© Frédérique Ménard-Aubin - Montreal en Lumière
Le Mousso
1025 Ontario Street East | Website
Le Mousso is one of Montréal’s best fine dining establishments, with dishes that are halfway between a great work of art and an exquisite bite.
© Alison Slattery
O’Thym
1112 de Maisonneuve Boulevard East | Website
O’Thym is a great restaurant that often finds itself at the top of Montréal’s best BYOW list. The menu is market-driven, and their weekend brunches are delicious.
Grenade
1603 Ontario Street East | Website
From gyozas, chicken karaage, ramen and pad Thais, Grenade specializes in pan-Asian cuisine in a Pinterest-ready décor that’s inspired by distant and exotic lands.
© Alison Slattery - Tourisme Montréal
Le Red Tiger
1201 de Maisonneuve Boulevard East | Website
Le Red Tiger’s Vietnamese street food has made this beautiful restaurant a favourite among food lovers. Order a table-full of dishes to share and pair the lot with one of the signature cocktails.
© Susan Moss
Le Passé Composé Montréal
1310 de Maisonneuve Boulevard East | Website
A simple and straightforward breakfast and lunch spot, Le Passé Composé Montréal is where you’ll find classic egg dishes and simple lunch fare such as sandwiches and omelettes.
© Katya Konioukhova
Au Petit Extra
1690 Ontario Street East | Website
Artists and food lovers have been flocking to the very French bistro Au Petit Extra since 1985. It’s right next door to Cabaret Lion d’Or and makes for a good pre-show dinner choice.
© Alison Slattery
Kamé Snack-Bar Hawaïen
1190 Sainte-Catherine Street East (and another location) | Website
Take a virtual trip to Hawaii via Kamé Snack-Bar Hawaïen, a fun and casual spot from the people behind Le Red Tiger. Enjoy an island-inspired meal of poke bowls, smoothies and ice cream in very Instragammable fish-shaped cones.
© Two Food Photographers
Le Blossom
1101 de Maisonneuve Boulevard East (and another location) | Website
If you’re on Instagram, you’ve probably already seen Le Blossom’s central pink tree on your feed. This Japanese restaurant and sake bar serves sushi as well as other specialties in a beautiful décor.
Poutineville
1365, Ontario Street East (and other locations) | Website
Poutine lovers flock to Poutineville, a casual restaurant that serves several iterations of the ubiquitous Québécois dish, including “The Heart Attack”, its self-proclaimed “largest poutine in town”, a 15-pound whopper meant to be shared.
© twofooodphotographers
Tendresse
1259 Sainte-Catherine Street East | Website
With its aqua, peach and white colour scheme, Tendresse is an Instagram dream. It’s the perfect spot for brunch, a cocktail or dinner. Its market-inspired cuisine is delicious and it just happens to be vegan.
Palme
1487 Sainte-Catherine Street East | Website
Palme offers a menu inspired by the Caribbean but rooted in Montréal. Expect the warm flavours of the tropics with a menu rich in griot, ackee, curries and jerk seasonings.
Keela
1237 Atateken Street | Website
Keela’s menu is eclectic and includes something for everyone, from pastas and tartares to filet mignon and roast fish. However, the specialties that have garnered their loyal following are the flat breads topped with veggies, cheese and more.
© Alison Slattery - Tourisme Montréal
Le Resto du Village
1310 Wolfe Street | Website
From nachos to burgers and great poutine, Le Resto du Village is a low key and unpretentious spot that serves some great comfort food (until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays).
Pizzeria Bros.
1205 Sainte-Catherine Street East | Website
Make your own custom, thin-crust pizza in a flash at Pizzeria Bros, where you can choose your dough, your sauce and your toppings among a great variety of fresh ingredients and have it cooked in a couple of minutes.
© Ella Mack, Le Burger Week
Notre-Bœuf-De-Grâce
1302 Sainte-Catherine Street East| Website
Burgers, hot dogs, poutines, grilled cheese sandwiches and more are all featured on the menu at Notre-Bœuf-De-Grâce, a casual place with a funky décor.
© Alison Slattery - Tourisme Montréal
Bar Renard
1272 Sainte-Catherine Street East | Website
Open from 3pm until the wee hours of the morning, Bar Renard is a great spot to have a drink (try one of their signature cocktails) and a bite from their elevated bar menu.
© Steve Grenier
Bar Minéral
1641 Atateken Street | Website
Bar Minéral is a neighbourhood bar that specializes in natural and low intervention wine. Their food menu includes such items as burrata with citrus and fried chicken with honey and sriracha.
Carte Blanche
1159 Ontario Street East | Website
Carte Blanche is a BYOW restaurant with a French bistro menu that includes items such as foie gras au torchon, tartares and crème brûlée. They also offer a 5-course table d’hôte menu.
© Alison Slattery
Motel Motel
1276 Sainte-Catherine Street Est | Website
Eat well, drink and party until the wee hours of the night at Motel Motel, a new multi-disciplinary neighbourhood spot with a secret door that leads to the party space (no, we won’t tell you where the door is, you have to find it yourself).
Cantine Emilia
1650 Sainte-Catherine Street East | Website
Cantine Emilia is a Portuguese cantine that serves traditional grilled chicken and more such as sandwiches, poutines and bowls.
Uchi Sushi
1799 Atateken | Website
Uchi Sushi is a beloved BYOW neighbourhood sushi spot with fresh ingredients, serving classics as well as more creative options.
© Susan Moss
Cafés and sweet spots
If you’re in the Village and in need of a caffeine boost, head to Café Sfouf, a great spot to relax and enjoy the light-filled space. Pourquoi Pas espresso bar is also a great spot for one of the best cups of coffee in Montréal. Order a coffee or a “golden milk”: they both come with a small square of “sfouf”, a Lebanese cake made with semolina and turmeric. Arte & Farina makes some of the best Italian confections in Montréal. Indulge in some panettone, cantucci, pan dolce and more or grab a slice of the excellent pizza.
Alison Slattery
Sachère Dessert is a great spot to pick up some gorgeous, European-Asian inspired cakes and treats, as well as artisanal ice cream. For all your cookie needs, head to Blonde Biscuiterie where you can get your fill of their oversized cookies in flavours such as PB&J, Smarties, Funfetti and more (vegan options available).
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.
