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.
The food was good overall, while the salmon tartare was a bit too fishy for my taste, everything else was delicious, especially the duck confit. However, the service was disappointing at first as several staff members passed us without acknowledging us & we had to wait a while for the hostess which was odd because it wasn't busy (just before 6:00pm). Overall, the experience was just ok.
This french toast is just as bomb as everyone says it is. Recommend coming here for that alone, but the rest of the menu is great as well. The salmon rillette dish & the saffron risotto were both excellent lunch options. Coming back here for sure.
Jan 1, 2026
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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.
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!
I happened to be in the area & wanted French food for lunch. I didn't expect it to have a Michelin recommendation! I also saw the poster written by the friends of the architect, Luc Laporte. They had impressive words to say about him.
Reservations: probably recommended to make reservations ahead of time, but I was able to walk in on a weekday around noon without one. The place looked like it was getting full by 13:00.
Service: our server was great with providing recommendations & noting what are popular dishes. He explained that the beef cheeks is a winter dish. Unfortunately we didn't get to try it.
Food:
Complimentary bread & butter
CLASSIC SALMON TARTARE (appetizer, CAD$25.50)- delicious, refreshing, cold
ICELANDIC WILD COD (main dish, CAD$53.50)- fish was seared perfectly, flavorful potato puree, warm cherry tomatoes
GRILLED VEAL CHOP (main dish, CAD$68.50)- veal was cooked medium rare, thick slices of heirloom tomato, interesting nutty sauce
I thoroughly enjoyed each dish. I didn't expect much, so I was pleasantly surprised. This might have been the best restaurant in my short Montreal visit.
No wifi
Bathroom available (need to read a quote in French)
Indoor + outdoor seating
Apple Pay/credit card accepted
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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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.)
Lovely lunch at Leméac! The classic salad was crisp & refreshing, the asparagus perfectly cooked, & the salmon tartare was fresh & delicious. The pasta was rich & satisfying, paired beautifully with a smooth latte. Ended on a sweet note with a delicate macaron. Timeless French bistro charm & excellent service-Montreal at its best!
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.
Their tartare de saumon is always on point. Even the breakfast with shrimp & salmon was simple but good & filling. Always will go back for the pain perdu.
Jan 12, 2025
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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!
All in all, we were satisfied with the food. The crab cakes were a little disappointing ! I would not recommend this appetizer as they did not stand out in any way. The main dishes were all great : salmon tartare was perfectly seasoned + came with a choice of either green salad, French fries or veggie of the day (which was green beans : the waiter suggested a green bean salad). The option of a different side for the tartare was very refreshing & the green bean salad complemented the tartare very well ! The scallop main dish was filling enough which sometimes isn't the case depending on portion sizes ! The grilled beef hanger steak was quite good & came with enough fries for 4 people ! Finally, special mention to the salted butter served with fresh baguette as we waited for the food to arrive. That butter was creamy & flavourful, one of the best butters I have had in Montréal so far !! Great atmosphere, great waiter, great attention to our table & needs throughout the evening 🌃 Thanks Lemeac 😊
Leméac had been on my list for ages, & I finally had the chance to experience it for myself. There's nothing like catching up with a friend over great food & a relaxing atmosphere. The service was friendly & attentive, although there was a mix-up with our order-we received two of the same dish instead of the two different dishes we requested- they ended up replacing the wrong dish. Despite this, the waitress was kind & friendly, & we never felt rushed, to finish or harry up, which was a nice bonus. As for the food, my friend opted for the Poached Eggs with Smoked Salmon & Spanish Caviar on Blinis, while I chose the Salmon Gravlax with Nordic Shrimp, Caraway Bread, & Cucumber Salad, along with a side of Fingerling Potatoes & Homemade Doughnuts. Everything was fresh & well prepared. While I personally preferred my friend's dish, that's just a matter of taste; there was nothing to fault in the food itself. The potatoes were crispy, & the doughnuts were delightfully fluffy. I believe I will be going back soon but this time to try the dinner menu.
Had the salmon tartare with truffle oil & unfortunately, it lacked flavour/seasoning. Did not get ant truffle taste from it, despite people saying great things about the dish! It was also extremely hot indoors (no AC?), which made it hard to enjoy meals & drinks. It would be good to have a water bottle/pitcher placed on the table as waiters were very busy. The star of the show was the pain perdu. It was delicious.
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!
Came here for brunch & had a wonderful experience. The food was incredible, prepared with care, & reasonably priced (comparable to most other brunch places). Their ultra thick slice of French toast was airy & soft on the inside, just literally perfect especially if you have a sweet tooth. The salmon eggs Benedict were also wonderful. Will be back for more!
I love atmosphere of this lively place. Great service, amazing food. Fast lunch serving. I've got Beef tartare & matchstick potatoes together with'Fleur de sel' salmon pot au feu. Tartare was super fresh & delicious. Salmon in a soup was surprisingly fresh with amazing texture: salmon was medium & melted; while vegetables were almost al dente, the only way you can have vegetables in the soup. Bravo!
