Paris may be an ocean away, but the art of casual French bistro dining is not lost at Le Pois Penché in the heart of downtown Montréal.
The menu reads like a who’s-who of Parisian comfort food favourites, with beloved classics the likes of steak tartare and duck confit in mustard sauce alongside an array of spectacular seafood platters. Boasting one of the most interesting wine collections in the city, Le Pois Penché offers an impressive selection of imported bottles and wines by the glass.
This authentic French brasserie delivers fine cuisine in simple opulence: plush red velvet, checkerboard floor tile, crystal chandeliers, large paintings and a blackboard listing the daily specials on the wall. In the middle, a large bar; around it, busy waiters flitting to and from, outfitted in the traditional white shirt, black vest and apron. French bistro, through and through.
Le Pois Penché’s terrasse buzzes with animated conversation while its private banquet rooms reserve their splendour for group functions. Le Cellier, in particular, offers a sumptuous venue for events up to 70 guests, with vibrant Parisian settings by artist Pierre Pivet, a vaulted brick ceiling, and the restaurant’s prized wine cellars displayed behind sleek glass panels. Connected to the brasserie, Salon Chez Swann, in the boutique hotel of the same name, is ideal for groups of 24 guests or less.
Our Specialties
Oyster bar, Tartares (salmon, tuna, beef) & shellfish platters.
Le Pois Penché impresses with an elegant yet welcoming brasserie vibe, refined French fare, and a standout wine list that pairs with attentive, warm service to create consistently memorable meals. Guests praise dishes ranging from duck confit, bouillabaisse, and onion soup to escargots and fresh oysters, all prepared with balance and depth, plus desserts like paris-brest and creme brulee that delight. The atmosphere is stylish and cozy, with a lively bar scene and occasional live music that adds charm without overpowering conversation. The staff are repeatedly noted for friendliness, knowledge, and timely, thoughtful recommendations that make guests feel at home, and reservations are often advised for prime seating. The bread, seafood platters, and well curated pairings further elevate the experience. In short, Le Pois Penché is a premier spot for high quality French cuisine, gracious service, and a memorable dining experience in the city.
I dined at Le Pois Penché on Monday, March 30, at 17:30 & overall had a very enjoyable experience that lived up to its reputation for classic French cuisine with a refined Montreal touch.
My party of two, opted for the special two part meal for 49$ per person. Istarted with the escargot & cod balls as entrées. The escargot were rich & buttery, exactly what was expected -well-seasoned & served piping hot. Maybe au gratin could have been an option. A nice chefs touch was that in my 6 place dish I received 8 pieces ☺?
The cod balls were a pleasant surprise: light, crispy on the outside, & soft & flavorful inside, with a nice balance that didn't feel too heavy. The aioli was on pont, I could maybe not pick & say that I could have used more of that aioli.
For mains, I had the duck confit while my guest chose the mussels. The duck confit was beautifully prepared-tender, fall-off-the-bone, with a perfectly lightly crisp skin. The skin could have been crispy'er. The mussels were fresh & generously portioned, served in a flavorful cream broth that was made for soaking up with bread.
The ambiance was elegant yet comfortable, with a classic bistro feel that makes it suitable for both special occasions & relaxed dinners. We reserved & yet we received a table next to the open kitchen. A spot here when the kitchen would be busy, & the dinning room full could be good. However with things calm we could hear a bit too much kitchen & not much cooking to see. Service was attentive & lightly professional, though at times slightly slower than expected, which with the other mentions is the reason this isn't a full 5-star experience.
Overall, a strong 4-star meal so ( 4.25 star )Le Pois Penché delivers high-quality French cuisine in a charming setting, & I would definitely return-especially for that duck confit, & mussels.
Note that a 5 star rating from me is possible, however it has to be almost perfect. This restaurant is very close.
Duck confit was absolutely delicious. Oysters & salmon as part of the seafood platter were fresh. Maybe skip the prawn as it wasn't as flavorful. Overall a delicious meal & I will return!
We had a wonderful dining experience here! Everything was absolutely perfect. The service was top-notch-they kept bringing us warm, fragrant complimentary bread without us even having to ask. Every dish we ordered, including the escargot, lamb chops, steak, & duck confit, was delicious. Highly recommended!
We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The food was delicious & the service was truly outstanding. Our waiter was incredibly friendly & attentive. We were celebrating our friend's anniversary, & he kindly took us to a beautiful private area & even did a small photo session for us - such a lovely touch.
The interiors are elegant & very stylish, creating a special atmosphere. I had the black cod & my husband ordered the duck confit - both dishes were cooked perfectly. A place we would happily return to.
Le Pois Penché was the perfect way to end our Montreal trip. My husband & I went on our last night in the city & it ended up being one of the highlights of the whole visit.
