L'Express s'impose comme une référence incontournable de la culture bistro, illustrant un engagement profond envers les techniques culinaires françaises traditionnelles grâce à une carte rigoureuse et précise. La cuisine se spécialise dans les préparations de viandes crues, notamment les tartares signatures qui constituent l'emblème indissociable de l'identité gastronomique du lieu. L'établissement présente un décor caractéristique composé de sols en damier, de chaises en bois courbé et d'un long comptoir en zinc structurant l'espace principal. Le personnel assure un service rapide et technique, maintenant une cadence constante au sein de la salle animée. Le menu privilégie les classiques tels que les os à moelle, le confit de canard et une sélection de fromages artisanaux, reflétant une loyauté absolue aux standards culinaires classiques. Chaque assiette témoigne d'une volonté d'excellence technique et d'une exécution constante parfaitement maîtrisée.
L'Express est largement reconnu comme une institution montréalaise emblématique offrant une expérience de bistrot parisien authentique et intemporelle. Les clients louent régulièrement la constance et la qualité de sa cuisine française classique, mettant en avant des plats incontournables tels que le canard confit, le steak frites, l'os à moelle et le célèbre dessert de l'Île flottante. L'atmosphère accueillante est souvent décrite comme étant à la fois vibrante, chaleureuse et élégante, soutenue par une équipe de service professionnelle et attentionnée. De nombreux visiteurs apprécient les touches distinctives de la maison, comme le pot de cornichons et la moutarde offerts à table, ainsi que la carte des vins riche et bien pensée. Bien que la salle à manger, très fréquentée et animée, puisse être bruyante et que les tables soient installées à proximité les unes des autres, la majorité des convives considèrent que la qualité de la cuisine et le charme singulier du lieu en font une adresse incontournable offrant un excellent rapport qualité prix.
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.
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!
We ordered the herring, the bone marrow, the duck confit & the steak with fries. They were all so delicious! Favourite being the herring dish, the fish paired with the green apples & potatoes was so well balanced. Each meal was very well portioned as well, perfect size to taste & enjoy each dish without getting too bored. The desserts were wonderful as well, favourite was the basque cheesecake! Would definitely come again & recommend for others!
The Sorrel soup was… well as good as Sorrel soup can get I guess… was ok
The duck confit was (probably) good, if it wasn't swimming in some kind of a red beans stew that completely overwhelmed the taste & texture of the duck :(
The baba a rum was superb.
Never heard of, but was suggested.
Small place serving big portions of delicious food. Had the bone marrow & the duck. They didn't miss with those dishes.
Amazing food… the duck was amazing, my husband & I have a thing about trying it out in every restaurant & so far this is one of the best ones. Risotto is a must have but wouldn't choose it as a main dish. Lemon tart is amazing!!
Highly recomended restaurant from my Belgian friends brother. Had bone marrow for the first time it was nice, but different & takes a bit of effort to maximise the contents. The confit duck was good but not spectacular. Well cooked but the sides i felt although cooked lacked flavour. Finally dessert which was the best of the lot nice ppecan flavour & pastry but i felt was misding a bit between pastry & pecans but nice never the less. Excellent service , great staff. A solid but not spectacular place.
Small but mighty! L'express was a happening place on the Monday night in March when we visited from New York. Ordered the beet salad (red & yellow beets, goat cheese, arulgula, candied almonds, raspberries, with an apple cider vinaigrette), the duck confit, & the steak frites. Salad was delicious, duck was lovely & the steak was the best I've ever had. So tender. & can't forget the complimentary bread, butter, cornichons, & mustard!
The waitstaff was friendly & made an excellent recommendation for a wine pairing with our meal. At times we waited for water refills, but it was so lovely to be there we didn't mind. Food was rich & delicious, probably would have a heart attack if you came here regularly, but this is a great spot to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy the company of someone you love. Small, bustling restaurant with a lovely neighborhood vibe. Would absolutely come back next time we find ourselves in Montreal. 10/10 would recommend to a friend!
