There are so many restaurants in Montreal that it can be hard to decide where, or what, to eat. There are just so many options: Montreal is a melting pot of different cultures, and the city offers a wide variety of cuisines. Many people who come to the city find themselves overwhelmed with choice. We've tried to make this choice a little easier by rounding up a list of the must-tries in the city. Whether you're a tourist, new to the city, or have lived here your entire life, here is a list of the foods you can't leave Montreal without trying. Montreal "steamies" View this post on Instagram Hot Dog > Poutine A post shared by Fred Sauvé (@fraydbv) on Feb 6, 2015 at 8:32pm PST The classic Montreal hot dog is a favourite for a reason: the soft, chewy bun with a steamed sausage and some delicious condiments make for the ultimate summer classic. Orange Julep View this post on Instagram august 2018 #montreal #quebec #colorstudy A post shared by Heather Legge (@heather_.ashley) on Jun 22, 2019 at 3:16am PDT This institution is so iconic in the city that it's hardly necessary to explain why it deserves a spot on this list. Their iconic drink, made with oranges, dairy and egg whites, has been around since the restaurant's opening in 1922. You can watch our video about the famous store here. Portuguese chicken View this post on Instagram Le « Tony Alves » est presque prêt! Nous fermons à 22h 🤗 #MaPouleMouillée #MaPouleLongWeekEnd A post shared by Ma Poule Mouillée (@mapoulemouillee) on May 20, 2019 at 12:19pm PDT Though "portuguese chicken" may not exactly synonymous with "great Montreal food." But Montreal has a thriving Portuguese community, and we have a ton of restaurants that offer Piri-Piri chicken. Romado's and Ma Poule Mouillée are two favourites. Two Chow View this post on Instagram First (and probably last) two-chow in Montreal 🍙🍜🍤🍴 MTL bucket-list complete. #twochow #montreal #lastweek #mcgill #moving #saintlaurent #food A post shared by Michael Swistara (@m_j_swizzle) on Jul 24, 2015 at 12:59am PDT Alright, before you get mad at me in the comments, this is a list of the foods you can't leave the city without trying, not the best food in the city. Because is there anything more #MTL than scarfing down some $2 noodles after a night out on St-Lo? Bagels View this post on Instagram What’s your favorite flavor? A post shared by Fairmount Bagel (@fairmountbagel) on Apr 28, 2019 at 7:41pm PDT Of course, this list wouldn't be complete without this entry. Whether you're team St Viateur or team Fairmount, you have to agree on one thing: Montreal bagels are the best. "New Canadian" cuisine View this post on Instagram Today @mckiernanmtl @gabrieldrapeau made this sandwich and I stole it for a photo op with @mclauriault A post shared by DHM (@joebeefmtl) on Oct 26, 2018 at 7:58am PDT There has been a revival in classic Canadian cuisine. Restaurants like Joe Beef and Manitoba are championing the farm-to-table approach and re-kindling our interest in classic recipes. Smoked Meat View this post on Instagram Famous Montreal Smoked meat sandwich and poutine A post shared by Adrian Leung (@carfield76) on Dec 16, 2016 at 11:08pm PST Institutions like Schwartz's have given Montreal a worldwide reputation for smoked meat. The delicious, tender meat is served hot or cold in rye bread, with mustard and (optional) pickles. A true delight. Poutine View this post on Instagram Poutine at LaFleur - as gross and delicious as it looks (no pictures of the all-dressed vapeur, I was too hungry to capture Montreal's contribution to world hot dog culture) A post shared by Michael Hartford (@mthartford) on Jul 30, 2016 at 6:21pm PDT Obviously, this Montreal mainstay is included on the list. Though the cheesy, gooey dish is found in diners across Canada, the best poutines are undoubtedly in Quebec. Some of the best poutines are in the least glamorous locations: think small, family-owned diners. Queue de Castor View this post on Instagram 這個真的超級好吃的啦！！！ 大推我ㄉ香蕉巧克力❤️❤️❤️嗚嗚嗚真的有夠想念ㄉ真的是一天可以跑去吃三次ㄉ那種我的最愛餒🤤🤤 A post shared by 王元蔚 | Vivian (@weywey.wang) on Sep 27, 2017 at 7:49pm PDT Yes, this company has locations throughout Canada, but the pastry is everywhere in the city: one of the busiest locations is in the Old Port, where tourists line up at all times of the day to get a sweet treat. Rotisserie Chicken View this post on Instagram Notre entreprise est fièrement québécoise depuis 1951. Bonne St-Jean-Baptiste! #fetenationale #sthubert #poulet A post shared by St-Hubert (@sthubert) on Jun 24, 2015 at 6:19am PDT There's a lot of great chicken in the city. If Portuguese chicken isn't your thing, you should give regular old rotisserie chicken a try. Though it isn't the best chicken in town, St-Hubert is a Québécois classic, and something that we've all eaten at some point. Natas View this post on Instagram Start your day with our Pasteis de Nata, you won’t regret it! . . . . . . . . #spicy #portuguesefood #pouletportugais #portuguesechicken #quartierportugais #rachelstreet #leplateau #montreal #montrealfood #pasteisdenata #secretrecipe A post shared by Romados (@romados_mtl) on Dec 17, 2018 at 10:47am PST Thanks to the abovementioned Portuguese community, the city is #blessed with a ton of spots to eat great natas. Read this article for our favourites. Boustan View this post on Instagram Monday blues? We've got the ultimate cure: Crispy chicken shawarma tortilla with a side of heaven - er, we mean garlic potatoes. 📸 Instagram: @dishbusters A post shared by B • O • U • S • T • A • N (@boustanrestaurant) on Jun 17, 2019 at 11:56am PDT Again: this may not be the best food, but it sure is a Montreal classic. Shawarma after a night out? Yes, please. Street food View this post on Instagram First Friday's 4th event of the season is tonight! #MTLfoodtrucks A post shared by Montreal Food Trucks (@mtlfoodtrucks) on Aug 7, 2015 at 10:05am PDT Montreal has no shortage of street food: food trucks line the streets in the Old Port. We even have a monthly event dedicated to food trucks, called First Fridays. Not to mention the Salada Market, where you can get crazy treats like the Krispy Kreme donut burger poutine. Donut holes View this post on Instagram TELLEMENT de choix 😱 Et ils ont tous l'air si délicieux 🤩 Bon Samedi ! SO many choices 😍And they all look so delicious👌🏼Happy Saturday! A post shared by Mr.Puffs (@mrpuffspastry) on Jun 15, 2019 at 7:49am PDT The ever-popular Timbit and all of its imitators have a special place in the heart of Montrealers. If Tim Hortons isn't your deal, try a donut hole at Mr. Puffs, a Montreal-based company. Maple-syrup derived products View this post on Instagram This is me! #maplesyrup #quebecmaplesyrup #quebecmaplesyrupisbest A post shared by Lachance Maple Syrup (@lachancemaplesyrup) on Jun 4, 2019 at 10:40am PDT Though Canada is generally synonymous with maple syrup, the bulk of the sweet syrup is produced in Quebec. We have a ton of maple syrup products like cookies, butters, and toffee. It's the best if you have a sweet tooth. That concludes our summer bucket list of foods that you HAVE to try before you leave Montreal.
