8 new Montreal restaurants that should be on every local's bucket list
Bon appétit, Montreal.
A person drinking a glass of white win. Right: A birds eye view of a table full of Indian-influenced dishes.
As if Montreal's food scene wasn't renowned enough, a slew of new restaurants have opened up across the city that need to be on your summer bucket list.
From the corners of Saint-Henri, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, and the Old Port, to Montreal's downtown core, a roster of must-try eateries have opened their doors, offering an array of cuisines and atmospheres that add to Montreal's magical touch.
Whether you're in the mood for Quebec-inspired dishes, Mediterranean bites and French fare, all the way to a delicious mix of Indian classics, there's a little bit of everything for everyone.
Here are eight new Montreal restaurants every local needs to know about:
Restaurant Le Violon
Where: 4720, rue Marquette
Why You Need To Go: Le Violon is a new fine dining restaurant led by Montreal chef Danny Smiles, and currently occupies the space previously owned by Maison Publique. The new restaurant, located at the corner of Marquette and Gilford, features white tablecloths and a menu that blends French and Italian influences “with a Montreal twist.”
La Spada Osteria Romana
Where: 3580, rue Notre Dame O.
Why You Need To Go: La Spada brings a taste of Rome to Montreal with its vibrant atmosphere, stylish décor, and traditional Roman dishes. Diners enter through a marble-topped bar into an 80-seat dining room featuring varied settings, plush banquettes, marble statuettes, and rococo candelabras. The menu includes fried vegetables, fish, seafood, suppli, filetti di baccalà, clams casino, and crudo di branzino.
Romies
Where: 465, rue McGill
Why You Need To Go: Romies, a chic new American-style bistro, features burgundy leather banquettes, wooden wall panels, and black marble tables, creating a cozy yet contemporary vibe. The menu, crafted by chefs Alexandre Cohen and Nicholas Giambattisto, includes ribs, cowboy pepper bacon steak, crudos, and a burger on homemade Hawaiian bread, with pastry chef Leigh Roper handling desserts. Managed by Franck Roche, with sommelier Léa Viens and bartender Tim Robertson, Romies offers good food and vibes for all budgets, starting with five nights a week and expanding to lunches and brunches.
Dorsia
Where: 396, rue Notre Dame O.
Why You Need To Go: New to the Old Port, Dorsia's menu was created by none other than Chef Miles Pundsack-Poe and offers an array of choices including the caviar starter, the Dorsia caesar salad with a sourdough crumble, the scallops and salmon crudo, and mains such as the fresh cavatelli pasta with roasted brassicas, chilli and peanuts, the halibut prepared with spring pears, morels and Nasturtium and the filet mignon, served with carrot, potato fondant and burnt onions, to name a few.
Restaurant Panacée
Where: 1701, rue Atateken
Why You Need To Go: Panacée, located near Petit Mousso on Ontario E., is the latest venture by chef Couvet. The name means "cure-all" and reflects the restorative power of restaurants. Panacée will offer a multi-course fixed menu for long dinners and an à la carte option for quick bites and wine. Expect cleverly composed, seasonally relevant dishes focused on vegetables and technique. The opening is anticipated between May and August this year.
Mlle Rosa
Where: 1233, av. du Mont-Royal E.
Why You Need To Go: Located on av. Mont-Royal Est, in the heart of the Plateau, Mlle Rosa will be serving up shareable plates and colourful drinks every day from 4 p.m. 'til late. The new foodie spot officially opened its doors on June 5, allowing guests to dive into some of their most delectable dishes including the vegetarian kofta, pain puri, samosa, dahi puri, paneer malai tikka, keema tacos and salmon tikka.
MATI
Where: 185, rue Saint-Paul O.
Why You Need To Go: For those looking for a trip to Greece without needing your passport, then look no further. Mati is Montreal's newest Greek taverna serving up Mediterranean classics including watermelon feta salad, freshly grilled chicken with lemon and saffron, fried calamari, spanakopita, and all the dips you can imagine.
Claire Jacques
Where: 8111, rue Saint-Denis
Why You Need To Go: This quaint Montreal restaurant is becoming known for its apéro menu and fine and freshly curated menu with some of the most delicate presentations you'll find in the city — so much so that you'll feel bad ruining what can only be described as foodie artwork.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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