Montréal’s best, coolest
and most popular
restaurants and bars
Shaped by generations of newcomers who have left a lasting mark on the city’s world-class culinary scene, Montréal has built one of North America’s most distinctive food identities. Here, Paris-inspired bistros are as beloved as Jewish delis, Italian cafés and Portuguese rotisseries, while ambitious chefs reinterpret Québécois ingredients through a global lens.
Now on Michelin and North America’s World 50 Best radar – and long recognized by Canada’s 100 Best – the city balances old-school favourites with restless innovation, making it one of the continent’s most compelling places to eat. Here are some of Montreal’s top spots.
Best fine-dining restaurants
There are far too many fine-dining standouts in the city to name them all, but a few in particular capture Montréal’s creative edge. Mon Lapin (number two on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants) serves a daily-changing menu that might include honeynut squash, salt cod tonnarelli or its signature croque-petoncle, all paired with sought-after natural wines. Montréal Plaza (number 22 on that list) leans more whimsical: think vegetable “bourguignon,” popcorn-laced tartare and meringues with lilac ice cream, while Le Violon (number 29) draws on mixed heritage like kibbeh-style beef tartare and gochujang-glazed sweetbreads. Or, for a taste of classic Québecois fare, Toqué! – opened more than 30 years ago – continues to showcase the province’s finest ingredients in timeless French-inspired dishes, as well as top reds and whites from their legendary wine cellar.
Toqué!
Top Michelin-starred restaurants
Among Michelin-starred picks, Mastard treats Québec produce with an artist’s touch, like a peak-season tomato topped with smoked meat fat and edible flowers. At Sabayon, vegetables take centre stage, especially the wood-fired mushrooms finished with its namesake sabayon infused with juniper. And Bib Gourmet picks like Rotisserie La Lune and Casavant lean into comfort-food classics.
Mastard
Most iconic dishes to splurge on
While you don’t have to spend lavishly to eat well in Montréal (consider the holy trinity of bagels, poutine and smoked meat sandwiches), a few indulgent plates have taken on near-mythic status. At Joe Beef, the over-the-top lobster spaghetti remains a rich rite of passage. At Au Pied de Cochon, foie gras poutine pushes the province’s signature dish into gloriously decadent territory. And across town at Leméac, the maple-lacquered pain perdu has earned its own loyal following in a city that takes its culinary pleasures seriously.
Au Pied de Cochon
Coolest “secret” cocktail bars
Montréalers have a soft spot for speakeasies, underground lounges and other hidden gems. In the Golden Square Mile, Cloakroom Bar has just 25 seats, no menu and cocktails tailored to your taste. In Little Burgundy, Atwater Cocktail Club, tucked at the end of an alley next to the hip Foiegwa diner, pairs low light and lush plants with sharp, seasonal drinks. And in Old Montréal, the Coldroom, housed in a former 19th-century cold storage basement, keeps things focused on the classics, turning out crisp martinis, negronis and impeccably stirred old fashioneds behind an unmarked black door.
Atwater Cocktail Club
Trendiest photo-worthy cafés
Some Montréal cafés feel designed as much for lounging as for latte art. In Old Montréal, Crew Collective & Cafe pours espresso beneath soaring vaulted ceilings inside a former 1920s bank – easily one of the city’s most cinematic coffee settings. Nearby, Tommy Café layers chandeliers, patterned tiles and cascading greenery into a light-filled, European-leaning salon. For something softer and more playful, Pastel Rita in the Mile End pairs terrazzo tables and blush tones with carefully crafted espresso drinks and natural wines.
Crew Collective & Cafe
Must-visit breweries
No matter the time of year, Montréalers lean heavily into the city’s craft beer scene. In the Mile End, Dieu du Ciel! remains one of the city’s most internationally recognized breweries, known for the dense, coffee-laced Péché Mortel and a steady stream of small-batch releases. In Pointe-Saint-Charles, Messorem Bracitorium draws crowds for their beer slushies that routinely sell out on summer days. And in Petite Patrie, Isle de Garde focuses on beautifully balanced lagers and European-inspired ales, best enjoyed on its lively terrace.
Messorem Bracitorium
Biggest food festivals
Summer draws Montréal appetites outside. Yatai Mtl brings Japanese street-food energy to Peel Bassin next to Griffintown. Even the Osheaga music festival doubles as a culinary showcase. There are also food truck rallies at First Fridays at Olympic Park and the popular Taste of the Caribbean Festival, which brings spice, music and dance to the waterfront.
First Fridays at Olympic Park
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio with Tourism Montréal. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.