Juan Lopez Luna’s favourite bars and restaurants in Montreal

Mano Cornuto didn’t arrive fully formed. It was built in real time, on a then-uncertain Griffintown corner, by a group of partners figuring things out as they went. Opened in 2019 by alumni of Foxy, Garde Manger, and Crew Collective, the café landed just ahead of the pandemic and never really stopped moving. Instead of closing, it adapted: pizzas, meal kits, shortened teams, longer days. That stretch quietly shaped what Mano would become.

Today, it runs all day, every day, balancing Italian café culture with Montreal pragmatism. The food stays rooted—fresh pasta, daily focaccia, familiar plates—while the room hums with different crowds cycling through from lunch to late evening. It’s less about destination dining than building rhythm, and that consistency is what turned a risky address into a reliable institution.

Messorem Bracitorium, translating to 'The Grim Reaper's Brewery,' has quickly become a top spot for craft beer enthusiasts since opening in 2019. Located along the Lachine Canal in Montreal's Sud-Ouest, it boasts a spacious canalside terrasse and a large taproom. Known for its creamy IPAs and crowd-pleasing lagers, Messorem offers an extensive range of in-house brewed beers, from low-alcohol thirst quenchers to robust Double IPAs and bourbon barrel-aged stouts. The brewery partners with Mitch Deli to provide delicious food pairings.

Dieu du Ciel!, a staple on Montreal's microbrewery scene since 1998, is celebrated for its extensive selection of in-house brewed beers. Located on Laurier Avenue in Mile-End, this iconic brewery offers up to two dozen craft beers at any given time, with over 200 unique recipes crafted over the years. Patrons can enjoy 4 oz tasting glasses to explore the variety by flights, or dive into pints and growlers. Reminiscent of English taverns with copper and wood touches, you can accompany your beer with simple, local-flavored dishes from their kitchen. With its perennial popularity, Dieu du Ciel! remains a top destination for beer enthusiasts.

Foxy is organized around a single principle: everything passes through fire. Since opening in 2015, the kitchen has relied exclusively on a charcoal grill and wood fired oven, shaping a menu that favours restraint, smoke, and ingredient clarity over technique-heavy flourishes. Vegetables, seafood, and meats are treated with the same logic, often designed for sharing and built to reward simplicity.

The room mirrors that focus. Intimate and deliberately warm, the space hums from the open kitchen outward, with a steady rhythm that rarely dips even on weeknights. Under new ownership as of 2024, the philosophy remains intact, with seasonal menus grounded in local sourcing and a wine program that leans toward balance rather than excess. Foxy’s strength has always been consistency, not reinvention.

Rosemont’s cozy neighbourhood restaurant Mastard quickly became a destination for those seeking inventive, seasonal cuisine grounded in local ingredients in the years following its opening during the pandemic. Helmed by Chef Simon Mathys and his wife, Viki Brisson-Sylvestre, the restaurant’s five-course tasting menus showcase Quebec’s rich bounty with creativity and precision according to the seasons. Known for his time at establishments like Manitoba, Mathys brings a locally celebrated expertise to each plate, offering dishes that are both elegant and unpretentious.

Mastard’s commitment to natural wines and Quebec spirits adds a thoughtful touch to the dining experience, while the casual yet refined atmosphere makes it feel like a gem to any newcomer. The menu changes frequently, with every dish crafted to highlight the best ingredients available at any given time.

Since 1951, Lester's Deli has served its iconic smoked meat sandwiches with a dedication to tradition that has made it a well-known staple in the city. Founded by Eddy Lester, a Polish immigrant, the deli became renowned for its signature smoked meat, marinated in-house for 72 hours. The warm, retro atmosphere—complete with walls completed covered in nostalgia, decorations, and laudations, including photos of legends like Elvis and Leonard Cohen—has long been part of its charm.

In 2023, after more than 70 years in the family, Billy Berenholc, who has run the deli since his father’s time, passed the torch to restaurateur Kevin Fung. While Fung brings a new vision, expanding the Lester’s brand with ambitions for the future, the core of what makes Lester’s special remains unchanged. With Billy still involved as a consultant, the deli stays rooted in its tradition, continuing to serve some of the best smoked meat in the city.

Since it opened, Little Italy’s Gema Pizzeria has been a testament to the skill and passion of its founders Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione. Though opened as a casual sibling to their acclaimed spot Impasto, Gema has been a leading spot for pizza in its own right: The menu here offers a range of classic and creative pies, with the 1889—featuring fior di latte, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil—being a particular favorite among regulars. There’s quality in every bite and detail.

The decor, designed by Zébulon Perron, blends simplicity with rustic charm, creating a welcoming space for families and casual diners alike. Most ingredients are sourced locally, and the kitchen cures its own meats in-house. Stop by for both their signature pizzas or a frozen custard from the takeout window—perfect during a hot summer night in the neighbourhood.

Mr. Azteca offers Mexican dining with a level of authenticity that’s charmed Villeray for a decade and counting. This modest taqueria and birrieria, founded by Rosina Martinez and her late husband, Mois Reyes, reflects their deep-rooted love for Mexican cuisine. With tacos, enchiladas, pambazos, and birria quesadillas among the standouts, each dish embodies the comforting, home-cooked flavors of Mexico. Rosina runs the kitchen, crafting a menu that honors the culinary traditions she and Mois grew up with. The restaurant’s vibrant decor, made up of items brought from Mexico by friends and family, enhances the warm, welcoming atmosphere. Whether enjoying mezcal, a classic beer, or one of their expertly mixed margaritas, patrons are transported with each bite and sip.

The Plateau’s La Matraca is a humble taqueria with an atmosphere reminiscent of Mexico City’s no-nonsense taco joints. The menu offers the essentials—tacos filled with suadero, chuleta, and al pastor—that stay true to their roots. Suadero, a specialty, arrives tender and flavorful, while the al pastor is a satisfying balance of marinated pork, cilantro, and pineapple. Though the space is minimal, with cafeteria-style seating and a bustling open kitchen, the focus remains squarely on the food. It’s an unpretentious spot where simple ingredients and traditional techniques come together, delivering a slice of authenticity.