L'Express functions as a definitive pillar of classic bistro culture, showcasing a commitment to traditional French techniques through a focused and meticulously prepared menu. The kitchen specializes in seasoned raw meat preparations, including signature tartare variations that serve as the hallmark of the culinary program. Guests encounter an atmosphere defined by iconic tiled floors, bentwood chairs, and a long zinc bar that anchors the bustling room. Staff execute table service with precision and efficiency, maintaining a steady tempo throughout the facility. The menu prioritizes authentic preparations such as bone marrow, confit de canard, and artisanal cheeses, highlighting a devotion to timeless culinary standards. This establishment operates with a singular focus on consistent quality, ensuring that every dish reflects the core identity of the bistro format through technical rigor and dependable execution.
L'Express is widely celebrated as an iconic Montreal institution that offers an authentic and timeless Parisian bistro experience. Guests frequently praise the consistently delicious classic French cuisine, highlighting standout dishes such as the duck confit, steak frites, bone marrow, and the signature Ile Flottante dessert. The welcoming atmosphere is often described as vibrant, cozy, and elegant, perfectly complemented by a professional and attentive service team. Many diners appreciate the unique touches, such as the complimentary jar of gherkins and mustard served at every table, as well as the extensive and well curated wine list. While the popular, bustling dining room can become quite loud and tables are closely spaced, most visitors find that the high quality of the food and the charming, energetic vibe make it a must visit destination that provides excellent value for a memorable dining experience.
En entrant la première fois dans la salle à manger de l'express, le décor m'a donné l'impression de me retrouver à Paris dans une autre époque! Sur les murs, les nombreuses photos, prises chaque année, des équipes de cuisine & de service qui font vivre ce restaurant rappellent la longue vie de cette institution & donnent bien du charme à l'endroit.
J'aime ce restaurant. & pourtant, c'est terriblement bruyant quand la salle à manger est pleine. J'ai alors l'impression de me retrouver dans une ruche qui bourdonne!
J'aime l'Express & pourtant, les tables sont très proches les unes des autres & la conversation des voisins peut être parfois dérangeante.
J'aime l'Express même si la classique assiette de rognons de veau à la crème semble à mes yeux contenir malheureusement de moins en moins de rognons. J'ai donc de moins en moins le goût de commander ce plat qui a longtemps été mon favori. La sauce demeure tout de même richement décadente!
Pourquoi donc j'aime cet endroit?
Par ce que c'est un bistrot français genereux, de qualité constante, où la baguette de pain est savoureuse & croustillante & les cornichons offerts par la maison sont à volonté,
Parce que vous pouvez vous y attabler du midi jusque tard dans la nuit tous les jours,
Par ce que plusieurs des plats classiques de cette belle maison demeurent sur la carte malgré les années qui passent & que je suis toujours content de les y retrouver. C'est une des rares places où vous pouvez manger des os à moelle servis de façon classique & une très bonne rémoulade. Vous pouvez aussi y manger des plats plus modernes.
Le service est habituellement très professionnel & a beaucoup d'élégance & de style!
Lors de mon dernier repas à l'Express, nous avons mangé un succulent boudin noir aux pommes, un délicieux poulet de Cornouaille qui explosait de saveurs, le décadent pâté de foie & une énorme île flottante. C'était très bon, bien fait & bien servi! & la carte des vins demeure formidable.
L'Express was easily one of the best dining experiences we had in Montréal.
From the outside, the restaurant does not look flashy or overly polished, & I actually loved that. It feels understated & authentic. Once inside, everything changes. The service is incredibly professional, precise, & polished. The staff were excellent, & the whole experience felt almost perfectly orchestrated, like everyone knew exactly what they were doing.
The food was outstanding. We started with the chicken liver pâté, which was unbelievably smooth & rich almost like butter. The herring & the other appetizers were excellent as well.
For our main courses, we had the duck confit & the steak with fries, & both were fantastic. The duck was flavorful & beautifully prepared, & the steak & fries were exactly what you want from a classic French bistro.
Even the little details stood out. The cornichons they served were delicious & somehow became one of those small things we kept talking about afterward.
We had such a great time that before we even left, we made another reservation to come back again. That probably says everything.
Wonderful food, excellent service, no unnecessary pretension just a very well-run restaurant that knows exactly what it is doing. One of our favorite meals in Montréal.
Went to L'Express last night & absolutely loved it. Proper old-school French bistro cooking & a chilled atmosphere.
We started with céleri rémoulade, mousse de foies de volaille aux pistaches & os à moelle with fleur de sel - all excellent. For mains, we shared a beef tartare & a croque-monsieur, both of which were brilliant.
We drank a 2020 Riesling Kastelberg Grand Cru by André & Yann Durrmann, from Alsace in north-eastern France. Kastelberg is one of Alsace's Grand Cru vineyards, on the steep slopes around the village of Andlau, & is known for its schist soils & very mineral, high-acid Rieslings. This was dry, fresh & beautifully mineral, & worked brilliantly with the food.
Callum on staff is exceptional. This is someone who could be at any fine dining establishment anywhere in the world. Bravo! A gentleman like this makes l'express the institution that it is in Montreal.
After calling ahead in the morning, we were happily accommodated despite the restaurant being fully booked-a wonderful start to the experience. The dining room strikes a charming balance between casual & elegant, providing a lovely ambiance complemented by a great wine list & a friendly server. The meal featured standout dishes like the near-perfect confit duck, tender & rare steak, & an outstanding poached salmon paired with chervil mash. While the crunchy, vinegary celeriac would have benefited from a richer companion to balance it out, & the fries unfortunately missed the mark with a limp texture, the exceptional service & overall delicious food made for a truly memorable dinner.
Old school Parisian style French bistro, open since 1980. The menu is very traditional French bistro: beef carpaccio, grilled octopus with romesco, smoked herring, steak tartare, duck confit, homemade ravioli, hanger steak & fries, salmon, plus seasonal specials like marinated scallops & Nordic shrimp. Think black-&-white tile, mirrors, tightly packed tables, a long bar, lots of wine & a room that stays buzzy late. The big advantage: you can eat extremely late. The restaurant's official site currently lists hours until 1:00 AM every night. The wine menu is extensive, the cocktails simple. The food- large menu with something for everyone. We had the liver pate with pistachios which was amazing & the beef tartare which is done perfectly the classic Parisian way.
Our waiter was so helpful & patient with us while asking him questions about the menu. The food itself delivered at the price level. Rich, clean ingredients with minimal salt & tasteful pairings.
I forgot to take a picture but their steak frittes were exceptional. Fresh sliced peppercorn & herbs all over the cut! Delightful.
