The restaurant Helena team welcomes you in a warm, colourful and modern atmosphere, where you are invited to share and enjoy a delicious meal in good company. An unforgettable experience that allows you to discover all the refinement of Portuguese cuisine and wines for a lunch or an evening out, whether with a group or family, for a couple’s night out, or to talk business. Guests are invited to select and to share petiscos (tapas), providing an opportunity to taste all of Portugal’s flavours, from the more familiar to the unexpected, in a friendly atmosphere. More than a simple à la carte meal, restaurant Helena proposes a true feast to savour at the table !
Helena delivers a refined, intimate dining experience with consistently fresh, beautifully plated seafood and authentic Portuguese flavors. Guests praise the attentive, knowledgeable service and the warm, elegant atmosphere that makes celebrations feel special. The tasting menus and wine pairings are regularly highlighted for balance and creativity, with standout dishes such as octopus, cod, caldo verde, and bacalhau. The decor blends traditional Portuguese touches with modern refinement, creating an inviting setting for both intimate dinners and special occasions. While a few notes mention high prices and the indulgent nature of tasting portions, the overall experience is described as memorable and well worth returning for. Port wines and thoughtfully chosen cocktails complement the courses, and many reviewers say Helena captures the spirit of Portugal in Montreal.
Went here for a birthday dinner. It was my pick because I love Portuguese food & often make some of the dishes at home.
The food & service were outstanding. It is tapas style so we ordered several dishes to share, wine, & dessert. Every dish came out so well plated, down to the smallest detail. The octopus was pure perfection & the port wine tasting on the dessert menu is not to be missed. The caldo verde soup is one of my favoritea to make at home & did not disappoint.
The interior was authentic Portugal & interesting. The service was so well timed that it felt choreographed. I can't wait to come back.
Best Portuguese cuisine in Montreal, hands down. Chef Helena's creations are not only delicious but beautifully presented. Each plate is like a work of art. We enjoyed the tasting menu with wine pairings, & every course was exceptional, from the fresh seafood to the tender meats, with flavors that were both authentic & creative.
The service was warm, attentive, & knowledgeable, which made the evening even more enjoyable. The staff explained each pairing & shared details about the dishes, showing real passion for the food & wines.
The ambiance is refined yet welcoming. Helena is perfect for a special night out or celebrating a milestone. Portions were generous for a tasting menu, & the pacing was excellent, giving us time to savor every bite.
We left feeling that Helena offers not just a meal, but a true culinary experience. Highly recommended for anyone seeking fine dining in Montreal, especially lovers of Portuguese cuisine. We'll definitely be returning!
What an amazing experience! I went with my family, & we were all blown away by the quality of the food, the service...everything. The sommelier recommended the perfect wine pairing, the dishes were nothing short of exceptional, & the service (thank you Ariane & team!) was truly second to none. Oh & the restaurant itself is beautiful. I highly recommended for a special occasion!
Dining at Helena was a memorable experience from start to finish.
The service was attentive & knowledgeable, with the menu thoughtfully explained & filled with carefully curated dishes. We began with a warm serving of bread accompanied by a trio of olive butter, olive oil, & chorizo butter, a perfect introduction. The cod fritters followed, & they were among the best I've ever had, crispy, flavorful, & incredibly satisfying. For the main course, we opted for two cod dishes, with the black cod emerging as the undeniable standout of the evening.
The prices matched the quality of the food, & the cocktails were just as refined, balanced, creative, & beautifully presented. To end the meal, we indulged in a pastel de nata that was easily one of the finest I've tasted.
Helena is a restaurant that delivers on every level. Highly recommended for a special evening out.
Great Portuguese restaurant with tasty & fresh food. Overpriced at 100+$ per person for high quality but classic dishes at 1/3 the price in Portugal. Paying for bread? Is it necessary? Service is nice & efficient, but not at level of what is expected for top rated restaurant.
