Welcome to the immensely rich universe of Montreal's gastronomy, a masterpiece canvas woven with diversity and creativity. Montreal stands atop the culinary echelon, a recognition showcased through various distinctions such as the prestigious Lauriers de la Gastronomie québécoise, Canada's 100 Best Restaurants, and accolades from Wine Spectator and Forbes.
The metropolis distinguishes itself with its unique culinary scene, offering a symphony of immensely varied flavours, artistic creations, and global influences. Each restaurant, honoured in national and international rankings, is a centrepiece in this gustatory mosaic.
So, you can just simply put yourself on this journey through Montreal, a city whose gastronomic diversity is celebrated by renowned distinctions. Each accolade, each restaurant is a doorway to a world of flavours, an invitation to discover the richness and authenticity of Montreal's gastronomy.
Les Lauriers
The Lauriers de la Gastronomie québécoise is an annual ceremony that aims to honour the exceptional talents of the Quebec culinary industry through the presentation of 17 official awards.
Read also:Most Notable Celebrity Chefs in Montreal
174-176 Rue St Viateur O, Montreal, H2T 2L3
Ad
Île Flottante, a restaurant in Montreal, offers a tasting menu highlighting vegetables, meats, and seafood. The chic and understated decor, recently expanded, accommodates 48 seats with a glass kitchen. Creative and changing 3, 5, or 7-course menus. Wine list by Lévi Gobeil starting at $45. Weekly cocktails at around $12. They are laureates in the "Best Restaurant of the Year" category.
740 Rue William, Montréal, H3C 1P1
Mélanie Blanchette, award-winning head waiter, and winner of the best service award, contributes to the success of the French brasserie Place Carmin in Old Montreal, created by Chef François Nadon. Open for lunch (Mon-Fri) and dinner, the brasserie offers a refined and accessible menu with dishes such as grilled beef, duck breast, and veal sweetbreads in the crust. The well-balanced wine list offers well-known appellations.
1231 Rue Lajoie, Montréal, H2V 1P2
Alma, nestled in the heart of Outremont, embodies the culinary vision of Chef Juan Lopez Luna (nominated in the category: Chef of the Year). Celebrating the flavours of Mexico, Catalan wines, and local Quebec products, the restaurant offers a magical experience. Options include a 9-course carte blanche menu at $109 per person and a 5-course menu at $79. Alma has been honoured in several prestigious lists, including Top 100 in Canada and the Top 38 according to Eater Montreal in 2022, as well as in Food Network Canada's Big Food Bucket List in 2022 and En Route Best New Restaurants in 2019.
Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023
150 Rue St-Zotique E, Montréal, H2S 1K8
Mon Lapin, voted #1 in the prestigious Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023 list, has been offering a unique culinary experience for five years. Co-chefs Marc-Olivier Frappier and Jessica Noël present a daily Quebecois menu, letting the magic happen. Dishes, such as the scallop croque and trout caviar cabbage, are always a surprise. Owners Marc-Antoine Gélinas, Vanya Filipovic, and Alex Landry ensure a memorable experience, combining delicious dishes with an eclectic wine list.
Ad
3900 Rue Éthel, Montréal, H4G 1S4
Beba, ranked 8th in Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023 and nominated for Restaurant of the Year by Lauriers, is an intimate restaurant in Verdun inspired by Spanish and Italian cultures in Argentina. The 28-seat bistro, true to its Argentine and Jewish roots, offers a skillful fusion of Spanish and Italian influences with dishes like Chef Ari Schor's Iwashi Montadito. Anais Flebus's wine list highlights organic and low-intervention bottles. A friendly and relaxed place worth a visit.
406 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, H2Y 1S1
Ad
Le Monarque, ranked 16th in Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023 and recipient of the award for best restaurants of the year at the Lauriers, is a vast, elegant brasserie in the heart of Old Montreal with 175 seats. Chef Jérémie Bastien offers classic French cuisine with a contemporary twist, including an exceptional bouillabaisse and an aged beef program. The service is skillful, the wine list extensive, and the decor, combining raw and rich materials, offers a remarkable gastronomic experience in this historic building dating back to 1845. A Montreal must-visit.
