As of 2026, this Montreal food guide covers 31 restaurants by category — including La Banquise (1968 24-hour poutine canonical), Schwartz's Deli (1928 smoked meat institution), Fairmount Bagel (1919 world's first Montreal bagel). See prices, locations and must-try dishes below.
Montreal is Montreal's food scene anchored by 1928 Schwartz's Deli smoked meat signature + 1968 La Banquise poutine origin + 1919 Fairmount Bagel/1957 St-Viateur Bagel rivalry + 2005 Joe Beef (David McMillan, Anthony Bourdain signature) + 1993 Toqué! (Normand Laprise, Relais & Châteaux) + BYOB (Apportez votre vin) wine-bringing culture. Smoked meat, poutine, Montreal bagels, BYOB, maple syrup, Foie Gras Poutine are the everyday icons. We've organized 31 restaurants across 6 categories. Each entry includes prices, hours, local tips, and a Google Maps link so you can plan straight from the page.
MontrealFood Map
Click pins to see restaurant info · 31 restaurants
Founded 1968 + 24 hours + 30+ poutine varieties + the canonical Montreal poutine institution. Classic Poutine (fries + cheese curds + gravy, CAD 10) is the base order. La T-Rex (4 meats, CAD 18) is the signature for the hungry. Late-night + post-bar tourist + local mix. Queue 30 min-1 hour standard.
$7-15
(CAD 10-20)
24 hours
Local tip: 24h means late-night top pick — weekday 14-17 has the shortest queue. The cheese curds should squeak when bitten, that's the freshness test. Cash + card OK. Plateau Rachel Street location, 10-min walk from Mont-Royal Metro.
Schwartz's · Plateau (Boulevard Saint-Laurent / The Main)
2
#2
MUST TRY
Smoked Meat Sandwich Medium Fat on rye + mustard (CAD 13 canonical) + Karnatzel (spicy Romanian salami CAD 9) + Cherry Cola + Coleslaw
Opened 1928 + Montreal's signature smoked meat + Celine Dion + her husband co-owners since 2012. Medium Fat smoked meat sandwich on rye with mustard (CAD 13) is the canonical order — not too lean, not too fatty. Karnatzel spicy salami (CAD 9) + cherry cola (60s classic) for sides. Queue 30 min-1 hour standard.
Local tip: Take-out window next door avoids the queue (same meat, 5-10 min wait). Weekday 14-17 walk-in also works. Sunday morning 8-10 AM surprisingly short. Plateau Boulevard Saint-Laurent ('The Main') location.
Founded 1919 + the world's first Montreal-style bagel + the Mile End side of the eternal Fairmount-vs-St-Viateur rivalry. 24 hours + honey-water boiled + wood-fired oven baked = Montreal authentic (smaller + slightly sweeter + denser than NYC bagels with a bigger hole). Sesame Seed (CAD 1.30) is the canonical order — fresh warm out of the oven at 4-6 AM is peak.
$1-7
(CAD 1.30-10)
24 hours
Local tip: 24h + try fresh-baked at 4-6 AM. Mile End walking + Plateau walking. Try both Fairmount + St-Viateur to pick your side (they're 5-min walk apart on the same 2-block stretch). 24-bagel vacuum pack CAD 15 = great souvenir (lasts 1 week).
Founded 1957 + the St-Viateur side of the Fairmount Bagel rivalry. 24 hours + 5 branches (Mile End flagship + Outremont + Park Ave + outskirts). Montreal bagel + slightly larger + slightly softer than Fairmount. The Smoked Salmon Bagel (CAD 8) cafe menu is the signature for sit-down brunch.
$1-7
(CAD 1.30-10)
24 hours
Local tip: Mile End flagship 24h + cafe option (rare for a bagel place). Try both Fairmount + St-Viateur — both worth tasting, they're 5-min walk apart. Light Korean/Japanese gift import via 24-bagel pack CAD 15.
Joe Beef + Toqué! + Au Pied de Cochon + Mousso — Anthony Bourdain pilgrimage + Canada 100 Best + Quebec fine dining
Joe Beef (Anthony Bourdain signature, Canada 100 Best)
Joe Beef · Little Burgundy (Notre-Dame St W)
6
#1
MUST TRY
Lobster Spaghetti + Foie Gras Double Down + Seafood Tower + Canadian wine pairing
Founded 2005 by David McMillan + Frédéric Morin + Anthony Bourdain's favorite Montreal restaurant (signature visit on Parts Unknown). Canada's 100 Best Top 5 + Canada's #1 modern Quebec. Lobster Spaghetti (CAD 90) + Foie Gras Double Down (signature decadent) + carnival atmosphere + serious Canadian wine list.
