Spring's swift arrival brings about a slew of must-try Montreal restaurants that are bound to get you into the seasonal spirit.
After months of cold weather and snow, Montrealers have much to look forward to now that spring has arrived, including warmer temps, outdoor activities and terrasse season, which is coming as early as April for a handful of restaurants across the city.
From floral moments, and fresh farm-to-table experiences, all the way to colourful dishes and bustling eateries, these Montreal restaurants should be on every Montrealer's spring to do list.
Restaurant Mélisse
Cuisine: French
Where: 719, rue William, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Located in Montreal's Old Port, Restaurant Mélisse exudes a bright and sophisticated flare that ought to make anyone feel good about stepping into spring. With an extraordinary wine list, matched with its French menu, Mélisse never disappoints. Not to mention the restaurant's light and airy vibes paired with the many flowers and plants created an atmosphere where you'll want to spend all afternoon.
Le Blossom
Cuisine: Japanese
Where: 1101, boul. de Maisonneuve E., Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Le Blossom has become one of Montreal's top sushi spots in the city, with a second location at the esteemed Time Out Market in Downtown Montreal. This Plateau eatery is known for its remarkable cherry blossom tree that catches your eye even from outside the restaurant. With cherry blossoms being all the rage this season and Le Blossom's sushi rolls being as colourful as they are, this spot is undoubtedly a must for the spring.
Barranco
Cuisine: Peruvian
Where: 4552, rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: For those wanting to add some spice to their spring with fresh ceviche, salchipapa and taquitos, Barranco and its partner restaurants will be opening their terrasses as early as mid-April. While terrasse season doesn't begin until the end of May in Montreal, Barranco is breaking the rules in all the right ways so you can get a taste of summer in spring.
Restaurant Shekz
Cuisine: Asian-Italian fusion
Where: 7272, boul. Maurice-Duplessis, Montréal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Located in Montreal's east end, Restaurant Shekz offers an Asian-Italian fusion with a $40 all-you-can-eat deal on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5 p.m. until closing. Guests can dive into the AYCE Szechuan experience with fan-fave dishes such as the general tao, wonton soup, and of course, creamy and delicious peanut butter dumplings.
Lola Rosa
Cuisine: Vegan
Where: 276, rue Saint-Catherine O., and 545 Rue Milton, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: For a taste of feel-good freshness, Lola Rosa offers some of the best vegan dishes in Montreal. With one location in the Quartiers des Spectacles area of Downtown Montreal and another on the cusp of the Plateau on rue Milton, Lola Rosa brings cozy, warm and delectable vibes to the spring air. And for those wanting simple yet creative dishes sans any fuss, this spot needs to be on your list.
Nikkei MTL
Cuisine: Peruvian-Japanese fusion
Where: 1577, ave. Laurier Est, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Nikkei is also set to open its terrasse as early as the week of April 19, 2024, giving Montrealers the chance to soak up some spring sun before the heat really takes over. Located in the Plateau, Nikkei MTL is known for its delicious menu boasting Peruvian and Japanese dishes including tiradito, tartare, ceviche, and more. To make this year's opening special, the Nikkei chefs have decided to play with the concept of the menu to offer a "l'ardoise" experience between noon and 11 p.m., offering a rotation of never-before-offered dishes that follow the seasonal produce.
Le Parloir
Cuisine: Tea house
Where: 4354, ave. Christophe-Colomb, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: While we'd love it if spring were all sunshine and roses, there are bound to be some rainy days. For those looking for a spot to keep warm while you spill the tea, Le Parloir offers a high tea that will have you feeling like royalty. Open from Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Le Parloir offers all your teatime faves including scones, mini sandwiches, pastries, and a variety of teas to choose from. Oh, and it's also bring-your-own-wine.
Haidilao Hot Pot
Cuisine: Chinese
Where: 1194, rue Saint-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Haidilao Hot Pot has officially opened its first-ever Montreal location. After taking Asia, the U.S. and the west coast of Canada by storm, the hot pot chain finally arrived in Quebec. While hot pot may not seem spring-esque, it's a great option considering how up and down Montreal's springtime weather can be. In fact, in many Asian cultures, Korea especially, it's believed that consuming scorching hot soup will balance out your internal temperature and allow you to replenish any lost nutrients from being cold in the morning and warm in the afternoon (much like the Montreal weather).
Atelier Marjorie
Cuisine: Bakery
Where: 2121, boul. St Laurent, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: As if teatime wasn't enough, Atelier Marjorie also knows how to add a floral flare to their bakery. Known for its pink rose backdrop, Atelier Marjorie is the quintessential spot to enjoy a cup of tea and a li'l something sweet on the sweetest of spring days. The pastry shop isn't just known for its high tea, you can also decorate your own cakes and pastries, as well.
Terrasse Belvu Hors-Piste
The Terrasse Belvu Hors-Piste cabana a sucre menu.
Courtesy of Terrasse Belvu Hors-Piste
Cuisine: Quebecois
Where: 1050, rue De la Gauchetière O., Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Nothing screams spring as much as a cabane à sucre day. While la tire and all your sugar shack faves are often available year-round, the ultimate time to dive into these delectable dishes is from February to April, and one Montreal restaurant has a cabane à sucre menu with your name written all over it. Terrasse Belvu Hors-Piste, located at the Montreal Marriott Chateau Champlain, is offering a sugar shack menu made up of pea soup, maple syrup sausages, a puffed omelet, as well as maple taffy and pudding this season.
Caifan
Cuisine: Mexican
Where: 4542, rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Entering its first spring-summer season, Caifan is set to unveil a huge outdoor terrasse, perfect for a warm spring day. Twinned with the terrasse of its sister restaurant Barranco, it's sure to be one of the biggest and most colourful terrasses on rue St-Denis. I mean, who doesn't love when summer comes early?
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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