Restaurants:
Bella Sandwicheria
Le Cathcart food hall, Place Ville Marie | Website
Master sandwich makers Bossa are bringing their skills to downtown Montréal with Bella Sandwicheria, a new spot that will be featuring their popular Italian-style sandwiches but with a more delicate touch this time around. The sandwiches are all named after important women in the team’s lives. Expect fancy toppings such as pistachio pesto and truffle spread but the same amazing generosity and burst of flavour.
Le 9e – Restaurant Île de France
1500 Robert Bourassa, Suite 900 | Website
One of Montréal’s most emblematic restaurants will be reopening its doors under its original name on May 17. Île de France is located on Eaton Center’s 9th floor and was originally open from 1931 to 1999. It was best known for its classic French cuisine and incredible Art Deco architecture, one of the best preserved in Montréal. The elegant space has been renovated in keeping with its heritage designation. The 120-seat space’s kitchen will be heralded by chef Derek Daman (of former Maison Publique) and the menu will offer contemporary versions of the original food that was once served here.
YUBARI
355 McGill Street | Website
Yubari is a high-end Japanese restaurant located inside Old Montréal’s Hôtel Saint-Paul. The elegant and inviting design combines warm wood tones, intricate Japanese design elements and plush fabrics with a buzzing ambiance. The menu includes sushi, sashimi, dumplings, and more gorgeously plated specialties.
Terrasse Alizé
340 De La Gauchetière West | Website
Located on the 9th floor of Humaniti Hotel Montreal, Terrasse Alizé is sure to become the place to be this summer. Open 7 days a week from lunchtime until late, the covered and heated terrasse offers unobstructed views of the downtown skyline as well as great signature cocktails and food by Restaurant h3 chef Jean-Sébastien Giguère.
Maison Zoso
5700 Monkland Avenue | Website
Located in Monkland Village and open for lunch and dinner, Maison Zoso’s menu is classic bistro with items such as Caesar salad, braised brisket, and fish n chips sharing the spotlight at this bright and inviting establishment.
Verdun Beef
4800 Wellington Street | Website
Located right next door to popular Verdun Beach, Verdun Beef is a butcher shop selling quality meats from responsible farms. They make great sandwiches and apéro platters (to eat in or to go), and have a selection of quality products for sale, as well as a selection of beautiful wine bottles. It’s the perfect place to grab lunch and pick up a nice piece to barbecue for dinner with a great bottle.
Papito Restaurant
1425 Saint Alexander Street | Website
Papito is a new restaurant by the team behind beloved Café Parvis and Bar Furco. With the same pleasing décor esthetic as its siblings, Papito is an inviting and lively space with an open kitchen. On the menu is a choice of several grilled meats such as duck or porchetta and a selection of accompanying veggie dishes and sauces. The wine menu is exceptional.
Maison Inja
1458 Sherbrooke Street West | Website
Maison Inja is the newest venture from the team behind Café Aunja. Inja is a Persian restaurant serving all the classics of this colourful, spice-steeped cuisine, such as their saffron-infused tahchin.
© Alison Slattery
At the Jean-Talon Market
7070 Henri Julien | Website
The Jean-Talon Market is adding 4 new ready-to-eat counters to its Resto Zone. This summer, you’ll be able to enjoy halloumi-based burgers and more from Loumi, fancy fusion poutines, churros, craft beer and naturally-flavoured sodas from Casa, Italian-style sandwiches on freshly-baked focaccia from Roxy Focaccia, and gorgeous frozen, sweet treats from Nanana.
CAFÉS, PASTRY SHOPS & BAKERIES
Mollo Boulangerie
4357 Notre-Dame Street West | Website
Pointe Saint Charles’ Mollo has opened a new bakery/pastry shop/café in Saint-Henri. Everything here is made by hand on the premises. The artisanal confections range from the flakiest croissants and buttery brioches to exceptional breads.
Le Nigiriz
32 Saint-Cuthbert Street | Website
The team behind ramen shop Nakamichi is also behind Le Nigiriz, a new coffee shop offering a variety of onigiri, a Japanese snack made from white rice shaped into triangular or cylindrical shapes with different fillings (tuna with mayo, ume, karaage, salmon, etc.) and wrapped in nori. Le Nigiriz will also offer Japanese tea, siphon coffee, and matcha and hojicha lattes.
Sunday cuisine et café
1905 Centre Street | Website
Sunday is a new sunny spot in Pointe-Saint-Charles with “healthy” options on their menu. Fresh juices, smoothies, açai bowls, salads, breakfast items, wraps and snacks are all beautifully plated and as delicious as they are pretty.
BARS, LOUNGES & BUVETTES
Salon Badin
2621 Notre-Dame Street West | Website
Badin is a small cocktail bar and listening lounge serving big flavours from award-winning mixologist Emile Archambault. Located under Little Burgundy restaurant Heni, it’s cut from the same cloth as its big brother when it comes to attention to details and outstanding creativity. Expect a few Lebanese ingredients to make their way into the cocktails and a great, cozy ambiance with vinyl spinning in the background.
Double Menton et Saucisson
6653 Saint-Hubert Street | Website
A new fun bar located on Plaza Saint-Hubert, Double Menton et Saucisson is deeply rooted in the traditional south of France apéro hour. From the menu that includes classics such as boudin croquettes and croque monsieur, Ricard-based cocktails and an indoor pétanque court.
ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS, REOPENINGS & MOVES
Le 9e – Bar à Cocktails Le French Line
1500 Robert Bourassa, Suite 900 | Website
Le 9e, Eaton Center’s iconic 9th floor hospitality space will also count Le French Line, a cocktail bar that is set to open sometime this month. The stunning Art Deco décor will surely make it seem as if you are having a drink on the deck of a 1940 grand cruise ship.
© Alison Slattery
Dondonya, the Japanese “comfort food” spot, has opened a second location in Côte-des-Neiges.
Caribbean restaurant Kwizinn has opened a new location in Old Montréal where they serve their classics as well as more creative dishes.
Ice-cream slinger Iconoglace has opened a second location on Laurier Street West in the Mile End.
Tsukuyomi Ramen now has a third location in Bois-Franc.
Les Enfants Terribles has moved to the ground level of Place Ville Marie with a terrasse overlooking Montréal’s famous ring.
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.
