Montréal is Canada’s little Europe. And like all amazing cities: where do you go to find the best places to eat in Montréal? It can be overwhelming to try to find the tastiest restaurants, so I’ve compiled a list of my favourite restaurants in Montréal.
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I cover everything from hearty poutine, to decadent modern French-Canadian cuisine, to satisfying smoked meat sandwiches. I’ve also got suggestions for travellers looking to experience fine-dining at good value and for those looking to splurge a little.
I also tell you where to go for the best gourmet sandwiches and homemade pastries. And I suggest where to go to savour some of the best international cuisine in town.
I hope you get hungry while reading this post!
The Best Places To Eat Smoked Meat Sandwiches And Poutine In Montréal
You must add smoked meat and poutine to your Montréal eateries guide. Don’t leave Canada without trying our national dishes!
Savour smoked meat at Schwartz’s
Schwartz’s is one of the BEST smoked meat joints ever since 1928. Ask for half fatty on rye with mustard and pickles. A classic combination.
This is a jam-packed joint that’s well worth the wait. The smoked meat has a deep, rich, smoky flavour. It is paradise in between two slices of bread.
I definitely advise on taking a long walk (or a nap) after your meal to digest.
It could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to get in, but it’s worth the wait. Bring a hat and water because it gets hot! Be prepared to squeeze in and share a table with others.
It costs about $16 CAD per sandwich.
Enjoy a smoked meat bagel at Dunn’s Deli
Dunn’s Deli was founded in 1927 and they’re still serving some of the most iconic smoked meat sandwiches around.
This place is much larger and the seating is a lot more comfortable. I tried their iconic smoked meat bagel sandwich here with tomatoes, lettuce, and pickles, Swiss cheese, and loads of fries.
It was divine. The smoked meat is a bit more balanced than Schwartz’s, in my opinion. Schwartz’s is earthy and rich, and here it’s a tad more mild.
It costs about $19 CAD for a bagel sandwich.
Which is better: Schwartz’s or Dunn’s?
I personally liked Dunn’s slightly more. I found the smoked meat was a tad more balanced in flavour. However, the meat at Schwartz’s is rich tasting and slightly more acidic in some ways.
I think Dunn’s is a better bet if you want original smoked meat, but where the flavour is a bit more. And Schwartz’s might be a better choice if you like a more raucous flavour.
Dunn’s is also easier to get into. They have a few different locations and the seating is more comfortable, if that’s important to you.
Schwartz’s is extremely jam packed all the time. You must be willing to wait in line to dine-in and or get take out. Schwartz’s, I say, is definitely the way more popular joint.
But in terms of tastiness, it all depends on the intensity of the flavour you’re looking for.
If you’ve got the time, money, and energy, I say just go try both so you can compare for future reference!
Indulge in classic poutine at Patati Patata
I admit that a classic poutine doesn’t look appetizing. How can anyone want to eat fries, gravy, and cheese resembling a heart attack on a plate?
But poutine is a dish that tastes much better than it’ll ever look—if done right!
And Patati Patata does it more than right; they do it perfectly.
They use thinner fires (not quite matchstick, but nicely thin), the perfect squeaky cheese curds (if it doesn’t squeak, then it’s not quite right), and vegetarian gravy. Yes, you heard it right: vegetarian gravy.
Any travellers on a restricted diet can also indulge in a traditional classic, Canadian poutine at Patati Patata.
The Best Places to eat Sandwiches, Coffee, and Pastries in Montréal
Never, and I mean, never get in between me and my coffee in the morning. If a great cup of steaming hot coffee is a non-negotiable for you, then make sure to head to my favourite bakeries and coffee shops below.
Savour the best sandwiches at Olive and Gourmando
Never underestimate the humble sandwich. When done right, a good sandwich is a beautiful thing.
Olive and Gourmando make all their breads and pastries from scratch in-house. Yes, from scratch. Daily. You’ve always wanted to try the butteriest, fluffiest croissant outside of Paris? Check.
You want to munch on the most delectable homemade panini Cubano sandwich EVER? It’s here.
You want a moist cardamom bun? Fresh cinnamon bun brioche? Fresh strawberry scones? Or scone sandwiches (yes, you read that right) accompanied by a skillfully pulled grand latte? It’s all served here.
Everything here costs between $15 to $25 CAD.
Save yourself the agony of breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner/good coffee hunting and come straight here. If you love good, fresh, homemade food, then you’ll like Olive and Gourmando.
The best part is that this bakery is only a few steps from our favourite hotel. We have no excuse to not come here every morning! It’s definitely one of our favourite Montréal dining spots.
Sip more good coffee at Le Petit Dep
Head to Le Petit Dep if you need a quick caffeine fix while exploring old town Montréal. It’s a cute shop with fresh pastries, souvenirs, and a chill vibe.
Seriously, they ban customers from working on laptops here because you’re supposed to come here to drink coffee and enjoy life. They got that part right.
Come here if you want to pick some cute, but quality souvenirs (like craft drinks, artisanal magnets, postcards, hoodies) while also enjoying a nice flat white.
The Best Places to Eat Classic French-Canadian Cuisine In Montréal
Luxuriate in fine French-Canadian cuisine at Toqué!
