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Restaurant Top Pick

L'Express

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
4.6$$$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 11:30 am
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L'Express Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, Montreal: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
BistroFrenchTartareGreat selection of wines
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About

L'Express functions as a definitive pillar of classic bistro culture, showcasing a commitment to traditional French techniques through a focused and meticulously prepared menu. The kitchen specializes in seasoned raw meat preparations, including signature tartare variations that serve as the hallmark of the culinary program. Guests encounter an atmosphere defined by iconic tiled floors, bentwood chairs, and a long zinc bar that anchors the bustling room. Staff execute table service with precision and efficiency, maintaining a steady tempo throughout the facility. The menu prioritizes authentic preparations such as bone marrow, confit de canard, and artisanal cheeses, highlighting a devotion to timeless culinary standards. This establishment operates with a singular focus on consistent quality, ensuring that every dish reflects the core identity of the bistro format through technical rigor and dependable execution.
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5★
77%
4★
13%
3★
4%
2★
5%
1★
1%

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Reviews for L'Express

Food
Service
on Google4.6 (3900+)
*as of 2026-07-15
5★
77%
4★
13%
3★
4%
2★
5%
1★
1%

Review Summary

L'Express is widely celebrated as an iconic Montreal institution that offers an authentic Parisian bistro experience, characterized by its classic decor, lively atmosphere, and long-standing menu favorites such as duck confit, steak frites, and bone marrow. Many patrons praise the efficient, professional service and the unique touch of complimentary house-made pickles and mustard served with fresh bread. While a significant number of visitors consider it a must-visit destination for its consistency and quality, some diners have noted inconsistencies, ranging from issues with food preparation and seasoning to concerns regarding noise levels and occasional lapses in service quality. Overall, it remains a beloved staple for both locals and tourists seeking a traditional French dining experience, though making a reservation is highly recommended to secure a spot in this popular and bustling eatery.
Page 1 of 63 - 625 Reviews

Terrible. This place confuses the word'bistro' with a'sloppy dinner.'

There are a million lovely restaurants down the street with the same price point so spare yourself & have an enjoyable evening avoiding this place.

Crammed tables, super loud & not with ambience but dishes & cutlery clattering.
Very bright lights during late evening dinner service, no music (at least couldn't hear it). We noticed the bad ambience immediately but thought all the good reviews must mean excellent food. We ordered the beef carpaccio to start duck & steak frites for mains. Shortly after the server delivered a gross jar of communal pickles & a mustard crusted over from sitting out too long. Cold piece of dry baguette to'enjoy.' Beef carpaccio was ok.
The steak was short of ok & the fries were soggy & warm & I could taste old oil. No other sides just a sloppy steak & gross fries. Presentation was terrible. No quality check. Duck was good but at nearly $40 a meal thank the lord something was decent.
I don't know who is writing all the excellent ratings, questionable.

Jul 13, 2026
on Google

Went at 10PM on a Friday for dinner with my boyfriend. No wait, we sat at the bar & had the most lovely dinner. Steak was melt in your mouth. Salmon was delicious. Service was quick & attentive. Vibe was immaculate. & don't get me started on the pickles & homemade mustard….

Jul 13, 2026
on Google

We were forced (in a good way) to be here by our uber driver & we're so glad he did that!

Montréal version of French food they say. They have an amazing menu but we were looking for something light so went with the Fish soup which was a banger!

Duck confit & tartare is very much recommended here.

Waiting to be back soon to try more🤌🏻

Jul 13, 2026
on Google

It was my first time there. The service was super friendly, very attentioned too. They timed the drinks, the appetizers, & the main dish perfectly. They had great wine suggestions to match the food.
The place is very lovely & cozy. It could get a bit loud specially cause it's always full, but the service, the food, & the experience are totally worth it.
Definitely a gem I'd recommend.

Jul 13, 2026
on Google

The duck was delicious!

Jul 12, 2026
on Google

We really enjoyed this restaurant. The atmosphere is a classic French bistro . All of our food was very flavorful & delicious. Our server, Rachel, was amazing! The only complaint is the noise level is high but it adds to the ambiance here. Highly recommend!

Jul 12, 2026
on Google

L'Express is back ! Food , ambiance, service all outstanding. Only caveat ; the frozen Provigo style baguette…terrible. Please bring back crunchy Pain Dore baguette of lore .

Jul 11, 2026
on Google

Very good French restaurant

Jul 10, 2026
on Google

The service, atmosphere, & cocktails were great. The food was a miss, except for the octopus (a permanent fixture on the menu for good reason) & the trout amandine (a special). This feels like a restaurant that is cruising on its reputation while allowing the quality to drop. There was no attention to detail from the kitchen & some of the food was frankly baffling.

I have some questions for the kitchen:
Why are the fries soggy?! Why is your steak cut unevenly so some of it is tremendously overcooked? Why are there strawberry chunks floating awkwardly in the asperagus soup? Why are you calling this scallop dish ceviche when it has no relationship to ceviche whatsoever & what is that thing in there that's super over-salted? Why does it look like you guys prepped these ingredients while blindfolded?

& a comment:
The crème brûlée was slightly over-torched & had an unpleasant burnt flavour but at least the custard was good. The cookie was sugary & a little dry, not a great addition.

Here's what was good:
The octopus. Extremely tasty.
The asperagus soup if you didn't have confusing things bobbing around in there.
The trout Amandine, what a nice take on that dish actually! The foamy & light sauce was great & the cook on everything was perfect.
The chou was actually delicious, nicely done.

Jul 8, 2026
on Google

Sadly this place has gone downhill. Ambiance & service is still okay but the food is sub par now. The steak in the steak frites was undercooked & tasteless, tough/fatty/stringy. The frites were still amazing though. The poached salmon was undercooked & also tasteless. The sorrel soup was bland, the celery root remoulade tasted like grandma's recipe from 40 years ago that no one has the heart to tell her is bad. They need a major menu shake-up before we will go again.

Jul 7, 2026
on Google