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.
To be quite honest, this was a restaurant I have been looking forward to trying since I came to Montreal. Reservations are incredibly difficult to get, you have to plan weeks & weeks ahead… so when we finally went we were so disappointed with our experience.
The food is very mediocre, we ordered the coquettes, specials (savory eclair, & some eggs Benedict with crab?), lobster pasta, fries & hanger steak.
The lobster is as if you took a frozen lobster, boiled it, then served it on a plate. The pasta sauce was curdled & had no flavour. Fries were stale tasting. Eclair was good, croquettes needed a kick like lemon or salt or some flavour (they were shrimp), & the snow crabs eggs Benedict was good but also had minimal flavour.
For a restaurant of this alleged calibre, you would expect so much more. I would've said maybe it was a bad day for them, but 4/6 dishes being mediocre? I don't think so.
Service was good but shame that the food was not. Don't think I'll be coming back.
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 $71, we expected something outstanding - especially from a restaurant of this calibre. Instead, it was comparable to a dish from a far more casual eatery. The lobster itself was small & likely frozen, which detracted from both the texture & the flavour.
Service & Wine:
Service was professional & kind & the Riesling paired well with the seafood, but even great service couldn't compensate for the overall mediocrity of the food.
In the end, Joe Beef simply didn't deliver the calibre of cuisine or experience its price point & reputation suggest. While not a terrible meal, it was an unmemorable one - & certainly not worth the cost. I wish we took more photos, attached are what we have.
Perhaps an off night, maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but this was our experience.
3 mai 2025
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Steak was a bit dry but those fries are unholy. Best fries you'll have in Montreal hands down. (Though they contain alcohol)
Interesting decor in the washroom too haha. Amazing spot.
- Croquette Smoked Meat was really good, 12$ for 3
- Snails were « ok », the sauce is literally oil/butter/brocoli so it didnt have an umami taste, 48$ for 12
- Lobster Spag was good, but overpriced, 71$, the pasta were al dente & the lobster was yummy
- Steak was cooked medium rare, & we had 2 sauces (vin rouge & pepper sauce), overall juicy & good, 125$
- Fries was 11$ & pretty normal fries, nothing too special
- Carrots were too mushy, but the sauce was very good, 13$
- Marjolaine cake was moist & tasty (its a layered cake with almond, hazelnut, chocolate & caramel, 16$
What amazed us is the service. We had the best best waitress possible, but we unfortunately didnt ask her name. Overall, every staff there was kind, generous & smily.
Had an an amazing experience at Joe Beef, food was great, atmosphere was great & service was phenomenal. Believe the hype! I had an assortment of food with my friend, including the lobster spaghetti & porterhouse steak.
Beautiful restaurant with a very nice interior design, atmosphere, & overall layout. The food was good, some dishes like the butternut squash soup & salted caramel dessert were fantastic while others like the steak & mushrooms pictured below were just okay. Overall a very nice restaurant, for the price I would hoped for a bit more; however this style of food isn't my favourite so take that into consideration.
8 févr. 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!
Our dinner at Joe Beef was the highlight of our four-night trip to Montreal (& we thoroughly enjoyed all our other meals, too!). This iconic restaurant more than lives up to its reputation, & we wanted to share our wonderful experience.
The food was superb, & the service was exceptional. The entire staff struck the perfect balance-organic, approachable, & friendly, yet effortlessly delivering flawless, attentive service. Their creativity, authenticity, & genuinely local vibe added a unique charm to the evening, making it feel elevated & down-to-earth.
While Joe Beef isn't a budget-friendly option, every dollar spent felt worth it. The quality, atmosphere, & attention to detail made for an unforgettable experience. We ordered what I believe was their signature steak with mushrooms (the name escapes me), a deliciously fresh salad, & a classic shrimp cocktail-all perfectly prepared & full of flavor.
We can't recommend Joe Beef highly enough if you're visiting Montreal. It's a true culinary gem & an experience you'll remember long after your trip!
I've been wanting to go to Joe Beef for 15+ years, since I first saw it on the travel channel or food network. That's the only reason I've given it a 4/5... because it couldn't possibly live up to the anticipation.
But it was great, & I definitely recommend checking it out. It's a true Montreal legend. The atmosphere & staff were superb. The food was good. Not the out of this world extravaganza I was expecting but absolutely delicious. We had the tuna tartare & the strip with potatoes & bone marrow. At $130 for the steak alone... it's a pricey meal. & worth it. The wine was excellent & the service was fantastic.
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.
