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.
My husband & I visited from Toronto & wow, we were mind blown from the food & customer service. I made sure to make a reservation as I knew it was a busy place. The servers are phenomenal & provide great service - my water & wine was never empty! On top of it, they give you a jar of pickles on house to munch at while waiting for your food - including be happier! The food is Michelin star for a reason … I got the duck & crème brûlée & it was SO GOOD. The crème brûlée is massive & you could share it with someone - or not :) Cant wait to be back!
Walked in & they made us feel special. The night was busy but they made room. Unfortunately our server did not match the atmosphere, we almost left no tip. Alexis saved our night & our dining experience. He was always there. Checked on the details. Offered a beautiful smile. Thank you Alexis. Will be back because of your service.
I didn't know that this place was kinda famous. This was the only French place that I saw open on google at midnight. The reviews were great so I decided to go. It was busy but not too packed. The service was really good & the food was excellent. The quiche, I hope I didn't misspell it, I only had a year of French in high school. It was great & the rum tart I had was even better. The vibe of the place was energetic. They have rotary phones & the place is painted dark red. This is only the second French restaurant they I've been to but it made a great impression. The first was in Savannah, Ga. The next time I make a long road trip to Montréal from Florida I will stop by again. The second time I was here I didn't see the rotary phones.
Nov 12, 2024
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Great experience overall! The food is great, the service is slow, but it was extremely busy & they seemed understaffed for a Friday night! Plus, they did accommodate for the wait by giving us two free glass of wine which was really sweet! I recommend the steak or the poached salmon as a main, it was honestly a 10/10! For the appetizer, the chicken liver pistachios with the bread is so tasty. The maple profiteroles, for the dessert, were so well balanced in terms of sweetness, 100% recommend!
Service can be a little slow, presumably as it is so constantly busy until late. Portions are generous & the food is very good - I'd like a bit more bechamel in the Croque Monsieur myself but all very tasty.
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.
We came here for brunch. It really has a classic Parisian bistro vibe. Service was excellent even though the restaurant was very busy. We ordered foie gras & risotto. Both tasted amazing. This is definitely one of the best restaurants in Montreal. Hope to visit here again soon.
Oct 1, 2024
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Phenomenal meal here, I see why this place is so popular. I'd definitely recommend a reservation, as it's very busy. We got four things to split: the chicken liver paté, the duck rillettes, the quail, & the ravioli. Absolutely everything was wonderful. Even the jar of cornichons were delicious. I'd strongly recommend this place!
Three of us came to dine for an early dinner on Friday night. I was not a fan that they sat the 3 of us at a two person table with one of us sitting at the "aisle". It wasn't particularly busy at this time so I think we could have been better accommodated. Other than that, the food is delicious, well seasoned & perfectly cooked. Portion sizing is quite large too! We had the duck confit, hanger steak & fries & the chicken. They also provide fresh bread & a large jar of pickles - a very nice touch. We also had the espresso creme brulee to share at the end which we would highly recommend. All in all, very well done & would recommend to anyone who is looking for great french food!
This is a gem. The food was amazing. I suggest making reservations as it's a busy & popular place. The staff were excellent. I find this restaurant a bit noisy but tolerable.
A step back in time to a genuine French Bistro in Montreal. Having just been in Paris 6 month's ago. L'Express felt more authentic! Crowded, lively, & full of energy. Busy local place, great bistro food, with daily specials. Dining late? No problem. L'Express is open for late dinners, or dessert seekers! Friendly & knowledgeable wait staff. Only downside, a little loud when packed with diners, & & space is tight. But if you enjoy a good local exciting vibe, L'Express is for you!
Jul 2, 2024
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We dined here on our first night in Montreal & had a wonderful experience! It was very busy but the Maître d still found us a table for two - the staff were exceptional, so friendly & welcoming & very attentive. The food came out at the perfect time & it was delicious - my steak was cooked to perfection. We would 100% come back here & recommend to friends & family visiting Montreal. Thank you!
This is my first french bistro experience. The staff gets very busy, so make sure you book in advance. There's no lunch menu or late night menu that are offered elsewhere. I ordered a snow crab soup which is a local dish & beef tartare which is a classic. The soup has phenomenal flavor & all the ingredients are well-balanced. The tartare is also decent, although my palette would like more seasoning. Every place has their own version of the tartare, so this is likely just my personal preference. Overall this is an amazing experience in Montreal & worth the little dent they put on your wallet.
