Restaurant Mélisse

Mélisse is a bright, airy gem in Old Montreal—a space that looks like it was plucked straight from California. There’s nothing fussy about it, just elegance that flows naturally from the service to the plate. From artisanal drinks to an imaginative menu featuring open-faced sandwiches, breakfast casseroles, and cocktails that actually taste like something you’d want to drink, this spot has earned its glossy reputation.

Owners Caroline Desgagné and Salomé Médam have worked hard to cultivate a vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into someone’s sun-drenched kitchen. Designed by the LOVASI team, the décor is an exercise in effortless warmth. Think rustic wood beams, light pouring through massive windows, and a scattering of greenery.

But let’s not bury the lede here: the food. Chef Thomas Allain brings a sharp but relaxed touch to the menu. With a pedigree from Bouillon Bilk, you expect technique, but what you get is something more subtle—a stripped-back focus on seasonal ingredients and flavours that don’t try to outshine each other. Each dish feels personal, from crudo and house-made pastas to brunch with dishes like lemon brioche with sour cream and dill, tagliatelle carbonara, or a salmon puff pastry with poached egg, goat cheese, and pickled beets.