Classiques de restaurants du Vieux-Montréal au coeur de la Petite Bourgogne. Un hommage à Charles "Joe-Beef" McKiernan, héros de la classe ouvrière du 19ième siècle. A deux pas mi-ivres du célèbre Marché Atwater. Steaks et fruits de mer.
Les avis convergent sur une expérience culinaire riche et généreuse, typique d'une institution montréalaise où l'ambition est au rendez-vous et l'ambiance est dense et chaleureuse. Des plats phares comme le foie gras double down, les spaghettis au homard, le canard et le bœuf dans différentes cuissons reviennent souvent, accompagnés de desserts tels que la marjolaine et la mousse au chocolat qui marquent les esprits. Le service est fréquemment salué pour son attention, sa connaissance du menu et sa convivialité, même lors des soirs chargés, mais certains estiment que le prix est élevé et que les portions peuvent sembler justes pour le coût. Des détails récurrents évoquent une cuisine audacieuse et festive, où les saveurs s'affirment avec intensité et une certaine opulence, tout en restant accessible par l'ambiance et l'accueil. Des critiques notent aussi que la constance peut varier selon les plats et les jours, mais l'expérience globale est décrite comme mémorable et digne d'un retour, particulièrement pour les amateurs de fruits de mer, de viande généreuse et de desserts généreux. Globalement Joe Beef demeure un repère du paysage culinaire montréalais, synonyme de plaisir gourmand, d'énergie conviviale et d'un goût pour le raffinement sans prétention, même si le rapport prix-qualité peut prêter à débat.
One the best restaurant experience of my life, everything was perfect. Joe beef is a must! The oysters were excellent & the scallop was delicious. The lobster pasta was amazing & the sauce was perfect like a rich bisque sauce very creamy. Cod cheeks were also great & very flavourful. The dessert was an incredible end to the meal the Marjolaine was outstanding & the pistachio eclair was one the best desserts I have ever had if you love pistachio it's gonna blow your mind. Our waiter was very nice, very professional & knowledgeable. The restaurant is very homely & warm, beautiful decor very kitsch. I would recommend Joe beef to anyone who wants to experience dining at its finest & also they have amazing seafood options, don't let the name fool you
15 mars 2026
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i'm visiting mtl on my own this weekend & decided to take myself out to joe beef 🤗 all the staff were super friendly, the atmosphere was lovely, & the food was amazing. eddie talked me through the entire menu & gave all his recommendations-i took them all & he was spot on with everything 🤗 absolutely loved it. i had oysters, steak tartare, & rabbit a la royale
it's almost a you like it or you dislike it kind of place. theres no in between. & in montreal, when you are spoilt for choices, the in betweens fall behind.
joe beef on the other hand, was absolutely spectacular. having eaten at the so called top spots around the city, nothing is as good as joe beef (as of now).
the oysters were specifically chosen, 3 different types to be exact, from places like merasheen bay, cheebooktook & fiona's fury (from PEI). where each oyster takes up to 4-5 years to get to that size.
their version of the double down was phenomenally decadent & sinful. two slabs of fried foie gras splashed with maple syrup. if au pied di cochon was foie gras heaven, this must be the stairs leading up to that.
their iconic lobster pasta, incredible. one of the best lobster pasta ive had. even across italy, this stands out to me. the meat was cooked perfectly, the sauce on the pasta was rich yet not overpowering. & the bacon gave it a bite that did not take too much away from the seafood.
to end it off, i had this pistachio eclair. it was crunchy & had right amount of sweetness.
the cocktails was good too & not too pricey (anything
We had an absolutely phenomenal experience tonight. Service, food & ambiance were all terrific. We had oysters & the zesty Italian beef tartare to start, & shared the lobster pasta & filet mignon in red wine sauce for mains. Had the ice cream for dessert. Everything we ate was impeccable, & the staff were all super friendly, attentive but still pleasantly casual & knowledgeable. Cocktails were maybe the weaker point, not bad at all but not exactly inspired either.
Had been looking forward to this reservation for weeks & it absolutely exceeded our expectations. A must for any foodie visiting Montreal!
Had a great experience with Joe B. Zero complaints. A++
1) The entire waitstaff were all lovely. Service was great! I sat at the oyster bar in a'newer' side of the establishment. Kind of felt like I was in a historical bar with a bunch of old seaside decor. Had to bust out the readers as it's a dark/intimate setting. Homey feel for sure.
