Joe Beef
RestaurantTop Pick
Joe Beef
Relaxed restaurant & bar serving steaks & seafood in a compact, old-school setting.
Opens Tuesday at 5 pm
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5 pm - 10:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 5 pm - 10:30 pm |
| Thursday | 5 pm - 10:30 pm |
| Friday | 5 pm - 10:30 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm - 10:30 pm |
| Sunday | Closed Today |
SuggestionsView All
Info & Location
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.
Amenities, services & more
Restaurants NearbyView All
Suggested Articles
on Google
Best Little Burgundy Restaurants
Events Nearby
POCHA MTL 2025 - Montreal's Korean Street Food Festival
Jul 24, 2025 to Jul 27, 2025
Festival Pizza Matta
Aug 28, 2025 to Aug 31, 2025
Reviews often mention
Display Alllobster(108) steak(73) spaghetti(71) sauce(57) wine(56) recommend(48) dessert(46) dishes(38) attentive(35)Page 1 of 3 - 74 Reviews
Mitch
It's 12/10. Fantastic all the way around. Sometimes these spots can be so overhyped it's hard to meet expectations yet they exceeded them. Vibey, great food & service.
All the staff was top notch from hostess who put us at the perfect for our baby & her stroller, to the busboy, & the waiter.
The duck was insanely delicious, could drink the sauce & the lobster spaghetti is a must. Feels like you can't go wrong with anything you're feeling.
Don't let the name fool you, it's known for their seafood even though it's named after Charles McKiernan'Joe Beef.'View more
Vincent
We came to the Canadian Grand Prix & was recommended Joe Beef for dinner & it did not disappoint. We had to reserve about a month in advance for a party of two but it lived up to the hype. The food was incredible, service was top notch & we had a great time. Pictured is the lobster spaghetti which was 100% worth the price, glazed carrots, & filet mignon. I forget the name of the dessert but it was delicious. Will definitely come again!View more
Magda
So we liked this place. But a few notes.
We had the Andalouse sausage made with veal, fois gras & sweet bread as a starter. Was especially good. But it was two large sausages. It was very delicate & flavorful. We also had the bread & pickle. Was very tasty. The server suggested this.
Oh!
We also had the Roman gnocchi- which was polenta with Gruyère sauce- absolutely delish!
For the mains I had the lobster spaghetti. It was like a twist on Italian carbonara with lobster. I asked- the lobster is fresh!! 🦞( not frozen). This dish was very very tasty & large!
My husband had the Guinea Hen. It was fine. But not the best. He ate it, enjoyed it for what it was but wouldn't order it again. He didn't really know he's eating'guinea hen'- was more like regular poultry in sauce with vegetables.
We had a 5pm seating & what we didn't like is they kind of rushed you to order. ( in a polite way) but they made everyone order all their courses right away. They brought everything out pretty quickly, one right after the other. Was kind of strange. So you couldn't get a feel for sizes or what else you want after already eating an appetizer. It was all ordered from the top & then served.
The restaurant is super cute & nice. Very pretty atmosphere. Cozy yet elegant. Tastefully decorated.View more
SY
We ordered a few appetisers + sides + mains. For main, we got the lobster spaghetti & off-the-menu beef dish. The beef was truly disappointing. Very dry & tough. We couldn't finish half of it. The appey+side were good. Overall, not sure if it's worth the price. We're glad we tried it once, but it's not a place we would come back when we visit Montreal again. The only thing that was good was the wine selection.
The atmosphere of the restaurant was okay. We were sat near the windows & the seats were so snug, it felt a bit too tight for two people.View more
Ruqayya
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.View more
Lucas
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 $71, we expected something outstanding - especially from a restaurant of this calibre. Instead, it was comparable to a dish from a far more casual eatery. The lobster itself was small & likely frozen, which detracted from both the texture & the flavour.
Service & Wine:
Service was professional & kind & the Riesling paired well with the seafood, but even great service couldn't compensate for the overall mediocrity of the food.
In the end, Joe Beef simply didn't deliver the calibre of cuisine or experience its price point & reputation suggest. While not a terrible meal, it was an unmemorable one - & certainly not worth the cost. I wish we took more photos, attached are what we have.
Perhaps an off night, maybe we ordered the wrong dishes, but this was our experience.View more
S
The food was overall not bad
- Croquette Smoked Meat was really good, 12$ 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.View more
Andrew
The food at Joe Beef was awesome especially the desserts :)
The Tuna Carpaccio was good. The presentation looked odd with the tuna on top & assortment of oranges & spices underneath. Overall, it had a good balance of saltiness & sweetness. The orange pieces in this dish were really sweet & delicious.
The Croquette was good. It was crispy on the outside & filled with meaty savouriness on the inside. The sliced pickle was good too.
The Spaghetti Homard-Lobster was good. The spaghetti was cooked perfectly al dente. The lobster was tender & sweet. Wish there was more of the lobster. The bacon bits were delicious. The sauce was unique. It was a rich, creamy brandy cream sauce. It was a flavour that grows with you the more you eat it.
The Filet Mignon & Veal tongue was good. The 30-day dry aged Filet Mignon was perfectly cooked medium rare. It was a tender, juicy & savoury Filet Mignon. Would definitely recommend the Filet Mignon. The Veal tongue was okay. Texture wise it was more rubbery in the front & middle area. The base of the tongue was more tender & soft. The sauce in this dish was okay.
The Marjolaine which is their 24 layer cake was awesome. Would definitely recommend if you craving a good multi-layered chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla & caramel cake :)
The Paris-Brest à l'érable which is their Choux pastry with Maple Cream was awesome. The Choux pastry was light & fluffy. The Maple Cream was heavenly with an amazing maple syrup flavour that was not too sweet.
