L'Express
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L'Express
Opens Today at 11:30 am
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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.
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Reviews for L'Express
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Display Allfrench(101) dessert(57) duck(52) recommend(52) wine(49) bistro(48) steak(47) classic(42) confit(41) duck confit(34) pickles(34) bread(26)Page 1 of 3 - 52 Reviews
Lloyd
An excellent traditional French bistro. Atmosphere was buzzing, even late at night. I started with the bone marrow, which was good but not great (wish they offered the steak tartare as a starter). The main, though, was incredible. Best duck confit I have ever had; it was cooked perfectly, including the beans it was served on. Crème brûlée was also excellent. A must visit when in Montreal.
Lawrence
It had been years since I had been here & heard that they had redecorated. Our kids had actually made a reservation the following night unbeknownst to us. Went back with our friends & we arrived a bit late due to parking troubles. It didn't help that the resto was difficult to find as the signage isn't in view. We sat & chatted a bit & were not impressed at the way our waiter greeted us. Nonetheless, we proceeded to order our food & the attitude continued when my wife was asking questions about the menu. I had the smoked herring which was the best thing I had that evening. It was well prepared & delicious. My wife ordered the salmon which she enjoyed as a main & I had the steak tartare. My tartare wasn't great. Mid at best. The meat was fresh but lacking flavour although they did get the spice level correct. Was tempted by the maple profiteroles but at over $17, I passed. Not sure why dessert prices have gone through the roof especially for a bistro. Sadly, my kids had an even worse experience with service the following evening. Suffice it to say, I won't be back as there are better bistro experience like Lemeac, Chez Lévesque or Brasserie Bernard in Montreal to name a few all with better service & food.
Pierre
It's a Parisian bistro but in Montreal, so the service is way better than over there ahah. The food was good & I recommend the boudin noir with apples it was great. Service was excellent & the ambiance is spot on !
(Tiny minor point please change the ringtones of the phone at the entrance it looks great being retro & all but when it rings every 2 mins it's just too much).
Euqelegna
Great bistro environment. Good by the glass wine options. Food was hit & miss. My quiche had a soggy crust which is shameful. As if it was microwaved. & another diner had skin on their sauce like it had sat a lifetime under the heat lamps. Last person enjoyed their meal.
Mehri
Tile floors, a long bar, mirrored walls, dim lighting - diners say it feels like stepping into a real neighborhood bistro in Paris. The ambiance is cozy, lively, & timeless. We walked in with no resy, got seated at 10:30 PM. Still it was very vibey. There's a large wine list with options at various price points. Food was authentic, comforting & very french. We tried appetizers & dessert (profiteroles) - best profiteroles of my life.
D
Parce qu'on y sert une excellente cuisine de bistro & que l'atmosphère est décontractée sans l'être trop. Par contre, après avoir fréquenté très régulièrement cet établissement pendant des années avec mon père, le personnel que je connaissais m'a complètement ignorée lorsque j'y suis retournée après le décès de ce dernier. J'ai trouvé ça assez'ordinaire'.
Evan
Went here for lunch while on vacation in Montreal. I had many excellent meals, but L'Express was possibly the best. Food was fantastic, but the atmosphere is what I enjoyed the most. It feels very much like a classic French bistro. Charming, excellent service. What a delight.
Luis
Great classic bistro. There's usually 2 or 3 vegetarian options but expect things to be more classic French. Recommended are the raviolis des maison & the boudin noir.
Paul
Paris style bistro, tastefully close together tables, great food, & one of the only places around serving perfect bone marrow. niche, but hey!
Myriam
Excellent service courtois, belle ambiance bistrot parisien
Cuisine impeccable depuis les 33 dernières années où j'y réserve une table
Bijan
By far one of the best restaurants in Montreal. Incredible French Bistro on St-Denis. The service is fantastic, the food is delicious, & the cozy atmosphere is immediately greets you.
Each table comes with complementary pickles, dijon mustard, & bread!
The duck & veal kidneys are a must have. Finally the Ile flottante dessert is massive, but delicious.
Dani
Amazing classic french bistro with great service & a good atmosphere
JEAN
Une adresse à ne pas manquer à Montréal … une cuisine de bistrot avec ce petit supplément d'âme que le chef jean François Vachon & toute son équipe savent orchestrer avec brio, de belles surprises dans l'assiette . L'île flottante avec sa cloche de caramel soufflée est surprenante, son baba au rhum avec du vrai rhum est remarquable , & sa crème brûlée est surprenante, un véritable sans faute pour un bistrot - brasserie… Le lapin à la moutarde est une tuerie. Merci d'avoir ravie nos papilles… Alors à vos téléphone réservé une table & réveiller vos papilles…. Héhé
Thomas
Un bistro français ouvert jusqu'à 3h du matin à Montréal ? Que demander de plus ? De la bonne bouffe, une ambiance conviviale & un service au top… Ah ben, tout y est ! Parfait pour les oiseaux de nuit & les gourmands tardifs.
Bunker
My wife & I had dinner at L'Express on a Wednesday night during a trip to Montreal after reading about it in the NYT. It lived up to its reputation.
The staff was warm, welcoming, & skilled, making us feel comfortable right away. The meal started with pickles & bread--a simple but memorable touch. L'Express feels like an authentic French bistro, the kind that has inspired places like Pastis or Parc (both favorites of mine). It reminded me of a restaurant I once visited on Île Saint-Louis in Paris, adding to its authenticity.
We shared a green salad, steak frites, & a pasta special with meatballs in red sauce. Every dish was clean, simple, & well-executed. The restaurant was packed, with every seat filled, & the atmosphere was cozy & lively. We enjoyed the sophisticated local chatter & the charm of the space.
It's easy to see why L'Express has been around for decades. The food, service, & vibe are top-notch, & the prices are reasonable for the quality. The surrounding neighborhood was also a nice area to explore. Reservations are a must. Highly recommended!
Jack
A quintessential French bistro that consistently exceeds expectations! Whether you're dining for business or pleasure, this restaurant offers a vibrant atmosphere, complemented by a very well curated menu of French classics, all expertly prepared to showcase simplicity & quality ingredients! If you love wine then you'll appreciate the work that has gone into building the extensive wine list that showcases a variety of wines & older vintages. I particularly enjoy sitting at the bar, where the energy is always lively & welcoming! A definite must!
Pascale
Un classique incontournable à Montréal. Un bistro français authentique comme in n'en trouve plus!
J
I had a late dinner at L'Express, the well-known French bistro, & it was a great experience overall. The Hanger steak, cooked medium rare, was really good, & the shallot butter & fries made a great combo. The real highlight for me was the maple profiteroles-absolutely delicious. My partner had the duck confit & said it was the best ever. The cozy vibe was nice, but the service was mixed. Our main server was friendly & attentive, but another staff member was a bit pushy. Still, everything was quick & efficient, making it a solid spot for a casual French meal.
Sabrina
We had a lovely dinner at L'Express. The atmosphere is lively, busy & energetic. The food is straight forward, quality French eats - a true French bistro vibe. The salmon tartare & steak with roasted veggies hit the spot & the homemade pickles were a nice touch.