2) Each time a course was dropped off, the server explained what they were dropping off in detail. It was a breath of fresh air to have that explanation even though you knew what you ordered. I loved that part!!
Started with the special of the night which was oyster casino . Nice touch - cooked & presented well. Next was the foie gras double. So rich but well worth it. Just don't order any other appetizer, or you'll ruin your main course!
Filet had great flavor with its funghi reduction. I prob would have enjoyed it more had I not stuffed my face. **plated on warm plate to keep the nice mushroom crème sauce to stay nice, warm & silky smooth.
3) The guys behind the oyster bar went out of their way to show me how to open & prepare an oyster! (I ordered 100 oystered to be delivered & said I was trying taking notes)
19 nov. 2025
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We were 2 midweek for an early dinner. Reservations still recommended. Trio of oysters starter were good but PEI Oysters were larger & tastier. My main was hanger steak. A little chewy but wonderful flavour & red wine reduction sauce. Other main was filet mignon - very tender with umami-infused sauce. Excellent. Mushroom side dish a great addition. Main server was friendly & knowledgeable-'sous' servers all attentive too. Wine order was a little slow coming but good choices. Cheese course with whole walnuts in the shell was an amusing DIY finale. Highly recommended.
Great food! Their specials are always so delicious & original, we had a cabage dish absolutely amazing. The oysters are really good & big. Nice selection of wine & a cozy ambiance.
Disappointed at Joe Beef - Expected Greatness, Got Mediocrity
We recently dined at Joe Beef with high expectations & an appetite to match. Our meal included several appetizers - Boston scallops (served raw), a dozen oysters, escargots, & croquettes - followed by mains of lobster pasta, guinea hen, a 26 oz ribeye steak, & two orders of fries. We shared a bottle of German Riesling & skipped dessert. The total bill came to just over $700 CAD, including an 18% tip.
Unfortunately, the experience didn't live up to the restaurant's reputation.
Appetizers:
The scallops were delicate & fresh - easily the highlight of the evening. However, the oysters were surprisingly dry & underwhelming. The snails were enjoyable but nothing memorable, & the croquettes, while decent, felt like an afterthought on the plate.
Mains:
The ribeye was generously sized but excessively fatty, which diminished the enjoyment. Both sauces - a red wine reduction & a peppercorn - were well-executed & helped elevate the dish slightly. The guinea hen was overly rich & lacked balance, leaving a heavy impression rather than a satisfying one.
As for the much-anticipated lobster pasta, it was, at best, average. For $71, we expected something outstanding - especially from a restaurant of this calibre. Instead, it was comparable to a dish from a far more casual eatery. The lobster itself was small & likely frozen, which detracted from both the texture & the flavour.
Service & Wine:
Service was professional & kind & the Riesling paired well with the seafood, but even great service couldn't compensate for the overall mediocrity of the food.
In the end, Joe Beef simply didn't deliver the calibre of cuisine or experience its price point & reputation suggest. While not a terrible meal, it was an unmemorable one - & certainly not worth the cost. I wish we took more photos, attached are what we have.
Perhaps an off night, maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but this was our experience.
Started with PEI oysters & crab legs. Delicious. Then had an appetizer which was an'eclair' stuffed with anchovies, olives, & carmelized onions. Awesome.
We had gin martinis with the appetizers, perfect.
For main course I had a beef tenderloin with mushrooms & gravy. Cooked to perfection. My wife had halibut. She thought the sauce was a bit overpowering but still enjoyed it.
The waiter recommended two wonderful wines, a white with the fish & a red with the beef. We enjoyed both.
We had desserts: a layer cake & a'bagel' with yummy filling. Marvelous. We topped them off with cordials.
Overall a wonderful experience. Quite expensive but not more than we expected & definitely worth it.
30 avr. 2025
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Dining at Joe Beef was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. The moment we walked in, we were greeted by a warm, lively atmosphere that set the tone for the evening. The service was exceptional-attentive, knowledgeable, & friendly, making us feel right at home despite it being a busy night.
The menu is a perfect blend of creativity & classic comfort, with every dish bursting with bold flavors. We started with a selection of appetizers, & each one was a standout. The foie gras was melt-in-your-mouth delicious, & the oysters were fresh & briny-an excellent start to what would be an amazing meal.
