Le restaurant Au Pied de Cochon est le lieu où tout a commencé. Opéré d’une génération à l’autre, la passation de connaissances familiales contribue à la renommée du restaurant. En constante évolution, le Pied de Cochon fête ses 20 ans en novembre 2021. Ce restaurant à la carte est situé au cœur du Plateau Mont-Royal. Authentiques et fidèles à ses racines québécoises et canadiennes, les plats sont copieux et réconfortants. Tirant également son inspiration des brasseries françaises, le chef et son équipe s'inspirent des produits locaux, et saisonniers pour créer un menu intemporel . Avec des vins d’importation privés, des bières brassées à Montréal, et des cocktails signature, le restaurant Au Pied de Cochon est un endroit convivial où les produits du terroir sont mis en valeur. On y retrouve une des premières cuisines ouvertes à Montréal dans laquelle on peut y voir les cuisiniers en pleine action.
Les critiques convergent sur Au Pied de Cochon comme une institution montréalaine où la cuisine est riche, généreuse et résolument axée sur le foie gras et le canard en conserve. La poutine au foie gras et le canard en conserve reviennent comme des incontournables, accompagnés de plats plus audacieux comme le foie gras nigiri et les temaki de canard; les portions sont copieuses et les saveurs intenses, parfois indulgentes, parfois excessives, plaisent aux amateurs de comfort food tout en suscitant quelques réserves sur l'équilibre des saveurs et le niveau de raffinement. L'expérience est souvent décrite comme immersive et conviviale: cuisine ouverte, ambiance chaleureuse et service attentif, avec des serveurs enthousiastes qui expliquent les plats et créent une ambiance de spectacle, surtout au bar. Néanmoins, certains avis signalent un cadre bruyant, une certaine hâte côté service, et des tarifs élevés; malgré cela, l'ensemble demeure perçu comme une expérience culinaire unique, mémorable et difficile à égaler pour les amoureux de la gastronomie québécoise riche et généreuse.
I visited Au Pied de Cochon earlier this month while traveling in Montreal, & I still find myself thinking about what an incredible dinner it was. Even we had some issues, without a doubt we would come back.
It was a very special evening with a multi course tasting menu, as they had a guest chef in residence. The whole experience felt unique & thoughtfully curated, something you truly cannot easily find elsewhere.
The night started in an unexpected way. A perfumer came to our table & presented a warm tin, & inside there was a towel infused with an absolutely beautiful fragrance. I never thought I would be praising a scented towel as part of a dining experience, but it was unforgettable & something we still talk about today
The dishes themselves were delicious & very generous. It felt like the portions had not been perfectly calibrated for this special menu, & there was a lot of food. Our favorite dishes were definitely the pasta courses. I do not have photos of everything, but I am sharing the ones I could find on my phone.
Service had a few hiccups throughout the evening. At times, it felt like we were forgotten. Guests who arrived after us were served much earlier, & at one point we waited around 30 minutes with nothing arriving at the table. We also ordered cocktails that were recommended by our server, but they never came. However, once we brought this up, the team handled it very well. They apologized, brought the missing drinks & offered them on the house. The staff was genuinely attentive in resolving the situation, which we really appreciated.
Even though the experience was not perfect, the way they handled the issues made a big difference. I highly recommend it for a special occasion. It is definitely on the pricier side, but it offers something truly unique. & if they ever repeat this kind of guest chef experience, do not miss it. It is also important to make a reservation in advance
This is a long-standing restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere. The space feels warm & classic, very much an old-school American style, & the service was attentive & kind throughout the evening.
Unfortunately, the food itself was very difficult for me to enjoy. Several dishes had strong gamey odors & pronounced alcohol notes, & the flavors did not come together harmoniously.
The foie gras sushi had a noticeable clash between the gamey taste of the foie gras & the alcohol used in preparation. Even with soy sauce, the flavors did not integrate at all. I managed to eat one piece but could not finish the second.
The pork knuckle had an overwhelming porky smell, & there were visible pig hairs on the skin. I understand that occasional hairs can happen, but the amount here was significant & affected the overall experience. The mushrooms served with it had absorbed both the pork odor & what tasted like high-proof cooking wine; the alcohol flavor felt harsh, as if it had not fully cooked off. Among all the components of this dish, the mashed potatoes were the only element I genuinely enjoyed.
The temaki, on the other hand, was decent & ended up being my favorite dish of the night.
