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 a legendary Montreal poutine spot known for enormous bowls piled high with crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds, and rich gravy, with a wide variety of toppings from classic to bold. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, service is fast, and staff work hard to accommodate guests even when the place is busy, with vegetarian, vegan, and meat options widely praised. Although crowds and noise are common and the space can feel tight, the generous portions and flavorful poutines make the wait worthwhile, and takeout or enjoying a meal in the park add to the appeal, solidifying La Banquise as a go to for poutine lovers.
Beaucoup de monde donc il faut prévoir l'attente (pour nous 20 min avant d'avoir une table & encore 30 min avant d'être servi) !
Un lieu très réputé mais la qualité des ingrédients n'était pas à la hauteur de mes attentes.. nous avons pris une poutine régulière & une poutine végane.
La poutine régulière avec poivrons verts était correct mais pas exceptionnelle pour le prix. Quant à la poutine végane, dommage d'avoir un fromage râpé qui fond & ne respecte pas l'authenticité de la texture du fromage en grains ! Les frites étaient correctes mais vites molles avec le trop plein de sauce…J'aurais au moins aimé du fromage vegan en dés qui aurait moins fondu.. dommage que la seule option végane ne comporte pas de légumes ou autre supplément pour améliorer le plat.. sans parler du prix qui était plus élevé que des poutines comportant de la viande
L'ambiance est correcte & sympathique notamment en terrasse quand il fait beau !
Mar 7, 2026
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The ambience was absolutely electrifying. I think they have figured out their Poutines to perfection. Will have to comeback to try more options in the Menu.
I'm a vegetarian & was happy to learn their baseline plain poutine is vegetarian! (They use vegetarian gravy!) But what makes this place is all the varieties of poutine you can get. Several vegetarian options too! I LOVED this Mexican style poutine, with sour cream & guacamole & tomatoes.. it was like poutine nachos. Worth the wait outside (the line moves pretty fast!)
Sadly, this place is overrated. I get it, it's a good late night snack poutine after a night out, especially knowing they are open late. But the taste is not the best. If it's your first poutine, & you want the best of the best experiment, I do not recommend. The staff & everything else is cool/good, but not worth for a poutine if you have other options.
I had the La Scooby (the smaller size) & it was delicious! It was loaded up & almost overflowing on the plate. There wasn't much of a wait when I arrived, but I could see there was a long line up for most of the time I was there eating. Service was quick. Only thing I would note is that it's very cramped in the building. It felt like my partner & I were forced to join the tables beside us. I understand that they're maximizing seating space so that they can have a better throughput, just felt a bit uncomfortable. However still an excellent choice for the first poutine stop in Montréal. Lots of options on the menu!
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.
Bring your appetites, because the portions here are massive! This spot is a tourist staple for good reason - it's lively, the food is tasty, & there are a myriad of options to suit everyone's tastes. There is often a long lineup outside & inside, particularly in the evenings & weekends when waiting for a seat. I'm a fan of their ginger beer & vegetarian options in particular. Worth visiting if you're in town.
It was one of the most recommended places I've been to & they didn't disappoint at all. The different options for poutine is nuts & everyone will find something to eat, from meat to vegan options it's all there. I did got the La Bonheur Poutine & it was so good that I could have gotten a second plate. The hype is well deserved.
To be honest, this wasn't my favorite poutine experience. The wait was very long, & I tried two different options but didn't really enjoy either. I do wonder if the classic poutine might have been a better choice.
The food here is absolutely outstanding! From the appetizers to the dessert, every dish was bursting with flavor. The ambiance is warm & inviting, with a cozy, upscale vibe. The staff is attentive & knowledgeable, always ready with a great recommendation. The menu offers a variety of options, catering to different dietary preferences. Highly recommend the seafood pasta - it's a must-try! Overall, a fantastic dining experience, perfect for a date night or a special celebration
Apr 4, 2025
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This is such a gem. I usually get to visit Montreal once a year for a few days, & as much as I feel I ought to try different eateries, I just can't bring myself to skip La Banquise any time I visit. It's fun, energetic, the service is great (& always very understanding of my rudimentary French, quick to switch to English so I'm not flailing), & this is definitely the best poutine. So many incredible options. & great burgers too. I leave nourished in my body & soul - seriously. It's such a comforting meal. They also have great beer options, & non-alcoholic options. The only thing I can possibly imagine to make it better would be one or two sweet/dessert options. While the meals are very filling, once in a while it would be nice to share a dessert with a friend after the main course. Maybe something fried, to stay on theme? Beighnets perhaps? Or even just a basic cheesecake or lemon tart.
If you're in Montreal, definitely don't miss La Banquise. It's a treat. Every single time.
Amazing find for vegetarians! Service was so friendly & recommended us to get substitutions. We decided on getting the tofu red curry & veggie spring rolls & it did not disappoint! Can't wait to come back & try some of the other options.