Our server Andrew completely elevated the experience. He took the time to ask about our preferences & made thoughtful recommendations that were spot-on, & he was so attentive & warm the entire evening without ever being overbearing.
The ambiance struck that rare balance of feeling elegant & special without being stuffy or pretentious. It's the kind of place you can dress up for a nice dinner but still feel relaxed & comfortable.
The food was fantastic. We started with the calamari, I had the lamb, & my husband had the duck & everything was beautifully prepared & full of flavor. The glass of wine we had was also excellent, oaky & dry with no fruitiness, & it paired beautifully with the meal.
To top it all off, they even comped us dessert & the crème brûlée was hands-down the best we've ever had. I'm still thinking about it.
We would 100% come back the next time we're in Montreal. Highly recommend for a memorable, genuinely enjoyable dining experience.
Visiting Montreal a week ago. Visited the first of three nights. It was so good, we came back the third night! Wonderful French bistro. Many classics on menu, with interesting alternatives. The escargot was delicious. Expertly prepared tasty duck confit. Loved the onion soup & hanger steak as well. The baguette was perfect. I could have eaten two baskets. Nice, warm & inviting decor, with red banquets. Service was excellent. A special thank you to our server Marwa. Highly recommended!
I really enjoyed dining here! The food was very good, but I found that the courses came out too quickly. I had barely finished one piece of bread when the appetizers came! The salmon tartare was excellent, & easily my favourite dish that I tried. The duck confit was cooked very well, & the sauce was delicious. For dessert, the paris-brest & crème brûlée were both very good but not better than I would expect from a pastry shop (paris-brest) or regular steakhouse (crème brûlée).
Best duck confit I've ever had. The skin was crispy, the meat super tender with a little bit of fat. The sauce was perfect. Even the bread that was offered on the side was so fresh & tasty
What the hell this the best French meal I've ever had. & I don't use the word'ever' lightly. The price is average for French fine dining but the taste & execution punches way above its weight.
I had the best duck confit ever. Best foie gras ever (& I usually don't like them.) Best French onion soup ever. Incredible restaurant & the servers are amazing too.
Oct 7, 2025
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We came here for the duck & they delivered! In Montreal celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary & I was in search of a traditional French roasted duck. The duck was delicious & our server Emma was top notch! She was attentive, informative & very friendly. It is a beautiful space that made me feel like I was back in Paris. Note: get the green salad, the dressing is outstanding! (would love to get the recipe!)
We enjoyed a fantastic Friday night meal here, starting with a fresh & delicious selection of oysters, then appetizers & mains. Highly recommend the duck confit. Service was attentive & the atmosphere was classy & fun. Bon appétit!
We found this restaurant on open table after a drive from the airport on a Monday evening & booked immediately. The food (duck confit & lamb) were delicious! The cocktails were amazing. & even though they appeared to be a bit understaffed, service was prompt & friendly. Highly recommend! Oh, & try the creme brulée! It's perfect!
This renowned French restaurant offers a taste of Paris in downtown Montréal. The décor was elegant & the service was exemplary. The long & complete wine list offered excellent choices. The food was delicious, featuring classic French fare with a local twisted. The duck confit boasted crispy skin & tender meat. The bouillabaisse was outstanding, simmered perfectly to extract all the flavor. The Paris-Brest was a must-enjoyed dessert.
May 16, 2025
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Wonderful food & atmosphere. We had the duck confit & paris-brest. Our servers Rou & Nicolas very kind & attentive & engaging & the rest of the staff were just as great.the truffle mashed potatoes are also a must. Highly recommend. Thank you, Rou for making this a great experience.
Best duck confit I've had! The meat was moist & the skin was crisp but not too burnt. Traditional fois gras terrine & a perfectly dressed salad. Good wine list.
Great service & atmosphere. Food was overall good, love the duck confit but the shrimp cocktail was too small (for similar price, other restaurants have quite bigger shrimps) & the octopus appetizer only has two tiny pieces.
I had high expectations, at first it was below my expectation when I got the foie de gras but then the confit duck really surprised me & surpassed my expectations. The shrimp was so fresh too.
Visiting Montreal for the first time was an unforgettable experience, & when in Montreal, you eat as the French do! At Le poison Penche from the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth & hospitality. The Duck skin was crispy & the meat tender, Brussel sprouts cooked perfect & the sauce simply divine. The server/bartender was not only knowledgeable but also incredibly kind, making the experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere was absolutely beautiful-relaxing, elegant, & never too loud. The service was impressively fast, & the food? Simply incredible! Every bite was bursting with flavor. I had an amazing time & would highly recommend it to anyone looking for an authentic & delightful dining experience in Montreal. Made my birthday so special 💗
