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.
Best duck I've ever had. No notes. Highly recommend. Impeccable. Ate the whole thing & if no one was watching, I'd also lick the plate. Also their bread & butter is perfect too. Amazing.
Dec 26, 2024
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The duck confict is very good & the onion soup was excellent. The meat of the hanger steak beef isn't soft, but the sauce is great. The dessert was delicious.
Food is good, but nothing to write home about. Service is very good, but they don't ask about any allergies. I got my food covered in cream (duck) & it did not say on the menu that it has cream. I had to wait while my other party was eating. Duck was great, tartare was lacking flavor & texture. Escargot were amazing. Bouillabase sauce was just ok, but the seafood was super fresh & made well.
We had the best meal & the best service out of any place we visited in Montreal hands down. Our server Clément was exceptional. We were lucky to get a table on very short notice, the reso was for 5 but in didn't matter in the least. I had the Duck Confit & my wife had the Lamb. Both were exquisite. I highly recommend Le Pois Penche next time you are in Montreal.
Remarkable food & wonderful staff! We started out just wanting oysters & a drink. But everything was so nice that we decided to stay for dinner. So glad we did. The Alberta lamb sirloin blew my mind! Amazing! My dinner companion felt the same about the duck. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for & then some. Perfect for a special occasion.
i had a wonderful dinner at le pois penche. was greeted warmly when i came in, the service was great & i loved chatting with the oyster specialist at the bar. the food was great high quality classic french, i had the delicious french onion soup & a buttery duck confit. you can tell the chef cares about what goes out! the crème brûlée was amazing, you can taste the high quality vanilla- it's fun to get the flambé with it as well. the ambiance is great, love the soft lighting & red velvet chairs!
Oct 6, 2024
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We came here for our 10-year wedding anniversary & really wanted to like it but unfortunately the inconsistencies across the board left us with a disappointing overall experience. Food - entrées reasonably good (octopus 8/10, beef tartare 7/10), mains excellent (hanger steak & confit duck both 10/10), side of potatoes au gratin bland (5/10), desserts really inconsistent (crème brûlée was good nothing amazing 6/10 but the fondant was basically a muffin 0/10 as you can't call that fondant). Service - inattentive & rushed. Perhaps the servers are overworked as they did seem to be trying very hard but (1) poured us tap water into our half full glasses when we had been drinking sparkling (they did comp us a new bottle), (2) failed to ask us if we wanted any drinks after we finished our first ones, (3) did not check on food except after we had finished eating which meant we had basically finished mains before being able to bring to our waiter's attention that he'd forgotten our side order & (4) had to send back the fondant/muffin instead of asking for a correctly cooked one as we had finished eating & had been waiting for a while by then (in fairness they did not charge us for this dish) Would not recommend for any important celebrations given the current level of inconsistency which is a pity as the mains were really fantastic!
My husband & I just had dinner here. He had the NY steak & I had the Duck confit & they were both cooked to perfection & tasted great. Beyond the great meals, they have amazing hospitality & customer service. We will be back & will definitely recommend to any of our family & friends visiting Montreal.
We were quickly seated at the bar despite not having a reservation. The dishes we got were all very good, with the duck confit being a highlight. Friendly & accommodating staff. I would definitely go back!
Jul 20, 2024
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I love this place so much , the food is absolutely delicious, I had their foie gras & duck confit & my friend had a steak , I literally wanted to kiss a chef who made my duck, so crispy yet meat is melting in your mouth. Speacial thank you to Marwa for her professionalism & excellent customer service, we enjoyed our conversation with her ❤️
This place is a must stoo on a culinary tour of Montreal. The staff the open kitchen & the food was amazing. Our server Guillaume was very helpful in choosing entres & wine. They have sourced out a farm that has certified Wagu cows limited to only 14 animals.a year. Although didn't have time to try will definitely partake next time. I have been to many Michelin Star establishments as you can see from my posts & this place is by far one of the top 5 restaurants I have been to. The flavor was outstanding in everything & you can feel the passion in the food that is prepared. The oysters were perfect. The grilled octopus is comparable to Octopus I have had in Rome. The Duck Confit was the best I have had. Well done! I will be back!
Apr 13, 2024
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One of the favorite fine dining places must try in downtown Montreal. The vibes are amazing, live music & singer ( ❤️). Service is world class. Food was above expectations. Tried the grilled octopus appetizer, the duck & salman main meal were perfect. Cocktail 🍸 is the best in town. Tried La cuillette, rosy with thyme a touch of heaven. Absolutely will come back evey time visit downtown Montreal
We spent two nights in Montreal recently & were told to come here & to L'Express. The latter, to which we went on the second night, was recommended as the best restaurant near to our hotel but we found Le Pois Penche to be far better! The food (some of our choices included onion soup, duck, bouillabaisse, brûlée flambe, & an out-of-this-world Old Fashioned) was outstanding. The service was phenomenal, provided largely but not exclusively by Guillaume, but supplemented by a well organized team of servers. The ambience could not have been better & it managed to avoid the blisteringly loud noise level of L'Express the next night. We will be back in Montreal & will definitely visit Le Pois Penche.
