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 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!
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!
the epitome of a french diner! started out with the bread / butter / pickles, which came with a side of the best mustard i've ever had. split the steak frites & quiche with leek for mains. quiche was good but the steak was REALLY good. fries come with mayo, obviously. really excellent meal, would go again!
Really nice place for a French meal! The liver pate was amazing. They also provide complimentary bread & pickles to eat it with. The pickles were some of the best I've ever had. The duck confit was also amazing & I'd order it again if I came back. The beef tartare was a bit of a miss though.
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
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
This restaurant offers an authentic French dining experience that truly transports you to the heart of France. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance sets a warm, inviting tone with classic French decor that adds a touch of charm & elegance to the space. The menu is filled with traditional French dishes that are well-crafted & full of flavor. Each dish we tried was prepared with great attention to detail, from the appetizers to the desserts. The prices here are very reasonable, especially considering the quality & authenticity of the food. It's rare to find a place that offers such high-quality French cuisine at such accessible prices. The main courses, such as the coq au vin & duck confit, were cooked to perfection, with flavors that were rich & satisfying without being overly heavy. The desserts, particularly the crème brûlée, were equally impressive, providing a sweet & memorable finish to the meal. The service was also excellent, with attentive staff who were knowledgeable about the menu & made thoughtful recommendations. They were quick to attend to our needs without being intrusive, which made for a comfortable & enjoyable dining experience. Overall, this restaurant is a gem for those looking to enjoy traditional French flavors in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
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.
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.
Oct 2, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
The place amazing, i like the bread , pickles & butter 😍burrata salad & their French fries 👌 the steak was ok but not flavorful , duck delicious but salty
Traditional French restaurants with a more relaxing vibe . Had a great wine list with bottles starting at 60. We are from out of town & want ready to go home, because we also had a child & just wanted to go have something to drink . If your look for a great late night eat this is a fantastic place to go it opens untill 2am.
L'Express is one of the best in Montreal - a classic French restaurant with a Parisian bistro style room, excellent food, & incredible service. Everything was done very well.
