Eat & Drink in Montreal
There are three things that every guidebook will tell you to try in Montreal: poutine, smoked meat, and bagels. And they are not wrong, while in Montreal you must try them, but the truth is that Montreal is a foodie city with more than just the stereotypical to offer.
From bagels, poutine, and smoke-meat sandwich, to Chinese or Venezuelan, there are hundreds of places for you to keep your hunger satisfy, and sometimes it can be a challenge to pick one restaurant.
These are my top faves places to eat and drink in Montreal, starting by the three “you must try”.
*Poutine
Fried, cheese, and gravy? Trust me, it is better than you think.
Almost every restaurant in the city serves this dish and every guide will recommend La Banquise, which is not bad at all, there is a big variety of poutine and it is open 24 hours. But, there are long lines most of the time.
My preferred choice and heaven: Poutine Centrale
Price range: $$
Address: 3971 Rue Hochelaga, Montréal, QC H1W 1K2
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| Picture taken from Poutine Centrale’s Facebook |
*Bagel
I, like almost everyone else, have always thought bagels were a New York thing until I came to Montreal.
There are two places in Mile End neighborhood, the major bakeries, and rivals, not too far from each other, where is worth a try a fresh out of the oven bagel, St-Viateur, and Fairmount.
St-Viateur has as well St-Viateur Bagel & Café Mont-Royal, and their bagel sandwiches are delicious.
Price range: $$
Address: 1127 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, QC H2J 1X9
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| Picture taken from St-Viateur Bagel’s Facebook |
*Smoked Meat Sandwich
Pastrami, mustard, and rye bread. What else is left to say?
Schwartz’s Deli is the most famous place for this pastrami bite, they are very good but there is a constant line.
Price range: $$
Address: 3895 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2W 1X9
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| Picture taken from Schwartz’s Deli’s Facebook |
I’ve tried a smoked meat sandwich elsewhere and my favorite one is Dunn’s. Their poutine is also delicious and all their dishes are huge.
Did I mention they are open 24/7?
Price range: $$
Address: 1249 Metcalfe St, Montreal, QC H3B 2V5
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| Picture taken from Dunn’s Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/dunnsfamous |
Another very good place to enjoy a smoked meat sandwich is Rubens.
Save a place for dessert because their cakes are enormous, fresh, and absolutely delightful.
Price range: $$
Address: 1116 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3B 1H4
*L’Oeufrier
This is my favorite brunch spot.
Continental breakfast, crepes, Benedict, breakfast poutine & urban grill cheese.
Whatever you are craving they’ll serve a generous portion, and the prices are very reasonable.
Price range: $
Address: There are multiple locations, check them here.
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| Picture taken from L’oeufrier’s Facebook |
*Allo! Mon Coco
Continental breakfast in all the possible variety of ways.
Price range: $
Address: There are multiple locations, check them here.
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| Picture taken from Allo! Mon Coco’s Facebook |
*L’Entrepot Mont-Royal
Are you looking for good food on a budget?
This is the perfect place to go to when broken. Every single item costs $5,95 and the food is actually good.
Price range: $
Address: 1019 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, QC H2J 1X7
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| Picture taken from L’Entrepôt Mont-Royal’s Facebook |
*Pachamama
I found this place not too long ago and it was where I discover that Peruvian food is exquisite.
Price range: $$ – $$$
Address: 7245 St Hubert St, Montreal, QC H2R 2N2
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| Picture taken from Pachamama’s Facebook |
*Bocadillo Bistro
Arepas, empanadas, tequeños, cachapas with cheese and shredded pork, Malta Polar.
This is the only place where you can try Venezuelan Polar beer in Quebec, I can’t say about the rest of Canada.
During Christmas Hayacas and pan de jamón.
Venezuelan food is heavenly!
They also have Latin music and performances all year long.
Price range: $$
Address: 6918 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2S 3C7
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| Picture taken from Bocadillo Bistro’s Facebook |
*Amelia’s Pizza
The best, cozy, and warm BYOW restaurant where you can find the most excellent pizza in town, along with a delicious menu (the white pizza is stunning and a MUST try).
They only accept cash but their prices are good.
Take note that they don’t take reservations and sometimes there is a line that it will worth the wait.
Price range: $
Address: 6918 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2S 3C7
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| Picture taken from Amelia’s Facebook |
*Bottega
Wood oven Neapolitan pizza. Do I need to say more?
Prices are a bit high but the place is super nice and you won’t be disappointed with their food and service.
You’ll need a reservation since the place is always busy but I think it is perfect for group celebrations.
Price range: $$ – $$$
Address: 6918 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2S 3C7
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| Picture taken from Bottega Pizzeria’s Facebook |
*T&T
I was craving for some quesadillas and came across T&T. Their menu is simple but kind of perfect. They serve tacos, tortas, guacamole and chips, alcoholic and non- alcoholic drinks, and churros for dessert.
Price range: $$
Address: 51 Rachel St W, Montreal, QC H2W 1G2
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| Picture taken from T&T’s Facebook |
*Le Dragon Magnifique
Venezuelan Chinese rice is actually a thing, and for what I know, in Colombia is very similar. It is also something unique and totally difficult to find.
But I got good news! After trying lots of restaurants, I came across this place. The owners are Peruvians-Chinese and the used to have a restaurant in Caracas, Venezuela a long time ago.
