The best restaurants in Montreal right now

Mon Lapin has forged its reputation as one of the best restaurants in the city thanks to its impeccable consistency on all levels. The restaurant on Saint-Zotique Street has distinguished itself since its opening by offering refined cuisine, personalized service, an exceptional wine list, and a unique atmosphere.

Blending the owners’ Argentinian background with explorations of great cuisines from around the world, this tiny Verdun restaurant is cooking some of the most impactful yet deceivingly simple food in town.

Known for their level of creativity that hinges on the unhinged, this French restaurant’s stupefying theatrics are well-known both in the dining room and on its plates.

At Montréal Plaza, whimsy isn’t a garnish—it’s baked right into the DNA. 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. Sashimi de pétoncles 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. Plaza doesn’t just blur the line between high dining and irreverence—it makes it irrelevant.

One meal here and you’ll no longer be surprised why its tables are in such high demand: This restaurant has single-handedly stolen the show when it comes to eating a fantastically delicious Italian meal.

Dining at this Old Montreal jewel of a French brasserie and dining room from chef Jérémie Bastien is both a masterclass in its cuisine’s techniques and classics plus cosmopolitan inclusions from other cuisines.

Consider this the next-gen steakhouse of Montreal: With its in-house butchery, it’s an address in Outremont that flips the porterhouse-and-martinis formula on its head in the best of ways.

At its core, Provisions is a butcher shop with a sharp focus on quality and tradition, bringing a touch of nostalgia to every bite. This is where you’ll find sandwiches and burgers built from the ground up—starting with hyper-local, pasture-raised meats processed in-house. The challah bread, hand-cut brisket, and signature house-made sausages make their offerings anything but typical.

Known for its standout burgers, Provisions takes the smashburger approach, ensuring a caramelized crust on the outside and juicy perfection inside. The sandwiches—brisket, Cubano, turkey, or even halloumi—strike a balance between satisfying simplicity and thoughtfulness. It’s food that’s as good as it is honest.

Salle Climatisée is a Little Italy gem that marries the charm of a neighbourhood haunt with thoughtful, seasonal dishes inspired by local ingredients. This compact bistro doesn’t chase trends; instead, it celebrates simplicity with a menu that shifts subtly to reflect the rhythms of Quebec’s terroir. Expect a parade of carefully composed plates that reveal a mix of rustic and refined.

Low-intervention wines are a staple here, curated to enhance rather than overshadow the food, while the minimalist, François Séguin–designed interior balances elegance and coziness. Whether you’re perched on the street-side terrasse or settled inside, Salle Climatisée offers an experience that feels as intimate as it does inventive, perfect for those who appreciate the quiet power of well-executed simplicity.

Bar St-Denis is rapidly ascending Montreal's culinary ladder, and for good reason. The magic lies in the dedication of David Gauthier, Emily Holmsy, and their gifted crew. Among a menu of standout dishes, the Deer Kibbeh Nayeh stands out. This raw deer delicacy, with its creamy texture and subtle sweetness, is a testament to premium local sourcing. Garnished with mint and onions, and enriched by a premium olive oil drizzle, it's a symphony of flavors. Paired with spicy chili-brushed flatbread, every bite promises a new revelation.

When Martin Picard opened Au Pied de Cochon in 2001, it marked a turning point in Montreal’s restaurant scene. The Plateau dining room—with its open kitchen, oversized portions, and unapologetic richness—deliberately rejected fine dining’s polished restraint. Instead, it offered something primal and exuberant: foie gras on poutine, pig’s feet reimagined, onion soup turned decadent.

Over two decades later, the energy hasn’t dimmed. It’s still loud, busy, and totally committed to indulgence. Behind it all is a generational crew of chefs and collaborators—many of whom went on to leave their own mark on the city. What started as a singular brasserie on Duluth has grown into a larger food ecosystem, with a sugar shack, cidery, offshoots like the Cabane d’à Côté, and even a product line sold nationwide. Still, the flagship remains its heart. For those looking to understand Quebec’s culinary id, this is where you start. Bring friends. And maybe a napkin for your forehead.

This ode to Quebecois cuisine is essential eating in Montreal, served in a completely unpretentious fashion that takes diners to the very heart of what makes this province stand out.

Heni, a Little Burgundy restaurant focused on the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region of the world—a decolonial term for what’s commonly referred to as the Middle East—is a place of many new pathways for Montreal.

