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.
At La Banquise, poutine lovers will find a legendary range of toppings, from classic to inventive, piled high on crispy fries with squeaky cheese curds and savory gravy. Generous portions and a lively, welcoming atmosphere make it a go to spot for sharing or a hearty solo bite, with options from traditional to bold specialty poutines and even late night hours. The line often moves quickly and the staff are friendly and efficient, keeping the energy high and the experience memorable in Montreal. A true Montreal staple, it delivers comforting, craveable food that hits the spot after a day of exploring.
Road trip to Montreal isn't complete if you didn't get the most legendary Poutine from La Banquise😮?💨We got their La Fred Caillou, it's got all the MEATS from Ground Beef, Smoked Meat, Spicy Sausage to Merguez Sausage! Their Fries are incredibly crispy, topped with the BEST Cheese Curds (it's more fresh in MTL, trust) & perfectly seasoned Gravy! Cheese pull guaranteed every time!
La Banquise is a must-visit! They absolutely nail their vegetarian options. I tried La Veggie Reggie (loaded with peppers, onions, & mushrooms) & L'Ovni (topped with ground veggie corn dog & pickles)-both were fantastic! The vegetarian gravy is rich & savory, the fries stay crispy, & there are tons of squeaky cheese curds. Fast service & an amazing atmosphere!
May 24, 2026
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Highly recommend the Elvis which comes with a generous portion of meat.
On a slightly negative note, my girlfriend got the classic poutine which was mostly just fries. For some reason there was only a small amount of gravy & cheese curds in the very middle.
Place was very busy so I'm going to assume this was simply a rare mistake.
Still enjoyed the food, it's a classic poutine spot, but it's by no means the best you can find.
Truely incredible experience. The poutine is legit. Gravy is full of flavor. Cheese curds are fresh & squeaky. Fries are absolutely perfect & loved seeing the buckets of prepped potatoes waiting to be fried! Might be the best poutine I've had.
La Banquise delivered exactly what we came for: legendary poutine & a fun, lively vibe. I went for the smoked meat poutine - L'Obélix - & it was outstanding. Perfect fries, rich gravy, plenty of cheese curds, & that smoky, tender meat on top took it over the edge.
My brother ordered La Elvis, which was loaded, indulgent, & exactly the kind of over?the?top poutine you hope it will be. Our niece kept it classic with La Classique, & even the simplest version was spot?on. When a place nails the basics, you know the rest is going to be great.
They also have a surprisingly good craft beer selection, which paired perfectly with the food & the atmosphere.
If you're in Montreal & craving poutine - whether you want traditional or something wild - La Banquise absolutely lives up to the hype. I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Go in person. The take out is shit since they transferred it to a central kitchen expediting orders. Barely any cheese curds & a pool of sauce at the bottom. Absolutely terrible.
Mar 2, 2026
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La Banquise is where most poutine journeys begin, & for good reason. It's Montreal's most famous spot, an institution known for its dizzying array of takes on the classic Quebecois dish. While the menu spans everything from'Elvis' to'La Obélix,' there's an undeniable pleasure in sticking to the original: perfectly crisp, golden fries, squeaky fresh cheese curds, & a rich, savory brown gravy.
Admittedly, for a seasoned poutine connoisseur, La Banquise might feel a little like a tourist rite of passage-there are indeed hidden gems across the city offering arguably'better' versions. However, this vibrant, 24-hour spot is the perfect, delicious introduction for the poutine novice. It sets the standard & provides the ideal starting point before you level up to the more refined competition. Go for the classic, savor the experience, & let the curd life begin!
Tried out La Banquise after hearing all the hype about it being a Montréal must-visit spot for poutine. I went in with high expectations but honestly, the meal was just… okay. I ordered the'La Frites Rex' & their classic poutine-both were edible, but neither really wowed me. The fries were fine, the gravy was salty without much depth, & the cheese curds didn't have that squeaky freshness I was looking for.
It wasn't terrible, just very average-something I'd rate around a 7/10 or 3 stars. For the amount of hype this place gets, I couldn't help but feel it was overrated. Maybe it's more about the late-night atmosphere or the sheer number of topping options than the actual quality of the food.
Would I go back? Probably not anytime soon. There's better poutine to be found in Montréal if you're chasing flavour over novelty.
We had the shoot out poutine & spicy sausage hot dog. The fries weren't anything special, the sauce was oddly thick & extremely salty & it didn't have a lot of cheese curds. There was a lot of meat on the poutine, all of it extremely salty. The spicy sausage hot dog was supposed to have a creamy coleslaw & you can see from the photo that there was hardly anything there. Would not recommend.
