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.
Toujours agréable de venir manger dans cette institution montréalaise, le saumon au cerfeuil était délicieux tout comme mon entrée de chèvre chaud, & le service impeccable 👌. Longue vie à l'Express!
very relaxing place to enjoy a nice dinner/lunch with friends food excellent, service as well, all good. only table sizes are a bit small, almost parisien
Jul 16, 2024
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I had an absolutely fantastic experience here. The food was delicious & creative, the wine list is extensive, & the customer service was top-notch. I dined alone at the bar, & the servers could not have been more friendly & helpful. I ate a scallop ceviche which is one of the best dishes I've ever tasted, followed by the salmon with lentils & a lemon sorbet. Sancerre & a server-recommended Courvoisier rounded out the meal perfectly. I hope to have the pleasure of dining here again some day!
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!
L'Express est une excellente adresse pour savourer la cuisine française à Montréal. La nourriture est exceptionnelle, avec des plats préparés à la perfection & une présentation soignée. Le service est impeccable, professionnel & attentionné. De plus, l'ambiance est chaleureuse & authentique, rappelant les bistros parisiens. Le rapport qualité-prix est justifié par l'expérience culinaire de haut niveau. Une visite incontournable pour les amateurs de cuisine française.
Jul 12, 2024
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Excellent experience. The service was impeccable with great wine suggestions. The strawberry & peppers ceviche was fresh & exciting. The beef carpacchio had a lovely texture. The duck confit was fantastic. Crispy skin, perfectly cooked meat & the greens & potatoes & sundried tomatoes it came with were all delightful. The floating island dessert was a true treat. Paired well with some apple brandy. I'll be coming back every time I'm in Montreal.
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.
This is a gem. The food was amazing. I suggest making reservations as it's a busy & popular place. The staff were excellent. I find this restaurant a bit noisy but tolerable.
This place has a character. A hidden gem in Montreal. Very unique food choices. They make the tricky items as duck or quail so deliciously to perfection. Very bright service, always!
Jul 11, 2024
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Expérience formidable à L'Express un dimanche soir. La nourriture était délicieuse & le service de Sarah & Pierre était d'une perfection inégalée. Leur écoute à notre rythme & à nos besoins m'a épatée. Le tout dans un professionnalisme raffiné, chaleureux & courtois, digne de la meilleure des hospitalités!
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.
