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.
we were immediately seated as we entered & we were a group of 6 people. we ordered 3 poutines to share & all came in very big plates & tasted delicious! the staff was also very friendly & spoke both french & english. on the other hand, we visited during mid october & the entire place was very crowded on a thursday lunch, it kind of felt suffocating & sweaty. the windows were closed & it was very hot. this would've gotten a 5-stars if there was some kind of ventilation inside. overall, a very pleasant visit!
Für mich die beste Poutine, die ich gegessen habe, sehr zu empfehlen, große Auswahl an Toppings....Der Laden kann aber unter Umständen sehr voll sein und man muss einen Moment warten, bis man einen Platz bekommt
May 21, 2024
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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!
Expérience la semaine dernière pour une poutine à emporter... La serveuse nous dit d'attendre dehors. Après 15 minutes d'attente, les personnes arrivées après nous sont servies... On patiente encore & au bout de 25 minutes debouts sur le trottoir on se décide à rentrer. Notre sac nous attendait sur le comptoir. Je vous laisse imaginer l'état d'une poutine dans sa boîte au bout de tant d'attente. Dommage que le pourboire soit donné avant d'être servi. Un scandale ! Je ne recommande absolument pas.
C'est un super moment à vivre Le personnel est d une gentillesse incroyable trop mims Meilleur endroit pour tester la poutine Ne prenez pas peur si file d attente ça va très vite & vous êtes vite installés Un régal Prenez la regular c'est déjà très bien Je conseille
Wonderful food & atmosphere. I didn't like poutine before until I went to this restaurant. Their poutine is so good. It has changed my view about poutine. Now I really like it!
A very neat place to go to when you're in town. I heard this was THE place to go for poutine so I made the trip. There was a line (& I was there at about 3:30 on a Saturday) but it moved quickly. The tables are packed in very tight so definitely don't come here if you want to have a private discussion but that shouldn't deter you from coming just for a casual meal. La Classique was good. Do I think it was the best I've ever had? No, but it was very good. I think I should have ordered one of their speciality poutines as those looked incredible. I was considering the Oblex, so perhaps next time I'm in town. The Grille was fantastic! Strongly encourage anyone wanting to try a Grille for the first time to do so here. Not crazy expensive at all & a clean place, I think next time I'll ask for the patio to try that. Also they have no issues with English ordering for any travellers to the area that struggle with ordering in French.
Not to be missed! 👌👏 Don't be discouraged by the line at the door. The staff is incredibly efficient & will get you seated in no time. Alternatively, take your poutine for a picnic in Parc La Fontaine right next door.
Nourriture excellente! Je ferais peut-être une suggestion d'offrir de la sauce hollandaise pour les poutines déjeuner plutôt que la sauce traditionnelle. C'est la seule raison pour laquelle je ne vais pas déjeuner là-bas.
The poutine is exceptional. So so so good. Even the simple steamed hot dog was extremely good too. We were here at around 11:30, so right before it got busy. We were seated right away. By the time we left it was packed.