$60-110
(CAD 80-150)
Mon-Sat 17:30-22:30 / Sun closed
Local tip: Book 2-3 months ahead (reservations open the 1st of the month at 9 AM, 3 months out — books out within minutes). Wine pairing CAD 100-150 extra. Smart casual. Closed Sundays. Little Burgundy 5-min Uber from Downtown.
Founded 1993 by Normand Laprise + Montreal's #1 fine dining + Canada's 100 Best Top 3 + Relais & Châteaux. The Chef's Tasting Menu (CAD 165, 7 courses, seasonal Quebec regional ingredients) is the signature. Business + honeymoon + anniversary top pick.
$74-148
(CAD 100-200)
Tue-Sat 17:30-22:30
Local tip: Book 1-2 months ahead. Lunch course CAD 75-100 = value option. Wine pairing CAD 125 extra. Smart casual recommended (no shorts/athleisure). Closed Sun-Mon.
Au Pied de Cochon (Martin Picard, Foie Gras Poutine inventor)
Au Pied de Cochon (PDC) · Plateau (Duluth Ave E)
8
#3
MUST TRY
Foie Gras Poutine (CAD 28, the canonical Montreal modern Quebec invention) + Duck in a Can + maple syrup desserts + Canadian craft beer
Founded 2001 by Martin Picard + Quebec signature + the inventor of Foie Gras Poutine (CAD 28 — a slab of seared foie gras melted over standard poutine = Montreal's modern Quebec contribution to global cuisine). Duck in a Can + every March-May Sugar Shack season (outskirts farm — separate location, book 3 months ahead).
$30-74
(CAD 40-100)
Wed-Sun 17:00-24:00
Local tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead. Foie Gras Poutine is the must-order. Cabane à sucre Sugar Shack season (Mar-May) at the outskirts farm is the canonical Quebec experience — books out the day reservations open. Closed Mon-Tue.
Chef Daniel Boulud's Montreal flagship inside the 1912 Ritz-Carlton + French + Quebec regional + city's most polished hotel dining. The Sunday Brunch (CAD 95, includes Boulud-style breakfast pastries + lobster + Champagne) is the city's most photographed luxury brunch.
$60-150
(CAD 80-200)
Daily 6:30-22:30 (varies by service)
Local tip: Book 2 weeks ahead. Sunday Brunch 11:00-14:00 most popular. Garden patio terrace seasonal May-October. Smart casual to business attire.
Chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard's Hochelaga (east Montreal) destination restaurant — Quebec's first Michelin star in the 2024 inaugural Quebec guide. Modern Quebec + foraged + tasting-menu only. 25 seats. Foodie pilgrimage.
$110-185
(CAD 150-250)
Wed-Sat 18:00-22:30
Local tip: Book 2-3 months ahead. Hochelaga is east Montreal — 15-min Uber from Downtown. Tasting menu only, no a la carte. Natural wine pairing recommended.
Chef Chuck Hughes's Old Montreal seafood + Quebec destination — Iron Chef winner + Food Network regular. Lobster Poutine (CAD 36) + Seafood Tower (CAD 80) + atmospheric cobblestone-side dining. The Old Montreal answer to Plateau's Joe Beef.
$60-110
(CAD 80-150)
Tue-Sat 17:30-23:00
Local tip: Book 3-4 weeks ahead. Smart casual. Old Montreal location near Place d'Armes. Card + cash.
Founded 1980 + Montreal's #1 French bistro + iconic black-and-white tile floor + vintage interior + open until 2 AM weekends. Steak Frites (CAD 32) + Onion Soup Gratinée (CAD 14) + Crème Brûlée (CAD 11) are the canonical orders. Wine cellar (not BYOB — they have their own list).
$22-45
(CAD 30-60)
Daily 11:00-02:00
Local tip: Book 1 week ahead. Late-night dining culture (open until 2 AM). Plateau Saint-Denis Street location. Romantic date spot + chef + late-shift industry favorite.
Steak Tartare (CAD 22) + Confit de Canard (CAD 32) + Crème Brûlée (CAD 9) + BYOB wine from SAQ next door
BYOB (Apportez votre vin) canonical + #1 Quebec value play. Bring your own wine + pay only for food = 70%+ wine savings vs restaurant-bought. Steak Tartare (CAD 22) + Confit de Canard (CAD 32) + Crème Brûlée (CAD 9). 25-30 seats. Book 1-2 weeks ahead.
$18-37
(CAD 25-50)
Mon-Sat 17:30-22:30
Local tip: Bring wine — there's an SAQ (Quebec government wine shop) 5-min walk away. Locals' favorite value spot. Weekday 18-20 has the shortest queue. Cash + card OK.
Plateau BYOB French institution + more upscale than Le Quartier Général. Duck Magret + Foie Gras + Beef Tartare. Bring your own wine = 70%+ savings on Burgundy. 30 seats + intimate.
