Elena is a sourdough pizza, pasta, and natural wine spot in Saint-Henri with a focused menu of Italian fare. For dinner, antipasti—olives, salami, fried cauliflower, and more—open the meal; the Kale! César! punctuates the salad section; and the pizzas (cheese, a.k.a. the Kevin McCallister; mushroom, a.k.a. M. Funguy) and pastas (cacio e pepe bucatini, mafalda al ragù) round out the menu. The hostess stand, its counter lined with bottles of wine, anchors the dining room, an expansive, industrial space softened by velvet chairs, warm wall decor, and the scent of tomato sauce and cheese wafting from the kitchen.

Club Social PS is a café and pizzeria tucked behind mother restaurant Elena on Notre Dame Ouest. Upon walking in, a horseshoe-shaped bar with colourful stools invites customers to sit for lunch. Elena’s famous pizzas and salads complete the foundation of their menu, plus two hoagie options: charcuterie with provolone, giardiniera, radicchio, and lettuce, and marinated eggplant with mozzarella, tomato sauce, pepperoncini, basil, and grana padano. For dine-in or takeout.

Regashi is a Saint-Henri izakaya that embraces both tradition and the unexpected. Recognizable for their pink-hued lighting and branding, though otherwise overlooked by Montreal’s food-loving population, the restaurant serves playful, elevated, yet affordable takes on Japanese plates. The menu changes, and they offer both small plates à la carte and a tasting menu, featuring favourites like miso black cod, clams, sashimis, crudos, and more. A row of two-person tables and a black-tiled bar make up Regashi’s sleek interior, perfectly matched with their quiet, confident culinary approach.

Maquis Yasolo brings a taste of West Africa to the neighbourhood, celebrating the flavours of the Ivory Coast, Congo, and Cameroon. Authentic family recipes ground the menu, featuring braised chicken and fish; mafé, a peanut stew with beef and rice; attiéké, an Ivorian cassava couscous; and more. Inside, African textiles decorate the walls, and the odd plant cultivates a homey atmosphere.

At Foiegwa, dinner and brunch are equally enticing affairs, and foie gras is the main attraction. Leather booths line the dining room, while a gallery wall with portrait sketches covers white floor-to-ceiling tiles. French toast and Turkish-style eggs take space on the brunch menu, while the dinner menu (on which you can add foie gras to anything for an extra $9.95) covers duck breast, smash burgers, and spaghetti, amongst other dishes. They also have a $25 late-night menu for those wanting an affordable meal in an upscale-feeling environment.

Aylwin Deli originated in a Hochelaga alleyway during the summer of 2016, but soon moved locations to Atwater Marketplace, where their operations continue today. Cooking a variety of American smoked meats on-site, in the spirit of Texas-style barbecue, the spot focuses on serving fresh, local ingredients to the market’s many passersby. Less a full restaurant than a food stand, those in the vicinity looking for a pulled pork sandwich, poutine, or other meat-focused fare can order at the counter and enjoy at one of the market’s many picnic tables.

After opening in 2010, Tuck Shop swiftly grew into a neighbourhood favourite and city-wide destination. The space is small, but stylish, designed by Agence Rhoncus with an eye for modern details—embracing marble countertops and bars, an open-concept kitchen and oyster bar, where diners can watch their shellfish being shucked fresh, and wooden accents that warm the place up. The menu changes up seasonally, spotlighting seafood dishes like crudos and a fish of the day, while offering dishes like duck magret and vegetarian options as well.

EVA’s is a Saint-Henri brunch-forward spot with a delightfully contemporary atmosphere. Vaulted concrete arches and warm lighting lend the ceiling a sculptural feel, while the rest of the neutral-toned space comes alive with artwork and, of course, the colourful spreads of food. Try the eggslut breakfast sandwich, pancake bites, or chicken and waffles, and you’ll want to come back the next weekend for more.

Serving up Roman classics on white tablecloths, with servers in bowties and full whites, La Spada is newer on the scene, but no less beloved than some of Saint-Henri’s seasoned institutions. Though it might seem stuffy at first glance, it easily quells any air of pretentiousness with a friendly waitstaff and eclectic, maximalist decor. A place built on the promise of uniting community, the menu showcases familiar, homey dishes: house focaccia, kale caesar (one of the city’s best), smashed potatoes, and five different kinds of pasta.

Restaurant A.A. is a classic casse croûte, best known for their poutine with crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds, and gravy made from scratch. Open since 1962, it’s a relic of Montreal’s past that stands the test of time. Complete with classic diner booths and stools covering its compact square-footage, and the dedicated owner delivering your dishes fresh from behind the counter, it’s the perfect place for a casual dinner or a late-night, much-needed bite.