Wine Spectator: Best of Award of Excellence
Wine Spectator evaluates over 15,000 wines annually in blind tastings. Each magazine issue features between 400 and 1,000 detailed wine reviews with consumption recommendations, following strict standards to ensure evaluation integrity.
LE COUREUR DES BOIS BISTRO GOURMAND
1810 Rue Richelieu, Beloeil, J3G 4S4
Le Coureur des Bois Bistro Gourmand has received the Grand Award from Wine Spectator for the FIFTH consecutive year. The internationally renowned wine cellar offers more than 5000 labels and an inventory of over 18,000 bottles. The menu, signed by Jean-Sébastien Giguère, features seasonal terroir cuisine, showcasing local products. With the Grand Award of Excellence title since 2018, the restaurant is also recognized by Wine Spectator among the top 100 in the world. A place dedicated to making the richness of the vine accessible to all.
386 Rue Richmond, Montréal, H3J 1T9
Ayla has won the prestigious Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for its list of over 350 selections, covering various regions and styles, with a remarkable vintage depth. Ayla's team, led by sommelier Reynald, is praised for its teamwork, staff training, and dedication. Ayla's Mediterranean menu, inspired by the conviviality of the East, offers easily shareable dishes that combine traditional spices and coastal flavours with a contemporary culinary vision.
1446 Rue Peel, Montréal, H3A 1S8
4095 Rue Molson, Montréal, H1Y 3L1
Hoogan et Beaufort, winner of the Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator since 2021 and selected for Lauriers 2023 as the best restaurant of the year, offers a modern and refined experience. Led by chef-owner Marc-André Jetté, the restaurant offers modern, precise, and creative cuisine, highlighting balances of flavours and textures. In the industrial atmosphere of the Angus shops in Montreal, Hoogan et Beaufort will impress you with its quality, product selection, and commitment to a kitchen without processed products.
340 Rue de la Gauchetière O, Montréal, H2Z 0B9
Restaurant H3, honored with the Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator since 2021, led by chef Jean-Sébastien Giguère, presents a cuisine representing the diversity of the Quebec terroir. The restaurant offers one of the most impressive wine cellars in Montreal, with over 6,000 bottles, including 1,500 references. Focused on seasonality, the restaurant highlights exceptional local products. Located in the heart of Montreal, H3 offers three distinct atmospheres: a panoramic restaurant room, a lounge animated by talented mixologists, and a terrace promising a change of scenery on the 9th floor in summer.
47 Rue Green, Saint-Lambert, J4P 1S2
Primi Piatti in Saint-Lambert received the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in 2022. Since its opening in 2008, the restaurant has unquestionably been a jewel on the South Shore of Montreal. Selected among the top 500 restaurants in Quebec by the Guide Debeur, Primi Piatti welcomes you in chic decor, highlighting wood-fired pizzas and high-quality Italian dishes. The wine cellar offers a careful selection of the world's best vineyards, constantly evolving to represent trends and wine traditions.
According to Forbes:
401 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montréal, H2Y 1V2
Bvrger, located in Old Montreal and praised by Forbes, is a vegan restaurant led by Chef Christian Ventura. The menu offers 11 creative interpretations of burgers, such as a "Surf and Turf" with vegan steak and fake lobster tempura. Irresistible vegan milkshakes, including pistachio-raspberry. The 30-seat setting, adorned with a hydroponic plant wall and forest decor, harmonizes with Ventura's plant-centred cuisine. Notable additions include Korean-style vegan chicken, black garlic poutine, and creative accompaniments.
