Restaurant L'Express, located in Le Plateau Mont-Royal, Montreal is one of Montreal's best-known French bistros. The menu rotates somewhat, and there are always daily specials, but l'Express specializes in: pâté, foie gras and bouillabaisse appetizers; steak tartare, steak-frites and veal kidney main courses; and cheeses, crème caramel or chocolate mousse desserts.
L'Express comes across as a Montreal institution that conjures a classic Parisian bistro with damier tiled floors, dark wood, mirrors and a lively, intimate atmosphere. The menu sticks to timeless French brasserie fare with touches of Quebec, delivering crowd pleasers such as bone marrow, celery remoulade, beef tartare, duck confit, octopus and ravioli alongside a dependable steak frites, all complemented by a strong wine list and the simple abundance of house pickles and bread at the table. Service is frequently praised as attentive and friendly, with guests noting warm welcomes and guidance in ordering, though some visits describe occasional lapses or a dining room that can become very noisy when busy. Desserts like creme brulee, profiteroles, baba au rhum and other classics are often highlighted as memorable finshers, while a few diners report dishes that were only good rather than outstanding or prices that feel high for the value. Taken together, the sentiment is that L'Express offers authentic French comfort with a nostalgic vibe, solid quality, and a reliable, if sometimes imperfect, experience that keeps guests returning and reservations advised.
Excellent onglet de boeuf accompagné d'un succulent beurre aux herbes, mais tout le reste laissait à désirer. Les frites étaient un peu trop salées ce jour-là. En entrée, la quenelle au saumon à l'américaine manquait d'acidité ou d'épices, & la sauce était si épaisse qu'on pouvait la manger à la fourchette. Le tout venait avec de bons cornichons, mais le pain était sec & le beurre était froid (donc très difficile à tartiner).
Quant au service, c'était bien, mais j'ai dû attendre un peu trop longtemps après la fin de mon repas (10-15 min) pour recevoir l'addition.
Ravi d'avoir pu faire découvrir cette institution à ma conjointe. L'accueil est plutôt sec pour être honnête. Par la suite, nous avons débuté avec l'entrée de carpaccio de boeuf qui est bonne. Ma conjointe a bien aimé son plat de boudin. De mon côté, mon onglet a déjà été plus gros & moins tireilleux. Pour terminer comme dessert les profiteroles à l'érable sont tout simplement décadentes. Décor & ambiance classique.
We went for diner with 2 friends from Newfounland. The food was very good, drinks, too. We had also an incredible waitress who gave us great advices on what to order & she was very nice. Unfortunately we also one waiter who was very rude to us & this significantly impacted our overall experience. We felt not welcomed.
We decided to try L'Express after hearing many positive reviews, & the dining experience was great.
The interior gave me a classic Parisian bistro feel, just like stepping into an old French film set. Staffs were friendly. The large jar of house pickles brought to your table was such a fun & memorable touch that adds to the classic French bistro atmosphere.
Food was great, we really enjoyed everything. Celery remoulade was refreshing. I also highly recommend the Boudin noix aux pommes, it was rich & flavorful. My boyfriend even stepped out of his comfort zone to try this blood sausage dish, & he ended up enjoying it as well.
Definitely will come back to explore more of the menu next time in Montreal.
Feb 19, 2026
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A few days ago, we visited L'Express, & unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in a long time.
Our dishes were mixed up - instead of a salad, I was served potatoes. The dish was later replaced, but the salad contained slightly spoiled greens, which further ruined the impression.
We asked to taste three different wines. However, before waiting for our confirmation after the tasting, the waiter immediately started pouring full glasses, which resulted in us having to take all three wines. This felt unprofessional.
I also asked for a glass of water, but I was only asked if I wanted water right before we were about to leave.
Additionally, the restaurant was so loud that it was impossible to have a normal conversation, which significantly affected the overall experience.
I have visited many Michelin Guide restaurants, & in my opinion, neither the food nor the service reflects the level expected from a Bib Gourmand restaurant.
Feb 14, 2026
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We had a great time! Everything we ordered was super tasty, the wine selection is excellent, & the service was top-notch. The waiters were friendly, welcoming, & made the whole experience even better. Definitely a place we'd come back to
Good bistro food & great wine list. Duck was OK, soup was fantastic. My companion liked his boudin.
Service is both friendly & professional.
It got very loud as the place filled up: noise bounces on the mirrored walls, it is difficult to have a conversation at a normal volume. & the lights are very bright. I don't remember these issues being a problem for my many visits over the years - maybe I get less tolerant with time.
Une parenthèse parisienne indémodable au coeur de Montréal
Franchir la porte de L'Express, c'est s'offrir bien plus qu'un repas ; c'est accepter une invitation au voyage. Dès l'entrée, le décor iconique avec son carrelage en damier, ses boiseries sombres & ses miroirs patinés nous téléporte instantanément outre-Atlantique, en plein coeur d'une effervescente brasserie parisienne. C'est une adresse qui traverse les décennies avec une élégance rare, prouvant que la véritable qualité ne se démode jamais.
L'expérience a débuté avec une délicieuse soupe onctueuse & réconfortante, accompagnée de ses croûtons parfaitement dorés. C'est le genre de classique maîtrisé qui annonce la couleur pour la suite. Pour le plat principal, mon choix s'est porté sur l'onglet de boeuf. Bien qu'il y ait eu un petit souci initial, Le serveur a réagi avec un professionnalisme exemplaire, remédiant à la situation en un clin d'oeil avec le sourire. Ce souci du détail & cette efficacité transforment un simple repas en un moment privilégié.
Pour clore cette soirée en beauté, le passage par le baba au rhum est tout simplement non négociable. Généreux, parfaitement imbibé & d'une finesse absolue, il confirme son statut d'incontournable de la maison. Que ce soit pour la rigueur de la cuisine, l'ambiance feutrée mais vivante, ou le service impeccable, L'Express demeure une valeur sûre où l'on revient avec la certitude d'être choyé. Une institution montréalaise qui honore magnifiquement la tradition française.
