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Restaurant Top Pick

L'Express

Le Plateau-Mont-Royal
4.6$$$
CLOSEDOpens Today at 11:30 am
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Valentine's Day: hours might differ
L'Express Montreal Restaurant: Menu, Reviews & Reserve (2026)
BistroFrenchTartareGreat selection of wines
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.

Amenities, services & more

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L'Express - recent news.

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5★
77%
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Reviews for L'Express

Food
Service
on Google4.6 (3700+)
*as of 2026-02-01
5★
77%
4★
13%
3★
4%
2★
5%
1★
0%

Review Summary

Reviews paint L'Express as a beloved Montreal institution with a classic Parisian bistro vibe, where comforting French dishes, a lively atmosphere, and a strong wine list create a consistent draw despite occasional price concerns. Dishes frequently highlighted include bone marrow, duck confit, ravioli, octopus, steak frites, and a standout creme brulee or floating island, with some desserts described as exceptional; the bread and pickles are often noted as welcome touchpoints. Service is praised for warmth, attentiveness, and knowledge, though experiences vary with some slower moments or hiccups and a few staff interactions that didn’t meet expectations. The setting can be bustling and noisy, especially late, which suits the energetic vibe but can feel crowded to some; signage and navigation occasionally challenge certain visits. Reservations are advised due to high demand, and while the experience is described as vibrant and authentically French, opinions on value and consistency vary. Overall, L'Express remains a top choice for a late night or special occasion in Montreal, offering reliable classics, a charming ambiance, and a sense of having stepped into a Parisian bistro.
Page 6 of 24 - 473 Reviews

It was an amazing place. The service was phenomenal, & the food was perfect. It's been a long time since I was so pleased with a restaurant.

Apr 8, 2025
on Google

Highly recommend
Every aspect is great experience

Mar 31, 2025
on Google
5.0

Great food & great service. The steak, ravioli, & the lamb were all great.

Mar 30, 2025
on Google

We were told about this from some locals, I never would've recognized it from the street as a restaurant. It flies under the radar. Almost like it is hidden in plain sight. A real treasure.

It is so worth finding this place. The food was fabulous. The service is the most attentive I've seen in a very, very long time! & they clearly take pride in that service when you look at the wall of photos that shows the wait staff & culinary team that support this restaurant year after year after year!

I had the special that involved fish, & a gorgeous caper, butter, lemon sauce. They had no trouble working around an unusual allergy like garlic. Rather than telling me what limited options they could have, they told me to just tell them what I liked, & that they would adapt it… this is so very, very rare today, post pandemic.

Just know that if you order the floating caramel island dessert it is gigantic! & far more than you can consume, even between two people!

Mar 30, 2025
on Google
5.0

A wonderful neighbourhood restaurant. Having turned up on the wrong day, they went out of their way to save our evening & squeeze us in. I would have been so pleased just with anything ok after that, but the whole experience was exceptional. Wonderful service, wonderful French food, & a warm Friday evening neighbourhood vibe. Thank you

Mar 29, 2025
on Google
5.0

When you enter l'express, you get a rush of nostalgia & familiarity; even though you've never been there before. The decor is classic but not over the top. It has a certain type of charm.

Make sure you reserve in advance because this place gets packed quickly, we had a reservation for 4pm & there were already a lot of patrons.

Food is good, a tiny bit salty but they do provide a huge jar of
home made pickles & baguette bread a volonté to balance everything out. Its on the pricy side but the portions are big enough.

In the end, we loved the pickles so much that we bought a jar home, 30$ but it taste amazing.

Although the place is named l'express, we've never felt a rush to eat or a rush to leave. The waiters always ask if we wanted the next course or not & we enjoyed the time we had there.

Mar 29, 2025
on Google

J'adore L'Express, je ne suis jamais déçue. La cuisine est simple & savoureuse, & la cuisson des viandes est bien maîtrisée. C'est toujours un plaisir d'y manger !

Mar 29, 2025
on Google

Authentic French cuisine & friendly staffs.
Love it.

Mar 27, 2025
on Google

My favourite restaurant on Earth, everything is exactly what it should be, from the food on offer, menu design, floor, & staff. For the perfect meal, get the celeriac remoulade, whatever main you want, & the maple profiteroles. Thank me later.

Mar 27, 2025
on Google

The food was not to my taste. Tho the dessert were good.

Mar 26, 2025
on Google

J'avais hâte de découvrir L'Express, mais l'expérience a été tellement décevante. Dès l'arrivée, l'accueil du premier serveur a donné le ton : froid & nonchalant. Heureusement, les deux autres serveurs étaient bien plus professionnels.
Côté assiette, c'était bon, mais absolument pas à la hauteur des 200$ dépensés pour deux personnes. Le cadre? Bruyant au possible, zéro convivialité, on s'entend à peine parler. La cuisse de canard confite, qui sur les photos semblait joliment présentée avec de la purée, est finalement servie avec de la salade & trois minuscules patates coupées, ridicule ! & alors le dessert… une part de tarte au chocolat à 14,50$, ridicule en taille, sûrement une tarte coupée en 12, soit près de 180$ la tarte ! À ce prix-là, ils sont très rentables.
Franchement, il y a bien mieux à Montréal pour bien moins cher. Une adresse qui ne mérite pas qu'on y mette les pieds !

Mar 26, 2025
on Google
5.0

Favorite meal in Montreal - Staff have an amazing level of service & the food is phenomenal

Mar 25, 2025
on Google
5.0

Cuisine excellente, service très attentionné ! Salle exigue rapidement bruillante, comme dans les brassières :)
Restaurant qui mérite sa réputation!

Mar 25, 2025
on Google
5.0

Amazing classic french bistro with great service & a good atmosphere

Mar 25, 2025
on Google

after 20 years, still wonderful food & service. it can get loud & crowded, but that's because it's the best.

Mar 13, 2025
on Google

Wow wow great food & fantastic ambiance

Mar 13, 2025
on Google

L'Express est un resto où on doit aller sans faute !

Mar 9, 2025
on Google
5.0

Next time hope they are serving cassoulet

Mar 7, 2025
on Google

Excellent meal - need to make reservations in advance tho

Mar 5, 2025
on Google

It was pretty good! We all got something to share so we can try the full menu! Definitely would be back

Mar 5, 2025
on Google