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Best Restaurants in Montreal (2026)

Food is one of the main reasons to visit Montreal, and its restaurants cover every budget. The local classics are a good place to start. Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent Boulevard has served smoked meat since 1928, La Banquise in the Plateau serves more than 28 kinds of poutine around the clock, and Moishes, whose story began as a smoked meat shop in 1938, is now a steakhouse in the Quartier international.

For a bigger night out, Joe Beef in Little Burgundy and Au Pied de Cochon in the Plateau are known for rich, generous cooking, while Toqué! and the Michelin-starred Hoogan et Beaufort show the city's fine-dining side, with menus built on Quebec produce. L'Express on rue Saint-Denis has been a French bistro institution since 1980 and serves until 1am every day. Some of the best value comes from the Michelin Bib Gourmand list: Le Petit Alep serves Syrian and Armenian mezze, and Rôtisserie La Lune in Little Italy specialises in spit-roasted chicken. Reserve ahead for the high-end restaurants, especially at weekends, and check opening days, as many places close on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Bring an appetite and plan at least one meal of poutine or smoked meat.

10 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 restaurants in Montreal

  1. Schwartz’s Deli Montreal smoked meat deli, Plateau-Mont-RoyalMontreal's best-known smoked meat deli, serving its cured and smoked brisket sandwiches on Saint-Laurent Boulevard since 1928.
  2. Joe Beef French bistro, steaks and seafood, Little BurgundyLittle Burgundy restaurant opened in 2005 and named after a 19th-century tavern keeper, known for steaks, seafood and French bistro classics.
  3. Au Pied de Cochon Québécois cuisine, Plateau-Mont-RoyalMartin Picard's Plateau restaurant, open since 2001, known for nose-to-tail Québécois cooking, a whole menu section devoted to foie gras and an energetic open kitchen.

Restaurant

2. Joe Beef

French bistro, steaks and seafood$$$Little Burgundy

Little Burgundy restaurant opened in 2005 and named after a 19th-century tavern keeper, known for steaks, seafood and French bistro classics.

View details — Joe Beef

Restaurant

3. Au Pied de Cochon

Québécois cuisine$$$Plateau-Mont-Royal

Martin Picard's Plateau restaurant, open since 2001, known for nose-to-tail Québécois cooking, a whole menu section devoted to foie gras and an energetic open kitchen.

View details — Au Pied de Cochon

Restaurant

4. Toqué!

Fine dining, Quebec produce$$$$Quartier international

Normand Laprise's fine-dining restaurant, founded in 1993 and a pioneer of cooking with local, seasonal Quebec produce, now in the Quartier international.

View details — Toqué!

Restaurant

6. L’Express

French bistro$$$Plateau-Mont-Royal

Saint-Denis Street French bistro, a Montreal institution since 1980, open seven days a week until 1am, with classic bistro dishes and a cellar of about 11,000 bottles.

View details — L’Express

Restaurant

7. La Banquise

Poutine restaurant$Plateau-Mont-Royal

Round-the-clock Plateau institution, founded in 1968, serving more than 28 varieties of poutine along with microbrewery beers.

View details — La Banquise

Restaurant

8. Le Petit Alep

Syrian and Armenian$$Petite-Patrie

Bib Gourmand restaurant on rue Jean-Talon Est run by sisters Chahla and Tania Frangié, serving Syrian and Armenian-inspired mezze, kebabs and desserts.

View details — Le Petit Alep

Restaurant

10. Moishes

Steakhouse$$$$Quartier international

Montreal steakhouse with roots in a 1938 smoked-meat shop, now in the Quartier international and known for USDA Prime and dry-aged beef.

View details — Moishes