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.
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.
the food is amazing, the service is excellent, & the atmosphere is magnificent! i ordered the ravioli, it was to die for!!! i'm currently missing that delicious creamy dish like a desperate ex. PLEASE EAT HERE!!!!
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.
I had a really lovely experience at L'Express in Montreal. The food was very good - classic, comforting French dishes that feel heartwarming & done with care. The soup was especially amazing, rich & full of flavor.
Our waiter was incredibly friendly & took the time to explain everything in English, which made the whole experience even better. The service was warm & attentive.
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.
Un incontournable, une institution, nous y revenons encore & encore pour cette cuisine gastronomique sans prétentions offerte avec un service impeccable de l'accueil jusqu'au café.
Merci à toute l'équipe pour votre travail passionné & à M. Jacques notre sympathique barman 🙏🩵
Sans aucuns doutes, une des meilleures tables à Montréal offrant une impressionnante carte des vins.
Étant clients de longue date, nous avons eu la chance de vivre plusieurs moments mémorables avec vous 🙌
Nov 26, 2025
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Trop cher, bruyant & inconfortable. Je déteste ces restos où les tables sont tellement collées qu'on a peur de mettre son coude dans l'assiette du voisin.
On trouve des restaurants plus agréables & offrant un meilleur rapport qualité/prix ailleurs. L'Express marche sur sa réputation passée. J'y suis allé une fois pour ma part, c'était la dernière.
A lovely restaurant with great French atmosphere. The meal was great from bread to creme brulee. In particular, the octopus was cooked perfectly & was tender; the duck confit was paired beautifully with a nice fragrant sauce; the caramelized sugar on the creme brulee complemented the custard. Service was right on time & kind.
Excellent service de Gabriel. Vous nous avez fait vivre une très belle expérience. Lorsque la nourriture est bonne avec un service de qualité, c'est top. Rien d'autre à dire.
Nov 19, 2025
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Really good experience. We went here for our fige year anniversary & had a lovely time. The waitstaff were helpful guiding my choices due to my gluten allergy. Happy to report no sickness or cross contamination. The salmon was great & we split a creme brulee. I recommend getting a reservation here if you're coming to the city.