Arthurs is one of Montreal’s most talked about food destinations, both for locals and tourists alike. The classic Jewish brunch spot, which emerged from a tribute to the owner’s food-loving father, the restaurant’s namesake, sports long queues from their opening at 9 am—especially on the weekend—a testament to their acclaim. While the place is appealing in itself, with a green and white striped awning and pink signage, the food is its real draw. Syrniki (cottage cheese pancakes); the “Latke Smorgasbord” with scrambled eggs, latke, gravlax, and caviar; and a host of equally enticing sandwiches and salads complete the menu.

This family-owned restaurant shares Mexican flavours and traditions, made with fresh ingredients and family recipes. You’ll find a colourful menu of drinks, tacos, burritos, and plates, in their equally colourful dining room, complete with mismatched chairs, a rainbow of decorative, intricately cut paper banners on the ceiling, and a mural of restaurant namesake Frida Kahlo. The birria tacos and tortilla soup are local favourites—best when paired with a margarita.

Juanitos is the rare fast-casual spot that is neither an overrated chain, nor grossly overpriced hotspot. There, they specialize in a short menu of Latin-inspired bowls, sandwiches, and empanadas. Try the Choripán sandwich, with grilled Argentinian chorizo, cheese, and chimichurri, or if you’re in more of a breakfast mood, the torta with beans, avocado, campesino cheese, fried egg, and chipotle sauce. For a quick bite, one of their 10 different empanadas will do the trick.

Led by chef-owner Francisco Reynaud, La Toile is an artisan pizza and tapas restaurant that prioritizes homemade dough, topped with fresh ingredients. The pies change according to the moment, and are always crafted with obvious care. The MTL Smoked Meat, with crème fraîche, hot pepper relish, and Quebec-raised smoked meat, is a favourite. As is the España, a nod to Reynaud’s Latin and European roots that features homemade salsa brava, Iberian chorizo, fior di latte, and roasted Padrón peppers.

Miette Sandwicherie emerged from the Little Burgundy-based boulangerie behind one of Montreal’s best loaves of sourdough bread. In a natural evolution, Miette’s Saint-Henri storefront opened in the summer of 2025, with a menu of sandwiches and a sturdy, bread-based background. From the classic jambon beurre, to the seasonal vegetarian options, their offerings are simple, but well-executed—it’s no wonder that they became an instant hit, and will likely maintain such standing.

Greenspot is a charming Québécois diner that’s been in the neighbourhood since 1947. After moving across the street in 1989 (and bringing the decor emblematic of its opening era), not much more changed. As Saint-Henri grew around it, Greenspot remained a constant, as did their menu of over 30 different kinds of poutine, hot dogs, pizzas, and sandwiches. Stop by for a classic steamé or enjoy their St. Henri poutine, with ground beef, peppers, and sautéed mushrooms.

Behind the team of Elena and Nora Grey, Gia is a modern Italian spot that lives in a converted Saint-Henri garage. White and green subway tiles decorate the dining room wall, while green leather bar stools line the terrazzo bar—behind which a wine fridge displays bottles upon bottles. On the seasonal menu are an array of entrées, primi, secondi, and bistecca. Order whatever pasta they’re serving that day, and, if they’re available, the lamb skewers.

In 2010, Alex and Mat Winnicki opened Satay Brothers’ first location, serving Singaporean street food from a small stall in Atwater Market. With the brothers’ commitment to tradition coming through in each dish’s fragrant flavour, their stall quickly grew a following, and led to their opening of the restaurant’s storefront. There, the menu expands beyond that of the Atwater Market stall, offering more noodles, soups, and salads in addition to favourites like papaya salad, pad thai, chicken satay, and laksa.

Led by Chef Stephen Marcone, Figata reimagines the Italian bar, presenting a menu they describe as merging authentic Italian food with a Montreal twist. Caesar salad, fried spaghetti spirals, and lumache à la vodka make up just part of the selection. Inside, diners get a rustic taste of Italy, with green and white checkered cloths covering the tables, light wood ceilings, and Italy-themed paraphernalia decorating the walls.

BarBara is a beloved neighbourhood spot for pasta and wine that’s known across the city. Taking no reservations, you’ll often find a line of people queueing for a table, especially on weekends and around peak dinner hours. While their dinner menu—complete with four kinds of focaccia, classic pastas, meats, and vegetables—is most familiar, they also serve breakfast and lunch, operating as a daytime cafe. Expect toasts, sandwiches, and French fries, along with Italian coffee to drink.

At Oorja, Indo-Chinese flavours usurp the kitchen, and Hakka cuisine is centre stage. Dishes like curried mussels, duck wings in a sweet chili sauce, and smoky wok-cooked plates forefront the menu. To drink, signature cocktails that pique the palate with ingredients like yuzu, cashew orgeat, masala bitters, and chai-infused foam. The dining room keeps a modern pace, awash with moody black, dressed in woven pendant lights and dark tile, complete with big street-facing windows.