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 in reviews as a beloved Montreal staple that evokes a Parisian bistro vibe with a lively yet cozy dining room, a long bar, and mirrors that create a bustling, intimate atmosphere. The menu features generous portions of classic dishes like bone marrow, confit duck, steak frites, and beef tartare, complemented by crowd-pleasing desserts such as maple profiteroles and crème brûlée, and sharing-friendly touches like a large jar of house pickles, cornichons, bread, and Dijon mustard. Service is repeatedly praised for being warm, professional, and attentive, though a few visits note occasional delays or missteps and some dishes feeling a bit salty or pricey; reservations are advised and the overall experience is described as authentic, comforting, and quintessentially French, making L'Express a top choice for both locals and visitors.
Un bistro français Bib Gourmand Michelin à Montréal qui vaut vraiment le détour. Le service était professionnel, accueillant & efficace du début à la fin. L'endroit est chaleureux & rempli d'histoire, notamment grâce aux cadres photos des équipes affichés des années 1980 jusqu'à aujourd'hui.
Nous avons commandé l'onglet beurre à l'échalote avec frites, la cuisse de canard confite, puis en dessert le fameux « Île flottante » que mon cousin me recommandait depuis longtemps.
Les plats principaux étaient parfaitement assaisonnés, & la viande était tellement tendre qu'elle fondait littéralement dans la bouche.
Le dessert mérite vraiment sa réputation. Je recommande de le partager à quatre plutôt qu'à deux, car il est assez généreux. C'était un superbe mélange de textures : la légèreté de la meringue, le goût sucré du caramel, ainsi que la sauce qui venait parfaitement compléter l'ensemble.
Petit conseil: ils préparent un nombre limité d'Îles flottantes par jour, donc ça vaut la peine d'arriver tôt pour ne pas la manquer.
May 31, 2026
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It was an amazing experience!
The food, drinks, service, & atmosphere were all excellent.
Everything we ordered was delicious, & the prices felt very reasonable for the quality.
I especially loved the jar of gherkins & the mustard that were brought to our table.
We were able to get a table without a reservation, but I'd highly recommend making one in advance just to be safe.
I'd definitely come back✨
This Michelin rated place is busy & doesn't take reservations. Make sure to come early.
They provide pickles for free.
Ordered veal kidney, octopus, & duck leg.
This was hands down one of the best dining experiences we've experienced. Every dish felt intentional, well thought out & was executed to perfection. Our server was attentive without being overbearing & for the price you can't beat the quality.
La truite était fraîche & sa peau était croustillante à souhait. La pieuvre était excellente aussi & sa cuisson était idéale. Les saveurs des deux plats étaient bien balancés & subtiles. C'est un restaurant qui mérite bien sa réputation!
May 29, 2026
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Managed to snag a last-minute table at L'Express for lunch. While the kitchen paces itself-expect a bit of a wait for the mains to arrive-the warm, friendly service & precise cooking make it entirely worthwhile.
The culinary breakdown:
Mousse de Foie de Volaille: A classic done right. Rich, smooth, & deeply flavorful.
Demi-Cornouaille: Beautifully executed poultry. Remarkably moist & paired with a stellar, deeply savory sauce.
Saumon aux Lentilles & Épinards: A masterclass in clean, classic technique. Perfect texture.
Croque Monsieur: Visually classic & decadent. Absolute high marks from the kids.
Raviolis: The undisputed star of the afternoon. While a modest presentation of just four pieces, the sheer depth & precision of the sauce completely eclipse the portion size. Bold, concentrated flavors that demanded a clean plate.
A masterclass in traditional execution. Just allow yourself the time to sit back & savor it.
Very lovely lunch. Sat at the bar. Nice vibe to the place. Staff very focused on in & out. The octopus was insane. The quail was ok. Would go again & try more as the people next to me at the bar had some lovely looking things; salmon & beef tartare. The fries looked incredible.
May 17, 2026
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I really enjoyed the easy ordering & the friendly staff. The food was great & the overall atmosphere was very pleasant. I will be coming back to try more of the menu items. It's a very good place for anyone looking for a nice & relaxing experience. The vibe here is truly wonderful.
A divine experience from start to finish. Michelin starred as of 2025, but don't expect pretentious prices & small portions! L'Express delivers on all fronts. It was charming, reasonably priced, generous portions, & the staff were lovely. We shared a bottle of wine, the burrata salad, ravioli, rainbow trout, & duck confit. Everything was mouth wateringly delicious. Highly recommend for a fine dining experience of French food in Montreal!
