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!
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.
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.
A beautiful & stylish Portuguese restaurant! The black cod was absolutely delicious, & the churros melted in my mouth. I also loved the rich taste of the red wine'Dona Maria' .. it was the perfect pairing for me. I'll definitely be coming back!
Apr 27, 2025
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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.
We had the tasting menu & a bottle of vinho verde. Food was delicious & the restaurant was very accommodating for our family (we dined with our two kids). Everyone was very helpful & friendly. We'd go back again, but with all of that said we felt that the food was not 100% authentic Portuguese (my wife lived in Portugal for many years).
Jul 5, 2024
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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!
I cannot recommend Helena's any more. Truly authentic Portuguese fare but with the sophistication & care of a veteran restaurateur. As a person with Portuguese roots, I was impressed & satisfied. The caldo verde tastes like my grandmothers. It ain't cheap but you do get what you pay for.
It's always a great time at Helena - the food, service & people are extraordinary. I recommend to anyone who wants a great time in a relax & Portuguese decor.
Oct 8, 2023
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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!
I am never disappointed by Helena.
She runs a tight kitchen that serves up great food which is a combination of traditional Portuguese & some modern touches.
Caldo Verde & Carne de porco a Alentejana were fantastic!
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!