Its kitchen is producing new kinds of flavours that blend its regional focus with Quebecois ingredients—think marinated olives with sea buckthorn berry instead of orange zest, kibbeh can be made with PEI beef or duck hearts, fatteh and couscous with wild mushrooms, lobster tails spiced with ras-el-hanout on a bed of corn, ice cream sandwiches of sfouf and wild blueberries that are dipped in dark chocolate—as well as wines taken from its in-house wine importation agency Sienna which highlights new-generation winemakers from Lebanon.

A local forerunner for Thai food augmented by pure creativity and Canadian products, this is where chef Jesse Mulder has taken his reputation for dizzyingly good eating to new heights.

Lawrence has evolved, but its commitment to exceptional food remains unchanged. What began as a pop-up inside Sparrow in 2010 has now transformed into an intimate tasting-menu destination, housed in the former larrys space on Fairmount Avenue. Chef Marc Cohen, alongside Sefi Amir, has refined the restaurant’s approach, crafting a menu that blends whole-animal butchery with meticulous plating and a touch of British inspiration. Dishes lean adventurous—think brain and morel agnolotti or tongue terrine—while still maintaining the depth and elegance that made Lawrence a Montreal institution. The wine program, curated by Keaton Ritchie, mirrors this philosophy, focusing exclusively on private imports that highlight small producers. A close relationship with Boucherie Lawrence ensures the highest quality meats, while house-baked bread and seasonal vegetables round out the offering. Whether for a three- or four-course midday indulgence or a full tasting menu at dinner, Lawrence remains one of the city’s most compelling dining experiences.

Every Sunday, Griffintown's Mano Cornuto transforms into a haven of Italian tradition. Dive into a four-course feast that feels like home, yet surprises every time.

It's an unmatched culinary journey in Montreal: From fresh salads kissed with unique vinaigrettes to pasta dishes that sing with authenticity, and desserts that melt your heart. And, if you're in the know, the porchetta add-on is a must. Paired with curated wines and special cocktails, Sunday at Mano is more than a meal; it's an experience.

Arthurs Nosh Bar is a Saint-Henri favourite, blending Jewish culinary traditions with a new-gen sentiment. Helmed by Raegan Steinberg and Alex Cohen, both with roots in Montreal’s fine dining scene, this small but vibrant restaurant honours the flavours of Sephardic, Ashkenazi, and Mizrahi cooking. The stylish space, with its olive-toned bar and sun-filled atmosphere, makes Arthurs a perfect spot to enjoy comfort food classics like schnitzel and babka in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

The McArthur sandwich with fried chicken’s a daily standout choice, but the brunch menu—available weekends only—features must-try dishes like an American grand slam, Moroccan toast with challah, poached eggs, and spiced chickpeas, and a hearty latke smorgasbord.

Casual, fun, and incomparably flavorful, this Singaporean restaurant’s menu walks the line between addictive comfort food and inventive visits to Malaysia, Indonesia, and beyond.

A cornerstone of Montreal’s Little Italy, Impasto merges tradition and innovation in Italian cuisine with unapologetic finesse. Helmed by Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione—two names synonymous with the city’s culinary scene—the restaurant offers a menu that celebrates regional Italian cooking through a local lens. From house-cured charcuterie to saffron-laced tagliatelle, every dish balances rustic authenticity with a polished edge. Seasonal ingredients drive the menu, which rotates often but never misses staples like the famed Gaspor porchetta and spelt gnocchi.

Designed by Zébulon Perron, the space reflects the menu’s duality: industrial minimalism softened by warm, inviting touches. With just 50 seats and a front-row bar overlooking the open kitchen, the dining experience is as intimate as it is refined. And the wine? A thoughtful curation of Italian and Quebec labels, expertly selected to elevate every plate. Impasto isn’t just a meal—it’s a masterclass in modern Italian dining.

This destination in Hochelaga is an exceedingly accessible option for fine dining where tasting menus take you on a tour of its chef David Ollu’s Bouillon Bilk tutelage plus wholly new avenues. Opened in Hochelaga back in 2018, food here continues to be looser and more curious than 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.

The restaurant that launched a thousand ships, this is a definitive Montreal dining experience thanks to its one-two punch celebrating classic dining with a banquet-style celebration of good food.