Fine-dining can be stuffy. But not at Toqué where the atmosphere was vibrant, the service friendly and warm, and the dishes were like miniature sets of exploding colours on a plate.
The tasting menu is $212 CAD per person for 7 courses. And wine pairings are at $115 or $150 for 5 or 7 glasses.
I tried the blind-tasting 7 course set menu with wine pairing. It was an absolute delight because you’ll get to taste Canadian cuisine at its finest where food is supplied by local farms around Québec.
Come here for an upscale dining experience of local French-Canadian cuisine without the fuss and muss that the word fine-dining usually connotes.
Revel in hearty meals at Joe Beef
Do not skip Joe Beef! We come here every time we visit Montréal. No exceptions! The dishes are hearty, but refined. The flavours: exceptionally brilliant and vibrant. Book well in-advance to get a seat because this is an absolute must-try restaurant in Montréal!
You must try their lobster spaghetti with bacon, lamb and merguez, foie gras, shrimp cocktail, mimolette lettuce salad, and any specials they may have. You will leave satiated.
This is our favourite restaurant because every single dish they serve is always on point. Since we come here once a year, we get to try a different version of their menu every time. And I can say the chefs are always innovative and always exceptionally consistent in execution.
Feast at Au Pied de Cochon
Another great local food-joint in Montréal and also known as the cousin to Joe Beef. If you eat at one, you have to try the other. Au Pied de Cochon is known for their hearty, almost excessive food. I loved the foie gras, and Nagano pork chop they serve here.
They’re famous for their foie gras cassoulet (which to me looks like a month’s worth of food in a can). I’ve never tried it and, as much as I am a sucker for foie gras, even the can was a bit excessive for me.
But this is a great place to try if you want to try the hearty, French-Canadian dishes that keep the locals warm during desolate winters!
Celebrate classic French cuisine at Bonaparte
Bonaparte is where the décor is luxurious, the food is spectacular, and the service is impeccable. This is where you go if you want classic French cuisine.
We had the tasting menu which was about $124 per person (you get about 5 dishes) and wine pairing was an extra $192 per person. There are several à la carte menu options available too.
I thought the tasting menu was very well composed. I adored the rabbit wrapped in phyllo pastry (rich but tender), seared duck breast, lobster bisque, and foie gras with crème brûlée top. It made for a nice variation in the dish.
The dishes were beautifully executed. This is a good option if you’re looking to try classic French cuisine in Montréal. It’s almost a safe bet if you want to take someone out for a romantic evening (or if you need to impress the in-laws).
The Best Places To Eat International Cuisine In Montréal
Khyber Pass for Afghan cuisine
This is a hidden, but not so hidden gem, for delicious Afghan cuisine. I especially love their ashak (dumplings filled with leeks and chives and covered in sauce), and mantoo (also dumplings, but stuffed with ground beef and onions).
Yes, I am a HUGE dumpling fan. And Afghan dumplings are some of the best around.
Definitely try their borani citrouille (roast squash with ginger served with garlic yogurt) and bara kabob (lamb skewers). All the dishes are perfectly spiced and this is a great restaurant to head to for a tasty balance of meat and vegetable dishes.
I highly recommend it if you’re travelling as a group. There are sure to be dishes for everyone here to try. And bring your own booze!
Pizza No. 900 for Neapolitan pizza outside of Naples
Sometimes you just want a good pizza. No matter where you are in the world. Pizza No. 900 serves one of the best Neapolitan pizzas outside of Naples. It’s got the perfectly puffed crust, perfectly thin bottom, and just enough ingredients on the pizza without it being overwhelming.
I found the whole pizza light and very digestible. I’m not a huge fan of eating pizza (unless I’m in Italy) because most places make them simply too bready for me, but Pizza No.900 was delicious.
I recommend it for a change of food scenery if you’re going to be visiting Montréal for a few weeks.
Feast at Damas for Syrian cuisine
This is one of THE BEST restaurants for Middle-Eastern cuisine in Montréal. Damas is a popular Montréal restaurant serving Syrian cuisine. And the dishes are phenomenal.
The tasting menu is about $125 CAD per person and about $150 CAD per person extra for wine pairing. There are several à la carte options ranging from $20 CAD to over $100 CAD.
We did a blind tasting menu for two people and let’s just say the whole affair was spectacular. The wine pairings were exceptionally well-done with bottles sourced from producers who only produce them in very limited quantities.
It was a true gift to be able to dine here.
We were served cured ham with quail egg, fried zucchini flowers, dumplings, lamb tartares, lamb ranks, sea bass, and bread with walnut dips. If you like good food and good surprises, then Damas must be on your itinerary.
Enjoy a sweet ending at Chocolat Favori
And where do you eat in Montréal for the queen of all dipped cones? At Chocolat Favori, of course. We usually go to the location on Rue St. Catharine (Quartier des Spectacles). Chocolate Favouri has the tastiest ice cream enrobed in chocolate and makes a sweet ending to your trip.
Get a baby cone if you’ve tried every restaurant above. Savouring a small cone with ice cream dipped in chocolate is, I think, the best way to conclude your list of the best places to eat in Montréal.
