Leméac café bistrot in Outremont is an elegant-looking restaurant serving fine French and bistro cuisine. Some items on the menu include: smoked salmon platter, asparagus and wild mushroom risotto, grilled bavette (skirt) steak and frites, canard confit (duck preserved in its own fat), etc...
Leméac café bistrot also boasts a nice terrace along Durocher street. On the week-ends, brunch is served at Leméac.
Overall, reviews portray Leméac as a beloved Montreal staple that delivers classic French bistro fare with a polished yet welcoming vibe. The food earns frequent praise for items like duck confit, beef tartare, salmon preparations, moules and the pain perdu, with many noting generous portions and reliable flavors, though a few dishes are described as over salted or underwhelming. Service is described as warm and attentive when the house is bustling, yet there are occasional comments about slower or uneven service on certain visits. The ambiance is repeatedly praised as stylish and lively but versatile for brunch, lunch or dinner, with large front windows and a neighborhood charm that many find special, even if the space can be noisy when crowded. The wine list is extensive and well chosen, albeit at a premium, and reservations are often recommended to secure a good table and pace. All in all, Leméac is regarded as a dependable, high quality French dining destination in Montreal, offering menu variety, a memorable atmosphere and a reason patrons keep returning.
One of the first brunch spots I've visited that claims to be of higher quality. Based on the menu & presentation, it certainly looks like a premium experience. Unfortunately, I don't think that translates to the flavor. My dish had a very confusing taste - I love complexity, but this was just overwhelming, too many competing flavors.
The dessert was better than the main course, but even though it was technically well executed, it still wasn't particularly delicious. Considering the higher price & smaller portions compared to other'lesser' spots, I'd honestly prefer going to the more modest places.
Mar 16, 2026
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Always go here once or twice a year for special occasions. Service is always impeccable & the waiter I had last time was an absolute gem.
I typically don't enjoy seafood but their options here are so good that I don't shy away from them. Their cod dish is fantastic.
Don't sleep on their brunch either! Great options for people with a sweet tooth & their fries are great.
The only downside I can attest to is how loud & packed the place can be. It can be hard to have a conversation with my table at times, & navigating between active tables & waiters can be a little annoying. Not a dealbreaker, but something to consider.
Pour ma part, un des meilleurs restaurants à Montréal ! Les plats sont de qualité & d'une saveur exceptionnelle. Parfait pour les brunchs en famille - c'est un incontournable.
Gros avantage : contrairement à la plupart des autres restos, on peut réserver pour le brunch ! C'est tellement plus agréable que d'attendre en file dehors un dimanche matin… Le service est toujours impeccable & courtois.
Ambiance : Le restaurant peut être assez bruyant, donc je ne le recommanderais pas pour une première rencontre romantique. Par contre, c'est l'endroit idéal pour des retrouvailles entre amis ou un repas en famille.
J'adore tout simplement ce resto !
Complimentary bread & butter. Appreciated, butter just ok.
Crab cake was good, real crab & not a lot of filler but would not get it again. Not worth the price.
Probably one of the best steaks I had in my life. Although I wish the sides had a bit of a mix of salad & fries versus a whole plate of fries. I'd come back just for the steak itself. It was perfectly cooked & melt in the mouth. Fries were regular typical fries that come with steak. Nothing spectacular.
Duck confit was good, crispy skin, & usual fall off the bone. I enjoyed every bite. The few potato wedges that accompanied it were just ok, somewhat under seasoned which was a bit disappointing. Salad was also just ok. Underwhelming vinaigrette & not a lot of flavour overall. Probably to balance the richness of the duck but still. It felt like three completely different elements just dumped together on a plate.
No house wine, all imported with a huge selection.
Fizzy water bottle at $7.50 + tx. Just stick to flat water. Appreciate the offer of lemon slices.
Atmosphere:
We found it interesting how most people were quite older (as in senior age). Honestly felt it was more'fancy' than needed & we were underdressed compared to some. It remains a bistro. Tables are quite close together in typical bistro fashion, but it makes it hard to hear each other as a couple nor does it make for a nice romantic dinner.
Service:
Server was friendly enough & kept our water glasses fill. Very professional.
Value:
Good value for money overall still & we'd come again for the steak or maybe brunch next time.
Toujours aussi bon, mais les plats s'enchaînent trop rapidement. Même pas eu le temps de prendre 3 gorgées de mon apéritif que l'assiette brunch arrivait, ensuite le café & l'addition . 50 minutes top chrono…. De l'arrivée à la sortie du resto… un peu décevant cet empressement…
Leméac never disappoints. I've been coming here for brunch for years, & the food is always impeccable. This time, I had the poached eggs with smoked salmon & Spanish caviar on blinis - a timeless classic that's always delicious. They also serve fresh, hot, crispy baguette with homemade jams, which perfectly rounds out the experience.
(Make sure to book ahead as it does get quite busy.)
Lemeac is my go to reliable, happening place in Montreal. I go to the bar with my girlfriends to the mill around with the media crowd on Thursday nights & I take my Mum for brunches on weekends. I go for power lunches. The food is constantly perfect & the staff is pro. BUT i recently had a friend in town who just had a stroke. Beautiful woman, used to be treated in a sophisticated way BEFORE her stroke. Now is different story. It's complicated. But I took her to Lemeac for lunch. We didn't have a reservation & the place was packed. The host addressed her without hesitation even if she was aware of her condition. My friend in her difficult prononciation asked for a table by the window. The host gave us that table. I am moved to tears while I write this to say that we had a brigade of staff who made sure she would remember her lunch. She is back in California & that lunch is the first time since her accident that she was remembered what a delightful restaurant experience can be. Thank you.
Came here for Sunday brunch & it was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend the Smoked Salmon Poached Eggs & the Pain Dorée. Also reserve in advance as it can get very busy.
