The Au Pied de Cochon restaurant is where it all began. Passed from one generation to the next, family knowledge contributes to the restaurant's reputation. Constantly evolving, the Pied de Cochon celebrates its 20th anniversary in November 2021. This à la carte restaurant is located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal. Authentic to its Quebec and Canadian roots, the dishes are hearty and comforting. Adopting the style from French brasseries, the chef and his team draw inspiration from local and seasonal products to create a timeless menu. With private import wines, beers brewed in Montreal, and signature cocktails, Au Pied de Cochon restaurant is a friendly place where local products are showcased. There is one of the first open kitchens in Montreal where you can see the cooks in action.
Reviews portray Au Pied de Cochon as a landmark Montreal experience that combines indulgent Quebecois cuisine with a festive open kitchen atmosphere. The menu centers on rich, hearty dishes like the famous Duck in a Can, foie gras poutine, and other duck and pork specialties, with many diners calling the food decadent, flavorful, and unforgettable, though sometimes heavy. Service is repeatedly praised as attentive, knowledgeable, and warm, with several reviewers highlighting memorable staff, while a few notes mention slow pacing or occasional missteps during busy periods. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially for bar seating or peak times, and the restaurant is often described as lively, bustling, and loud but welcoming, sometimes feeling like a culinary show. Overall, Au Pied de Cochon is celebrated as a must-visit Montreal institution, worth the splurge for bold flavors and a unique immersive dining spectacle; some readers suggest it may not suit those seeking lighter fare or quiet dining.
I've waited nearly 15 years to visit Montreal & come to Au Pied de Cochon. Not only was the food spectacular & delicious, but the service was outstanding. Beyond the usual care & attention one would expect from a restaurant of this caliber, I was very pleased that our server was so respectful towards my 11 year old son. He treated him so warmly & like a valued customer. Our server really listened to my boy's thoughts & preferences, & encouraged him to try new food experiences. My son felt so'grown-up' having that experience! We had a wonderful time & it's a visit I'm sure my boy won't ever forget. Thanks, PDC!
My girlfriend & I were looking forward to sharing the Foie Gras poutine, but the guy put in the wrong order & we never got to eat it. Food is amazing here though.
La nourriture était bonne, le service correct, mais le fait que Le Restaurant soit établi dans une longue pièce exiguë, où il y a trop de tables pour se sentir à l'aise, amène une réverbération du bruit qui enlève beaucoup de plaisir aux plaisirs de la table. La musique devrait aussi changer beaucoup car le volume est beaucoup trop fort pour l'endroit, avec beaucoup trop de basse, & d'un choux douteux. Bref l'atmosphère m'a empêché d'apprécier ma soirée.
Jul 27, 2025
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Dining at Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal is less a meal & more a rite of passage for lovers of indulgent, unrestrained Québécois cuisine. The iconic Duck in a Can (Canard en Conserve), is a culinary spectacle that lives up to every bit of its mythos. It arrives with all the dramatic flair you'd hope for a literal can is opened tableside to release a rich, intoxicating cascade of duck breast, foie gras, balsamic demi-glace, & tender cabbage over a golden crouton, creating a plate as unapologetically decadent as it is deeply satisfying. It's rustic, bold, & laced with the kind of culinary confidence that defines the Pied de Cochon experience.
Alongside this tour de force, we ordered the Seafood Tower for Two, which offered a stunning contrast in tone. Where the duck is heavy, comforting, & primal, the tower was light, elegant, & vibrant a vertical celebration of freshness. Plump oysters, briny & kissed with mignonette, rested beside tender clams, juicy shrimp, & perfectly poached lobster. Each bite was refreshing, a clean counterpoint to the richness of the main event, making the two dishes unexpectedly perfect foils.
The atmosphere inside Au Pied de Cochon is electric with a kind of joyous irreverence. The space is lively & unfussy, filled with the hum of locals & tourists alike food pilgrims drawn by the legacy of Martin Picard's exuberant vision of Québécois cuisine. The open kitchen hums with energy, & there's a warmth & theatricality that makes every dish feel like part of a show.
This restaurant is more than just a place to eat it's a culinary landmark. It celebrates excess not for shock value, but as an ode to the richness of local ingredients & the traditions that shaped them. Whether you come for the legendary Duck in a Can or the pristine seafood, you're stepping into a living, breathing emblem of Montreal's food scene. It's not just worth the hype it defines it
Sitting at the bar was an action filled experience. Lovely people & staff. Keep in mind you'll have a long wait if ordering the Canard en conserve, make sure to order appetizers. The fresh fruit dessert was mind blowing. Who knew the mixture of radishes, yellow & red cherry tomatoes with raspberries, cream & maple syrup would be so heavenly❣?Their special chili vodka was spicy but doable.
Un petit mot qui veut tout dire : 🤩 WOW !!!
Nous avons passé la plus belle soirée !! La bouffe tout simplement excellente, fraîche & cuisinée à la perfection avec la touche d'amour qu'un plat mérite.
Le staff est super & nous partage leurs passions en nous faisant découvrir les mélanges d'ingrédients qui rendent leurs plats exquis. Le chef nous a proposé de lui laisser la liberté de choisir les plats qu'il souhaitait nous faire découvrir & c'est ce qui a rendu notre soirée aussi agréable.
First time eating here. The service was absolutely amazing & the food was even better! 12/10 experience. Highly recommend this restaurant to anybody visiting Montreal.
Jul 11, 2025
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Le service est aussi incroyable que les plats! On y retournera pour découvrir la vibe intérieure car avec le beau temps, nous avons profité de la terrasse.
Nous avons partagé les plats pour se faire un 3 services & nous referons certainement la meme chose
We could only book the one bar seating left at 10PM on a Wednesday right after Holiday. There were quite a bit of empty seats when we arrived so me & my husband could be seated on a table. We snacked for dinner earlier already because the reservation was late at night. My husband wanted to order the beef tripes but was sold out. Dessert options of the day were not interested at all for me. My husband is allergic to alcohol & I am pregnant so we cannot drink. We ended up only getting couple of appetizers for a late night snack which were the duck temaki & foie gras nigiri. They were delicious & unique but the price value were not good. Paid $60 for just 6 bites. Glad that we finally tried the restaurant but probably won't go back. Would like to visit again for the two appetizers though if the price is better.
I haven't been here since before COVID, & it was very good to be back. The food & service is still top notch, with a very good wine list to choose from. The dishes are rich, eclectic & truly delicious. A wonderful experience!
Terrifc in every way. Staff went out of their way after a parking issue almost derailed the evening. Cocktails, food, wine--everything was great. Can't wait to return
This is my second time eating here. It was as amazing as I remembered it. I had the Foie Gras Terrine with truffled maple butter which was one of the most decadent dishes I have ever eaten. A must visit when you are in Montreal!