For the main course, I had the steak frites, which was cooked to perfection-tender, juicy, & full of flavor. The sides were equally impressive, with the roasted vegetables being a particular highlight. Everything was beautifully presented, & the portions were generous, making each bite more enjoyable than the last.
The wine list is extensive, & the sommelier's recommendation perfectly paired with our meal, elevating the whole experience.
Joe Beef is more than just a meal; it's an experience. The vibrant atmosphere, exceptional service, & unforgettable dishes make it a must-visit for anyone in Montreal. It's clear that the chefs & staff take immense pride in what they do, & that care translates into every dish served. Highly recommend!
The team at Joe Beef is, as a whole, completely unmatched. They are a non pretentious, group of fast, efficient, & knowledgeable professionals. Our waitress, is a master of her craft. She was patient, funny, & so deeply accommodating, it made my 18yo son's first fine dining experience one that neither he nor I will ever forget. He was not pressured or intimidated at any point as the Joe Beef team warmly walked him through their amazing menu. We were treated to a "Choose Your Own Adventure" selection of menu offerings made once again by our lovely waitress. I know, I know everyone wants to know about the food. Words don't do it justice. Every item that touched our table was quickly devoured &/or shared with the lovely couple next to us. We enjoyed a selection of Scallops, 3 types of North Atlantic Oysters, as a starter. Our 2nd course consisted of Beef Bone Marrow, Escargot, Foie Gras & a simple but delicious homemade Ham with Brie & pickled plums. We ordered the shared 40oz Porterhouse, with potatoes au gratin, & a Waldorf salad. Each course was paired with our Waitress's suggested wine pour, & they elevated each dish accordingly. I wanted to give a special shout to the Expo staff at Joe Beef. She made sure EVERY single dish was perfectly plated, properly timed, delivered to each table without missing ANYTHING the entire night. It's always a pleasure to observe a true professional in their element. (Bonus - the restaurant was FILLED with an amazing groups which only added to the intoxicating atmosphere). If you're ever lucky enough to have an opportunity to dine at Joe Beef, make it a top priority. Returning with my wife & daughter are at the top of my list!
This is a great restaurant that focuses on quality! I ordered some oysters, lobster spaghetti, & a steak with roasted potatoes & bone marrow, which was really good.
8 janv. 2025
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Joe Beef is a Montreal institution located in the Little Burgundy neighborhood near the Lachine Canal. Atmosphere is lively & packed & dishes are decadent & indulgent. Would highly recommend seafood & steak dishes including: oysters, lobster spaghetti, burgundy escargot, steak & ice cream profiteroles. Reservations are strongly recommended. Would budget approximately $250 for party of two.
This was the best dinner I have had in Montreal. The atmosphere was great & the staff was knowledge & attentive. We started the delicious evening with a glass of champagne & fresh oysters, the steak was cooked to perfection & flavorful, even the sides were super fresh! It was truly an unforgettable experience!
Outstanding dining experience. Very friendly staff. Efficient & attentive service. But it's the food that stands out. Super fresh oysters. Delectable escargot & piece de la resistance was a beef Wellington with truffle & marrow. From start to finish , it was an exceptional meal. Merci beacoup!
When Antony Bourdain visited Montreal, Joe Beef was his favorite restaurant. But then again, Tony loved meat. We don't eat meat & poultry or lobster, & our dinner experience was good, but not great; I'm sure that the meat dishes here are great. We tried the oysters, 3 different kinds, they were very good (4/5). The Raw Tuna, Tomato Tart "Basquaise" was good (3/5), but too many flavors overpowered the taste of the tuna. The Egg in a Jar, Trout Roe, Celery & Dulse Butter Brioche was ok, but weird, & not too flavorful (2/5). The fries were good, but a bit bitter (3/5). The best dish was the Halibut, Colbert Vinaigrette, very well cooked & very flavorful (4/5). Finally, the Boston & Gems salad with Mimolette was good, the plating was not (3/5). Service was very good (4/5). Overall, 3/5.
What a great place. I know it's very popular, but it's warranted. Had a reservation for one to sit at the bar. Arrived 15 minutes early, but they were ready for me. I ordered some oysters, which were excellent. Then I ordered a filet mignon with foie gras sauce special. It too was excellent. Highly recommend this place. So delicious.