Price range: $$
Address: 5444 Jean Talon St E, St. Leonard, QC H1S 1L6
*Ma Poule Mouillée
We all know that Portuguese chicken is the best chicken, and this restaurant serves the best grilled-chicken in Montreal: juicy, tender, and tasty.
Price range: $
Address: 969 Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2J 2J2
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| https://www.facebook.com/MaPouleMouillee |
*Lola Rosa
Vegetarian or not, you’ll want to eat here because the food is so good, especially their salads.
There are multiple locations, but the one on Avenue du Parc is bigger and ideal for groups.
Price range: $$
Address: 4581 Park Ave, Montreal, QC H2V 4E4
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| Picture taken from Lola Rosa’s Facebook |
*La Capital Tacos
Recommended by a friend as authentic Mexican food, this taqueria located in Chinatown, does not disappoint.
Price range: $$
Address: 1096 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2Z 1J5
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| Picture taken from La Capital Tacos’ Facebook |
*Beni Hanna
For my birthday, my boyfriend made reservations in this Japanese restaurant and I loved it.
The food is cooked in front of you with a showmanship chef that toss and flip utensils while cooking and makes the experience enjoyable.
The food is good and the portions are very generous. Prices are not bad, and the service is good.
Price range: $$$
Address: 5666 Rue Sherbrooke Est. Montreal, Quebec
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| Picture taken from Beni Hana’s Facebook |
*Chez Tina Gourmet
Best Colombian restaurant in the area.
100% recommended!
Price range: $$
Address: 5444 Jean Talon St E, St. Leonard, QC H1S 1L6
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| Picture taken from Chez Tina’s Facebook |
*Fisshu
When my favorite AYCE place closed, I was so disappointed, and it took me a few tries to find a new restaurant that was as nearly good.
Luckily, a few days ago, my bestie took me to this inn: nice deco, fast service, good and fresh tasty food.
Price range: $$
Address: 537 Saint-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3B 1B2
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| Picture taken from Fisshu’s Facebook |
*Tommy
One of my favorite café shops to visit.
Beautiful decor, high ceilings, and Victorian architecture.
Perfect for a date or to grab a coffee by yourself.
Price range: $$
Address: 200 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC H2Y 1T3
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| Picture taken from Tommy’s Facebook |
*Paquebot Café
I discover this place while running away from the rain. Their coffee is great and sitting by the window makes it better.
Price range: $
Address: 123 Mont-Royal Ave W, Montreal, QC H2T 2S9
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| Picture taken from Paquebot Café’s Facebook |
*La Diperie
The best ice cream ever! They serve up soft vanilla dipped cones with so many different dip and toppings that are too hard to choose.
Price range: $
Address: There are multiple locations, check them here.
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| Picture taken from La Diperie’s Facebook |
*Chocolats Favoris
Similar to La Diperie, this is my brother’s fave chocolate shop and he was actually the one that took me there.
They are open all year round and their chocolate cones are delicious.
Price range: $$
Address: There are multiple locations, check them here.
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| Picture taken from Chocolats Favoris’ Facebook |
*Gaufres & Glaces
Ice cream on waffles cone. The best milkshakes in the world.
This is a super cute and cozy dessert bar whose only bad thing is that it is very close to the park where I exercise and I never make it (to the park).
Price range: $$
Address: 6589 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, QC H1M 1B1.
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| This picture is mine and they post it on Instagram <3 |
*Juliette & Chocolat
Sweet, sweet, and sweet.
They serve food also, but this is mostly a desert place. So you’ll like to avoid it if you’re on a diet.
Price range: $$
Address: There are multiple locations, check them here.
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| Picture taken from Juliette & Chocolat’s Facebook |
*La Distillerie
If you ever looked for a cocktails paradise, this is the one.
Great cocktails served in mason jars, their menu is organized by alcohol and sweetness level, and there is an option for everyone.
Price range: $$
Address: There are multiple locations, check them here.
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| Picture taken from La Distillerie’s Facebook |
*Benelux
Brewpub well-known for its top-quality homemade beers, centrally located and the perfect spot for happy hour or gather with friends.
Price range: $$
Address: 245 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H2X 1X8
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| Picture taken from Benelux’ Facebook |
*Chez Baptiste
Excellent beer, great atmosphere, and good music. They do not serve hot food, but they have snacking choices.
My preferred choice.
Price range: $
Address: 1045 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, QC H2J 1X7
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| Picture taken from Chez Baptiste’s Facebook |
* Le Trèfle
Beer, food, music. All in one place!
Price range: $$
Address: 13971 Ontario St E, Montreal, Quebec H1W 1T1
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| Picture taken from Le Trèfle’s Facebook |
*Darling
Nice looking and cozy bar to have drinks with friends.
There is charm behind every piece of decoration in this bar that honors his name.
Price range: $$
Address: 4328 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, QC H2W 1Z3
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| Picture taken from Darling’s Facebook |
*Dieu du Ciel!
An extensive selection of craft beers, all of them with a unique flavor of their own.
The music is chill and the bar is perfect for a date night.
Price range: $$
Address: 1127 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, QC H2J 1X9
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| Picture taken from Dieu du Ciel’s Facebook |
Have you tried any of these places? Or have others to recommend? Let me know in the comments!
