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 !
Does Helena have a private room for group events or parties?
Yes, Helena offers a private room available for group dining, private parties, corporate meetings, and special celebrations. Contact the restaurant directly to discuss availability and group menus.
The main room can seat up to 100 guests or 200 guests for a cocktail. The private room can seat up to 40 guests or 40 guests for a cocktail.
Helena offers a memorable culinary journey through authentic and elevated Portuguese cuisine that resonates with both traditional flavors and creative, modern flair. Guests consistently praise the beautifully plated dishes, such as the octopus, fresh grilled fish, and signature cod, noting the exceptional quality of ingredients and artistry in every serving. The atmosphere is frequently described as sophisticated yet warm and welcoming, making it an ideal choice for both intimate dates and special celebrations. While experiences with service can vary, many diners highlight the professional, passionate, and attentive staff who go out of their way to ensure a high-level dining experience. Overall, the restaurant stands out as a top-tier destination in Montreal for those seeking a vibrant, flavorful, and refined taste of Portugal.
Mostly hit or miss for the dishes. Had high expectations for this place -the ingredients, plating & decor looked superb- but ultimately taste is king & the taste (& texture) was often missing.
We ordered all the seafood appetizers & the monkfish on the tasting menu.
What we like were the Octopus (fantastic texture, cooked perfectly) & the Tagliatelle of squid & grilled shrimp (nice flavours & textures). The cod fritters were ok.
The misses for us were:
* Squid stuffed with chorizo: when you read chorizo, you expect bold flavors. There was none of that, the taste & texture of the sausages were just gone, super tenderized. There was also not much taste on the squid.
* Grilled sardines: again, the flesh is super tender, fine, but at the same time mushy & the usual sardine texture missing. Super mild flavour on the fish & for the red sauce it's swimming in. That would have been fine but on the side, you have this single biscuit sandwiched in uber strong-tasting olive'sauce'. A bit incoherent.
* Monkfish: the fish was mostly ok, though one bite was way more salty than the rest. What is bizarre is the sauce they layered on the the potatoes; it was reminiscent of Chinese black bean paste but without the saltiness & slightly bitter. We found it unpleasant & it did not pair well with the soft mild potatoes & mussels.
The desserts were also mostly a miss. The Churros were thin strands, not tasty & became mushy with the accompanying cream. The Natas were ok, but they just seemed to be ordinary natas -very fresh ones- but ultimately they needed something else on the side to elevate it.
Ultimately, I feel like this place just lacks flavour & texture. Lacks the boldness & character one associates with Portuguese cuisine. What strong flavour it offered was incoherent & clashed with other elements.
My partner & I tried Helena last night & enjoyed the 6 course tasting menu. I was in Portugal last summer & have been craving authentic Portuguese food, & this restaurant filled that void not Only was the food delicious, but the staff was also very helpful. The only reason I gave service a 4 to 5 is because at the beginning, we did have to wait quite some time for a server to take our order. The caldo verde tasted exactly like I was back in Portugal!
My family & I had an incredible experience at Helena. The Portuguese food was amongst the best we've ever had! Elevated yet true to the traditional preparation & flavors. We loved the Caldo Verde, the Bacalhau a Gomes-sa & petiscos were all fantastic. One thing we've never had before was the choriço butter - amazing!
Well done. & a special thank you to Sara O for the service & recommendations.
1- Decoration 10/10 very nice place with space & modern with a touch of Portuguese vibe.
2- Ambiance 9/10 very nice ambiance not to loud.. good for party of 4 or 6 of for a romantic date. I don't think it's ideal for big party birthday more intimate.
3- food 10/10 very good food & taste. If your a fan of Portuguese this is the place to go. Mediterranean food & healthy.
4- Service 9/10 the service was very goid all of them knew there menu , the only thing is it was a bit confusing wich was our waiter/waitress.
5- cleanest 10/10 now this place was spotless even the restroom was clean & had scoop to rinse your mouth if you wanted.
I definitely recommend coming here 👌
Look at the picture.
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!
I was craving Portuguese & it just so happened that several other well-known Portuguese restaurants in Little Portugal were closed for summer vacations - advantage Helena!
This restaurant deserves a Michelin star. Full stop.
The food was divine, the service impeccable, the atmosphere & ambiance exquisite. We enjoyed two of the three course tasting meals, which was really more of a six course meal. It was worth every penny. The octopus, which I generally don't eat because they're too smart & most people don't get it right, was absolutely extraordinary. I could see chef Helena working with her crew, & you could tell nothing but the very best was expected. It shows. Having recently enjoyed a meal at a Michelin starred restaurant in Kyoto, I think Helena is well on its way to scoring one for themselves. I will definitely return, I honestly can't wait. The restaurant is gorgeous, I enjoyed sitting in the front, but next time I'm looking forward to enjoying the sumptuous decor of the back. Ask to be seated there. This is a very elegant & classy restaurant, fun to dress up for. & the'Portuguese Negroni' was exceptionally smooth, matched only by the selection of Tawny ports.
Every dish, from the amuses-bouches to the dessert, was pure perfection: artistically plated, cooked & seasoned to perfection, presented with utmost care & respect.
As a journalist who focuses on politics & environmental issues, I don't often get to write restaurant reviews, but I'll make an exception for Helena. I would give them 6, 7, or 10 stars if I could.