I do want to highlight the service: when I explained that I truly could not eat the pork knuckle, the staff were very understanding & handled the situation professionally. They offered compensation, & the dish was ultimately discounted by 50%, which I appreciated.
Overall, while the ambience & service were strong, the execution & flavor balance of the food were disappointing, especially for a restaurant known for foie gras & rich, offal-forward dishes. I would have expected cleaner preparation & more refined flavor control.
Eating is usually functional, rarely is it an artistic experience. When I was making plans for my girlfriend & I before we visited Montreal, I almost made reservations for a place called Joe Beef. They had a few reservations left at the bar here, which I was slightly nervous about because bar seating isn't quite as intimate but I made them anyway. Little did I know we would have front row seats to an incredible display of execution & teamwork as well as a meal to remember. Ariel was our server, welcoming us with a brief walkthrough of the seasonal menu - she left us to decide the journey we wanted to take. After we ordered, we quickly became mesmerized by the way the HC Robert moved with the food like a graceful dance. This alone was impressive but in addition to his skills it became evident he was teaching a junior chef (Spanish speaking), both about plating & food as well as French! Both gentlemen were a treat to watch work. We chose a sweet & salty starter - my introduction to Foie Gras arrived on a bread pudding complemented with a lovely cider reduction & poached pear. After tasting that we honestly couldn't believe two other groups had already come & gone beside us as if this was any other meal. Our grilled Rabbit, Tuna, & sourdough came after we had a minute to take a breath from our starter. We took our time with this & the following dishes as we felt savoring this effort was the best compliment we could pay our hosts. The chef noticed we had taken enough time to clean the grilled rabbit plate with our sourdough so only trace evidence was left of what was served - so he offered to heat the tuna for us - extremely grateful for his attentiveness. The grilled tuna was incredible, sandwiching bacon, greens, & served in a tomato water with cherry tomatoes. My girlfriend couldn't finish her portion so I took one for the team. No dishes went back to the kitchen with food. For dessert we decided on a caramel fondant with frozen raspberries, ice cream & a coffee. I'll just say even if I had no room for this I would've found a way to struggle through. The staff was having fun, we had fun, everything was beyond our expectations! If you are considering making a reservation - stop thinking & figure out where it will fit into your schedule. This place was perfectly reflective of our lovely trip, Thank you so much to the staff & specifically Robert & Ariel - we will surely be back :) Merci!
Shoutout to Agathe for being the best hostess!! Delicious comfort food & warm hospitality. Tight space. Good for couples, date nights & small group (4pax). Best for groups of 4 to share different dishes. They update their menu on a weekly basis with seasonal vegetables in mind.
Food was amazing. Everything that I heard about was accurate. Service was on point. I sat at the bar in front of the kitchen & observed all of the dishes. I could have ordered everything that I saw being prepared. I had the duck tartare & the duck with foie in the can. Absolutely delicious.
Amazing flavors, but also heavy food. Don't eat lunch before coming here for dinner to fully appreciate the amazing dishes. Great staff! Reservation 1-2 weeks in advance is a must for this popular location.
12 sept. 2025
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We went to Au PDC on our final night to experience the modern twist on Quebecois cuisine. I had reserved a week in advance online for 2 guests for an early time. I was impressed & appreciated that the staff was trained to greet each guest with eye contact &'Bon soir.' We were served primarily by Frederic, a charming local who had lived in other parts of Canada & overseas & who willingly entertained our questions about Quebec & Canada. The restaurant had a warm, cozy, rustic vibe. We were rather hungry & ordered our starters, which came rather quickly--the foie gras nigiri & the foie gras poutine. Both were excellent & very much rich & decadent. I had not had any poutine until that night just to have the'authentic poutine.' It did not disappoint. Based on Frederic's recommendation, we did not want to overdo the entrees after the starters so we ordered one entree to share, the Pork Shank. It took much longer time than expected but we appreciated the tenderness of the pork & flavor. As other reviewers had mentioned, the staff could speak to the dishes with authority. Frederic convinced me with dessert--not very difficult with me--haha. I cannot remember the name but it was basically a donut with berries & cream--absolutely delightful with the chamomile tea. The total was $140 CAD & we gave a rather generous tip for Frederic who made our experience fun & interesting. Merci beaucoup for a memorable evening!
As an out-of-town visitor, I was excited to try Au Pied du Cochon after hearing so much about it, but my experience left me with mixed feelings.
