Behind Closed Doors: Montreal's Best Private Dining Rooms

This destination in Hochelaga is an exceedingly accessible option for fine dining, where tasting menus take you on a tour of chef David Ollu's Bouillon Bilk tutelage plus wholly new avenues. Opened in 2018, the food here continues to be looser and more curious than that of the restaurants that schooled its chefs, in the best of ways: the tasting menu rotates at a pace that suggests they're still discovering the place alongside their guests, leaning on vegetables, market runs, and whatever ideas surface in the kitchen that week. The light, unfussy, and warm dining room mirrors that approach.

It's fine dining without the posturing, shaped by people who seem happiest when the conversation moves freely between the pass and the tables. Private dining is available for groups of 12 or more, with the restaurant's sister wine bar, Copilote, acting as a private room. A partial or full buyout of Hélicoptère is also an option.

After nearly 30 years, Le 9e's Restaurant Île-de-France reopened in 2024 on the ninth floor of the Eaton Centre, next to the grand hall. An opulent art deco space inspired by Lady Eaton's voyages on the French Line, it was designed by architect Jacques Carlu to recreate that luxury.

Featuring a blend of French and Quebec plates with some modernized techniques, the menu combines ship-inspired dishes and Eaton's original recipes. Helmed by a team composed of Jeff Baikowitz, Marco Gucciardi, manager Andrew Whibley, culinary director Derek Dammann, executive chef Liam Hopkins, and café director Dominique Jacques, it clearly took a huge amount of talent to pull this off. Highlights include tartare, breaded cod, onglet steak, and pastas.

The wine list emphasizes natural options, while the cocktail bar, Le French Line, handles classic cocktails done right with a few occasional creative spins. Le 9e includes the 120-seat Île de France restaurant; the Gold and Silver rooms, two additional multipurpose spaces, each with a capacity of up to 20; and La Grande Salle, a venue equipped to host a wide range of events. The maximum capacity is 500 guests.

Located in the stunning Le Mount Stephen Hotel, Bar George offers an experience steeped in British tradition with a modern, Montreal twist. This grand space, with its vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, and plush seating, sets the stage for an indulgent weekend brunch. On the menu, you'll find hearty daytime classics like the full English breakfast—complete with black pudding and mushrooms—as well as decadent options like lobster eggs Benedict and scrambled eggs with black truffle. At night, it's all about finer meals with options like beef Wellington and black truffle risotto.

The historic building's lavish decor, from 300-year-old stained glass to 22-carat gold fixtures, makes every meal here feel like a special occasion. Bar George is where Montrealers and visitors alike come for a taste of British-inspired luxury, whether it's for the food or the atmosphere. The restaurant has a selection of private rooms for every possible occasion, ranging from six to 40 seated guests and 25 to 60 standing.

Old Montreal's Bonaparte offers a timeless experience with refined French cuisine and a warm, historic atmosphere. Established in 1999, the restaurant occupies a historic space within the Auberge Bonaparte, with its Empire-style décor setting the scene for a memorable meal. Guests can choose from three elegant dining rooms, each unique in character, from the classic Impératrice room with its fireplace to the sunlit Verrière, featuring stained glass windows and a skylight.

Bonaparte's menu emphasizes the finest French culinary traditions, with both à la carte and tasting menu options available. Highlights include classics like boeuf bourguignon, lobster à la vanille, and an impressive six-course tasting menu. With attentive service, seasonal ingredients, and a curated wine list, Bonaparte provides an elevated dining experience that's perfect for intimate dinners, special celebrations, or group gatherings. The restaurant's dedication to quality, from the service to each thoughtfully plated dish, makes Bonaparte a cherished destination for fine dining in Montreal.

Groups of 12 to 20 can dine in a private room, with a special menu and personalized service.

