My food memories from Montreal are deeply-rooted, layered and vivid. As a child, I’d visit my aunt in Mercier-Est and spend hours watching her make fresh ravioli in her kitchen. During my teen years, family dinners shifted from the home to local restaurants where we’d take up the majority of real estate and spend hours feasting on comfort food. Fast forward to this decade and I find myself discovering an entirely different side of the culinary realm in Montreal: lively markets, trendy coffee shops, innovative restaurants and a happening bar scene. Each time I visit, there are dozens of new spots to experience so – in the name of research – I wear my stretchy dresses (the ones that hide stains) and do my very best to check out as many as I can…
Although I’ve explored the Montreal food scene in quite some depth — from classic staples (bagels and poutine will always hold a special place in my heart) to more recent food trends like food trucks and robot room service — I’ve never actually shared a roundup of my favourite spots. Well, that’s about to change. Inspired by my recent trip with Krystle, I’ve curated a little foodie’s guide to Montreal below. I plan on updating this list every time I return so make sure to send me your recommendations — I’d love to try them!
A Foodie’s Guide To Montreal
Where To Get The Best Poutine In Montreal
This is, by far, the most common food-related question I get from those planning a trip to Montreal. The hunt for the perfect poutine is real my friends. And opinions are obviously VERY subjective. Every local and visitor has their preferred spot depending on the time of day (4 am visits are my favourite), portion sizes, price-point, amount/type of cheese layered on top (to squeak or not to squeak is the question), cut of fries, thickness of gravy & selection of other tasty toppings (from smoked meat to foie gras) etc. etc.
I recommend checking out: La Banquise, Arts Cafe, Le Garde-Manger, Pierrette Patates, Poutineville, Chez Claudette and Au Pied de Cochon.
Best Food Festivals In Montreal
One of my favourite ways to meet/connect with locals is to head to a festival. Throw in food as the main attraction and I’m happier than a clam. If you share this sentiment, you’re going to love the food festivals in Montreal. Scattered throughout the year, there’s literally a fest to satisfy all palates. I have a favourite during every season:
1) Spring/Summer: First Fridays — think: food trucks, live music & a legit Olympic Park. This is Quebec’s largest gathering of food trucks and an experience your taste buds will not forget (I share my first impressions here).
2) Fall: MTL à Table — this is when you’re going to score the best deals on prix fix menus at restos across the city. I really loved everything about our recent dinners at Josephine and Un Po’ di Più in particular — the ambiance, service and dishes…
3) Winter: Montréal en Lumière — some very interesting chef collabs take place during this festival. I had the opportunity to have an incredible experience at the historic Bar George last year. I’ll never forget the Icelandic tasting menu dreamt up by Iceland’s Chef Viktor Örn Andrésson and Bar George’s Kevin Ramasawmy. We even had a glass of champagne with Anthony Walsh!
Trendy Coffee Shops In Montreal
There’s certainly no shortage of trendy coffee shops in Montreal. Depending on your mood and what neighbourhood you’re in, you’ll want to pop into a few to get a sense of the local coffee culture.
I recommend checking out: Arts Café, Humble Lion, Crew Collective & Café, Café Myriade, Tommy Café, Le Paquebot, Café Olimpico, SATs Café and Café Ferlucci.
Best Food Markets In Montreal
This one really depends on the season for me. In the summer, Jean Talon is hands down my favourite market. But during the colder months, I prefer Atwater because it’s primarily indoors. Both are great spots to taste local ingredients and hang with the locals.
Food halls are also popping up all over the city so make sure to put these ones on your list: Le Central, March des Artisans, Time Out Market, Le Cathcart.
My Favourite Restaurants In Montreal
If you know me, you know that I never have a short answer to the infamous “where is your favourite restaurant?” question. My response is often longwinded and peppered with my own queries like: how much are you willing to spend? are you flexible with meal times? do you have seating preferences? how many people are in your party? how important is service? what about ambiance? what is the occasion? etc. etc. etc. This allows me to give you a recommendation that will make YOU happy — because we all know that just because one person loves a spot doesn’t mean it will be well-received by others…
All of the above filters taken into consideration, here are a dozen or so restaurants that I consistently recommend to those visiting Montreal: Joe Beef, Au Pied De Cochon, Un po di Più, Maison Publique, Olive et Gourmando, Manitoba, Damas, Le Blumenthal, MTL Plaza, LOV, Capital Tacos, Agrikol and Marcus Restaurant.
Best Bars & Speakeasies In Montreal
I try to visit at least one bar/speakeasy every time I’m in Montreal because they’re always bursting with so much life. Innovative cocktails, amazing DJs and unique interiors await inside the city’s lively establishments. There’s no question that Montreal knows how to party, the challenge will be deciding which spot you’re going to hit up with your friend(s).
I recommend checking out: The Cold Room, Big in Japan Bar, Boho, Agrikol, Clandestino, Atwater Cocktail Club, Club Pelicano and Cloakroom.
Best Food Tours In Montreal
Montreal is fortunate to have some REALLY incredible food tours. You know, the ones that actually teach you about local cuisine, give you a bit of history about the neighbourhoods AND make sure you leave with a belly full of food they’re proud of. I’m personally a huge fan of Local Montreal Food Tours (I’ve done two Montreal tours and this Toronto tour with them) and Spade & Palacio offers some great, non-touristy food tours as well.
Where To Find The Best Bagels In Montreal
Can’t have a foodie’s guide to Montreal without highlighting one of their quintessential foods! In fact, you’d be remiss to visit the city and NOT have a bagel (or five). Like poutine, everyone has a spot they’ll passionately declare as “the best”, so the only way to figure out which team you’re on is to try them all. Trust me, this is a culinary quest you’ll be happy you embarked on.
I recommend checking out: Fairmont Bagel, St-Viateur Bagel and Beaubien Bagel. If you’re looking for a dressed-up bagel, head to Crew Collective & Café…
A huge thanks to Tourism Montreal for sponsoring this foodie’s guide to Montreal. As always, opinions are always my own.
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