>Reservation Process:
Their hands-off approach to reservations is frustrating. Booking a table for our party of nine was a nightmare. The restaurant operates asynchronously *only* with no published phone number to speak directly with staff, which is particularly challenging for out-of-towners seeking certainty. People seem to book far in advance & cancel last-minute to avoid penalties, making it tough to secure a large table. I emailed them but received only a partial response many days later, & my follow-up email to confirm everything went unanswered. Thankfully, our table was available upon arrival, but the process felt unnecessarily stressful.
>Service:
Once seated, the service was a highlight. Our server, a friendly & attentive, which made us feel welcome & was quick to address our needs.
>Not Kid-Friendly:
This restaurant is not accommodating for families with children. The menu lacks options suitable for a kid's palate, & the kitchen refuses to do anything; even when it came to our request to prepare something as simple as plain fries with salt. They eventually complied, but the hesitation highlighted an inflexible, almost arrogance.
>Food:
The food was a mixed bag. Many dishes were very good, but almost all were overwhelmingly rich & lacked balance. The foie gras terrine & duck temaki stood out as the most harmonious dishes. However, the signature'duck in a can' was more novelty than masterpiece. The duck breast was dry-likely due to the pressure-cooking method in a boiling can-& I couldn't help but think duck legs would have been a better choice in this application. The menu itself was confusing. For a restaurant supposedly celebrating the pig, pork was surprisingly scarce, with foie gras dominating instead, which felt excessive & overwhelming.
>Final Thoughts:
I realized my review may seem controversial going against the grain, but to be clear, I don't regret going. It's a place to try at least once. I will not return, however.
I'm flashing back to a memorable night at this Montreal institution given their exceptional sense of hospitality. I had the daunting task of hosting a group of five ladies from New York who know a thing or two about great restaurants. Among the standout dishes were the foie gras poutine & the duck in a … can. Our waiter didn't miss a beat throwing in a round of drinks because he felt that the extra few minutes we waited for our food was too long. At the end of the meal, he offered us a maple sugar pie for the table & played DJ taking requests that led to a Tina Tuner singalong. Nobody at the table was celebrating anything in particular other than life in general. It was all just ducky!
Wonderful meal with some of the most incredible duck & fish dishes! The atmosphere was wonderful & our server Niles offered some great food recommendations. Highly recommend, especially for a date night or a special occasion.
4 août 2025
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Incredible overall experience. We had the pleasure of having Arielle & another server serve us & eloquently explain the menu & the dishes that came to our table.
As for the food, amazing. We had the fois gras nigiri to start, followed by canard in a can & stuffed pigs foot. All were above expectations & somehow didn't leave us suffering from over indulgence.
We'll definitely come back with friends & family!
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
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!
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!
3 juil. 2025
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The food was good, but not great. They rely a lot on luxury goods - but we preferred the dishes that highlighted the cooking technique. Offering a 10 pound (50 year old) lobster is just conspicuous consumption & was a real turn off. The space is also very loud. I'd suggest finding something a little less'hot' & more tasty.
I went in with mixed expectations, as I know that the border between indulgent QC fare & tourist trap can be muddled. I am so happy with what we got. An attentive but not overbearing service & dishes mostly on the memorable side. Highlights: foie gras terrine to moan for, great duck tartare, & all the mains: great halibut, otrageous & delicious stuffed pig hoof (a beast of a dish) & delicious pork sirloin. Great use of seasonal mushrooms. Desserts were moreish even after the generous portions of the pork mains.
Less impressive: the foie gras nigiri was taken over by the ponzu sauce, & the razor clams were not uniform in cooking but eh, still nice.
Recommended for whoever is looking for Quebecoise indulgence as advertised by that Bourdain documentary. I am sure there are other venues that provide it, but this one is accessible & its reputation is justified. Stick to seafood if fat turns you off.
I really enjoyed this place. I find every dishes of the meal was great, rich, complex & perfectly created. I love the fries so much. Its the simple thing but they just made it perfectly fine.. it covered with salt & maple sugar. We also ordered the temaki which is really amazing.. crunchy & yummy. The foie gras nigiri were delicious, i love it.
The duck in the can is good but i dont really enjoy it much since they are too much fat & its a bit chewy. ( just my personal opinion) still the taste is complex & good.
Friendly services. Will come back to try other menus.
Air conditioner didn't work front of house. It was very hot & humid that day & harder to breathe. Food is very flavourful & meals can be for 2 people. Recommend doing 1 duck dish & a pasta or fish dish to balance the richness from the duck dishes.