One of the best poutines ive ever had & i am not usually one to have'specialty' poutines. I usually prefer a typical poutine with curds. My hometown in northern ontario has 2 chipstands both ranked top 10 in the world so im well versed in poutinery knowledge & La Banquise''Southwestern' ( i think) poutine with the onion rings & guac was amazing!
Only con of this place is its very small & loud but some people might dig that. Seems like a place people just go in for a quick snack then leave, not hangout for too long. Definitely recommend!
May 4, 2025
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Service is friendly & the atmosphere is very cozy. There was a line upon entering but it moved very fast & we were seated within 5-10 minutes. I ordered the classic poutine & it was just alright. The fries were good but the gravy was quite watery & unfavourable & there wasn't quite enough cheese curds for my liking. Not a terrible meal but any means & decently priced just expected a bit more from such a classic establishment.
Excellent poutine! They have a variety of toppings. I was expecting more fries than toppings, but it was the opposite! I had the pulled pork with bacon & apples. It was loaded with gravy & curds throughout the dish. Absolutely delicious!
I'm not personally a poutine fan, but as I was visiting the city, I thought I should try this place thanks to the recommendations. The poutine was delicious & loaded with meat, fries & cheese curds. It was really busy the day when I went, so called in placed an order & went to collect it. There was a lineup to collect the food when my group went there & the place was filled to the brim. I'll surely recommend this place to anyone who visits Montreal & have any of their offerings. The quantity is generous.
One of our favourite spots for poutine in Montreal. Can't miss the Classique, the cheese curds were a perfect mix of squeaky & creamy & the gravy & frites are
Nov 27, 2024
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Definitely worth the hype! Been wanting to come here for many years. When me & my husband planned our trip throughout eastern Canada we knew we had to come here when in Montréal! Staff is bilingual, had no problem speaking English. Very attentive, fun vibe/atmosphere. A bit cramped for space, but I feel that just added to it. I ordered La Festival, & I've gotta say that was one of the best meals I've ever had. Everything came together perfectly, even though when you see the item on the menu, you wonder how in the heck can that taste good - trust me, it does! Fries were not soggy or too salty. Ground beef wasn't too greasy & the gravy was perfect. The cheese curds were perfection. Merci, beaucoup amour! 🩷
La Banquise is a must-visit for anyone in Montreal who has a passion for poutine. Famous for its extensive variety of this beloved Quebecois dish, I had heard a lot about it, & my first visit certainly lived up to the hype. When we arrived, I was initially intimidated by the long line stretching outside the restaurant. It was a sunny day, & we had just finished a lengthy walk through the Montreal area, so the prospect of waiting wasn't exactly thrilling. However, to my pleasant surprise, we were seated much faster than I had anticipated. Despite the crowd, the staff worked efficiently, & we were settled into our seats in no time. We ordered the'La Taquise' & the'La Classique', two of their poutine offerings. The'La Taquise' brought a delicious twist with its addition of guacamole & sour cream, while the'La Classique' stayed true to the roots with its simple, yet incredibly satisfying combination of fries, gravy, & cheese curds. The gravy was rich & savory, the fries perfectly crispy, & the cheese curds squeaked just the right amount. It's no exaggeration to say that their poutine is to die for. Every bite was indulgent, comforting, & packed with flavor. The overall experience was fantastic, & for my first visit, I'm already looking forward to many more this year. La Banquise lives up to its reputation, offering a quintessential Montreal poutine experience in a casual, lively setting. Whether you're a local or a visitor, it's a spot you don't want to miss!
I had the La Veggie Reggie poutine, & it was fantastic. The fries were crispy, the gravy was tasty, & the cheese curds were perfect. This poutine is definitely worth trying. It's one of the best I've ever had!
Per the guide the best place to get poutine. When you get to the restaurant there are two lines. On the left is takeout. On the right is for guests that want to be seated. The wait was not long. We were seated fairly quickly. The poutine was yummy but definitely had to share. It's a huge plate of fries drenched in gravy & curd cheese. Add whatever variety of toppings you need.. you can't come to Montreal & not try a poutine.
An iconic spot in Montreal for poutine enthusiasts. Offers a wide variety of poutines, from the classic version with fresh-cut fries, rich gravy, & squeaky cheese curds to inventive variations with toppings like smoked meat, guacamole, & pulled pork. The atmosphere is casual & vibrant, making it perfect for any time of day. service is quick, & the portions are generous (def good for sharing!!) ensuring a satisfying experience for both locals & tourists. For an authentic taste of Montreal's beloved dish, La Banquise is a must-visit!
