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.
Old & classic poutinery with diverse menu. Very cozy place & the line in front of it moves relatively fast. If you want to experience Quebec classic poutine & you are a visitor to Montreal, this is the best place for that. It is also fun to go to a place after midnight that is not exactly a bar! Good place for the night owl cravings!
So good! Must try while in Montreal if you like poutine. Lots of variety to pick from. This one had pogos, bacon, & onions on it. To die for. Portions are big as well. Update: get the scooby'! BEST THING IVE EVER HAD! 🤤
Jun 20, 2024
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Très bon, un incontournable si vous êtes à Montréal en voyage & que vous n'avez jamais goûté à la poutine ! Attention, le lieu peut être très fréquenté par moments, mais le service est en général assez rapide.
A great place to dine, a must visit, but please don't go for anything else other than the poutines! I tried the veggie hot dog & it was awful; the creamy coleslaw was pretty good tho to be fair. Their poutine is yummy but I've had better. Yet, the experience is absolutely exceptional! So yes, I do recommend this place very much!
Jun 11, 2024
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The poutine was just ok. There was an issue getting a large poutine. Over half an hour wait. The ticketing system was down. The wait service were very friendly.
Fabulous. Cheerful environment. Friendly staff. Will likely set your gold standard for poutine. Revisit La Banquise every time I visit Montreal. It's a force of nature. There aren't many restaurants that are this flat out joyous.
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!
Don't skip the creamy coleslaw I'm OBSESSED & got the leftovers to go! Poutine is the star of course! Lineup moved quickly enough & was absolutely worth it for the value & portion wow ! I would highly recommend this place to anyone visiting
Just had an AMAZING dinner at La Banquise located in Montreal Canada & I can't stop raving about it! 🥳The poutine was out of this world - so many delicious varieties to choose from! 🍟🧀 From classic to creative topping combinations, each bite was better than the last. If you haven't been, you HAVE to try it. Perfect place for foodies & poutine lovers alike! ❤️ #FoodieAdventures #LaBanquise #PoutinePerfection #DeliciousEats
La Banquise is worth every minute of waiting in line. For a party of two, we waited about 30 minutes for a 1:00 PM lunch, but the line moved quickly, especially for small groups. The atmosphere inside is a bit chaotic, but the tempting aroma makes it all worthwhile. We ordered the Banquise Burger & upgraded our fries to poutine. I chose the La Couvre-Feu poutine, & it was absolutely delicious. The portions were generous-so much so that I couldn't finish mine, but every bite was incredible! The picture truly says it all.