153 Rue St-Amable, Montréal, H2Y 1E7
According to Forbes, Le Perché, perched atop the Hôtel William Gray, offers exceptional views of Place Jacques-Cartier, cocktails, and appetizing fish tacos. Perched on the 4th floor, this chic and green urban oasis offers a healthy menu with Californian flavours. A terrace perched in the heart of Old Montreal, heated for comfort, is a summer essential.
1361 Avenue Mont-Royal E, Montréal, H2J 1Y8
In the Plateau neighbourhood, the Malaysian restaurant Satu Lagi, recommended by Forbes, offers delights such as Kari Ayam and Rendang Daging. Chic and contemporary, its decor is inspired by Asian restaurants with rattan fixtures and a vegetal ambiance. Chef Jérôme Villarasa, formerly of Krapow and Vin Papillon, offers about twenty shareable dishes inspired by Indo-Malaysian cuisine, all gluten-free certified. Cocktails reflecting love for Southeast Asian cuisine and a well-thought-out wine selection complement the dishes. An ideal place for a romantic evening or with friends.
59 Rue Beaubien E, Montréal, H2S 1R1
Forbes recommends Le Vieux Vélo, located in the Petite-Italie neighbourhood, for its exceptional brunches and retro decor. Le Vieux Vélo stands out for its intimate atmosphere and a concept focused on simple dishes, quality comfort food, and a lasting retro aesthetic. A must-visit for lovers of delicious and affordable breakfasts in Montreal.
Canada's 50 Best Bars 2023
2175 Rue de la Montagne #100, Montréal, H3G 1Z8
Ranked second in Canada's 50 Best Bars 2023 and respectively 35th and 45th in North America's 50 Best Bars in 2023 and 2022, Cloakroom Bar is an exceptional speakeasy hidden behind the tailor and barber shop Maison Cloakroom. With a menu-less approach, expert mixologists create custom cocktails according to your preferences. Recognized for its commitment to the highest quality ingredients, the bar offers an unparalleled cocktail experience, celebrated by its prominent position in the rankings of the best bars in Canada and North America.
512 Avenue Atwater, Montréal, H4C 2G5
Ranked 3rd in Canada's 50 Best Bars 2023 and 32nd in North America's 50 Best Bars, Atwater Cocktail Club is an iconic Montreal cocktail bar. The decor is glamorous with silver banquettes and glass ceilings. The menu contains a creative mix of cocktails with high-quality ingredients and advanced mixology techniques. Additionally, the bar offers a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails and a concise list of wines and beers. Associated with the Foiegwa restaurant, the bar offers a selection of classic French dishes.
Best Patio 2023 selon Canada's 50 Best Bars 2023
1071 Boulevard St-Laurent, Montréal, H2Z 1J6
Ranked Best Patio 2023 according to Canada's 100 Best, Poincaré Chinatown is one of a kind in the neighborhood. Located on the third floor, its patio offers a refreshing view above the bustle of Chinatown with plants and hop vines. The drink menu features traditional Chinese spirits, Quebec microbrewery beers, and natural wines. The menu highlights fermentation and preservation techniques, with snacks inspired by Asian cuisine.
Canada's Best Hotel Restaurant 2023 par World Culinary Awards
The World Culinary Awards celebrate excellence in the culinary industry through an annual awards program. Being the event affiliated with the World Travel Awards™, launched in 1994 to celebrate excellence in travel and tourism, they celebrated their 4th edition in 2023.
1440 Rue de la Montagne, Montréal, H3G 1Z5
The Marcus Montreal at the Four Seasons Hotel was nominated for the title of Best Hotel Restaurant in Canada in 2023 at the World Culinary Awards. The restaurant also received the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator in 2023. Under the visionary chef Marcus Samuelsson, the restaurant offers a chic and timeless atmosphere, with a 300-seat terrace offering breathtaking views of the city. The menu, highlighting local products, offers options ranging from quick bites to refined seafood meals, celebrating the flavours of Ethiopia, Sweden, the Mediterranean, and Asia.
