Old Montreal restaurant classics in the heart of Little Burgundy. An homage to Charles "Joe-Beef" McKiernan, 19th century innkeeper and Montreal working class hero. A drunken crawl away from the Historic Atwater market. Steaks and seafood.
Joe Beef is described as a Montreal institution with a bold, indulgent kitchen and a warm, unpretentious vibe that draws crowds and keeps the energy lively. The service is repeatedly praised as attentive, knowledgeable and friendly, with many noting it as a standout part of the experience, though a few visits mention occasional slow pacing or inconsistency during busy nights. The menu is celebrated for rich, butter-forward dishes and crowd-pleasers like foie gras double down, lobster spaghetti, hanger steak, duck and croquettes, with sides and oysters earning praise as well; desserts such as marjolaine and chocolate mousse often shine, while some fish and seafood dishes are described as either extraordinary or a touch salty or under seasoned. The lobster pasta remains a lightning rod for opinion, highly regarded by many but not universally, and price levels are noted as steep, prompting critiques of value on some visits. Overall, it’s viewed as a memorable, sometimes polarizing but quintessential Montreal dining experience, best enjoyed with appetite, an open mind, and a willingness to embrace the theatre and hospitality that define the place.
Julien was an awesome guide to everything Joe Beef! I don't eat meat (yes yes, wrong restaurant) but I went for the company & experiece. He recommended a mushroom steak frites that isn't on the menu, & that did not disappoint! Also the Boston salad.... damn, what an amazing salad!
May 19, 2024
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A real gem. Food was amazing. Service was outstanding. Vibe was immaculate. Portions are really generous so I advise you to order slowly in order to really enjoy all the dishes. We took the Beef Tartare, Tuna Entree & the Lobster Spaghetti. I'll definitely come back for those!
The name of the place sounds like a steak house but it's definitely not. The food was okay. The much reviewed lobster spaghetti was overwhelmingly salty. When the staff came around to ask if things were ok, we gave the feedback. We didn't expect anything since we already ate a portion of the dish. But the staff took charge, took the plate, & returned with a new one, this time with bacon bits separated which made the dish more edible. Impressive service!
Intimate yet lively spot for an incredible meal. The perfect place to get a little dressed up, enjoy a few drinks, & splurge on some very high quality dishes. Hangar steak was tender, juicy, & flavorful all on its own. A true beef: what other beefs aspire to taste like. The optional mushroom sauce added a complex flavor profile, but I felt the steak could certainly stand on its own too. Veggie platter was large, filling, & tasted fresh off the farm. Not the mention, the generous helping of shrimp, fish, & cuttlefish. The raw tuna was aesthetically unorthodox, but paired with the tomato & caper sauce, was bright, tart, & surprising. I definitely recommend Joe Beef for a special dinner in a darling neighborhood!
Wowwwww joe beef did not disappoint. Heard great things before arriving into town. We were able to secure a same day reservation & arrived hungry. We shared the bread (which was insanely good, so good we ordered 3 orders for 5 people, & ate it all, & then talked about it on the walk home) Steak for two, was wonderfully prepared. The lobster spaghetti, also incredible. Oysters & veggie platter. Everything was amazing. I will return next trip to Montreal. Honorable mention, great NA beer for me & they had frozen olives in the martinis for my drinking friends. Highly recommend joe beef
Best meal of my life!!! My husband & I got married in 2019, & then the world fell apart, so my husband & I have been looking forward to this - a meal 5 years in the making!! It's 5 star dining 🍽 ✨️ 😍 but without the pretentiousness. It feels like you're sitting in Grandma's kitchen. ❤️ What a beautiful memory. I was overwhelmed; & it was like that scene in Ratatouille where the food critic tastes the food & is transported in his memory to his childhood. You will not regret it. Make reservations *at least* a month prior, two is better.
May 16, 2024
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We were 30 mins late to our reservation & ended up sitting on the bar. So glad we did, because the waiters at the bar were extremely nice & helpful. The food was really good, we really enjoyed our night. Highly recommended
Fantastic dinner, probably the best we had on our trip. Had the seafood special appetizer with the aoli sauce which was incredible. Beef tartare was great too! Split the New York strip with the bone marrow. Cooked to perfection & so rich with the marrow also liked the side horse radish cabbage. Someone else got the lobster pasta which was outstanding! Enjoyed the lemon sorbet thoroughly!
May 11, 2024
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Everything was flawless. The waiter was extremely attentive & had an incredible attention to detail without being imposing. The atmosphere was cozy, not tight or overwhelming. The food was generous & incredibly flavourful. We were stunned at the generosity! Definitely coming back & can't wait to!
Went for the 1st time. Did not enjoy the food. Beef was not tender. Overprice for what you get. Will not return. Definitely not for everyone. We were a party of 6 & we all said we would not go back. Service was reasly good & great atmosphere.
First time but definitely not the last. Split a strip steak with bone marrow, salad & tiny potatoes. A beer each & dessert. At $250 for 2 people the price was great for the quality of the food. Our service was beyond impeccable. Thanks to the staff for a wonderful dining experience.
Amazing experience all in all, food absolutely perfect & service excellent. We shared a strip steak with potatoes & marrow (the biggest piece of marrow I've ever been served!), cooked perfectly. Even the beer was perfect. I tried the babeigne au rhum for dessert. Will definitely go back to try what our table neighbors had, lobster spaghetti, which was a whole lobster on pasta! We spent 250$ for a shared meal with no appetizers, so expect to spend a little. Worth every penny!
May 3, 2024
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Wow. We read about how Good this was, but now we've experienced it for ourselves. This is a must for a luxurious meal in Montreal. Lobster spaghetti was to die for, & it was the best oysters I've ever had.
Really enjoyed our meal here - delicious, cooked & seasoned to perfection, beautifully presented. Staff were very attentive & knowledgeable & made us feel so welcome. Overall, great atmosphere, would recommend
