Straddling the southwest edge of Montréal, Griffintown and Little Burgundy interlock to form one of the city's most dynamic dining corridors, where heritage and history meet a new wave of creative food culture. Once the heart of Montréal's industrial era, Griffintown was shaped by Irish labourers in the early 19th century and later transformed into a hub of factories, workshops, and canalside warehouses. Today, those same brick buildings are scarce and have been replaced by condo towers housing some of the city's most exciting restaurants, cafés, breweries, and bakeries.
Next door, Little Burgundy carries its own rich history. Known as the birthplace of Canadian jazz and home to legends like Oscar Peterson, it has long been a multicultural neighbourhood defined by artistry and resilience. In recent years, it has blossomed into a culinary hotspot where fine dining, natural wine bars, third-wave cafés, and indie food shops coexist just steps from the Lachine Canal.
Together, Griffintown and Little Burgundy form an irresistible playground for Montréal food lovers. Let's dive into the best spots these two neighbourhoods have to offer.
Coffee first!
Little Burgundy and Griffintown offer a rich coffee circuit that blends neighbourhood charm with destination cafés. Long-standing Lili et Oli anchors the area with its warm, lived-in feel and classic espresso drinks, while September Surf brings breezy West-Coast energy and third-wave coffee culture. Try their amazing pancakes! Over in Griffintown, White Heron excels with meticulous brews in a sleek, minimalist space, and Café Lali pairs coffee with an artsy gallery setting. Maman Café offers French-inspired pastries and a cozy rustic bohemian vibe, while Baristello delivers impeccable Italian-style espresso with refined precision.
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Restaurants
551 Rue Saint-Martin, Montreal, H3J 2L6
Tucked down a quiet back alley in Little Burgundy, Restaurant Candide still feels like a hidden discovery even after ten years. Set inside a former 19th-century presbytery, the intimate space with its warm brick, soft lighting, and banquettes, and tables built from old church pews is the perfect backdrop for chef John Winter Russell and team's deeply seasonal, Quebec-driven cuisine. The four-course fixed menu changes often, guided by local harvests, foragers, and Candide's own stack of preserves. A thoughtfully curated natural-leaning wine list and a leafy summer terrace complete the experience, making Candide one of the neighbourhood's most soulful dining destinations.
1638 Rue Notre-Dame O., Montreal, H3J 1M1
Just off Notre-Dame West in the heart of Griffintown, Foxy draws you in with its moody, fire-lit warmth and seductive, wood-fired cooking. Everything here is centered around its open hearth where vegetables, meats, and flatbreads get kissed by smoke and flame. The dark, intimate room, all rich woods and flickering light, sets the stage for bold yet elegant dishes. Owner and sommelière Véronique Dalle has put together a smartly curated wine list that's perfect for cocooning. With its refined energy and quietly magnetic atmosphere, Foxy remains one of the Southwest's most distinctive and reliably great dining rooms.
1752 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, H3J 1M3
A bright, contemporary standout on Notre-Dame West, Nolan brings a fresh, quietly confident energy to the neighbourhood. Its minimalist, warm-wood interior sets the stage for a menu rooted in refined comfort and where seasonal small plates feel both approachable and chef-driven. The cooking is precise without being precious, and the relaxed service makes it an easy go-to for everything from date nights to casual dinners with friends. The long communal table is perfect for gatherings or to chat up strangers over a glass of wine. A smart wine list and inventive cocktails round out Nolan's appeal, making it one of the area's most reliable modern eateries.
Nestled on Notre-Dame West, HENI-meaning "jovial" in Arabic-offers a beautifully crafted gastronomic experience rooted in SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) flavours. Chef Julien Robillard reimagines regional classics through the lens of seasonal Quebec ingredients: kibbeh nayyeh brightened with ramps and caper berries, hummus whipped into a delicate espuma, baba ghanouj reborn as an ice cream. The decor and staff are warm, echoing the hospitality found in these regions. Heni's wine program is a treat with some rarely found, privately imported, Lebanese, Palestinian and Mediterranean wines. Downstairs, Badin-a hidden lounge-brings soft, late-night conviviality.