$30-60
(CAD 40-80)
Wed-Sat 18:00-22:30
Local tip: Book 1-2 weeks ahead. Bring premium wine (Burgundy or Bordeaux) for full BYOB value. Cash + card.
BYOB Portuguese near Chinatown. Bacalhau (salt cod, Portuguese signature) + Portuguese-style grilled chicken + flan dessert. Bring Vinho Verde or Port for full BYOB value.
$18-37
(CAD 25-50)
Tue-Sun 17:00-22:30
Local tip: Book 1-2 weeks ahead. SAQ store 10-min walk for Portuguese wine selection. Family-style sharing.
Wilensky Special (salami + bologna sandwich CAD 5.50 since 1932) + Cherry Cola + chocolate-covered marshmallow Whippet
Founded 1932 + Mile End's iconic value sandwich + the setting of Mordecai Richler's novel 'The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz.' Wilensky Special (salami + bologna with mustard, CAD 5.50, same recipe since 1932). Interior + menu unchanged in 90+ years.
$4-7
(CAD 5-10)
Mon-Sat 9:00-16:00
Local tip: Cash only. Weekday 14-16 quiet. Mile End atmosphere — feels like 1950s. Literary tourists' pilgrimage.
Park Restaurant (modern Korean-Japanese, Westmount)
Park · Westmount (Victoria Ave)
25
#4
MUST TRY
Korean-style sashimi + Hwe + Wagyu + tasting menu
Chef Antonio Park's Korean-Japanese-Latin American fusion modern + Westmount. Korean-style sashimi (hwe) + Wagyu + tasting menu. Korean diaspora + foodie pick.
$45-90
(CAD 60-120)
Tue-Sat 17:30-22:30
Local tip: Book 2-3 weeks ahead. Westmount 10-min Uber from Downtown. Smart casual.
Korean royal court Hanjeongsik + Bibimbap + Galbi + Korean dessert
Plateau Korean royal court cuisine + Hanjeongsik full-course experience. Bibimbap + Galbi + traditional Korean side dishes. Quiet authentic Korean alternative to Toronto's Koreatown scale.
$18-33
(CAD 25-45)
Tue-Sun 17:00-22:00
Local tip: Book weekends 1 week ahead. Plateau Saint-Denis area. Smaller scale than Toronto's Korean food scene.
Cortado (CAD 4.50) + Flat White (CAD 5) + Maple Latte (CAD 5 signature with Canadian maple syrup) + bakery
Plateau's #1 specialty coffee + Mile End adjacent + McGill University proximity. Cortado (CAD 4.50), Flat White (CAD 5), Maple Latte (CAD 5 — the Canadian signature). Free Wi-Fi + business + students.
$3-11
(CAD 5-15)
Daily 7:30-18:00
Local tip: Weekend 11-14 queue 30 min. Weekday 14-16 quiet. McGill University + Mile End walking distance.
La Banquise (1968, 24h, poutine), Schwartz's Deli (1928, smoked meat, take-out), Fairmount/St-Viateur Bagel (CAD 1.30/each), Wilensky's (1932, CAD 5.50, sandwich), Pho Bang (Chinatown Vietnamese), Pikolo Espresso Bar, Aroma.
Mid-Range
USD 22-60/person
L'Express (1980, French bistro, 24h), Le Quartier Général (BYOB, Plateau), Au Pied de Cochon (Foie Gras Poutine, Plateau), Pan on the Danforth (Greektown), Lawrence (Mile End, brunch), Beijing (Chinatown, Peking Duck), L'Avenue (Plateau, brunch).
Luxury
USD 60+/person
Joe Beef (David McMillan, Anthony Bourdain, Canada's 100 Best Top 5) USD 60-111, Toqué! (Normand Laprise, Relais & Châteaux) USD 74-148, Au Pied de Cochon (Martin Picard, Plateau) USD 30-74, Le Filet (Joe Beef sister, seafood + Japanese-inspired) USD 30-74. Honeymoon + anniversary courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about food and restaurants in Montreal.
If you can only have one fine-dining meal in Montreal, where?
Joe Beef (David McMillan + Frédéric Morin, Anthony Bourdain's signature Montreal restaurant, $60-110, Canada's 100 Best Top 5) is the #1 pick. Lobster Spaghetti + Foie Gras Double Down + carnival atmosphere. Runner-up Toqué! (Normand Laprise, $74-148, Relais & Châteaux, smart casual) for canonical modern Quebec. Value pick Au Pied de Cochon (Martin Picard, Foie Gras Poutine signature, $30-74). Premium pick Mousso (★ Michelin 2024, Hochelaga, $110-185). All four book 1-3 months ahead.
Is La Banquise really the best poutine?
