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 offers an exceptional culinary journey that brings the vibrant spirit and authentic flavors of Portugal to the heart of Montreal. Guests frequently praise the exquisite, artistically presented dishes, with particular acclaim for the fresh seafood, perfectly grilled octopus, and refined cod preparations that evoke a sense of tradition blended with modern flair. Beyond the menu, the restaurant is celebrated for its elegant and warm atmosphere, providing a sophisticated backdrop suitable for both intimate dates and special celebrations. With professional, attentive service that frequently goes above and beyond, this establishment stands out as a top-tier destination for those seeking a memorable and high-quality dining experience.
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.
L'expérience culinaire est au top de mes attentes, la propriétaire a prise de son temps pour venir nous rencontrer & se présenter , service est numéro 1.
Pour moi c'est un 10/10
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!
Aug 16, 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.
Overall disappointing. The food quality was fairly good, however, the service was scattered & confused. First they brought us the wrong food. We pointed out this was not what we ordered. They did remove it & brought the correct entries. There seemed to be plenty of staff, but it seemed none knew exactly what their job was. It was never clear who was our server, busboy or sommelier. After we finished our dinner, it was quite some time before we saw another staff member. We finally found the waitress & asked for our check. When she appeared with the check, after examining it, we realized that it was not ours, but someone else's. I think this restaurant has potential but some good management would help immensely.
En vacances à Montréal, j'ai découvert ce superbe restaurant, la décoration traditionnelle portugaise est magnifique. Nous avons adoré les plats, bien présentés & délicieux, nous avons adoré le pétoncle au foie gras & le poulpe grillé. Aussi nous avons pris des accras qui était excellents, on se croyait au Portugal (je suis portugaise). La viande de boeuf était tendre comme du beurre. Les serveuses étaient au petit soin pour nous, d'une grande gentillesse. Je recommande ce restaurant.
Dès que l'on franchit la porte, on est séduit par un cadre chaleureux & raffiné, avec une décoration unique, chaque détail respire l'authenticité & l'élégance. En cuisine, les assiettes sont aussi belles que délicieuses : une cuisine chic, élaborée avec soin. Le petit pot au homard avec purée de panais fumé était excellent, également le pétoncle au fois gras frais était très bien préparé (je suis de Bordeaux) & la poulpe fraiche grillée était un régal avec son coulis de poivron. Le service est irréprochable, attention & sourire, ce qui rend l'expérience encore plus mémorable. Helena, c'est le charme du Portugal au coeur de Montréal, avec un raffinement qui séduit autant les yeux que les papilles.
Food, service, atmosphere exceeded our expectations, it was my wife's birthday & the staff really recognized that & did not disappoint whatsoever, Chef Helena was present the whole night approving every dish before sending it out, her energy & kindness was felt throughout the establishment, highly recommended
In the years I've spent working in fine dining as a cook, to the restaurants I've been blessed to sit down & witness the excellency that makes such an impact to cities, Helena is by far the greatest experience to date. The Atmosphere & staff were just the beginning to what is one of the best kitchen's someone can enjoy. Its not often you're lost for words when going through a tasting menu & tonight was an exception. I truly look forward to what will come in the future inside the doors of this establishment & will be back soon enough to create more memories curated & supported by a phenomenal team. Till next time, cheers & best wishes.
