Le Boulevardier
Chef David Pellizzari (formerly of Lili.Co.) is at the helm of this elegant new establishment inspired by French brasseries. Located inside the newly renovated Le Germain Hotel, Le Boulevardier’s space is designed by Zébulon Perron and reflects the hotel’s contemporary look. The cuisine is rooted in French with an emphasis on seafood and featuring local fare.
Roch le Coq
Hailed by critics and food lovers as the best fried chicken place in Montréal, Roch le Coq has become an instant sensation from the day it opened. The fried chicken is sensational and so are all the side dishes. Eat on site or grab a bucket to go.
Restaurant Le Petit Vibe
Hawaiian-Filipino fusion Restaurant Le Petit Vibe steers away from the traditional poke bowls served throughout Montréal to concentrate on other specialties such as lechon kawali and musubi spam. They also serve a Filipino-inspired brunch on weekends.
Hello123
Plant-based, wine bar Hello123 serves “happy food and happy times” at its new Saint-Henri location. Pair your lunch, dinner or brunch (everyday it’s open) with one of its natural wines or fancy cocktails.
Kwai
Chef Antonio Park’s Thai-flavoured restaurant Kwai has taken residence in the shuttered Lavanderia space. The menu contains some Thai classics alongside more original options. Kwai also serves a Thai brunch on weekends.
Plateau Masala
Deep in Plateau-Mont-Royal is a new BYOW Indian restaurant that’s a welcome addition to Montréal’s dining scene. Plateau Masala serves classic dishes such as chana masala, butter chicken, biryanis and more. It’s vegetarian, vegan and halal.
Chifa
The dream team behind Nikkei cuisine driven Tiradito is also behind Chifa, a Chinese-Peruvian fusion restaurant that’s just opened in downtown Montréal. Led by chef Marcel Larrea, the menu is inspired by his childhood memories and quite unique for the Montréal dining scene.
California Sandwiches
The popular Toronto sandwich chain now has a location in Montréal’s Quartier Latin. At California Sandwiches, expect over-the-top, fully loaded classic Italian sandwiches stuffed with veal cutlet, eggplants, sausage and more.
© Two Food Photographers (Alison Slattery)
Tiers Paysage
Joe Beef, Maison Publique and Philémon bar alumni are behind Tiers Paysage, a new Old Montréal wine bar. A privately imported natural wine list is complemented by a vegetable-centric cuisine that features local and seasonal produce.
© Patricia Brochu
Time Out Market
To experience the crème de la crème of Montréal’s best chefs and restaurants, one only needs to head to the recently opened Time Out Market at Centre Eaton de Montréal. Sixteen restaurants including Club Chasse et Pêche, Toqué!, Marusan, Hof Kelsten, Olive & Gourmando and Montréal Plaza as well as three bars, a demo kitchen and a cooking school are all under one roof at Time Out Market.
© Sid lee Architecture | Menkes Shooner Dagenais Letourneaux Architectes
Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten
Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten is another new downtown food hall that just opened under Place Ville Marie. Sid Lee Architecture designed this impressive space like a lush indoor garden with an impressive 7000 square foot glass pavilion. It will feature three full fledge restaurants, nine eateries, two cafés and a biergarten. Popular eateries Hà, Omnivore and Uniburger are on the roster.
Maquis Yasolo
A self-proclaimed “Afro-Québécois” Saint-Henri restaurant, Maquis Yasolo serves African and Caribbean specialties such as jerk chicken, goat curry, cod fritters and more.
© Two Food Photographers (Alison Slattery)
Paloma
The Villeray dining scene has gained a beautiful neighbourhood spot in Paloma. The cuisine here is Mediterranean, namely from the South of France with a distinct Italian influence. The small establishment has gained a loyal following in the short time it’s been open.
Café Bonjour Hi
Café Bonjour Hi, a Quartier Latin coffee shop, is owned and operated by Dave Plant, of Bouffe Dave Plant, which guarantees customers superb baked goods, as well as a bilingual greeting.
Stem Bar
Little Burgundy’s September Surf Café is behind this new bar located right next door and accessible through the coffeeshop’s space. Stem Bar serves natural wine and small plates to share in the same cool and casual atmosphere as the café.
Ōkini
Fine dining sushi restaurant Jun I has extended into a more casual space next door to its Laurier Avenue restaurant. Ōkini is a multi-purpose space with a market selling fresh fish, pastries, Japanese pantry essentials, and ready-to-eat meals. Special events, workshops and Omakase dinners are in the works for later this spring.
New locations and restaurant news
Portuguese rotisserie Cantine Emilia has recently opened a second location on Saint-Viateur Street in the Mile End.
Popular Vietnamese restaurant Pho Lien has opened a second location downtown. Pho Lien Express serves more or less the same menu as the Côte-des-Neiges location, including the 16 varieties of pho.
Beloved Indian restaurant Bombay Mahal has recently opened a second location on Mont-Royal Avenue and Saint-Urbain Street where it serves the same excellent cuisine as its Parc-Ex establishment.
Fancy French pastry shop Maison Christian Faure now counts a third location on Sherbrooke Street West and Claremont Avenue.
Café Olimpico has opened its third location on Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, right in the heart of downtown 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.