Since 2005, this Little Burgundy institution has shaped the city’s dining scene, turning classic French techniques into something unapologetically Montreal. Founded by Frédéric Morin, Allison Cunningham, and former partner David McMillan, the restaurant pays tribute to 19th-century tavern owner Charles “Joe Beef” McKiernan, whose legacy of excess and generosity lives on in every over-the-top plate.

The menu, scrawled on a chalkboard and dictated by what’s fresh, blends Quebecois bounty with a bistro’s indulgence: foie gras, roasted bone marrow, and a perennial lobster spaghetti. The wine list leans classic, but there’s room for natural selections and deep cuts from smaller producers. The space itself—cluttered, candlelit, a little chaotic—feels like the kind of place where a dinner reservation could turn into a multi-hour feast. Expect to leave full, maybe a little tipsy, and with a renewed appreciation for why this spot remains one of Montreal’s greats.

Vin Papillon opened in 2013 as the quieter, greener offshoot of Joe Beef and Liverpool House, but over time it’s become something else entirely—less of a satellite, more of a touchstone. Originally conceived as a tribute to sommelier Vanya Filipovic and chef Marc-Olivier Frappier, the restaurant built its reputation on playful, vegetable-forward dishes and a wine list that championed natural producers long before it was fashionable. It’s where smoked carrot éclairs and ham with brown butter–drizzled cheddar became cult classics, and where a who’s-who of Montreal’s new culinary wave—Jessica Noël, Gab Drapeau, Alex Landry—cut their teeth.

Today, Vin Papillon is helmed by Fred Morin and chef de cuisine Alan Stewart, with wines now curated by Max Campbell of Deux Caves. The room remains intimate and unflashy, with white brick walls and a signature painting of an ocean liner—painted by Fred himself—looming over the open kitchen. The menu is short, seasonal, and slyly inventive, veering from wood-fired maitake to escargot atop escargot. It’s still walk-in only, still open at 3pm, and still one of the most quietly magnetic places to drink and eat in Montreal.

From its interior ‘wine island’ to its lunches full of sandwiches ‘n’ salads and dinners of arrosticini, finely spun pasta, and contorni, this Saint-Henri spot is a fine dining gem without comparison.

Liverpool House in Montreal's Little Burgundy has emerged from the shadow of its sibling, Joe Beef, with its own identity. Known for hearty French cuisine and exceptional seafood, it features a raw bar and dishes like Italian beef tartare and lobster spaghetti. Opened in 2007, it offers a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere and a diverse wine selection. The restaurant’s friendly ambiance and outstanding menu make it a favorite for both locals and visitors.

The wood fire-informed and deeply seasonal menus of this fine dining titan from chef Marc-André Jetté is as comforting as it is exciting, and its wine lists will immediately astound you.

Taking cues from Scandinavian cuisine and applying it to Quebec’s terroir, each plate here is done with pinpoint accuracy, resulting in plates that resemble small sketches or paintings from chef Antonin Rivard-Mousso.

This Mile End restaurant focused on vegetable-forward tasting menus is considered among the very best in the city for its high calibre of cooking and service, along with its energetic atmosphere.

Its rotating menus of upscale, seasonal fare will keep you guessing, but the buzzy ambiance and service at this Saint-Henri eatery will make you feel like you’re immediately at home.

An essential address in Montreal for Syrian cuisine, every spiced and aromatic bite here is impeccably sourced from across the Mediterranean, from shared mezze to sizzling grilled platters.

Hubert Marsolais and Claude Pelletier’s Old Montreal restaurant is a discreet and pensive place to spend hours over opulent dishes that, time and again, provide the most memorable of experiences.

The vibes are high when eating at this restaurant from Chuck Hughes. It’s an absolute parade of surf and turf served up with a service staff that knows how to have a good time.

Kitano Shokudo is the kind of place chefs will send you about when asked where they eat on their nights off. Run by Hiroshi Kitano, a self-taught chef with a deep respect for balance and technique, this Plateau bistro is a love letter to Japanese cuisine—elevated, yet unfussy. Kitano, who cut his teeth with the Otto Group (hence the former name Otto Bistro) before setting out on his own, brings an obsessive attention to detail to every dish, whether it’s jewel-like chirashi, crispy karaage, or rich mazemen noodles topped with duck confit.

The menu leans into seasonality, with specials that veer into unexpected yet deeply comforting territory—think wild boar mapo tofu or a luscious uni carbonara. Fish is a constant star, often sourced straight from Japan, while housemade tsukemono and a sharp, compact sake list round out the experience. The goal here isn’t expansion—it’s intimacy. With fewer seats and a loyal clientele, Kitano Shokudo is about proximity: to the chef, to the craft, and to a kind of soulful cooking that keeps regulars coming back.

