bernard, Marché de la Villette, Au Petit Extra, Jérôme Ferrer, Joséphine, and Chez Lévêsque.
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 36 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.