A multi-tiered hospitality concept taking over the upper floors of Place Ville-Marie, Hiatus has truly set itself up to do it all: an outdoor terrasse with Mediterranean raw bar dining on the 44th floor, a bar with snacks on the 45th, and a full-fledged restaurant on the floor above that—the 46th and highest in the building—that cooks up Japanese and French plates with technique interplay between the two cuisines. That translates to things like ramen or nori tacos as well as foie gras tartelettes and arctic char. With ambitious interior redesigns by Sid Lee Architecture, Hiatus has among the highest and most highly prized tables in the city when it comes to lavish dining.

Hiatus offers two private meeting rooms for business lunches and dinners, each seating 18, or 36 when the partition between them is removed. Each room includes an AV screen, Wi-Fi, and a Sonos sound system, with a three-course lunch option and a four- or five-course dinner option.

Set in a converted garage near Saint-Henri's former RCA complex, Gia Vin & Grill's room balances industrial bones with warm Italian references, anchored by a bar and a cellar-like wine island that invites lingering. The menu draws heavily from central Italy, with an emphasis on charcoal-grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables, supported by a tight roster of pastas that rotate with the seasons. Arrosticini arrive smoky and direct, seafood is treated with confidence, and the grill runs year-round. The wine list leans Italian and thoughtful, favouring bottles with structure over trendiness.

The restaurant offers semi-private indoor seating for groups of under 12, and private indoor and outdoor space for groups larger than that. The indoor space holds 70 seated or 100 standing; the outdoor space takes 60 seated or 90 standing.

Few restaurants in Montreal have managed longevity without softening their edges, but Ferreira Café has done exactly that. Opened in the mid-1990s by Carlos Ferreira and now guided alongside his daughters Sandra and Claudia, the restaurant remains a reference point for Portuguese cooking in the city—especially when it comes to seafood. Fish is treated with confidence and restraint, often simply grilled, while signature dishes like carabinero shrimp and seafood rice speak to a kitchen that values clarity over reinvention. The room mirrors that philosophy: azulejo-lined bar, warm wood, and a downtown polish that still feels lived-in. In the kitchen, chef Natalia Machado Villaverde keeps the focus squarely on execution.

For banquets, dinner conferences, media launches, business dinners, and more, Ferreira Café's private room includes a private entrance and bathrooms, a full bar, and an independent kitchen. It seats up to 72 people, or 120 standing, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner services available.

La Chronique has been a staple of Montreal's fine dining scene since 1995, offering exquisite French-inspired cuisine under the leadership of Belgian chef Marc De Canck and his partner, Quebec native Olivier de Montigny. Originally a small bistro, La Chronique quickly established itself as one of the city's premier dining destinations, renowned for its culinary precision and elegance.

In 2013, the restaurant moved to a larger space on Laurier Avenue, where a minimalist yet sophisticated décor complements the focus on high-quality ingredients and meticulously crafted dishes. La Chronique's menu shifts with the seasons, featuring signature items like house-made foie gras, sweetbreads, and scallops, along with an ever-evolving tasting menu available in five or seven courses. The wine selection is built around pairing, a cornerstone of the restaurant's philosophy. Its private dining room accommodates up to 24 people.

At Montréal Plaza, chefs Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson run the kitchen like a well-oiled experiment: playful, unpredictable, but anchored by technique. The dining room, designed by Zébulon Perron, hints at the surreal—plastic dinosaurs on the pass, Elmo sightings at the bar—but the cooking is no joke. Scallop sashimi arrives on a toy triceratops, layered with citrus and quinoa; a whelk gratin might follow, then foie gras with strawberries, and a dessert that's basically fruit gone punk. The à la carte is ever-shifting, but the tasting menu, introduced by demand, has become the house favourite.

French methods meet global flavour, with Johnson grounding Crête's improvisational streak. Even with its absurdist touches, the place runs tight and tastes sharp. In short, Plaza not only blurs the line between high dining and irreverence—it makes it irrelevant. For a more intimate meal, reserve one of the restaurant's smaller rooms.

Born from a desire to merge classic hospitality with refined French cooking, Place Carmin offers an array of brasserie mainstays like grilled cuts of beef, seafood platters, and luxurious French desserts. Set in the former Le Local, the spacious restaurant features skylights, earthy tones, and rounded fixtures designed by Clairoux, creating an airy, elegant atmosphere that balances sophistication with a warm, welcoming vibe.

