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 in reviews as a beloved Montreal staple that evokes a Parisian bistro vibe with a lively yet cozy dining room, a long bar, and mirrors that create a bustling, intimate atmosphere. The menu features generous portions of classic dishes like bone marrow, confit duck, steak frites, and beef tartare, complemented by crowd-pleasing desserts such as maple profiteroles and crème brûlée, and sharing-friendly touches like a large jar of house pickles, cornichons, bread, and Dijon mustard. Service is repeatedly praised for being warm, professional, and attentive, though a few visits note occasional delays or missteps and some dishes feeling a bit salty or pricey; reservations are advised and the overall experience is described as authentic, comforting, and quintessentially French, making L'Express a top choice for both locals and visitors.
Such a classic french bistro! Learned that the same titles restaurant on park ave in manhattan is not connected. & as someone who went to both now, can't stand up to the real French Montréal version!
My partner has being coming to this busy French-bistro style restaurant for around 40 years, & I have visited several times - it never lets us down. Great menu of French classics & specials, efficient, friendly service & great wines. It was difficult to choose, but I went for:
- ??Smoked herring from lles-de-la-Madeleine
- ??Veal kidneys in mustard sauce
- ??Ile flottante with caramel
The smoked herring was served warm on thinly sliced potatoes. Excellent.
The veal kidneys were cooked pink, in a rich, mustard sauce. So good.
The lle Flottante was huge (a bit too big), really good & beautifully presented with large pieces of perfect peanut brittle.
A really good meal, in really good surroundings, nice atmosphere & friendly, efficient service. We left very satisfied & very full!
(Also posted to my food blog on Instagram @AbbeyKing16)
Went for lunch expecting more from such an established institution. I ordered the rognons, which were unfortunately disappointing. Out of all the pieces, 2 or 3 were poorly cleaned, giving the entire plate a strong, unpleasant taste. This wasn't my first time having kidneys - I simply wished they had been better prepared.
The service was also mediocre. We had to flag down our server multiple times to get our bottle of wine, as they were storing it somewhere other than near our table.
Would I give it another chance? Perhaps in a couple of years. For context, lunch for two - including one starter, two main dishes, & a $65 bottle of wine - came to $210.
The Sorrel soup was… well as good as Sorrel soup can get I guess… was ok
The duck confit was (probably) good, if it wasn't swimming in some kind of a red beans stew that completely overwhelmed the taste & texture of the duck :(
The baba a rum was superb.
L'Express is truly one of the best places in Montréal to experience a classic French dining atmosphere. The service is fast, professional, & very experienced. Even though it's busy, everything runs smoothly. You can really feel the Parisian vibe the black-&-white flooring, bar seating, & energetic atmosphere are all spot on. If you want to experience a true French dining experience in Montréal, this place is absolutely a must.
Très bonne & jolie brasserie française plutôt parisienne exactement comme la bas avec quelques produits d'ici , le velouté de cepes est le meilleur que j'ai goûté de ma vie , la viande & les frites aussi, les rillettes etaient fades mais ca ne gache rien, la carte des vins & aperitifs digestifs exhaustive & Excellente, nous reviendrons pour cafe dessert sûrement. Des années après toujours aussi bons & accueillants
Apr 20, 2026
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Las veces que hemos ido esta delicioso !!
Recomiendo que hagan reservacion por que todo el tiempo por la tarde esta lleno !!
El vino , la Comida 100%
Servicio : amables , rapidos !
El Salomon con lentejas ( lentejas un poco duras )
Pulpo perfecto
Super adresse sur Saint-Denis à Montréal ! Cette brasserie française propose une cuisine authentique avec un excellent rapport qualité-prix.
Côté assiette, tout était au rendez-vous : le carpaccio de boeuf était tout simplement délicieux, tout comme les rillettes, riches & savoureuses. En plat, les cailles au riz noir étaient parfaitement maîtrisées : une viande tendre, goûteuse. Tout le repas est aussi accompagnée d'un grand pot de cornichons & d'une moutarde bien relevée qui apportent une vraie touche de caractère.
La carte des vins est également un gros point fort : large choix & prix très raisonnables, parfait pour accompagner le repas sans se ruiner.
Seul petit bémol : l'ambiance est très (très) bruyante. Il peut parfois être difficile de s'entendre ou même de bien comprendre le serveur. Cela participe sans doute à l'esprit brasserie, mais ça peut déranger selon les moments.
Je vous conseille de réserver avant aussi !
Une excellente adresse malgré tout, que je recommande sans hésiter !
Great place for a date night. The service was fantastic, more European than American style. The food was delicious, fries were well salted, steak well cooked (as you like it), & the shallot-butter was so good I want to try making it at home. The place is nicely laid out with good lighting. Just remember to book a reservation.
L'Express is my favoruite resturant in the city. That's why it's super disappointing they hung up on me when I tried to snag a spot I could not find online by calling in. Most resturants hold tables from online for call ins. Can't beleive I was treated so rudely...