Tourist #1 is La Banquise (1968, Plateau, 24h, 30 varieties, $7-15) with 30-60 min queue. Locals prefer Au Pied de Cochon (premium Foie Gras Poutine $21) or Patati Patata (Plateau casual, $6). 24h late-night → La Banquise; premium signature → Au Pied de Cochon; locals' value → Patati Patata. Poutine is Quebec's signature — Canada's #1 dish.
Fairmount vs St-Viateur — Montreal bagel rivalry?
Fairmount Bagel (1919, $1/each, slightly sweeter, smaller, sesame canonical) vs St-Viateur Bagel (1957, $1/each, slightly larger + softer, 5 branches + cafe option). Both in Mile End within 5-min walk + 24h + honey-water boiled + wood-fired oven = Montreal authentic. Eternal debate — try both to pick your side. 24-bagel vacuum pack $11-19 is a great souvenir (1-week shelf life).
Schwartz's vs Lester's — smoked meat where?
Schwartz's Deli (1928, Plateau Boulevard Saint-Laurent, $10-19, queue 30 min-1 hour, Celine Dion + her husband co-owners since 2012) is the #1 pick. Medium Fat is the canonical order. Skip the queue at the take-out window next door (5-10 min) or weekday 14-17 walk-in. Lester's (Outremont outskirts, $10, shorter queue) is the value option. Both are smoked meat + Montreal signature.
BYOB (bring your own wine) restaurants value?
BYOB is 'Apportez votre vin' Quebec-specific dining culture + 70%+ wine savings vs restaurant-bought. Le Quartier Général (Plateau, $18-37, Steak Tartare + Confit de Canard), Christophe (Plateau, $30-60, French), O Cantinho (Chinatown, $18-37, Portuguese) are the canonical picks. Buy wine at the nearest SAQ (Quebec government wine shop, walking distance from the restaurant). Most cost-efficient Montreal dining culture.
Are there Korean restaurants?
Smaller Korean food scene than Toronto's Koreatown. Restaurant Manna (Plateau, authentic Korean royal Hanjeongsik, $18-33) + Park (Westmount, Chef Antonio Park's Korean-Japanese-Latin fusion modern, $45-90) + Bahn Mi Mi (Chinatown, Vietnamese-Korean snacks fusion, $9-19). H Mart-style Korean supermarkets limited — Korean ingredients mainly at Asian markets in Chinatown.
Sugar Shack maple syrup season?
Mid-March to mid-April + Quebec's #1 cultural signature. 1-hour drive outskirts Cabane à sucre farm + maple syrup direct harvest + traditional Quebec family meal with sausages + beans + tourtière + tire d'érable (maple syrup poured on snow). $33-52/person family meal. Au Pied de Cochon Sugar Shack (Martin Picard, book 3 months ahead, sells out the day reservations open) + Sucrerie de la Montagne (family value pick) are the top picks. Canadian signature experience not replicable elsewhere.
Top 5 must-eats in Montreal?
1) Smoked Meat Sandwich Medium Fat (Schwartz's, 1928, $10, the Montreal signature). 2) Montreal Bagel (Fairmount 1919 or St-Viateur 1957, $1/each, honey water + wood-fired oven). 3) Classic Poutine (La Banquise, 24h, $7-15, Quebec signature). 4) Foie Gras Poutine or Joe Beef tasting (modern Quebec fine dining, $21-110). 5) Sugar Shack maple syrup experience (March-April, outskirts farm, $33-90, Canadian signature). All five total $130-280/person — Joe Beef + Sugar Shack drive most of the cost.
Where's the best Montreal brunch?
Plateau leads — L'Avenue (1986, Eggs Benedict 5 types $18-22, Instagram top pick, weekend queue 1-2 hours) is the canonical. Beauty's Luncheonette (1942 Jewish diner, Beauty's Special bagel + smoked salmon $18, weekend queue 1-2 hours). Mile End — Lawrence (Eggs Benedict $22, weekend queue 1 hour) is the trendy pick. Old Montreal — Olive et Gourmando (1998, Croque Monsieur + Pain Perdu $15-35, queue 30 min). For Champagne luxury — Maison Boulud Sunday Brunch at Ritz-Carlton ($70).
Vegetarian + vegan options in Montreal?
Strong scene. LOV (multiple locations, modern vegan French bistro $22-45) is the most-visited vegan restaurant. Aux Vivres (Plateau, vegan cafe + grain bowls $15-30) is the budget pick. Antidote Foodlab (Plateau, vegan fine dining $30-60) is the upscale. Many Italian + Indian + Lebanese restaurants in Mile End offer extensive vegetarian menus. BYOB restaurants typically accommodate vegetarians with notice. Plant-based scene growing faster than Toronto or Vancouver.
More on Montreal
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — plan the rest of your trip.
Jimmy Kong
TripPick founder · Travel content creator
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.
8+ years analyzing travel data
30+ countries visited
Live exchange rate verified
Canada