© Frédérique Ménard-Aubin - Montreal en Lumière
Le Mousso & Le Petit Mousso
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. Le Petit Mousso offers a more casual experience but with the same fabulous Mousso signature style.
© Alison Slattery
O’Thym
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.
Grillades Da Silva
If you’re craving Portuguese fare and, more specifically, Portuguese-style chicken, head to Grillades Da Silva for scrumptious charcoal-grilled specialties and a variety of tapas.
La dînette à Mado
Montréal’s most famous drag queen has recently opened a restaurant in the heart of the Village. Burgers, mac and cheese, steaks, fried chicken and more are on the menu at this fun and colourful dinette.
© Two Food Photographers
Agrikol
Popular Montréal restaurant Agrikol serves Haitian cuisine classics such as griot, lambi and rice and accras. Its charming backyard is one of the prettiest outdoor spaces around and a great spot to enjoy one of the rum-based cocktails.
Grenade
From steam buns to dumplings, 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
Le Red Tiger
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
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.
© Alison Slattery
Saloon Bistro Bar
One of the Village’s most established restaurants and supper clubs, Saloon Bistro Bar is a casual place that serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunches. The menu includes classic bistro fare as well as more contemporary dishes.
© Katya Konioukhova
Au Petit Extra
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
Kamehameha Snack-Bar
Take a virtual trip to Hawaii via Kamehameha Snack-Bar, 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
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
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.
© Two Food Photographers
Tendresse
With its aqua, peach and white colour scheme, Tendresse is an Instagram dream. Open 7 days a week from 10 am to 10 pm, it’s the perfect spot for brunch, lunch, a cocktail or dinner. The market cuisine menu is delicious and it just happens to be vegan.
Palme
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. Palme serves a monthly brunch with bottomless rum punch, chicken and waffles and more.
© Alison Slattery
Bouffe Dave Plant Food
Bouffe Dave Plant Food’s breakfast and lunch counter has quickly become a favourite for its offer of wholesome and delicious food options. Everything at this cute counter is prepared fresh with seasonal ingredients. Indulge in a dessert or two while you’re there.
© Alison Slattery
Cafés and sweet spots
If you’re in the Village and in need of a caffeine boost, head to Pourquoi Pas espresso bar for one of the best cups of coffee in Montréal. Café Sfouf is also a great spot to relax and enjoy the light-filled space. Order a coffee or a “golden milk”: they both come with a small square of “sfouf”, a Lebanese cake made with semolina and turmeric. If you’re more of a chocolate aficionado, Cacao 70 excels in all things cocoa, from hot beverages to decadent desserts. Breads, pastries, cheese and more abound at Arhoma, the Village’s go-to place for all things gluten or for grabbing a quick lunch. 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.
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.