My spouse & I had Joe Beef on our bucket list for quite some time, & we finally decided to make it the setting for our recent date night. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed by friendly & attentive staff, immediately setting a positive tone for the evening. It was clear that attention to detail is a priority here; despite not mentioning any food allergies when booking our reservation online, the waiter took the time to confirm that we had no allergies or aversions before we ordered. This small gesture really showed the care they put into their service. We began our meal with the beef tartare, & I can confidently say it was one of the freshest preparations we've ever had. The quality of the ingredients was evident from the start. The beef had clearly been freshly ground, & our server delightfully mixed all the components right at the table, elevating the experience. For our mains, my spouse opted for the Cornish hen, while I went for the leg of lamb. Both dishes were absolutely fantastic, cooked to perfection with flavors that truly stood out. The Cornish hen was tender & juicy, while the leg of lamb melted in my mouth with its rich, savory notes. We also ordered a side of French fries, which were perfectly crisp & golden, & a side of sourdough bread, which was a must for soaking up all the sumptuous sauce from our main dishes. The ambiance was just as impressive as the food. Unlike many fine dining establishments, which can sometimes feel overly formal or cold, the atmosphere here was warm & inviting. The décor, lighting, & music created a cozy yet sophisticated setting that made our evening feel special. It's an ideal spot for a date night or for sharing a memorable meal with friends or clients. One thing to note is that the menu isn't available online, but there is a wide variety of options to choose from once you're there, ranging from seafood to poultry & steaks. There's truly something to suit everyone's tastes. Overall, we were thoroughly impressed with both the quality of the food & the exceptional service. Joe Beef exceeded our expectations & delivered a dining experience we won't soon forget. Highly recommended!
Overrated… I don't know where to start. First, the vibe there is kind of cool. The interior looks old fashion with very old mirrors, old wall papers & lamps. The waiters are amazing & super friendly. The food on the other end was disappointing. It started well with an amazing butternut squash souping with truffles. This was just perfect. We also had the white ham, which was fine but not great. I had a lot of better hams than that in Europe. Then, we shared the steak with potatoes & the marrow bone. This was actually very disappointing. The quantity was great for two, but the taste was just OK. The marrow was actually served with horseradish & herbs, which kills the taste according to me. The steak was undercooked. We ordered medium but it was actually medium-rare & kind of cold when served. The potatoes were just OK. Overall for a dish that costs 130$, I found it relatively average & overpriced. I did not come for fancy nor cozy, but still, it felt like my grandma food overpriced. Last but not least, this place is noisy as hell. Sometimes impossible to have a conversation… I had my experience, after leaving in Montreal for years, but I don't expect to go back. There are better places than that. Tourist trap in my opinion.
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 $250 for party of two.
11 déc. 2024
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I so wanted to give 5 star to this restaurant but decided to give 4. The reason being Desserts. Everything that we ordered was so delicious except the dessert that upset me a little bit. As after having such amazing Appetizers & Mains your expectations with desserts are way too high as it's the last course that you'll be experiencing at the restaurant. We ordered Fois Gras, Halibut & Steak & everything so just amazing. Layered cake - Marjolaine was also 10/10 but the Raspberry Tart was disappointing. Apart from the food, Gabriel was outstanding & showcased top notch hospitality.
There's a reason this restaurant has remained one of Montreal's finest over the years. The food is exceptional, the staff is warm & passionate, & the atmosphere makes it the perfect choice for a special evening. The steak & duck are absolutely divine, & to top it all off, the chocolate tart is the perfect way to end the night. Truly a must-visit for anyone in town!
Service was excellent 👌 Place is rustic style, however music was way too loud. Overall, It was fun enough but it was not that fun fun. It was kind of mix ambience that I'm not so sure how to describe. Food Maindish : - Filet Mignon was 95$ my boyfriend said he had better & less pricey than that. I found it was very moist & good. - Tuna steak was 70$ it was interesting, the pepper sauce was a bit killing the taste of tuna. It was good but not great. Entrée : - Pétoncle I.D.M was 17$ it was interesting to try .. it was intense taste. - Jambon blanc cuit au foin was really really good 21$. I highly recommend to try the entree ones My boyfriend had a glass of red wine which was very good with the steak. Well ! At least we try.
Service: 10/10. Everyone in the restaurant was friendly & outgoing. Our server was fantastic, with an amazing knowledge of the menu & the wine list. The "bar back" aka the woman assisting all of the servers was an absolute delight. Food: the seafood was so fresh & perfectly seasoned/accompanied. The beef tartare was classic & done to perfection. The steak special was unique & delicious. The lobster spaghetti needs to remain on the menu forever. The dessert was dense but light & oh so flavorful. Not too sweet. Almond flour based with layers of jam. Pro tip from one of the bartenders - spread the Chantilly cream on the cake like a frosting. Cocktails: the "John Bill" & ode to the late seafood master was a rum based cocktail. Crushable & delicious. The dirty martini named "Perfect Martini" was exactly that. With olives frozen in vermouth. Mock tail for the pregnant wife was a spin on the cosmopolitan. Delicious & balanced.
