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.
Ravi d'avoir pu faire découvrir cette institution à ma conjointe. L'accueil est plutôt sec pour être honnête. Par la suite, nous avons débuté avec l'entrée de carpaccio de boeuf qui est bonne. Ma conjointe a bien aimé son plat de boudin. De mon côté, mon onglet a déjà été plus gros & moins tireilleux. Pour terminer comme dessert les profiteroles à l'érable sont tout simplement décadentes. Décor & ambiance classique.
We went for diner with 2 friends from Newfounland. The food was very good, drinks, too. We had also an incredible waitress who gave us great advices on what to order & she was very nice. Unfortunately we also one waiter who was very rude to us & this significantly impacted our overall experience. We felt not welcomed.
Feb 24, 2026
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We decided to try L'Express after hearing many positive reviews, & the dining experience was great.
The interior gave me a classic Parisian bistro feel, just like stepping into an old French film set. Staffs were friendly. The large jar of house pickles brought to your table was such a fun & memorable touch that adds to the classic French bistro atmosphere.
Food was great, we really enjoyed everything. Celery remoulade was refreshing. I also highly recommend the Boudin noix aux pommes, it was rich & flavorful. My boyfriend even stepped out of his comfort zone to try this blood sausage dish, & he ended up enjoying it as well.
Definitely will come back to explore more of the menu next time in Montreal.
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.
Une parenthèse parisienne indémodable au coeur de Montréal
Franchir la porte de L'Express, c'est s'offrir bien plus qu'un repas ; c'est accepter une invitation au voyage. Dès l'entrée, le décor iconique avec son carrelage en damier, ses boiseries sombres & ses miroirs patinés nous téléporte instantanément outre-Atlantique, en plein coeur d'une effervescente brasserie parisienne. C'est une adresse qui traverse les décennies avec une élégance rare, prouvant que la véritable qualité ne se démode jamais.
L'expérience a débuté avec une délicieuse soupe onctueuse & réconfortante, accompagnée de ses croûtons parfaitement dorés. C'est le genre de classique maîtrisé qui annonce la couleur pour la suite. Pour le plat principal, mon choix s'est porté sur l'onglet de boeuf. Bien qu'il y ait eu un petit souci initial, Le serveur a réagi avec un professionnalisme exemplaire, remédiant à la situation en un clin d'oeil avec le sourire. Ce souci du détail & cette efficacité transforment un simple repas en un moment privilégié.
Pour clore cette soirée en beauté, le passage par le baba au rhum est tout simplement non négociable. Généreux, parfaitement imbibé & d'une finesse absolue, il confirme son statut d'incontournable de la maison. Que ce soit pour la rigueur de la cuisine, l'ambiance feutrée mais vivante, ou le service impeccable, L'Express demeure une valeur sûre où l'on revient avec la certitude d'être choyé. Une institution montréalaise qui honore magnifiquement la tradition française.
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 !
Ordered the steak frites & it was very very good. They serve pickles with mustard at the table & those were also very good. Interior looks nice & service was very attentive. Signage is minimum, you don't know you're there until you're basically at the door. Prices were also very reasonable considering the quality.