A progenitor in the Montreal scene for taking Japanese cooking and treating it to French techniques and presentations, Hiroshi Kitano’s bistro in the Plateau is a must—especially the omakase.

A Westmount Square institution blends together the very best of French bistro fare, Italian trattorias and steakhouses into one solid offering that can upscale any night out on the town.

This next-gen Cambodian restaurant in Verdun is a lively cornerstone of the city’s dining scene because of the richly aromatic food they offer, playing on dishes both traditional and wholly new.

Just when you thought Saint-Henri couldn’t possibly squeeze in another place to eat, Bonheur d’Occasion landed earlier this year with a splash. Maybe it’s the simple and comforting corner bistro ambiance, the steady café noshes cakes and sandwiches during the day, or maybe it’s the “take my money!” dishes they create for dinner services, but chef Philippe Gauthier and pastry chef Victor Adnet are bringing their A-game and then some.

Dressed in an interior design of black and gold minimalism, the menus of this Griffintown destination sets a high bar for dining in Montreal thanks to its combination of wood-fired and fresh elements.

A hidden gem of Westmount, this French-forward bistro is equal parts traditional dishes done to perfection and a level of experimentation you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Snowdon Deli isn't just a restaurant; it's an institution. For those in the know, it's a nostalgic trip down memory lane. For newcomers, it's a delightful discovery waiting to happen. This iconic Jewish deli, with its vibrant matzo ball soup and cheese bagelach, transports you straight to the heart of classic Miami eateries, echoing the charm of places like Wolfie’s Rascal House. Outlasting local legends like The Brown Derby and Ben’s, Snowdon Deli stands as a testament to timeless taste and tradition.

On Saint-Denis in the Plateau, Cabaret L'enfer from chef-owner Massimo Piedimonte brings the chef’s pedigree and expertise to the fore with a deeply personal experience. The space, designed with industrial chic by XY Contemporary, retains rustic brick walls while incorporating steel and granite to form a dining experience surrounding a bustling open kitchen of performances. Offering a tasting menu that marries Italian roots with French techniques, each dish celebrates local products and craftsmanship. The ambiance, festive and increasingly lively as the evening changes to night, helps balance the high levels of skill from the kitchen with simply having a good time—even rocking out to their playlists of skate punk.

Oncle Lee on Laurier Avenue West redefines Chinese dining with a distinctly Montreal twist. A creation of Andersen Lee and the minds behind Bouillon Bilk, the restaurant’s simple yet elegantly adorned space with sleek black banquettes and Chinese lanterns reflects a deep reverence for both the culinary and cultural aspects of Lee’s heritage. The menu reimagines traditional Chinese dishes through a local lens, featuring items like chow mein alongside innovative offerings such as steamed oysters with black bean. Oncle Lee also boasts a compelling drink selection, including bespoke cocktails and a thoughtful wine list, so meals celebrate refined tastes and communal dining.

A Montreal institution since 1980 on rue Saint-Denis, L'Express continues to uphold its reputation for timeless French cuisine and conviviality. Founded by François Tremblay, Colette Brossoit, and Pierre Villeneuve, the restaurant caters to everyone with a welcoming atmosphere that remains to this day. With a menu largely unchanged over the years, L'Express offers classic dishes like sorrel soup, marrow, and veal liver, prepared with an unwavering consistency and attention to detail. Designed by renowned architect Luc Laporte, the elegant decor exudes a timeless charm, attracting a diverse clientele served by a stable team of long-serving staff.

Chez Tousignant evokes a sense of nostalgic comfort with its vintage diner decor designed by Zébulon Perron. This eatery conceived by chefs Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione along with chef Yann Turcotte offers a delightful throwback to the classic casse-croûtes of the 1950s and 60s. Here, everything from the tiles to the seating invites you into a different era. The menu celebrates simplicity perfected, boasting homemade delights such as the city's best smash burgers, exquisite hot dogs, and top-tier poutine, all crafted with a dedication to freshness and quality. Chez Tousignant stands out for its genuine charm and the exceptional skill behind each dish, combining culinary nostalgia with contemporary panache.