Chef Nadon's menu goes beyond typical brasserie fare, showcasing rich, meticulously prepared dishes like foie gras terrine, zucchini vichyssoise, and a stunning rib steak for two, served with golden fries and a choice of sauces. The dessert list is refreshingly unpretentious, featuring crème caramel and chocolate mousse that emphasize classic flavours over showy plating.

Whatever the occasion, Place Carmin has several private rooms accommodating up to 64 people. Amenities include wine and beverage suggestions from the restaurant's sommelier, rooms equipped with AV systems, and a standalone bar in one of them. With a robust French wine list and a large terrace, Place Carmin is a standout for both everyday diners and special gatherings.

La Cabane d'à côté is a remarkable dining retreat set in the scenic countryside of Mirabel, Quebec, offering a rustic, intimate experience that celebrates Quebec's culinary heritage. Opened in 2018 by Vincent Dion Lavallée, with support from Martin Picard and Marc Beaudin of Au Pied de Cochon fame, this sister establishment takes a pared-down approach to Québécois classics, using a wood-fired evaporator and local ingredients that create a sense of farm-to-table nostalgia.

During the warmer months, the Cabane hosts outdoor picnics featuring seasonal dishes like BLTs made with local produce, barbecued meats, and fresh fruit tarts. For private events, rent a tent and enjoy a picnic with a full bar, sound system, dedicated server, lounge area, and large reception tables.

In winter, the dining experience transforms with a set menu that includes hearty soups, rich tourtière, and maple-infused desserts. The inventive yet rooted cuisine, relaxed service, and natural setting make La Cabane d'à côté a truly special spot for indulging in the flavours of Quebec.

Tuck Shop has been a Saint-Henri fixture since 2010, and the room still earns its reputation the old-fashioned way, by getting everything right at once. Chef Theo Lerikos runs a concise, ever-changing bistro menu built around Quebec market products: Kamouraska lamb, Gaspésie seafood, wild mushrooms treated simply and cooked well. The philosophy is refinement without fuss, letting the ingredients do the work.

The space, redesigned by Rhoncus Agency, balances chic and comfortable in a compact 38-seat room where green tones nod to the kitchen's farm-to-table instincts. A raw bar and open kitchen add energy to the floor. Its private room, the Chalet, seats up to 14 guests, with tasting experiences and wine pairings. Amelia Stine handles a wine list driven by private imports; cocktails shift with the seasons. Service is warm and assured, the kind that makes a small room feel generous. Few places in the city manage to hold this much together this consistently.

When you step into the Golden Square Mile's Le Pois Penché, it's as if you've stumbled into a classic Parisian brasserie. Sure, the brunch is legendary—where red velvet chairs and black-and-white checkered floors set the stage for classics like ham and Gruyère omelette and mascarpone-laden French toast—but don't be fooled into thinking this place is a one-trick pony.

The dinner menu is where the brasserie shines with the familiar comfort of French favourites. Think steak frites, rich duck confit, and a fresh seafood platter that stands as a towering tribute to all things oceanic.

It's more than a place to grab brunch or dinner—it's a space to unwind, whether at the polished bar with a perfectly crafted cocktail, on the cozy summer terrasse with a glass of wine, or in the elegant private wine cellar, which feels like a tucked-away escape for special events.

In Saint-Henri, Elena emerges as a testament to Italian cuisine reimagined. Opened in early 2018 by the team behind Nora Gray, this spot pays homage to inspiring individuals like Elena Pantaleoni, whose spirit infuses the establishment's warm, unpretentious hospitality. It integrates seamlessly into the neighbourhood, reflecting its evolution with a vibrant, inviting space designed by Kyle Adams Goforth. The menu showcases dynamic iterations of Italian classics—from artisanal pizzas to homemade pastas, all complemented by a meticulously curated natural wine list. This culinary landmark not only promises exquisite dishes but also embodies a modern trattoria's soul, where every detail underscores a commitment to quality and community.

