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!
Mar 21, 2026
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Easily one of the best French restaurant we have visited. It's located right at downtown Montreal, only 5 minutes drive from most hotel in the area. The oysters were fresh & packed with flavour. The baguette is impossibly soft, we could not believe it. Lamb was slow cooked to perfection, taste amazing & the texture is soft, charcolly on the outside & super soft on the inside. On top of that the staff is so friendly made us feel right at home. It was my birthday dinner, I got a suprise treat & live performance of the happy birthday song. Unforgettable memory!
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
Absolutely delicious bread, soup, & salmon. The salmon was cooked perfectly, & probably was the freshest, tastiest salmon I've ever had. I'd go back in a heartbeat. The one little complaint is that I had to ask a few times for ice water before they brought ice to me.
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!
Aug 11, 2025
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The oysters especially the petite ones were the perfect texture & size, the horseradish freshly graded & pomegranates brought things up a notch. The bread was delicious the right level between soft & crisp. The tiki cocktail had quite a few unique flavors I would definitely try it. The star of the drinks was an espresso martini just tasted like straight perfect expresso. The hangar steak with the shallot red wine sauce was out of the this world especially the sauce I could not stop dipping my fries in it. The homemade cavatelli with mushrooms porcini & truffle cream was flavorful creamy but not too heavy or earthy. The service was great & the staff were friendly. I would definitely go back.
Really tasty food at a fair price! Everything was fresh & well presented. The vibe on the terrace was great, & the decor made it even better. Super friendly staff too; would definitely go back!
This was an unexpected delight! From the moment we walked in, we were transported back to some other timeline. There was a man standing in the restaurant with the microphone singing old tunes… Think Frank Sinatra, etc.… With a very easy on the ears voice. We could also see a gorgeous oyster bar. The vibe was very happy immediately. The restaurant was full, but not overly loud. The service began the moment we walked in the door. We felt very welcomed. We were seated immediately at a nice round table… There were five of us. The bread & butter served to the table was delicious. I know it's just bread, but it was very very good bread. Some of our appetizers included escargot, fresh oysters (hand chosen by the oyster master... they were served in a specific order.) & were all delicious. Our mains included Steak Frites (except we requested Dauphine potatoes instead of frites) & Moules Frites with some amazing crème brûlée for dessert. Cocktails & wine were delicious. The service & the vibe were splendid. We almost went back the next night, but we decided we should diversify. Highly recommend!
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.
Apr 16, 2025
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Lovely lunch at the bar with Clementine. He was a great help with his recommendations for both food & wine. We had the oysters & mussels. Both very fresh & delicious. The atmosphere was was very beautiful & I highly recommend this, as the price was very fair for the quality of the food & wine & service.
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.
Review of Pois Panache, Montreal I recently had the pleasure of dining at Pois Panache in Montreal, & I can confidently say it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment I walked in, the ambiance set a warm & inviting tone, but the real stars of the evening were oyster Chef Julien & server Clément. Let's talk about the oysters. Oyster Chef Julien has truly elevated the oyster experience to new heights. The standout dish was the oysters topped with pomegranate, which were, without a doubt, some of the best I've ever had in my life. The freshness of the oysters perfectly complemented the burst of sweetness from the pomegranate, creating a delightful harmony of flavors that danced on my palate. Each bite was a testament to Julien's skill & passion for his craft. As for the service, Clément was exceptional. His attentiveness & genuine enthusiasm made the evening even more enjoyable. He was knowledgeable about the menu & offered excellent recommendations, ensuring we made the most of our dining experience. Clément's warm demeanor & professionalism added a personal touch that made us feel truly valued as guests. If you find yourself in Montreal, make sure to visit Pois Panache. With outstanding dishes crafted by Chef Julien & top-notch service from Clément, it's an experience you won't want to miss. I can't wait to return for another round of those incredible oysters! Thank you Julien! & thank you Clement!
Oct 24, 2024
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The food was really fresh & tasty, but the portions are really small to be called a brunch! Also if you seat somewhere beside the center, be cautious about the longer time you have to wait for the waiters. Our journey there didn't start well as I had to kill a small bug when I sit on my table! Also hearing loud Arabic music wasn't fun at all!
Top place for oysters! Julian is not only an expert shucker- he is a true sommelier. Beside this, there are Unique menu items like walleye fish, wonderful wine selection, fresh soups, but the service & atmosphere are what really will bring you back. Our waiter engaged us & helped us discover some of the best gems on the menu. Highly recommended, our favorite restaurant in Montreal!
Amazing service, food & atmosphere. Probably one of my favourite restaurants in Montreal. The escargot was delicious. (First time trying it). Oysters were fresh with a large selection. Steak was delicious & perfectly cooked. Will definitely be returning. The fresh bread they serve is absolutely delicious. 10/10.