The Vanilla Ice Cream was awesome. It went well the 24 layer cake.View more
Neil
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.View more
Vi
Ham appetizer really good. Steak with bine marrow is excellent. Lobster spaghetti was a little too salty. Profiteroles chefs kiss.View more
Serge
Fantastic dinner. Been on my list for 10+ years. New Brunswick Oysters, foie gras with marmalade, lobster pasta & rabbit pie.View more
Jason
Really solid food, did not disappoint. But not spectacular. The service & vibe was great, would definitely go back for the vibes. Water was also filled & the staff were warm & efficient.
The foie terrine was solid. Duck was solid as well, but have had better else where. My favourite was probably the caramel pudding, it managed to be not too sweet.
Their lobster pasta is what they're known for & I found it a bit disappointing. The pasta was a bit bitter from the lobster. As well, the flavours did not come together that well, I could taste the lobster, butter & other ingredients separately but didn't come together all that well. It's like a bunch of fancy ingredients that didn't necessarily form one cohesive dish. Out of all the dishes the lobster pasta is the only one I wouldn't recommend.View more
Junni
It was my first dining experience at Jue Beef in Montreal, & I couldn't have asked for a better introduction. The moment I walked in, I was struck by the vibrant atmosphere & the welcoming vibe of the place. I decided to sit at the bar, which turned out to be a fantastic choice.
started off with the tuna tartare, which was nothing short of exquisite. The freshness of the tuna combined with the delicate seasoning made each bite a delight. It was beautifully presented, & I couldn't help but admire the artistry of the dish.
For my drink, I ordered a cocktail that perfectly complemented my meal. It was refreshing & balanced, making it a great pairing with the flavors of the tuna.
Then came the pièce de résistance: the lobster spaghetti. Wow! The pasta was cooked to perfection, & the generous chunks of lobster added a luxurious touch. The sauce was rich & flavorful, enveloping each strand of spaghetti in a way that made it hard to resist.
I felt incredibly lucky to snag a seat at the bar since I hadn't made a reservation. Usually, you need to book ahead to get a table, but I guess fortune was on my side that day. The service was impeccable; the staff was attentive & friendly, always ready with recommendations & ensuring my experience was top-notch.
Overall, my first meal at Jue Beef was amazing. I left with a full belly & a big smile, already planning my next visit!View more
Mike
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.View more
Andrew
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.View more
Johanna
Came to Joe Beef earlier this year & our experience was phenomenal. From the service to the ambiance & the food, everything was amazing. Our favourite was the famous lobster spaghetti & the marjolaine. Definitely a must try!View more
Robert
Beef is in the name & delicious expertly cooked but lobster pasta leaves me dreaming of the next visit, wait staff highly attentive & knowledgeable.View more
Zach
Wonderful meal. Duck was excellent. Lobster pasta was rich & delicious. Chocolate torte was very good.View more
Joe
Amazing food & excellent service. Our party of four thoroughly enjoyed our meal. The filet mignon special was outstanding & the lobster spaghetti was equally good. Our waiter Gab made the night incredible, he was friendly, attentive & helpful. His recommendations for appetizers, meals, wine & desserts were spot on! Not an easy place to get a reservation but we will definitely be back!View more
Glenn
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.View more
Matthew
Gabriel was an absolute joy as a server. As always the food here is amazing, with the raw seafood appetizer offering & lobster spaghetti as must orders. The Tuna Bagnat was boooomb!View more
Amanda
What a great restaurant. The service was impeccable without being stuffy. The food is amazing - honesty one of the best meals I've had at this price point. The table side beef tartare was a standout, & the lobster spaghetti is something I hope I get to eat again. Our waiter provided a perfect wine recommendation that paired nicely with both. Glad that the hype is deserved.View more
Roberta
Great service, some of the best waiters I've ever encountered! The atmosphere is nice & cozy & the food is overall good (we had beef tartare, lobster spaghetti, filet mignon & duck breast). Overall, this restaurant is extremely overpriced (440 dollars in 3 people plus a kid who only got french fries) & at the end of the day it's not worth the wait & the money. The filet mignon was good, but not better than other places & that alone costed 95 dollars. I won't come back.View more
Magee
Unreal spot, the lobster 🦞 pasta was out of this world delicious! Great staff & vibes. Highly recommend! Best meal in MontrealView more
Alexander
Worth the hype completely. Food & service are incredible. Lobster pasta, steak, & foie gras are all insanely decadent but not doing it is a missView more
Rus
All around an excellent experience. The mains & desserts are incredible especially the lobster bisque spaghetti & steak, but some of the appetizers could be better. Specifically the raw tuna tarte was a little underwhelming, the french omelette with lobster was incredible!View more
Alvertos
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.View more
Ken
Best dinner in all of Montreal!!!! The service & server were amazing & then there was the food! Highly recommend coming here! We ordered the Foie Gras, Hanger Steak, & Lobster Spaghetti. Such a great experience!!!View more
Diana
The hype is real. I got hammered & ate Steak & lobster & oysters. Servers were all cuties. What more could you want?View more
VICTORIA
As an admirer of Anthony Bourdain, I couldn't miss the chance to dine at Joe Beef during my Montreal visit, & it truly lived up to its reputation. The staff was exceptionally kind & professional, making me feel incredibly welcome as a solo diner, even amidst the bustling atmosphere. The culinary offerings were nothing short of outstanding, with each ingredient carefully curated to perfection. The lobster spaghetti & the layer cake stood out as absolute must-tries. Worth every bite & fairly reasonably priced, the dining experience at Joe Beef is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that makes every dish shine.View more