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.
You know I think it would be a good idea to open up like a lil cart where you can serve people outside at least the basic poutine options & that way you can get the line going faster faster - like a hot dog stand but instead of hot dogs it's poutine. Ezpz
Jan 4, 2025
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I like my poutine. Had to add extra bacon & mushrooms to make it what I wanted. They delivered for sure. Blonde beer is the closest one to lager they had. Good in house option. Salad was interesting. According to my companion it was unusual combination of sour vegetables & sweet apples. She didn't like it though ♂️ Edit: so, I talked to my companion & she pointed out a few flaws at this place. Firstly, it's packed right. Very little space to move around tables. Secondly, plates, menus, tables & tableware are super old, scratched beyond belief & overused. This place does not respect you like a client. Thirdly, serving size is huge & overflows. The food is literally falling off your plate. It's like they refuse to update their tapestry. Lastly, who the hell serves beer in a plastic cup? Bruh.
Some of the best poutine in Montreal. Plates are heavy & the toppings are PILED on! We tried to wait in line on a Friday night but it was too long so we came again on Sunday around 9:30pm & there was no line thankfully. Between 9pm-6am you do have to pre pay. Our server was also very friendly & very patient as we could not choose which one to get! Soo many options! Our second time here, first time dining in & we cannot wait to come back!
Great atmosphere for authentic montreal poutine. This place is famous. Be prepared to wait for 30min-50min if its busy. It gets really crowded. Food is bit salty but enjoyed & a lot of menu options there for poutine. Service is not the best you can sympathize how busy this place gets.
The line you see outside this place is for dine-in. Order takeout for a shorter wait. There are nearby picnic tables outside, or you can eat in the park. Dozens of poutine options. We ordered the one with mac & cheese bites on top.
This is an absolute must visit. The classic poutine is top notch. The additional poutine options are fun & also very tasty. The Scooby was basically a burger on top of the classic. So good! The regular portion is more than enough per person. This place gets very busy but don't be scared as they are very efficient. The staff is focused on getting people seated & food ordered promptly. You will not be disappointed!
Jul 21, 2024
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Insanely busy place with yummy food especially their poutine is famous for a reason. They have multiple options with choices for everyone including vegan & vegetarian
La Banquise was a top recommendation for trying the famous Quebec poutine. We went on an early Wednesday evening & thankfully did not see any wait times. From the get go the place had a distinctive style, the yellow exterior looks quite welcoming & the interiors have a life of their own. We got the Rachel to share & something to drink. It tasted amazing & I will definitely go back & try more things on the menu soon. They have some good vegetarian options on the too.
La Banquise is a poutine lover's paradise! The variety & quality of poutine options are outstanding, with generous portions & delicious flavors. The vibrant atmosphere & friendly staff make for a great dining experience. A must-visit spot in Montreal!
The fries were good. They have vegan cheese option, which is amazing. But the gravy wasn't enough or hot enough. It didn't even melt the cheese! The smoked meat & sausage toppings were really good. But the breaded chicken tasted like stale frozen chicken tenders.
Apr 2, 2024
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Loads of options at this famous poutine joint in Montréal. The portion size was generous & the food was pretty good, but it's definitely catering to tourists! I'd recommend a visit though, as it seems to be a Montreal institution!
Not worth it for vegans imo, they had vegan option but the fries tasted weird (sweet) & I've had much better vegan poutine elsewhere (Maynard & MeeT in Vancouver)
