Montréal restaurants in parks
Under leafy trees, on the banks of the river, beside a fountain or atop Mount Royal: here are restaurants where you can dine among the flora.
Take a break at Mount Royal Park
In the gorgeous setting of Mount Royal Park, a work by Frederick Law Olmsted (who also designed New York’s Central Park) and lungs of the city, you can now eat out at several restaurants. Café des Amis invites you to enjoy one of its three locations. Relax at the Beaver Lake Pavilion and soak up views of the eponymous lake, kick back on the terrasse of the Smith House or have a drink at the Mount Royal Chalet, which offers breathtaking views of the city. The park’s cutest new addition? The Café suspendu, the latest creation by La Pépinière, which functions as a terrasse and café/bar and gives visitors a more intimate view of the city from the Camillien-Houde Belvedere. Yoga classes and happy hours with music are also regularly hosted during the summer season.
Along the river banks at Lachine Canal National Historic Site
Over a 14.5-km area that stretches from the Old Port to Lac Saint-Louis, cyclists, strollers and pleasure boaters can stop on the banks of the Lachine Canal for a bite to eat. We recommend a snack from the very pretty Marché des Éclusiers or Atwater Market, where you can also stock up on local products. For drinks, check out the revamped metro cars of Station F-MR, the floating Canal Lounge café/bar or even the industrial/verdant setting of the St-Ambroise Terrasse.
Kicking back at Le K in Square Saint-Louis
On the Plateau, in the middle of the charming Square Saint-Louis, which is bordered by brightly-painted Victorian houses, Le K can sate your cravings with a café au lait and a sorbet at tables around a kiosk that is truly sweet.
Culture and foliage at Espace La Fontaine bistro
Cool off under the big white parasols of Espace La Fontaine, right at the heart of Parc La Fontaine, and enjoy gourmet sandwiches, vegan dishes and brunches in a friendly family ambiance. It’s also perfect for a 5 à 7 (happy hour) with friends under a beautiful leafy canopy. Cultural activities, including exhibitions, conferences, music performances, dance evenings and theatre for kids are all on the program. Don’t forget to take the little guys for a choo-choo ride on the adorable train that weaves in and around the park.
Art Deco at the Botanical Garden restaurant
The Montréal Botanical Garden Restaurant exudes a definite Art Deco vibe and it is complemented by a delicious menu created from fresh, local products. Go there for trendy little vegan dishes served on its flower-filled patio. You can also pick up lunchboxes to go if you feel like picnicking in the park.
It’s totally beachy at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Over at PJD, each activity has its own little place to sit and snack. Grab a bite to eat with your family or friends at Terrasse 67 near the park’s aquatic complex, get some shade on the second floor of the Chalet de la Plage, where you can pick up sandwiches, wraps, salads or ice cream treats, or relax under the parasols of the Bar‑Terrasse de la Plage with a nice cold beer in hand.
Laure Juilliard, blogger
Laure is a writer, community manager and the founder of the blog Une Parisienne à Montréal. She’s also an epicurean globetrotter who’s always on the hunt for innovative concepts and must-try restaurants. In 2016, she co-founded Slow Journeys, a webzine that focuses on ecotourism and design.
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