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.
L'Express is widely celebrated as an iconic Montreal institution that offers an authentic and timeless Parisian bistro experience. Guests frequently praise the consistently delicious classic French cuisine, highlighting standout dishes such as the duck confit, steak frites, bone marrow, and the signature Ile Flottante dessert. The welcoming atmosphere is often described as vibrant, cozy, and elegant, perfectly complemented by a professional and attentive service team. Many diners appreciate the unique touches, such as the complimentary jar of gherkins and mustard served at every table, as well as the extensive and well curated wine list. While the popular, bustling dining room can become quite loud and tables are closely spaced, most visitors find that the high quality of the food and the charming, energetic vibe make it a must visit destination that provides excellent value for a memorable dining experience.
Service grotesque, une cuisine déplorable digne d'une mauvaise cantine scolaire. Les rillettes étaient très grasses & de mauvaises qualités. Le serveur nous a fait un scandale car le tips n'était pas ok pour lui.
CE N'EST PAS ÇA UN BISTROT PARISIEN
Attrape touriste, à fuir !
100$ à deux pour un petit pot de rillettes & deux cuisses de poulet, sans boisson ni dessert. Scandaleux
Visited L'Express for our last meal in Montreal. Since it's a well-known French bistro & a Bib Gourmand restaurant, we had fairly high expectations.
We made a reservation by phone for our party of four, & they open for lunch at 11:30 AM.
We ordered bone marrow & chicken liver pâté to start, followed by skirt steak, duck confit, & veal kidney. For dessert, we had crème brûlée & L'île flottante au caramel (meringue dessert) with coffee. The bread & butter were excellent, & the steak & duck confit were probably the highlights of the meal.
The veal kidney had a fairly gamey flavor, & the bone marrow was a little bland. The coffee was forgotten & arrived after we had already finished dessert, & it honestly wasn't very good anyway.
What stood out more was the lack of attention to some basic details. The service felt inconsistent, one server was unnecessarily rude, & even the bathroom was out of hand soap. For a Bib Gourmand restaurant, I expected a more polished & professional experience.
Overall, the food was decent, but the experience didn't really live up to the restaurant's reputation. It's worth trying if you want to experience a classic Montreal French bistro, but I wouldn't consider it a must-visit.
Just an excellent place to enjoy a delicious meal in a fine, yet unpretentious bistro. This dining room is in the charming Plateau neighbourhood. While you're going to see a lot of tourists there, it's also popular with locals. The wine list is incredible & service in English is cheerfully offered if necessary. Great for lunch if you want to come check things out. A great addition to your Montreal experience.
En entrant la première fois dans la salle à manger de l'express, le décor m'a donné l'impression de me retrouver à Paris dans une autre époque! Sur les murs, les nombreuses photos, prises chaque année, des équipes de cuisine & de service qui font vivre ce restaurant rappellent la longue vie de cette institution.
J'aime ce restaurant. & pourtant, c'est terriblement bruyant quand la salle à manger est pleine. J'ai alors l'impression de me retrouver dans une ruche qui bourdonne!
J'aime l'Express & pourtant, les tables sont très proches les unes des autres & la conversation des voisins peut être parfois dérangeante.
J'aime l'Express même si la classique assiette de rognons de veau à la crème semble à mes yeux contenir de moins en moins de rognons.
Pourquoi donc j'aime cet endroit?
Par ce que c'est un bistrot français genereux, de qualité constante, où la baguette de pain est savoureuse & croustillante & les cornichons offerts par la maison sont à volonté,
Parce que vous pouvez vous y attabler du midi jusque tard dans la nuit tous les jours,
Par ce que plusieurs des plats classiques de cette belle maison demeurent sur la carte malgré les années qui passent & que je suis toujours content de les y retrouver. C'est une des rares places où vous pouvez manger des os à moelle servis de façon classique & une très bonne rémoulade. Vous pouvez aussi y manger aussi des plats plus modernes.
Lors de mon dernier repas à l'Express, nous avons mangé un succulent boudin noir aux pommes, un délicieux poulet de Cornouaille qui explosait de saveurs, le décadent pâté de foie & une énorme île flottante. C'était très bon, bien fait & bien servi! & la carte des vins demeure formidable.
A small place that we almost missed even though we used Google maps to find it. But well worth tracking down. This place is a tiny bistro with a beautiful decor amazing staff & the food is out of this world. We tried the sorrel soup & then they also had a gazpacho that was seasonal that was amazing. The chicken pate was to die for. & then we shared a duck confit. That was some of the best duck I've ever had in my entire life. Hidden gem in St. Denis that you must try.
L'Express est une véritable institution montréalaise, & on comprend immédiatement pourquoi. L'ambiance est à la fois élégante, vivante & chaleureuse, avec ce charme de bistrot français intemporel qui donne envie de prolonger la soirée.
La cuisine est excellente, classique dans le meilleur sens du terme, avec des plats exécutés avec beaucoup de justesse & de constance. Mais ce qui rend vraiment l'expérience spéciale, c'est aussi l'accueil. Grégoire, le maître d'hôtel, crée une atmosphère particulièrement agréable dès qu'on franchit la porte. Il a cette rare capacité à être à la fois professionnel, attentionné & naturellement chaleureux, tout en faisant en sorte que chaque client se sente véritablement bienvenu.
C'est ce mélange de très bonne cuisine, de service impeccable & d'ambiance humaine qui fait de L'Express un endroit où l'on a toujours envie de revenir. Une adresse incontournable à Montréal.
One of the best value French bistros in Montreal. Everything was well executed, & the complimentary pickles were surprisingly the highlight-super crisp, refreshing, & addictive. The quail was tender with a delicious sauce & is definitely worth ordering. I'd skip the foie gras mousse unless you're sharing, as it's very rich, & the mafaldine pesto pasta was far too oily for my taste. Free bread refills were a nice bonus. Great meal overall, especially for the price.
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.
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!
