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.
I'm not sure this place needs another positive review-nevertheless, a stand-out restaurant in a city full of wonderful food. Classic French bistro atmosphere, perfect service, & cornichons & mustard are provided gratis. Duck confit & celery remoulade were perfection. The waitress suggested a wonderful cab to go with them. My wife very much enjoyed her risotto. Would very much like to sit at the bar next time. All in all, a worthy 20th anniversary dinner.
Great French bistro in a trendy area of Montreal. Cooking was exquisite! Service was friendly & helpful. Price is fair for the quality & portion size. The gazpacho my cousin & I had was perhaps the best I've ever had. The mushrom ravioli was delicate & extremely flavorful. & the creme brulee was also excellent. Definitely returning next time I am in the city.
Aug 21, 2024
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Food was excellent, but the bartender was incredibly rude. First, my partner complimented the bartender & he ignored her. Then, my friend asked if the restaurant had a malbec. The bartender scoffed & said "we don't serve Pina coladas here." After paying, & tipping, I confronted the bartender & said, "hey, I feel like your response to the miscommunication was kind of rude & it made us feel unwelcome." The bartender nodded & then walked away. I wasn't expecting anything beyond "sorry, I didn't mean to be offensive," but he just ignored our group again. TOURISTS SHOULD AVOID THIS SPOT. YOU CAN GET GOOD FRENCH FOOD ELSEWHERE, & OTHER PLACES WONT TALK DOWN TO YOU FOR BEING AN OUTSIDER.
Classic French Bistro that covers all the bases. Make sure to get something off the specials menu & enjoy the ambiance. Been with kids & on date night, service is impeccable.
The service at this French restaurant is very professional. The pickles are delicious, & the fish soup is excellent. However, the restroom is particularly small.
An amazing French restaurant. The maître is kind & friendly. The service is always excellent. The wine selection is very good. It's always delicious & perfectly cooked. The ambiance here is excellent as well. I'd highly recommend coming here if you're going to be in Montreal. (I came here as a tourist many times when I was visiting Canada, & when I moved to Montréal too...) Nothing changed. They are consistent in delivering a great culinary experience
10/10. where do i even start?! book in advance! Must have french bistro cuisine experience when you are in town. wine selection is exceptional. just wow. service is perfect, they were awfully nice & helpful, super attentive. bone marrow was out of this world. duck confit was one of the best & well made meat ive had. cooked & seasoned to perfection ile flottante au caramel is what you need to order for share.
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!
Consistently serving well prepared French Bistro classics. The only place you can get a truly reliable steak tartare in Montreal, served with perfect crisp fries. 7-24 update... The same charming & efficient service. The food is on par. Thank god for consistency.
Jul 12, 2024
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Very nice, classic French restaurant. The dishes we got definitely hit the spot. Everything was prepared perfectly, not too heavy & the waiter gives great, detailed recommendations for drinks & food. For what we ordered, I find the pricing of the food was fair, not overly expensive. You would definitely see me back at L'express.
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!
A premium restaurant with classic French bistro flair, dressed-up & very attentive waitresses & waiters serving very good French food. Expect to pay 60-70$ for a starter, main dish, & dessert together.
Jun 21, 2024
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Booked our table 2 weeks in advance. Had a very good experience, the server was very patient with us as it's our first time eating in a French restaurant. They also do speck English & has English menu when you dine in. Very happy with my visit.
At first, I thought L'Express was a tourist trap, but was I wrong. Packed at 2:00 on a blistering hot Tuesday in the middle of June, L'Express would feel comfortable in any arrondissement in Paris. We settled in at the expansive bar, ordered wine & a cocktail, & didn't miss Paris at all. Romanik took great care of us, & his graciousness was welcome after the often self entitled servers in the United States. Maybe Canada's universal health care has something to do with that. The menu covers every classic French dish, & we ordered calves liver with frites & Duck Confit for nostalgia's sake. Ooh La La. They were both fantastic. Our late lunch was long & so relaxing. Regrettably, we left the AC of L'Express to take a stroll in 93 degree heat. Mistake. We should have stayed at L'Express & ordered dessert.
One of my favorite for French Food with an authentic retro vibe. Food is excellent however they are extremely cheap on AC & everytime I go there I sweat my life!