Had their signature octopus entree, it was so charred from the grill it tasted burnt along with being dried & tough lacking in flavour. I politely mentioned this to the server when asked if everything was ok. He quickly apologized & replaced it with another one. The second one was slightly warm with the underneath cold,also very mushy & tasted as if it had been boiled which I know that's how they tenderize it but was basically tasteless. My starter was the filet mignon carpaccio, which was overwhelmed with out of date anchovies. I've had theses dishes in other restaurants but theses dishes were a huge disappointment especially when you pay such high prices you expect quality & fresh ingredients. Service was excellent.
Jun 1, 2025
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
I find it hard to suggest an outstanding 5 star review for any fine dining establishment as there always seems to be something missing to deserve such a strong accolade. Our experience at Helena's for a key industry retirement dinner couldn't have been at a better place. Michelle looked after us for the evening & did an absolutely beautiful job suggesting dishes & meeting our needs. The food was exquisite & the wine selection perfect. Helena's definitely is in our top 5 restaurants Coast to Coast. Thank you for such a great night....we'll be back for sure!
best regards
Perry
My dining experience was truly amazing. We visited for dinner, & every aspect exceeded our expectations. The food was fresh & incredibly tasty, & the sides were fantastic. I'm definitely looking forward to coming back to try more dishes. Highly recommended!
We tagged along with a friend & his wife, who are regulars at this highly acclaimed fine-dining Portuguese eatery. The decor features modern elements & classic Portuguese charm; I was particularly captivated by the stunning ceiling. My friend's wife gave "carte blanche" to the waiter to bring a selection of dishes for us to share, & he brought a few items from the Tapas Quentes: Pasteis de Bacalhau, Sardinhas Assadas, & Lulas Grelhadas. The sommelier paired a privately imported white wine with these tapas, a perfect match. Then, we were served Sela de Borrego along with the catch of the day, accompanied by another bottle of white wine harmoniously paired. Though I'm usually not a fan of white wine, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it, I drank my share & my wife's share. While some nice desserts were offered, I was too satiated to have any. Just before we left, a waitress came with a complimentary Porto. I surely found room for that. The service was top-notch, with multiple servers attending to our table, & the food was phenomenal. The bill was quite steep at the end of the night, but it was one of the most memorable meals we've had in a long time.
Oct 19, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Really delicious way to experience Portuguese cuisine. The seafood is fresh & well prepared & the tapas dishes are so creative. Also, one of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever seen. & get the Portuguese tart for dessert!
Overpriced & overhyped. The dishes were hit & miss (octopus was great, lamb...not so much). Not family friendly. Be careful, they charge for water (even flat) without advertising. Can find much better for a better price & ambiance.
The food was divine! The service excellent. Had dinner here with friends last week & loved it so much that I came back again with my wife. Took the same dishes & they were as good as the first time. Best meals I had in Montreal during my stay.
Friendly staff & great atmosphere. We let the staff choose the dishes & they always bring such great choices. I’ve been here a few times & have always left completely in love with the restaurant. We’ve brought some friends & family & they’re always so impressed by the quality of the food & service. Definitely a great place for Portuguese food!
AMAZING! :D I don't normally go to 'higher end' restaurants.. & I didn't pay for this one so i'm unbiased? haha anyhow .. read on…
Gorgeous atmosphere - really cool lighting, & kind of a lit 'mosaic' on the ceiling creates a really cozy & cool vibe
Service - spot on. Water was attentive, explained the various dishes to us, & even kept his cool when a member of my group was condecending - i'm impressed.
Food - mmmmm nomononomnom :) The pan seared scallops were pretty awesome with bacon? on top. Had the steak on top of these tiny little crispy fries.. very tender & delicious meat. Dessert was like a little jar of sorbet very good.. & those little 'flan' like Portuguese pastries. Delicious but wayyyyy too small! the size of a golfball.. I wanna see baseball sized ones next time haha
Overall I was blown away by the level of food & service. I recommended it to a bunch of people since going & will go back myself next time I'm in town!
