Where to enjoy natural wines in Montréal

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 30 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.

This article was updated on November 21, 2022.

The natural wave hit Montréal a few years ago and the city has since become one of the best in the world to enjoy these funky wines. Several restaurants in town boast great cartes de vins natures that are fun to explore. Below are some of our favourites.

Rosemont – La Petite-Patrie and Villeray

Mon Lapin

150, Saint-Zotique Street | Website

Vin Mon Lapin’s sommelier Vanya Filipovic’s passion for great wines and fantastic winemakers is evident in the care and research that goes in the creation of the restaurant’s outstanding wine menu, one of the best in Montréal.

 

Alep and Le Petit Alep

191 Jean-Talon East Street | Website

It’s rather surprising that these two unassuming neighbouring restaurants have one of the most sophisticated and elaborate wine cellars in town. Alep and its more casual bistro, Le Petit Alep, are best known for their outstanding Syrian cuisine, but their extensive wine list shouldn’t be overlooked.

Bar Mamie and La Cave de Mamie

328 Beaubien East Street | Website

Cozy and quirky Bar Mamie and La Cave de Mamie have become a part of the neighbourhood scenery as if they’d always been there. The “planches et apéros” inspired menus are rooted in French cuisine. Let Mamie take care of you and be surprised by some of the great wines they have in their cave.

Hélicoptère

4255 Ontario East Street | Website

Hochelaga restaurant Hélicoptère has garnered quite the loyal following with its great food, pastries, artisanal breads and natural wines.

 

Vinvinvin

1290 Beaubien East Street | Website

Rosemont’s Bar vinvinvin is what you get when you cross a beautiful and seasonal menu with a fantastic wine list and a great, unpretentious ambiance. This Nordic wine bar should definitely be on any wine lover’s radar.

 

Pumpui and Pichai

5985 St-Hubert Street | Website

Thai streetfood and natural wines os the name of the game at Pumpui, a no-frills grocery store and excellent curry counter. Its sister establishment Pichai is located on Plaza Saint-Hubert and serves amazing food and the same delectable bottles in a more sit-down setting.

 

Knuckles Cantine et Vins

241 Jarry Street East | Website

Villeray’s Knuckles is a cozy little cantine serving Italian food in a relaxed and laid-back ambiance. The wines here are beautiful and the food just happens to be vegetarian.

Lundis au soleil

801 Jarry Street East | Website

Local and privately imported wines share space in the Lundis au soleil cellar, a much beloved neighbourhood spot that has managed to thrive since it opened a couple of years ago. Head there for lunch, dinner or a 4pm to 6pm apéro and enjoy.

Paloma

8521 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website

A father/daughter collab, Paloma specializes in the cuisine of the Southern France with some Italian influences added in for good measure. The staff and service are the loveliest and so are some of the low-intervention wines served here from some of the best private importers in town.

 

 

Downtown, Quartiers du canal and Old Montréal

 

 

Pullman and Moleskine Restaurant

3424 du Parc Avenue | Website

As one of the best wine bars in Montreal, Pullman knows its way around natural wines and has transferred that passion to its new sister restaurant and pizzeria, Moleskine Restaurant

Candide

551 Saint-Martin Street | Website

Designed by wine director Emily Campeau, Candide’s list is one of the best in town and the perfect match to chef John Winter Russell’s uncompromising dedication to local and seasonal produce.

Foodlab

1201 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website

Foodlab’s seasonally driven menu is very sought after by food lovers and the rooftop terrasse is one of the most beautiful in town. The wine list, composed of natural and biodynamic wines, is a pleasure to explore. 

Elena and Gia Vin & Grill

5090 Notre-Dame West Street | Website

Elena perfects the classic and effortless combination of pizza and wine.  Easy drinkable wines from small, mostly Italian producers go hand in hand with the chic yet casual vibes and seasonal cuisine. Sister restaurant Gia Vin & Grill adheres to the same principle when it comes to its wine list.

 

Foxy and Un po’ di più

Foxy : 1638 Notre Dame Street West | Website

Un po’ di più : 3, de la Commune Street | Website

Whether you’re grabbing a flame cooked meal at award-winning Foxy in Little Burgundy or enjoying an authentic Italian aperitivo at sister restaurant Un po di più in Old Montréal, the wines will always be interesting and on point.

BarBara

4450 Notre-Dame Street West | Website

Open from 8am “until late in the evening” Saint-Henri’s BarBara is a gem of a neighbourhood spot where great Italia-inspired pastries, food and more shine bright, along with wonderful bottles of wine.

Verdun Beach Bar

4816 Wellington Street | Website

Over 100 natural wine bottles are on the menu of this trendy Verdun guinguette. Verdun Beach Bar has the atmosphere of a beachside establishment. It serves market forward dishes and the gorgeous terrasse is THE hot spot to hang out at.

 

 

Plateau Mont-Royal, Mile-End and Outremont

 

 

Lawrence and Larrys

9, Fairmount Street East | Website

Lawrence’s reputation as one of the best restaurants in Montréal has been set since its opening day. The Mile End restaurant also boasts a great wine list with many natural wine options to pair with its nose to tail market cuisine. Around the corner you’ll find its younger sibling Larrys, open from early morning to late at night. It serves everything from breakfast sandwiches to delicious small plates to share and, most importantly, a great natural wine selection. 

 

Alma and Tinc Set

1233 Lajoie Avenue | Website

With an emphasis on mostly Catalan and Spanish “hand-selected artisanal wines”, Alma and sister roast chicken slinger Tinc Set are the perfect neighbourhood restaurants. It helps that the sommelière and co-owner is also behind private import company Vin I Vida.

Buvette Chez Simone and Bar à Flot

4869 du Parc Avenue | Website

Buvette” has been a Montréal favourite for the past decade and a half. The Park Avenue establishment is famous for its French-inspired small plates to share, its cheese and charcuterie boards and its well curated wine list. Next door, sister buvette “Bar à Flot” run by sommelière Florence Pelland-Goyer is also a great spot to enjoy a glass or two of natural wine.

Pastaga

6389 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website

Pastaga is one of the precursors of the natural wine movement in Montréal. Chef Martin Juneau and partners have been favouring these natural and biodynamic wines for years at their Petite Patrie restaurant and through their private import company.

 

Majestique

4105 Saint-Laurent Boulevard | Website

Funky and quirky Majestique has been a staple on the Main for the past few years. The festive ambiance, the astounding tchotchkes all around, the exceptional food and wines and the flawless service make this restaurant an absolute must. And it’s open until 3am 7 days a week!

 

 

There are many other Montréal restaurants with great selections of natural wines on their menus, including Henrietta, Boxermans, Le Diplomate, Café Denise, Buvette Pastek, Bar St-Denis, Butterblume, Oregon, Place Carmin, and Les Cavistes Restaurant Wine Bar.

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 30 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.

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