L'Express

LingJ

5.0

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.

Tristan

5.0

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.

Colin

5.0

The food is incredible!! I started with a vegetable soup & every piece of vegetables were cut to the same size. I then had the steak & frites. The fries were perfect!! The ambiance was something of the 1930's/40's New York. Staff was incredible & they have unlimited little pickles.

Monika

5.0

My husband & I visited from Toronto & wow, we were mind blown from the food & customer service. I made sure to make a reservation as I knew it was a busy place. The servers are phenomenal & provide great service - my water & wine was never empty! On top of it, they give you a jar of pickles on house to munch at while waiting for your food - including be happier! The food is Michelin star for a reason … I got the duck & crème brûlée & it was SO GOOD. The crème brûlée is massive & you could share it with someone - or not :) Cant wait to be back!

James

5.0

Food was fantastic. Old school French vibe. Pickles & mustard & bread was superb.

Jennifer

2.0

Honestly, everything just tasted very average & I don't know why this restaurant is so highly rated. Steak tartare is not bad, but nothing special, the veal kidney I personally feel has too much kidney smell, & duck confit was alright.

I guess the enormous pickles were good, & people seem to rave about this the most online.

Bijan

5.0

By far one of the best restaurants in Montreal. Incredible French Bistro on St-Denis. The service is fantastic, the food is delicious, & the cozy atmosphere is immediately greets you.

Each table comes with complementary pickles, dijon mustard, & bread!

The duck & veal kidneys are a must have. Finally the Ile flottante dessert is massive, but delicious.

Dodd

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.

Sunniva

4.0

Haven't been to this establishment in years so it was lovely to see that service was excellent as always. However, the steak was very chewy & difficult to cut but the fries were alright. The pickles & bread served before the meal are a nice touch! The crème brûlée was excellent!

Bunker

5.0

My wife & I had dinner at L'Express on a Wednesday night during a trip to Montreal after reading about it in the NYT. It lived up to its reputation.

The staff was warm, welcoming, & skilled, making us feel comfortable right away. The meal started with pickles & bread--a simple but memorable touch. L'Express feels like an authentic French bistro, the kind that has inspired places like Pastis or Parc (both favorites of mine). It reminded me of a restaurant I once visited on Île Saint-Louis in Paris, adding to its authenticity.

We shared a green salad, steak frites, & a pasta special with meatballs in red sauce. Every dish was clean, simple, & well-executed. The restaurant was packed, with every seat filled, & the atmosphere was cozy & lively. We enjoyed the sophisticated local chatter & the charm of the space.

It's easy to see why L'Express has been around for decades. The food, service, & vibe are top-notch, & the prices are reasonable for the quality. The surrounding neighborhood was also a nice area to explore. Reservations are a must. Highly recommended!