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.
What you'll notice immediately about L'Express is its authenticity. The room looks like it was plucked straight out of Paris. There is a long bar with a partition separating it from the dining room. The tables are well spaced, but the room has energy, so bring your own. Reservations are highly recommended. I arrived as a solo diner on a Monday at 7:45 & had to return an hour later just to sit at the bar-it was worth waiting.
After choosing my meal, the waiter set a massive container of cronichon on the table with bread, butter, & mustard. Don't skip tasting them-the cronichon are pure perfection, & the mustard is spicy & tart, a classic dijon. The real challenge is not finishing it all (though with the huge jar of pickles, it's impossible; but beware: bread is the enemy).
My order needed to be classic but not pedestrian, so I chose the cured salmon, served over a bed of thinly sliced cabbage, dressed with cream, lemon, & dill, & garnished with radish & micro-greens. Wow, this was such a surprise. I was blown away. Great fish, paired with a salad I would have never considered, a true win.
For my main, I ordered the hanger steak (Aka Steak Frites) along with a wine of the server's choosing after letting him know what I usually enjoy. The steak was great, served with hotel butter, cooked to perfection. On the side were the fries, hot & crisp, with a fluffy interior & a generous serving of mayo.
I ate everything & required a coffee just to make it to my hotel. I will be back, with reservations & a larger group next time, so I can try more of the menu, but my first impression... O la la!
Sat at the bar with my daughter last night. Service was amazing by bartender. She recommended great wine & dinner. We had the bourgot app. My daughter had trout & I had traditional steak frites. Dessert was creme brulee & raspberry glacee. We had made reservations.
Mar 17, 2026
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A few days ago, we visited L'Express, & unfortunately, it was one of the most disappointing dining experiences I've had in a long time.
Our dishes were mixed up - instead of a salad, I was served potatoes. The dish was later replaced, but the salad contained slightly spoiled greens, which further ruined the impression.
We asked to taste three different wines. However, before waiting for our confirmation after the tasting, the waiter immediately started pouring full glasses, which resulted in us having to take all three wines. This felt unprofessional.
I also asked for a glass of water, but I was only asked if I wanted water right before we were about to leave.
Additionally, the restaurant was so loud that it was impossible to have a normal conversation, which significantly affected the overall experience.
I have visited many Michelin Guide restaurants, & in my opinion, neither the food nor the service reflects the level expected from a Bib Gourmand restaurant.
We had a great time! Everything we ordered was super tasty, the wine selection is excellent, & the service was top-notch. The waiters were friendly, welcoming, & made the whole experience even better. Definitely a place we'd come back to
Good bistro food & great wine list. Duck was OK, soup was fantastic. My companion liked his boudin.
Service is both friendly & professional.
It got very loud as the place filled up: noise bounces on the mirrored walls, it is difficult to have a conversation at a normal volume. & the lights are very bright. I don't remember these issues being a problem for my many visits over the years - maybe I get less tolerant with time.
Feb 10, 2026
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Have been eating here & a favourite for 20 years.. amazing dinner last night.. humorous & attentive service.. continued great space & delicious food.. beef tartare the star, follows by the steak frites then the lamb shank.. super wine list !! Go !
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!
Steak frites, cod fritters, amazing wine choices, & the can't miss maple syrup profiteroles!!! These are truly life changing & absolutely a fantastic Canadian twist on a French classic. Probably one of my favorite desserts I've ever had.
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.
Dec 1, 2025
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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.
Most authentic french dining in Montreal! Perfect food, attention to detail, outstanding service. Fair pricing. Great Wine selection. All day Menu. Bar seating for solo dinners. My go to for french dining in the city!
Been meaning to visit this amazing restaurant for sometime now. Finally got the opportunity last night. The quality of their food & service was amazing. The place was packed at 8:30 in the evening, this is a testament of how great this place is. We ordered the bone Marrow & vegetable soup with appetizers. My wife got the ravioli, & I got the duck confit. & both were delicious. My duck was fall off the bone & was really juicy & tender. They probably have over 100 options of wine. We went with the 2020 Pinot noir Au Bon Climat from California. The wine was fruity & really light. It paired well with both the ravioli & the duck confit.
The service was remarkable, we went with our toddler, daughter & they made sure that we were comfortable. You need to reserve a table before you show up. I would recommend this restaurant.
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!
Best restaurant for a night out with your best friend &/or family. Reasonable prices & great selection of wine. From 30$ a bottle!! My favorite restaurant in MTL by far!!
Wonderful old school place - open late - great wines - excellent application of classics. Little touches like the jar of cornichons really make it. Must stop when in Montreal!
