Sakura has been at it since 1973, when founder Noriko Ishii ("Mama-san" to regulars) opened on Crescent Street at a time when Japanese restaurants in Montreal could be counted on one hand.

More than fifty years later, their room on the second floor of Stanley Street is still drawing people in for nigiri, sashimi platters, and curated dining experiences they offer. The kitchen handles the full range: tempura, teriyaki, noodle soups, hotpot for two, and an omakase option for those who want to hand over the wheel. For something more ceremonial, the kaiseki menu requires a week's notice and a minimum of two people—a multi-course progression rooted in Japanese seasonal tradition that doesn't come up often in Montreal.