Ma Poule Mouillée is Montreal’s bustling Portuguese Plateau rotisserie where locals and visitors alike have been wowed since its opening in 2013. The restaurant is celebrated not just for its expertly charcoal-grilled chicken but also for offering one of the best poutines in the city. This particular dish stands out due to its inventive use of São Jorge cheese, flavorful grilled chorizo, and a signature homemade sauce that the chef proudly claims makes all the difference.

Beyond its famed poutine, Ma Poule Mouillée features a menu brimming with Portuguese classics from sandwiches to fried squid, all served in a vibrant, no-frills, cafeteria-style setting. For those on the go, the entire menu is available for takeout.

Since its debut in March 2011, Bouillon Bilk has epitomized culinary refinement in Montreal. Mélanie Blanchette and François Nadon meld minimalist decor with innovative cuisine, creating a sublime dining experience reminiscent of Danish elegance. The menu, a testament to Nadon's creativity, features seasonal proteins paired with inventive sides, exploring a harmonious balance of textures and flavors. Complementing the dishes, Bouillon Bilk curates an exceptional wine list focused on private imports in an understated yet sophisticated atmosphere. Each meal here is a deliberate fusion of simplicity and complexity, making it a cornerstone of Montreal’s gastronomic scene.

Fleurs & Cadeaux, a new Japanese-inspired snack bar in Chinatown, quickly captivated guests with its unique charm before closing two weeks after its September opening due to COVID-19. Situated in a pink, century-old building on Saint-Urbain Street, this venue honors its past as a florist and gift shop by retaining its name and exterior. The space is thoughtfully designed, from its vinyl selection to its retro décor.

Co-owned by ten partners, including David Schmidt and chef Tetsuya Shimizu, the restaurant features a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The open kitchen showcases Shimizu’s culinary skills, offering dishes like temakis, Japanese curries, sashimi on rice, and bento boxes, all beautifully presented.

The drink menu includes innovative cocktails and a diverse selection of natural wines and artisan sakes. The basement speakeasy, Sans Soleil, features a hidden entrance, DJ-spun vinyl, and a top-notch sound system.

Tucked away in Montreal's tranquil Outremont neighborhood, Alma embodies a confluence of culinary traditions and vinicultural passion, a brainchild of chef Juan Lopez Luna and sommelier Lindsay Brennan. This petite haven marries the robust flavors of Mexico with the delicate nuances of Mediterranean cuisine, all underscored by a profound appreciation for Catalan natural wines. The space, intimate and warmly appointed by friends and family of the owners, invites diners into a world where the spirit of Catalonia's 'vino con alma'—wine with soul—permeates every aspect. Every dish tells a story, especially the chef’s signature nixtamalized corn tortillas, a nod to ancient Mexican traditions. The dining experience is elevated by their 'carte blanche' menu, offering diners a curated journey through seasonal specialties, paired with rare vintage wines.

Monkland Tavern has been serving NDG since 1995, but longevity’s only part of the story. The neighbourhood favourite co-owned by Barbara Irwin and Chef Josh Crowe serves a menu that's dedicated to blending seasonality with sharp technique—think wild mushrooms from Hochelaga, crudo that cuts straight to summer, and handmade pasta in butter-laced sauces. Regulars know to trust the chef’s menu, a freestyle tasting built around your preferences and the day’s finds. As for the wine list, shaped by Barbara, balances natural-leaning bottles with more classic picks, often poured by the glass. Inside, it earns its moniker of 'tavern' through the warmth of a dining that's refined while leaning rustic: turquoise walls, white tablecloths, and a long wood bar lined with locals.

Grounded in his home country of Haiti and exploring the islands and South America, eating at chef Paul Toussaint’s restaurant is always a unique celebration of spice and flavour you can’t find elsewhere.

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 neighborhood, reflecting its evolution with a vibrant, inviting space designed by Kyle Adams Goforth. The menu, crafted by Emma Cardarelli and Janice Tiefenbach, showcases dynamic iterations of Italian classics—from artisanal pizzas to homemade pastas, all complemented by Ryan Gray’s meticulously curated natural wine list. This new 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.

Dobe & Andy, a Cantonese BBQ joint, delights with its straightforward yet delicious fare inspired by Hong Kong’s vibrant food scene. Since its opening in March 2019 by Edmund, Eric and Edward Ku with Webster Galman, this spot has charmed diners with its commitment to authentic, well-crafted meals at pocket-friendly prices. The menu, ranging from $7 to $17, features staples like succulent crispy pork roast and a uniquely savory curry braised beef.