1169 Rue Ottawa, Montreal, H3C 1S6
Pizzéria Elena is the much-anticipated New York-style pizza counter from the team behind beloved Nora Gray, Elena, and Gia restaurants. Located in Griffintown, it offers 18″ pizzas with ultra-thin crusts, crispy edges and that unmistakable sourdough tang. The menu includes staples like Margherita and pepperoni pies, as well as signature ones like the "Dany" with spinach, buffalo mozzarella, sesame, and spicy honey. The menu is short, with 7 pizza choices, one salad and one sandwich option as well as soft serve. The space is minimalist, with a counter running along the sunny windows to lean and enjoy your slice or your pie.
Joe Beef / Liverpool House / Vin Papillon
Little Burgundy's dining scene wouldn't be the same without the celebrated trio of Joe Beef, Liverpool House, and Vin Papillon-three neighbouring restaurants that share a philosophy of indulgence, seasonality, and heartfelt hospitality. Joe Beef remains the flagship, a boisterous, iconic Montreal institution where rich, unapologetic French-inspired dishes anchor the experience. Next door, Liverpool House offers a slightly more relaxed, homey atmosphere, known for its generous seafood platters, comforting pastas, and lively dining room. Just steps away, Vin Papillon takes a lighter, garden-centric approach, showcasing vegetables, pristine seafood, and natural wines in an intimate, softly glowing space with one of the best terrasses in the city. Together, they form one of the city's best known culinary clusters, distinct in personality, yet united in spirit.
2507 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, H3J 1N6
Lulu Épicerie's Instagram bio reads, "Maybe you're not homesick. Maybe you just miss home." It's a feeling that resonates the moment you step inside. The familiar aromas, and nostalgic details echo the Lebanon of my childhood. Lulu nourishes both appetite and memory with its comforting shawarma, perfectly grilled meats, and manakeesh, the beloved Lebanese flatbreads topped with cheese or zaatar and baked in a traditional oven. They are my favourite street food. They capture the simplicity and generosity of Lebanon's food culture, making Lulu Épicerie a place where nostalgia and flavour meet.
988 Rue Ottawa, Montreal, H3C 1S3
A Griffintown gem, Mano Cornuto feels like a slice of Italy reimagined through a Montreal lens. Founded in 2019 by a team of restaurateurs with a collective experience that includes Foxy, Garde-Manger, and Crew, the space blends daytime, on-the-go Italian staples with the relaxed charm of a nighttime restaurant. By day, it's all espresso, schiacciate and fresh pasta. Come nighttime, it shifts into an aperitivo bar with Italian-inspired cocktails, natural wines, fresh pasta, and fish and meat mains. The interior and the friendly staff channel an unmistakable Mediterranean warmth, while the outdoor terrasse is a definite added attraction in the summer.
Baguettes, pastries and more
The Little Burgundy-Griffintown neighbourhoods are a haven for bread lovers and pastry seekers alike. Miette, a minimalist bakery with serious heart tucked into a side street close to the Atwater Market, focuses on 100% sourdough loaves made with long fermentation and local organic flours. Mollo Boulangerie brings a broader bakery feel, with classic viennoiseries and breads in its neighbourhood outposts. Over in Griffintown, L'Amour du Pain offers traditional French-style baguettes, croissants, and a full ready‑to-eat counter. And just a couple of blocks south is La Bête à Pain, a grand space that blends a bread bakery, café, and restaurant under one roof. Their oven-fired breads, croissants, and sweet pastries are made in full view of the open kitchen and are some of the best in the city.
Cheers!
Little Burgundy and Griffintown also shine after dark, thanks to a tight cluster of beloved bars. La Buvette du Dep (Le Petit Dep after 4pm) offers a cozy, low-key setting for natural wines, cocktails, elevated bar food and pizzas, while Drinkerie Ste-Cunégonde remains a neighbourhood classic with its retro vibe, indie soundtrack, and solid beer-and-cocktail lineup. Brasseur de Montréal brings the craft-beer energy with house made brews served in a laid-back brewpub setting complete with comfort-food staples. Nearby, Stem Bar leans sleek and modern, pouring natural wines alongside inventive small plates.
Below are other food stops you may want to explore while you're in Griffintown and Little Burgundy food:
Shay, Maman, India Rosa, Mignon Steak, Fugazzi, Barley, Sunny's Dinette, Bagels Le Trou, Petros, Sandwicherie Sue, Pizzéria No. 900, La Scacciata, Burgundy Lion, Le Richmond.
