La Banquise, originally a small ice-cream shop, first opened its doors in May 1968. In fall of the same year, its founder, local fireman Pierre Barsalou, decided to transform the enterprise into a 24-hour snack bar. At the time it specialized in exceptionally good hot-dogs and great fries. Poutine first appeared on the menu at the start of the 80s and originally just two varieties were offered, classic and Italian. However, in response to repeated requests from very satisfied customers, the restaurant’s poutine varieties quickly multiplied. Today we offer no less than 25 different types of poutine. Today, La Banquise remains a family business. Mr. Barsalou’s youngest daughter Annie took over in the 1990s along with her partner Marc Latendresse. Together, they maintain both the tradition of quality and the excellent reputation of the La Banquise Restaurant. In summer 2006, La Banquise underwent major renovations and a much larger dining area was made available. 40 years on, La Banquise is now much more than a simple snack bar or poutine joint. Today it is also a warm, friendly venue where customers can enjoy micro-brewery beers, a complete menu du jour and excellent breakfasts. So here’s to you, our loyal customers, the night owls, the groups of friends, the workers, students, families and more, because all of you have contributed to shaping and enriching the success story that is La Banquise today. Many, many thanks.
La Banquise is widely recognized as a Montreal institution, celebrated for its extensive menu of creative poutine variations and generous portion sizes. While the restaurant is incredibly popular and frequently experiences long wait times and a lively, crowded atmosphere, many visitors find the high-quality food, fresh ingredients, and authentic taste worth the effort. The staff generally receives praise for being friendly and efficient, even during busy periods, though some guests note that the tight seating and occasional noise levels are part of the bustling experience. Whether stopping by for a classic version or trying a specialty, most patrons consider it a must-visit destination for those seeking a quintessential dining experience in the city.
It is VERY LOUD! But it is also very busy, so it is to be expected.
We've loved the place for 25 years. & although we moved out of the city, we never miss a chance to come back for a poutine!
La Banquise absolutely lived up to the hype! The poutine was delicious & tasted like the authentic Quebec experience we were looking for. We visited around 11 p.m. & were seated right away, which was a nice surprise. The service was quick & friendly, & everything came out fast despite how busy the restaurant is known to get. We honestly have nothing bad to say-it was a great experience from start to finish. If you're visiting Montreal, this is definitely a spot worth checking out!
Best poutine tried their shootout & fred callou best in the town no doubt if you are doing pickup call them 40 minutes advance so busy always packed friendly service.
Jul 12, 2026
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The place wasn't busy when we went there. We easily found a place to sit.
The food was okay. But staffs were not friendly. The menu is in french & we couldn't comunicate well as I couldnt speak & understand French.
I was very disappointed when I ordered a burger for my child & they brought out a chicken sandwich instead, without letting us know they didn't have burgers available.
Very good experience. Best poutine i had in long time. Their chicken (grilled & fried is halal) & their smoked meat is kosher. The gravy is vegetarian. Their fries were fresh & crispy, the cheese & gravy tasted amazing. Good protions for the price & many options/toppings available. They have a nice menu of non poutine stuff too!
Staff was super friendly & as its open 24h there wasnt much wait when we arrived. It got busy by lunch time! Highly recommend this spot when in montreal
I had a really good experience at La Banquise! The food was absolutely delicious & I can totally understand why this place is so famous. Everything we ordered was super tasty & definitely worth the hype.
The only downside is that the restaurant isn't very big, so there's usually a line to get in because everyone wants to eat there. The place also felt a bit overcrowded & the service was a little slow, probably because it was so busy.
But honestly, even with the wait & the crowd, it was still worth it. If you're visiting Montreal, I definitely think this place is something you should try at least once!
Charming place & very busy! For how busy it was we were surprised by how quickly the food came from the kitchen. 100% a must visit place in Montreal. Greatly accommodating to gf & df diets
La Banquise absolutely lived up to the hype. It was recommended to us by multiple friends as the #1 place to get poutine in Montreal, & it certainly did not disappoint. We waited about 10 minutes for a seat, but it was obvious right away that this place is incredibly popular. There was a steady stream of people coming & going the entire time - long lines before we arrived & long lines after we left. You could really tell people come here for one thing: great poutine.
The food itself was delicious, the portions were huge, & the prices were very reasonable for what you get. The atmosphere was lively & fun, & despite how busy it was, the staff were very friendly & welcoming. The waitresses were especially kind to our little one, which we really appreciated. Since we are visiting Montreal, we have had a number of different'kids menu' meals & our little one never ate any of them
as well, as he ate that cheese toast from here.
Overall, it was a great experience with good food, great energy, & excellent value. Definitely worth checking out if you're in Montreal.
Delicious food. Very busy popular spot, but the waiters ran it very well for its size. Great atmosphere, decent sized seating but takeout option cuts down on wait times well. Very busy, wait times were a little too long but food was incredible. Best poutine I've had in Montreal!
La Banquise is a must-visit spot if you're in Montreal & want to try authentic & delicious poutine. The variety on the menu is impressive, with so many creative toppings & combinations that there's something for everyone.
The food is rich, flavorful, & very satisfying-perfect comfort food, especially after exploring the city. The portions are generous, & the experience feels very classic Montreal.
The food is affordable & definitely worth the price. It's not expensive at all considering the portion sizes & quality you get. You really feel like you're getting good value for your money.
What really stood out was the staff & overall vibe-everyone was friendly, energetic, & clearly enjoying the atmosphere. Even though the place is often busy, the staff keep things moving smoothly & still manage to stay welcoming & upbeat, which adds a lot to the experience.
Overall, La Banquise is a fun, iconic, & delicious stop in Montreal with great food & an amazing vibe. Definitely worth visiting at least once when you're in the city.
