Sometimes you just want a quiet night out. Whether it's a date, a family get-together with someone with so-so hearing or a solo meal where you don't want to hear every word of the conversation at the next table, here are some cool, quiet places in Montreal that keep it loud on the flavour front.
116 Rue McGill, Montreal, H2Y 2E5
Read also:
Ultimate Guide to Fine Dining in Montreal
Now, this might not be true at the height of a business-day lunchtime, when all of Old Montreal seems to gather here to make deals over Chef Graziella Battista's stellar Italian classics, but come a little early, a little late or on the weekend, and you'll find this beautiful graystone building on McGill to be a refuge with a velvety atmosphere and definite chill zones. Savour your meltingly tender osso bucco or your spinach gnocchi with the quiet veneration they deserve.
900 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle, Montreal, H2Z 2B2
This altar of Montreal fine cuisine isn't a casual-Tuesday place to most, but boy, is it serene. Make those reservations in advance (even more so now that Chef Normand Laprise has earned himself the 50 Best Icon Award 2025) and relish every moment of the peace, quiet and contemplation that accompany every meal here. From your incredibly refined starter of local foie-gras terrine with corn sabayon and lacto-fermented blueberries to your end-of-meal mignardise, the only sounds you'll be hearing - beside discreet classical music - are occasional gasps of delight.
355 Rue McGill, Montreal, H2Y 2E8
Generosity is the name of the game at this dark enclave in Old Montreal, where space abounds within the outsized semi-circular banquettes and between tables, so that every party feels they have their own space. The vibe is "party" at dinnertime, but come a little earlier and dive into the sushi selection and a deep conversation you'll actually be able to hear. The menu is rich with 5-star choices, like the pork cheek bao bun and the hamachi crudo with sesame, bonito, arare and yuzu kosho, but select the chef's choice of nigiri and you'll come out happy.
98 Rue Laurier O, Montreal, H2T 2N4
The perfect spot for an after-work catch-up or an intimate date, the Kabinet space on chic Laurier West limits its noise and clatter by its sheer smallness. It's also got a living-room feel with its muted colour palette, its little niches and small marble-top tables, which make it cozy and relaxed. The house cocktails are yummy and the wine selection interesting, great to pair with small shareable dishes like the perfectly bitter winter salad of Brussels sprouts, radicchio and bacon bits.
3807 Rue St-André, Montreal, H2L 3V9
Nestled in a part of the Plateau that makes parking a nightmare, not gonna lie, this off-the-beaten-path Vietnamese restaurant SHOULD be loud because of how great it is, but it never is. Take advantage of it being our little secret for a bit longer and dig into their scrumptious crispy nems and their beautifully presented rare beef pho, served with broth and veggies on the side, for absolute premium beef-rareness.
4806 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, H2V 4E6
It has loud moments for sure, if a party of 10 happens to book one of the back tables, but most days of the week this original location of the Greek mainstay on Parc Avenue near the mountain is premium chill date territory. Not only will you feel bubbled up at your pretty table for two, twinkling Greek music playing in the background, you'll be the perfect number of people for the generous sharing platters. Go for the Mediterranean one: a mountain of fried calamari, mussels, octopus and shrimp.
219 Avenue Mont Royal O, Montreal, H2T 2T2
The dark, moody atmosphere that reigns at this Plateau fish-forward restaurant makes it feel like you're in the belly of the whale, so the hushed vibe kind of creates itself, no matter how busy it happens to be. With spot lighting theatrically focused on each table and a sharing-plate format that encourages intimate exchange, this is a great place for small groups to come and relax together. There is a din, so not so good for hearing aids, but it remains relaxing… and delicious.
1228 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montreal, H3G 1H6
You could say you'll pay for your privacy and this luxurious eatery in the Ritz-Carlton Montréal, but sometimes it's worth it for the guarantee that you'll be experiencing peace and quiet for everyone at the table. The space between tables guarantees no conversational cross-contamination, and the low sound-level ensures you'll hear what your dinner mates are saying. Pick something typically Daniel Boulud on the menu, like the roasted scallops with crispy polenta or the royal quail with chanterelles and cherry jus, and you won't regret the investment.
406 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, H2Y 1S1
The best place for a quiet tête-à-tête à this popular Old Montréal restaurant is at the bar, where the milling conversation and festive atmosphere will fade away into a pleasant din in the background. Watch the kitchen artfully produce dishes like sweetbreads with maitake mushrooms, peanuts, carrots and a XO sauce while getting deep in conversation, as if you're alone in the world.
9 Avenue Fairmount E, Montreal, H2T 1C7
If you have visions of the brunchtime lineups at their next-door restaurant, Larrys, think again: the tasting menu format at Lawrence, only open three evenings a week, makes for a quiet, chill and velvety experience to the max. The relaxed atmosphere of this small Mile End hangout belies the sophistication of the market-fresh dishes, where unusual butcher cuts and surprising cultural mashups will surprise and delight every time.
If you are looking for restaurants with a cozy atmosphere, we've got you covered for that as well.
