© Susan Moss
La Banquise
994 Rachel Street East | Website
La Banquise is Montréal’s poutine institution going well beyond the usual fries-cheese curds-gravy trifecta with combinations you never knew existed, using anything from Merguez sausage with hot peppers and Tabasco to guacamole and sour cream. Be warned that they amass a sizeable line-up on the weekends late at night, but they move quickly.
Boustan
2020 Crescent Street | Website
They’ve been making shawarma for Montrealers since 1986, and better yet, they’ve been doing so steadily from their late night location on Crescent in the downtown core. Order up a trio with a drink, potatoes and garlic sauce, and one of their one-with-everything ‘creation’ sandwiches.
© Susan Moss
Gibeau Orange Julep
7700 Décarie Boulevard | Website
A drive-in diner and local favourite, you can’t miss the gigantic orange perched aside the Decarie Expressway. Opened in the 1930’s, their frothy orange julep is a classic from days when carhops on roller skates serviced diners directly at their cars. Their menu of hot dogs and burgers still hasn’t changed, and probably never will.
Angela Pizzeria & Restaurant
1662 De Maisonneuve Boulevard West | Website
When you’ve got a craving at an obscene hour for pizza, souvlaki, burgers or salad, Angela has you covered. A Montréal institution and late-night veteran, this place is for the early bird or night owl. Chances are that if you stayed out late after dinner downtown and come here for a snack, you may run into whoever served you earlier.
Restaurant Mon Nan
43 De la Gauchetière Street East | Website
Located in Chinatown, Restaurant Mon Nan never seems to close. They’re your go-to spot when you’ve got a hankering for Peking duck or Cantonese lobster in the wee hours of the morning. It’s not uncommon to see local chefs finishing their nights here, either.
New System Bar-B-Q
3419 Notre-Dame Street West | Website
Their menu may be centered around rotisserie chicken, but this late night diner in Saint-Henri makes just about everything under the sun. That includes pizza, subs, pasta, gyros and smoked meat. It’s hard to argue with that variety, and doubly so when considering that they’ve a fleet of orange cars that have a large delivery radius.
© Two Food Photographers - Alison Slattery
L’Express
3927 Saint-Denis Street | Website
The quintessential Parisian-style French bistro. Known for serving exquisite fare until late at night, L’Express is a popular dining destination for locals at just about any reasonable late night hour. With dishes like their famous bone marrow starter to calf liver with tarragon or steak-frites, their take on classic dishes will leave you wanting more.
© Audréanne Cuerrier
Saint-Houblon
1567 Saint-Denis Street | Website
A brewpub and kitchen coming from a Saint-Bruno microbrewery, the food here can get as crafty as the beer does. Think karaage curry bowls, fried Oreos, nachos with beer sausage, and roasted tomato mac and cheese—but don’t worry, those don’t all come served together unless you want them to.
© Tourisme Montréal, Bruno Guérin
Burgundy Lion
2496 Notre-Dame Street West | Website
Known for bring the quintessential British pub experience to Montréal, Burgundy Lion will keep its kitchen open until the early hours, but take note that they’ll usually pare the menu down to easily made dishes. That said, the fries and burgers here are of a well-known quality among locals and out-of-towners alike.
Restaurant A.A.
3702 Notre-Dame Street West | Website
Named after its owner André Annoussos, this Saint-Henri diner is a local legend among Montréalers for its ability to serve up delightfully stomach-lining greasy eats until very, very early hours of the morning. Steamies by day and toasties by night, a unique poutine gravy recipes, and lightning speed service all come together to make for a great no-fuss late night eating experience.
Alto Restaurant
3469 Park Avenue | Website
Ask any student in the McGill Ghetto where they’re getting their late night fuel from, and it’s likely going to be this place. Specializing in cheap pizza, burgers, poutine, the curious Montréal creation of pizzaghetti and even brunch until the earliest of hours, the reputation here is well-earned for late night eats.
Caribbean Food Factory
5311 Boulevard de Maisonneuve Ouest | Website
The name of this restaurant should suffice for knowing what you’re getting yourself into, but if it’s not clear enough: This is where to find the spicier side of late night eats and a taste of islands. That means curry and jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, oxtail and a lot more. Just ask for more hot sauce if you need to kick it up a notch or three.
Le Majestique
4105 St Laurent Boulevard | Website
A suave destination in the Plateau, this colourful dining experience in Montréal is among the most lauded when it comes to late night eats thanks to a regularly creative menu, curated wine lists, and oysters popped open until last call. If you’re eating with a friend or date, don’t skip out on their famous hot dog. A Hof Kelsten bun gets topped with a foot-long Gaspor pork sausage, a red cabbage and apple slaw, and crispy fried shallots. Divine.
© Alison Slattery
Otto Yakitori
1441 Saint-Mathieu Street | Website
The charcoal doesn’t stop burning until late at night at this Japanese izakaya in the heart of downtown Montréal. Serving yakitori, the Japanese grill style that features just about every edible part of a chicken, they also regularly serve up plates of sashimi, bowls of ramen, and more; just ask for the specials that night if you don’t feel like chicken early in the morning.
Isle de Garde
1039 Beaubien Street East | Website
This brewpub in La-Petite-Patrie is primarily known for its beer, but the food gets just as attention—especially when it gets late. Among menu options like grilled octopus or roasted oyster mushrooms, the burger tends to get a lot of due attention, but don’t skip on ordering widely while you’re here. Everything gets crafted with a lot of love.
JP Karwacki
JP Karwacki is a Montréal-based writer and journalist whose work has appeared in Time Magazine, the Montreal Gazette, National Post, Time Out, NUVO Magazine, and more. Having called the city home for over a decade and a half, he regularly focuses on spreading the good word about the amazing things to eat, drink and do in Montréal. One half raconteur and the other flâneur (with just a dash of boulevardier), when he wasn’t working on the frontlines of the city's restaurants and bars, he spent his time thinking about, reading about and writing about restaurants and bars.
Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
