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.
Wonderful , attentive service & delicious food. Vesper martini, squash soup, steak frites & a baba au rhum for dessert. Everything was delicious. My wife & friends had mussels with fries & they loved their food. Very knowledgeable & fully bilingual staff. The restaurant was busy but we had great service. Highly recommend. Prices reasonable for the quality.
Mar 5, 2026
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From all the restaurants I visited in Montreal this is without a doubt the best.
Food taste is excellent, service is impeccable & atmosphere is great. The quality to price ratio is very high; you would expect unreasonable prices like other restaurants that are not that good. This restaurant deserves not only a Michelin mention, but also a Michelin star!
Leméac is a wonderful place to dine elegant, polished, & known for being very strict with their menu & dining standards, which truly shows in the quality of the food. Everything is prepared with intention, consistency, & care, making it a standout spot in Montréal's restaurant scene.
The appetizers were a great way to begin the meal. The salmon tartare, whether with classic seasoning or truffle oil, was fresh & bright. The grilled calamari was tender & full of flavor, while the crab cake had a perfectly crisp exterior & a rich, satisfying center. The panko-crusted goat cheese was a highlight warm, creamy, & beautifully balanced with the apple & walnut salad. The vegetable & grilled sausage minestrone was hearty & comforting, packing great flavor in every spoonful.
For the main courses, Leméac continues to impress. The duck leg confit was cooked to perfection tender, flavorful, & fall-off-the-bone good. The prime grilled rib eye was juicy & cooked exactly as ordered, a great choice for any steak lover. The asparagus & wild mushroom risotto was creamy, earthy, & satisfying, while the braised beef cheeks bourguignon offered deep, rich flavors that showcase true French cooking technique.
Dessert was just as memorable. The Pain Perdu was warm, soft, & indulgent, & the Crème Caramel au Café had the perfect balance of sweetness & coffee notes. The Vanilla Crème Brûlée was silky & perfectly torched, & the Pudding au Caramel was smooth & comforting, a great way to end the night.
The flavors overall were very good & surprisingly casual for such a refined setting, making the restaurant feel approachable while still luxurious. Service was excellent, quick, attentive, & professional, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
Leméac is definitely a spot worth visiting if you want a well-executed meal in a classy, welcoming atmosphere. I would absolutely return.
Most delicious oysters I have ever eaten, very attentive, warm service, delicious mains. I had the braised beef cheeks, which were melty & served with the most fat, flavourful red chard & like a fancy tater tot. It was unpretentious & high quality. Oh! & my friend accidentally cancelled our reservation, but they seated us anyway. Just for that, they deserve full stars. Was a bit loud but not horribly so. Older crowd. Waiters were super-pro, classic, upscale types. Definitely impressed this hick lol.
We have been going to Lemeac over the past 15 years & we are never disappointed. Most recently we had an exceptional experience with Jonathan as our waiter. Merci Jonathan!
We got A+ service the whole night, he was attentive to our needs & had a great sense of humour.
We started the night off with cocktails & then progressed to champagne, Sangiovese & then an Anarone to end off the night. The wines & champagne were exceptional.
The food hit the mark as usual with fresh, salty, briny oysters from Nova Scotia, salmon & beef tartare, grilled calamari, fried goat cheese salad.
For our mains, the hanger steak, scallops & arctic char were on point & you can never end the night wrong with a pain perdu.
We never felt rushed the whole night & our whole experience was memorable.
While the wine prices have gone up significantly over the years, the quality of product makes up for this for the most part.
Portions were great, service & company even better. We will definitely return again soon!
The interior of the restaurant feels very warm & stylish - lot's of natural wood, nice tile floors & a very cozy patio. It's classy & elegant, but also grounded & unpretentious.
The hugo sprits lacked St-Germain, virgin caesar was very refreshing & flavorful.
The food was great, i really recommend the hanger steak, mushroom ravioli had a crazy good sauce & the salmon in a pot was very delicious. The beef tar tare lacked spices for me, I wish it had more capers/pickles, however it's more of a taste preference. The quality of the meat was great!
The service felt a bit slow, that's my only complaint. Other than that, everything was good.
I would take my parents here next time I'm in Montreal.
Aug 10, 2025
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Food... Good but not above average
Wine list ... Wines are very expensive versus the quality & the vintage of the wines that they offer.
Service ,.. friendly but could improve in efficiency. They assign a waiter for your table instead of all waiters serving all tables
Atmosphère... Noisy, no table cloth setting. Cutlery is of average quantity. Wine glasses are acceptable.
In general, not a value for money resto.
