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Restaurant Top Pick

L'Express

Montréal’s definitive classic bistro destination remains the gold standard for authentic French culinary tradition.

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
4.6$$$
OPEN11:30 am - 1 am
Monday
Tuesday
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Friday
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Photo of L'Express, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal - Montreal
BistroFrenchTartareGreat selection of wines
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About

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.
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5★
77%
4★
13%
3★
4%
2★
5%
1★
1%

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Reviews for L'Express

Food
Service
on Google4.6 (4000+)
*as of 2026-08-01
5★
77%
4★
13%
3★
4%
2★
5%
1★
1%

Review Summary

L'Express is widely celebrated as an iconic Montreal institution that offers an authentic Parisian bistro experience, characterized by its classic decor, lively atmosphere, and long-standing menu favorites such as duck confit, steak frites, and bone marrow. Many patrons praise the efficient, professional service and the unique touch of complimentary house-made pickles and mustard served with fresh bread. While a significant number of visitors consider it a must-visit destination for its consistency and quality, some diners have noted inconsistencies, ranging from issues with food preparation and seasoning to concerns regarding noise levels and occasional lapses in service quality. Overall, it remains a beloved staple for both locals and tourists seeking a traditional French dining experience, though making a reservation is highly recommended to secure a spot in this popular and bustling eatery.
Page 7 of 8 - 72 Reviews
5.0

Came here for dinner on a Tuesday night. Really great experience. Delicious food, great wine list, lovely service, great ambience. We ordered the goat cheese pastry, the shrimp & chorizo risotto, & steak frites. Very rich tasting food, but lovely & complex flavors. I would recommend getting the hangar steak medium as the medium rare was a bit too lacking form for me. All exceptional!

Apr 24, 2024
on Google

STEAK FRITES 😍

Apr 17, 2024
on Google

This is a spectacular French restaurant. My friend & I took a day trip to Montreal & found this place on google. We walked in without a reservation & the maître d' was kind enough to seat us as long as we'd be finished by his next reservation. The service was excellent. Since we had to drive back to The States after our visit, the waitress recommended a half bottle of Chardonnay, which was very good. We shared the arancini & bone marrow to start. For our entrees, I had the hanger steak with mashed potatoes & my friend had the duck confit. All of the was delicious & perfectly cooked. The ambiance here is excellent as well. I'd highly recommend coming here if you're going to be in Montreal.

Apr 10, 2024
on Google
5.0

The steak frites was perfect & the dessert a fever dream: the eye-catching île flottante is so satisfying to break open & probably best shared between at least three people...

Mar 16, 2024
on Google

Delicious authentic French fare in its iconic locale on St-Denis, perfect for a date night. Make sure to reserve because they get booked solid! Love the giant jar of pickles that you get with your bread & butter at the beginning of the meal. The fries were crispy & served with mustard-mayo. The steak was cooked perfectly, with a generous pat of herby butter. The beef tartare was chopped a bit finer than I am used to, but so flavourful. Definitely recommend this dish! The île flottante was splendid to look at but a bit too sweet for my taste but still something worth ordering!

Mar 8, 2024
on Google

Beautiful decor that has an old soul vibe. The service was very good. You are served warm baguette with butter as well as their homemade (sour) pickles & dijon mustard. That mustard is potent & delicious! Just a dab & it'll clear your stuffy nostrils. We had the duck confit leg, which was very nicely cooked & the steak/frites.

Feb 27, 2024
on Google

We go every time we're in Montreal. We love the bone marrow & the steak frittes. The atmosphere is bustling & energetic & the staff are en pointe. We live 500 miles away, but we will be back! Again.

Feb 13, 2024
on Google

The food here is good...not great, good. Best things were the appetizers of Japanese coleslaw & beet salad. Steak frites was forgettable sadly. The service & ambiance was nice & we were well taken care of.

Jan 2, 2024
on Google

I got the beef tartare & the steak with shallot butter & fries. The beef tartare was okay, not unique or better than anything I've had before. The steak quality was not the best, but the fries were light & crispy & the shallot butter was herby & savoury - so good. The restaurant vibe is like old diner style, which I thought was cute but I didn't love it. Service was great, no complaints.

Dec 20, 2023
on Google

Delicious food, reasonable prices & fun atmosphere. My steak tasted great & was cooked perfectly. The octopus was very tender & paired nicely with the red pepper sauce. Service was quick however sometimes too quick that it became less efficient: our appetizers arrived but we didn't have any plates or utensils then our dirty utensils were taken away but was not replaced for our mains. They were clearly understaffed & were running around all night. My partner & I enjoyed our night regardless & would still come back to try other dishes. Waiter also made an excellent wine recommendation that easily became one of my favourites!

Dec 20, 2023
on Google