The 90-seat venue emphasizes a communal approach, reflecting a deeply ingrained family ethos in every dish served. Nestled in the heart of Montreal's Chinatown on Saint-Urbain Street, whether it’s for takeout or delivery, Dobe & Andy offers a taste of dedication wrapped in the warmth of a family-operated gem.

The Four Seasons Hotel Montreal’s in-house restaurant MARCUS fuses luxury with local flair on an expansive third floor designed by Atelier Zébulon Perron. This communal space welcomes both locals and guests, where the lounge, bar, restaurant, and terrasse offer distinct atmospheres, from an oceanic lounge to a forest-like bar. Helmed by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Samuelsson with executive chef Jason Morris, the venue reflects Montreal's vibrant social scene. Morris, known for his precision and creativity, ensures each dish from the globally inspired menu complements the sophisticated, timeless setting, making MARCUS a culinary landmark in the city.

Chef Robin Filteau Boucher's dream of owning their own restaurant becomes a reality with Parapluie in Little Italy: Partnering with maître d'hôtel Karelle Voyer and friend Simon Chevalier, Filteau envisioned a place where he could cook and connect with patrons in a 30-ish seat spot serving French-inspired dishes crafted with seasonal ingredients priced affordably between $10 and $30.

Standouts include the ravioli in brown butter, beef with button mushrooms and a chicken jus, sauce on eggs mayo with poached lobster, and a Montreal-style trout on a bed of horseradish sauce. Karelle curates the wine list while mixologist Félix Pagé Blouin crafts the cocktails, keeping the room lubricated while folks drop in and out over the course of an evening.

Chef Patrice Demers and sommelier Marie-Josée Beaudoin have made a spectacular return to Montreal’s dining scene with Sabayon, a project which refocuses their passions for dining experiences alongside tea time services and cooking classes—all in one intimate yet multifaceted space in Pointe-Saint-Charles. The space has two halves to it: When you enter, the first room to the left is a large bar seating 12 guests, with a kitchen behind it; that’s where classes take place for savoury dishes, an appetizer–main course–dessert formula where everything is cooked in real time for people to watch and learn, as well as wine classes by Marie-Josée. In addition to those classes and tea times, a dining room which seats 14 people focuses on small tasting menus that top out at about six per service, three nights a week on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays—and it gets booked up like crazy.

Le Violon, located in the space which once housed the famed restaurant Maison Publique and has been transformed by designer Zébulon Perron and co-owner Dan Climan, has been a highly anticipated restaurant from Danny Smiles the day it was hinted at. The team, including co-executive chef Mitch Laughren and chef de cuisine Sara Raspa, brings years of collaboration from previous ventures together into one elegant spot full of veined Portuguese marble, white tablecloths, and Parisian green features that orbit Climan’s paintings. Andrew Park oversees the dining room and wine program, while Kyra Lajeunesse manages operations.

The refined menu features diverse influences, with dishes like tahini-drizzled kibbeh nayyeh, gochujang-glazed sweetbreads, and strawberry shortcake. The evolving wine cellar and exceptional classic cocktail list complement the cuisine. It’s all a harmonious blend of exquisite food, beautiful settings, and impeccable service here.

Following in the footsteps of many 'little sister' concepts to open in the past year wherein restaurants provide small attaché projects, Juliette Plaza is the project from Cheryl Johnson and Charles-Antoine Crête's Montréal Plaza.

Opening its doors on February 28, it's in many ways everything a person who's experienced the unbridled creativity of the OG, but it also boasts its own distinct ambiance and menu that's a bit more snackable than its forebearer: Snacks like devilled eggs, sandwiches, and temaki-style rolls get paired up with smaller dishes of seafood and fish mastery found at MP, as well as offal spun in creative new ways. Atmospherically, expect a lot of nostalgia and innovation both in dishes and the walls.

McKiernan Luncheonette, a sprawling spot from the team behind Joe Beef and Maison Publique, redefines casual dining in Montreal’s Sud-Ouest. Positioned to cater to the day-to-day needs of locals, McKiernan occupies a vibrant space on St-Patrick Street, serving straightforward, yet inventive breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Expect comforting staples like rotisserie chicken and unique all-day breakfast options, accompanied by a modest selection of natural wines and beers. With its capacity for large groups and a flair for hosting, it promises more than just a meal—expect a culinary event designed for community engagement and pure delights.