Elena's private dining room accommodates 35 standing or 16 seated guests, while a full buyout of the restaurant is best for larger events, such as weddings.

La Fabrique, located on Saint-Denis Street in Montreal, has been a beloved bistro since 2008. Known for its open kitchen concept, this restaurant brings rustic elegance to Quebec's classic, comforting flavours, reimagined with fresh, seasonal twists. Chef Jean-Baptiste Marchand leads with a focus on local ingredients and a passion for hearty, flavourful dishes.

The space itself is warm and inviting, with a spacious interior, an expansive bar, and a private dining area perfect for intimate gatherings. Guests can enjoy brunch and dinner, with crowd favourites like fluffy French toast, apple syrup pancakes with pork belly, and their acclaimed beef tartare. The menu changes every few weeks, offering new flavours while retaining La Fabrique's trademark culinary creativity. Whether for brunch or a cozy dinner, La Fabrique is a delightful spot for both locals and visitors craving genuine Québécois bistro fare. Inside the restaurant, a communal dining table seats up to 16 and a semi-private room holds up to 20; the separate event space takes parties of more than 20.

Gibbys is a Montreal dining icon, steeped in history and housed in a stunning 200-year-old stone building in Old Montreal, with rooms that can accommodate groups of up to 225. With fireplaces, dim lighting, and original wooden beams, the ambiance is irresistibly old-world, offering a warm, elegant setting that transports guests back in time. Known for its high-quality seafood and prime cuts of expertly aged steaks, Gibbys serves up a classic, hearty menu designed for indulgence, accompanied by a meticulously curated wine list.

Upon arrival, diners are treated to freshly baked bread, dill pickles, and crumbled bacon, setting the tone for an experience that celebrates fine food and timeless charm. Signature dishes range from chilled oysters and broiled steaks to the famed Monte Carlo potatoes, and each main course includes a refreshing lemon sorbet and a choice of sides. The attentive staff ensures that every detail of the meal is exceptional, from perfect wine pairings to impeccable service.

Marci's ode to 1960s Italian sports bars and New Jersey vibes was spearheaded by a team of serial restaurateurs including David Schmidt and Hideyuki Imaizumi, as well as sommelier Julien Patenaude, DJ and La Rama owner Kris Guilty, jack-of-all-trades Marc-André Patry, and chef Alex Geoffrion, for whom this restaurant marks his debut.

Here, the menu is compact yet vibrant, featuring dishes like clams casino, an anchovy-rich Caesar salad, and notably crispy hybrid pizzas influenced by New York, New Haven, and New Jersey styles. The ambiance is enhanced by a carefully selected wine list and a dynamic sound system, making it more than just another pizza spot—it's a cultural homage with a twist. The private room is available for groups of 10 to 20.

Why's the core of the island got to have all the fun? A supergroup of principals from spots like Name's On The Way, Rendez-Vous, and a bunch of other projects have opened this proper American joint in Pointe-Claire. Sporting interior design of soft tones and leather by Kyle Adams Goforth and Sid Lee Architecture, the restaurant serves high-end takes on diner classics—club sandwiches, cheeseburgers, mac and cheese—alongside some more upscale options like crab cakes and steak frites. They also make a point of serving a tidy number of classic cocktails with an eye for martinis and variations.

Downstairs, Lou's private room, with its dedicated bar, holds larger parties for events and more.

Chez Victoire delivers refined bistro fare that proudly showcases local, eco-responsible ingredients. Helmed by chef Alexandre Gosselin, the menu celebrates Quebec's seasonal bounty, with dishes that rotate monthly and reflect the chef's commitment to fresh, creative cuisine. Favourites include the truffle-roasted cauliflower and the mozzarella di bufala tomato salad.

The warm, retro-inspired décor and inviting atmosphere make it an ideal spot for locals and newcomers alike, while the wine list highlights Quebec and Canadian selections alongside sustainable European wines. Groups can reserve the cozy mezzanine for private events, fully equipped with a bar, music, and projector screen.