Discover Montreal through its vibrant food scene with this curated guide to the citys best culinary tours. From historic markets and legendary bagels to craft breweries and multicultural eateries, these expert-led experiences offer a deep, delicious look into the heart of Montreal culture.
Montreal isn't just a great food city; it's a living culinary culture at the crossroads of North America and Europe. Creative, season-driven and local, it celebrates ingredients, natural wines and year-round festivals, with a democratic dining scene from six-seat counters to candlelit rooms.
Old Montreal fuses stunning architecture and deep history with a dynamic food scene. It is home to hidden gems, internationally acclaimed restaurants, and beloved locals' staples, from elegant brasseries to intimate tasting rooms. Iconic spots like Club Chasse et Pêche and Olive et Gourmando anchor its diverse dining landscape.
Hotel William Gray marks its 10th anniversary with Freddi, a new bar and dining destination in Old Montreal. Freddi functions as a social hub blending food, design and atmosphere, open daily from lunch to dinner with weekend brunch; a 50-seat space under a glass roof offers Japanese-inspired shareables, signature cocktails and curated wines, led by Chef Konstantin Chakhnov.
Located at the Quai de l’Horloge, Plural is one of Canada’s largest contemporary art fairs, celebrating current artistic practices. Here’s a selection of spots to grab lunch in the Old Port before or after your visit to the exhibition.
Montreal Bungee reopens on April 18 with night jumps, extended hours to 10pm from June 1, and a new Tiki Bar in the Old Port. On Saturdays, jumpers can enjoy stunning views of the Loto-Québec fireworks for a unique nighttime thrill, while friends and family watch from Quai des Convoyeurs and soak in the summer vibe.
Food and music converge at SonoLux in Old Montreal, pairing LUMI's nine- or fourteen-course contemporary seasonal menus with Subterra's DJ sets and full album vinyl sessions inside Quebec's first art-exhibiting hotel, uniting gastronomy, art, and music.
Mezcla offers a refined French-Peruvian fine dining experience in Capisco, Old Montreal. Led by chef Marcel Olivier Larrea with David Dumay and David Schmidt, it blends French technique with Peruvian flavors on a tasting menu and cocktail program by Joseph David, featuring razor clam and melon ceviche, papa rellena, and alpaca al carbon.
Autumn arrives at Paparmane with a seasonal menu by executive chef Yoann Bouyer, featuring warm bites like a moist pumpkin cake, double-baked apple tartlet, butternut squash crostini, and a Philly-inspired little sandwich, plus an Autumn Flavors take-out box for home. Reservations open in Old Montreal.
Old Montreal's historic streets invite a flavorful daytime dining stroll, from cafés to inventive lunches and brunches. Discover a variety of spots with unique vibes and curated menus, including La Cave a Manger, Café Olimpico, Olive et Gourmando, Mandy's, Crew Collective & Café, and more.
Chez Delmo, a Montreal institution since 1907 in Old Montreal, specializes in seafood and fish with a timeless, authentic dining experience. From Dover sole meuniere to Thermidor lobster, it blends tradition with seasonal ingredients, reviving in 2011 to continue as a landmark for locals and visitors alike.
Gray Collection's hotels earn three of four spots in Condé Nast Traveler's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards, with The Metcalfe Hotel in Ottawa, Hotel William Gray, and L'Auberge du Vieux-Port in Montreal recognized, highlighting the group's hospitality excellence in Montreal and Ottawa.
The former Boris Bistro at 465 McGill Street becomes Romies, a modern American bistro by Alexandre Cohen and Raegan Steinberg, with an industrial-vintage interior by Annika Krausz, a chic bar and courtyard, a curated wine list, and a menu from beef tartare to filet mignon, ideal for date nights or gathering with friends.
Kwizinn moves from Verdun to Old Montreal's Bonsecours Market, redefining Afro-Caribbean dining with Michael Lafaille, Claudia Fiorilli and executive chef Céline Diallo. The two-area set-up features bar lounge and events room, 80 inside/40 outside, a growing terrace, shared plates and weekly DJs, brunches.
Bonaparte in Old Montreal, housed in a historic Saint-Francois-Xavier Street building beside the Centaur Theatre, celebrates its 40th anniversary with upscale French cuisine in three rooms for 112 seats and a theater menu, wine pairings, gluten-free options, and anniversary cocktails; OpenTable lists it among its top 100 romantic restaurants.
Annexe BreWskey is a boutique bar and smokehouse in Old Montreal's Marché Bonsecours, serving on-site brews, whiskies and cocktails, plus smoked bites like salmon nuggets and pulled pork. With a Prohibition-era vibe, terraces and a retail boutique, it suits groups or casual visits.
Seiyuan in Old Montreal blends Japanese tradition with historic charm, offering fresh sushi, flavorful poke bowls, and a curated sake selection, with takeaway options from 143 rue de la Commune. A new kitchen team ensures authenticity, top hygiene, and meticulous quality for an unforgettable dining experience.
Pincette Lobster Bar in Old Montreal serves quality catches from the Canadian East Coast with a year-round lobster menu, a full raw bar, seafood platters, lobster rolls, and gourmet lobster classics, crafted for locals and visitors alike, open seven days for dinner and take-out at 94, rue Saint-Paul E.