Montreal’s yakiniku scene was never exactly bustling, but when the Japanese chain Gyu-Kaku set up shop on Crescent Street, it added some much-needed variety to the city’s tabletop grilling options. Here, it’s all about the DIY experience—thinly sliced beef, pork, and seafood hit the grill in front of you, sizzling over smokeless flames while you attempt to cook your meal without burning it (or yourself). The menu leans heavily on marinated meats, from short ribs to filet mignon, with sides like garlic spinach, rice, and miso soup rounding things out.

The atmosphere? High-energy and loud, with birthday parties slamming back saké bombs and corporate crews cooking on the company dime. Service is lightning fast, and while the experience is fun, the food itself won’t blow your mind—it’s about the interactive element more than a deep dive into Japanese barbecue mastery. For a group hang where the grill is the main event, Gyu-Kaku delivers exactly what it promises.