Such a lovely spot! The food was delicious, the heated terrace so cozy, the menu strikes a perfect balance, refined, & full of dishes that let quality ingredients shine. Big thanks to our sweet server who brought a blanket when he saw I was cold, very thoughtful ! 🥐🍓☕?
We had two people dining here & this was our first time in Montreal. We tried various French cuisines, but Leméac was one of the places that disappointed us. Here's what we ordered:
- Calamari: Not very impressive, the taste is quite mild but it's nice if you're looking for something easy to start with
- Duck breast: We were very disappointed with this dish. The ingredients didn't work well together at all. As someone from Hong Kong, I found the Asian-French fusion quite strange. The sauces didn't soak into any of the ingredients, & the dumpling was very average from an Asian perspective. Overall, it felt overpriced
- Hanger beef: The fries were hot & fresh, but the beef was served cold, so the butter on top didn't melt. This was another disappointment
- French toast: This was the highlight of the meal. The toast was large, served warm, crispy & delicious w/ a great balance of maple syrup & ice cream
Overall, I found the quality to be average compared to other restaurants we tried here. The atmosphere can be quite noisy when the restaurant is full. Unfortunately I wouldn't recommend this place, except for the French toast.
Might be a hot take, but food-wise I enjoyed this more than L'Express. While Leméac does offer many of the same dishes, I found their's to be just a little higher quality & more masterfully done.
Feb 12, 2025
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Very well executed classic French fare. Good service, reasonable price & its open late. It's definitely a Montreal institution quality French restaurant without all the high-end fluf.
Fantastic. This place is incredibly fantastic. Everything from the quality of the service to the quality of their dishes here is amazing. A real true gem.
This Montreal gem offers an elevated brunch experience while maintaining a warm, inviting atmosphere. The space strikes a perfect balance between cozy & french traditional restaurant a place where comfort is at the forefront but the touches of elegance never feel out of place. It's the kind of restaurant where you feel at home, yet pampered, which is no easy feat. We gathered as a group of eight for brunch, & every detail, from the food to the service, was meticulously crafted. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the Norwegian platter, featuring fish so fresh it seemed to have come straight from the sea to the table. The prawns were succulent, & the accompanying vegetables & salad added a refreshing, vibrant contrast. The Egg Benedict & Pain Perdu were also standouts, each dish executed with care & attention to detail. The finesse was undeniable-every bite revealed a layer of thoughtfulness, from the presentation to the flavors. Service matched the quality of the food. The staff was attentive & accommodating, seamlessly navigating the needs of a larger group without missing a beat. Their warmth & attentiveness added to the overall experience, making it feel as though the restaurant was made for intimate moments & gatherings alike. If you're searching for an exceptional brunch spot in Montreal, this is undoubtedly a must-visit. In fact, if we weren't leaving the city today, we'd already be planning our return visit for tomorrow's brunch. It's that good-a meal worth repeating.
Oct 14, 2024
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Came on a weekend brunch for the their blinis with poached eggs & house smoked salmon. Been taking that dish for the past 10+ yrs. Served with buttered baguette & homemade jam. Excellent service. Consistent quality throughout the years!
Excellent service, excellent fresh food, good quality coffee, bread & side orders are just as well as everything. I ordered oeufs pochés, saucisses, bacon, rattes & fèves au lard au comité de canard & was just perfecto. The eggs, the charcuterie, even the potatoes were very well done! If you don't want to wait or to get in the very bottom table (even that last table is very nice & the place is full on weekends), don't forget to make reservations, the terrace is so nice!
For a restaurant that is very famous in Montreal, the service should be better. There is a snobby attitude from staff, very unattractive when you come to sit at a nice expensive restaurant. The food is very good, but very overpriced. Not worth the price, but they won't lower it or care because they are popular. I recommend it, but I think there is better restaurants in Montreal in terms of service & quality/price.
My dining experience at Restaurant Leméac in Montreal was absolutely outstanding! From the moment I walked in, I was impressed by the elegant yet cozy ambiance. The service was impeccable, with attentive & friendly staff making sure every need was met. I had the poached eggs with smoked salmon, & it was simply divine. The eggs were perfectly poached, & the smoked salmon added a delightful, savory touch. The flavors were beautifully balanced, & the presentation was top-notch. The attention to detail & quality of ingredients at Leméac truly set it apart. It's clear that the chefs take great pride in their craft. I can't recommend this restaurant highly enough for anyone looking to enjoy a fantastic meal in Montreal. Five stars all the way!
This isn't just a restaurant, it's an institution. Leméac blew me & my husband away on our honeymoon with the quality of their food. Every dish was delicious, & we will never forget the insane French toast we got as dessert. It was to die for. We hope to return again one day!
