Montreal isn't just a city that loves food. It's one that lives for it.
From long-standing culinary institutions to buzzworthy pop-ups, Montreal is brimming with a ridiculous array of tasty restaurant options throughout the island. Whether you're craving classic Quebecois dishes, inventive fusion fare, or international delicacies, the island's culinary scene delivers something for every palate — and price point.
While there are probably too many great places to count, here are 11 standout Montreal restaurants that should be at the top of every visiting (or local) foodie's bucket list this year.
MangeDansMonHood
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Snack bar
Address: 1380 Rue Jean-Talon E, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Smash burgers have taken off on the food trend charts in recent years. With that in mind, La Belle Tonki co-owners Michel Lim and Michel Nguyen joined forces to fill a serious need when they opened MangeDansMonHood.
The result? A 25-seat burger joint dishing out a simple but perfectly executed menu consisting of thin, crispy patties, decadent poutines and their famous "Ol' Dirty Fries," inspired by the "animal style" fries of In-N-Out Burger.
BOUILLON BILK
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 22 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Bouillon Bilk, an upscale French spot with Asian flair, has been a staple of Montreal's food scene since 2011. While it moved to a sleek new location last summer, familiar favourites like scallops with zucchini and brown butter or hiramasa with yuzu kosho and fennel remain must-tries for anyone seeking bold, refined flavours.
The menu may be gourmet, but their prices are surprisingly reasonable.
Nouilles de Lan Zhou
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Chinese
Address: 1006 Boul. St Laurent, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Everyone loves noodles, and Nouilles de Lan Zhou consistently ranks among the city's best for a reason.
This Chinatown favourite is renowned for its hand-pulled noodles, either served in rich broths or as dry dan dan topped with savoury minced meat and vegetables.
Delicious, affordable, and well worth the occasional wait.
La Spada
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 3580 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Located in the heart of St. Henri, La Spada is the newest creation from the culinary mind behind Bistro Amerigo in NDG.
The cozy dining space, adorned with Italian mementos, sets the stage for a menu that speaks volumes. Roman classics like ragù alla romana, cacio e pepe, carbonara, and linguini alle vongole take centre stage alongside comforting dishes like eggplant parmigiana and sautéed rapini.
La Capital Tacos
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Mexican
Address: 1096 Boul. St. Laurent, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Since 2015, La Capital Tacos has been serving up the best of Mexico's street food in the centre of Chinatown.
With fresh guacamole and house-made tortillas prepared daily, this small neighbourhood gem is all about authenticity, simplicity and — above all — delicious tacos.
Le Gras Dur
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Snack bar
Address: 30 Rue Saint-Catherine O, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: The second burger joint on our list, Le Gras Dur, has established a reputation for its outside-the-box approach to the fast food staple.
Last year, the downtown eatery's Banana Split Burger — made with Angus AAA Beef, cheese, fried banana, Nutella, maple syrup, and red pepper jelly between two French toast buns — took home the city's top prize at the 13th edition of Le Burger Week. Hey, don't knock it till you try it!
Dunya
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Lebanese
Address: 2 Rue Sherbrooke E, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Launched last October, this Lebanese shawarma eatery has quickly risen the ranks within Montreal's Middle Eastern food scene.
Along with their flavour-packed sandwiches and falafel options, Dunya also offfers a variety of homemade ice cream options, iced teas, sodas and smoothies.
Bernie's
Price: 💸💸💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 3627 Sources, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, West Island
Why You Need To Go: Martinis, pizza, and sliders — it sounds like the kind of combo that leads to questionable decisions. But, at Bernie's in the West Island, it's the recipe for a great time.
With plenty of pizza options and creative martinis like the Dill-ightful (pickle juice and dill) and the Dirty Margtini (tequila and olive brine), Bernie's is perfect for a laid-back tavern-style meal.
Restaurant Shekz
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: Chinese
Address: 7272 Boul. Maurice-Duplessis, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: This East End eatery, known for its Asian-Italian fusion cuisine, serves an all-you-can-eat Szechuan dinner every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5 p.m. until closing. The best part? It's just $40!
Meanwhile, Shekz's Italian table d'hôte option features menu items like grilled Angus rib steak, veal cutlets, risotto, and grilled chicken with salad, arancini, or pasta.
Bossa
Price: 💸
Cuisine: Italian
Address: 4354 Rue Wellington, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: Arguably the most talked about Italian panino shop in the city, Bossa's sandwiches — packed to the brim with fresh cold cuts, homemade sauces and locally sourced produce — certainly live up to the hype.
Established in 2018, this Verdun hotspot has expanded with two other locations over the past couple of years. Once you've had a bite, you'll understand why.
Mignon Steak Petite-Bourgogne
Price: 💸💸
Cuisine: French
Address: 2523 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC
Why You Need To Go: If you order just one thing at this Little Burgundy hotspot, make it the steak frites.
Known for its intimate atmosphere and expertly prepared French bistro classics, Mignon is ideal for both casual dinners and special nights out. Plus, you get great value with their $39 table d’hôte, which includes a salad or soup alongside their signature steak and fries made with AAA Canadian beef and homemade sauce.
With a second location in the Old Port, this cozy spot delivers a top-tier dining experience every time.
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Courtesy of La Nuit Shanghai
Courtesy of La Nuit Shanghai
Courtesy of La Nuit Shanghai
Alanna Moore | MTL Blog
Courtesy of La Nuit Shanghai