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.
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!
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.
Jan 22, 2026
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We had a nice dinner for NYE & we love this wonderful restaurant, the people who work here are very gently 😊 Special Thanks to Gregory! he make us feel like home, we love the ambiance with th Dj that we enjoy & Dance highly recommend ❤🤩 we definitely come back for that soupe d'oignion soon
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!
On a recent trip to Montreal, I stopped into this spot for dinner, & it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic evening from start to finish. Every part of the meal was spot-on - I had mussels with a side of fries, but the real standout was the starter: a bold, hearty, & perfectly spicy ceviche. I'd go back just for that dish alone.
I wrapped things up with a crème brûlée kissed with smoky bourbon - a clever twist on a timeless classic that was the perfect finale.
The atmosphere is everything you'd want from a true Brasserie - warm, lively, & unpretentious, with a beautiful central bar anchoring the room. I chose a seat at the bar & couldn't have been happier with the service. The team was friendly, funny, & clearly passionate about what they do.
All in all, a stellar experience - great food, great vibe, & great people. Highly recommend a visit!
Exceptional! We had wine, cocktails, digestifs, oysters, escargots, ceviche & the strawberry melba. Everything was a hit! Our waiter was incredible & we are glad we took his recommendations. Highly recommend!
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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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!
We picked this restaurant from the Google review & search. Overall , we enjoy our dinner right from the start to finish. The seafood platter has two types of oysters. One is from PEI & the other is from Northern Quebec. We ordered extra local Quebec Choux oysters. The French onion soups use sweet onion. The New Steak is well made with nice French Fries. The Crème brûlée is very tasty. The Strawberry & Mango sorbets are high recommended as a finish of the highly enjoyable dinner.
Jun 1, 2025
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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!
It was our first time at this restaurant -- & it did not disappoint! From the moment we walked in, the service was warm & attentive. The food was flavorful & well-prepared, & the dessert was absolutely delicious. A wonderful highlight of our Montreal trip -- highly recommend!
Had the pleasure of being served by Guillaume last night 🙏🏾🙏🏾 I highly recommend it . From the food to the atmosphere everything was impeccable . Thank you for the culinary experience.
May 19, 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.
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 💗
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.
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.
