Travel foodies, we have curated for you a list of our favorite Montreal restaurants that will transport you around the world and make you feel like you’re on a trip even at home. If you’re dreaming of your next gourmet escapades, from Italy to Thailand, these 20 adresses are ready to take you on a gastronomic journey from the first bite!
Crédit photo: Jacopo/JF Galipeau
1. Pincette – East Coast
Located on Saint-Paul Street in Old Montreal, this chic lobster shack will seduce you from the start thanks to its flavorful menu that will make you feel like you’re by the sea, in the heart of the East Coast. For a comforting dinner, we highly recommend their grilled lobster, the delicious lobster mac & cheese as well as the cod acras and tuna tartare for starters. Pair it all with one of their privately imported wines to complete the evening, you won’t regret it!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
2. Beatrice – Italy
Definitely one of our all-time favorites! For a romantic getaway reminiscent of the gardens of Verona, head to Beatrice, one of the most beautiful restaurants in Montreal. Italian gastronomic classics are reinvented, always with a unique and delicious refined twist. With a dreamy decor made up of hanging lights, greenery walls and a sumptuous bar, an evening at Béatrice is a treat for the eyes and for your belly!
3. Iberica – Spain
Seafood paella, croquetas, patatas bravas, pork secreto, grilled octopus and dulce de leche churros, the best of Spanish gastronomy awaits you at Iberica. From their creative cocktails to gourmet desserts, you’ll be transported to the heart of the Mediterranean and it will undoubtedly become one of your favorite addresses.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
4. Portus 360 – Portugal
If you miss the sunny banks and salty flavors of Portugal, you need to go to Portus360! Orchestrated by the emeritus chef Helena Loureiro, you’ll be treated with great care throughout a meal filled with freshness and attention to details. We strongly recommend trying their tasting menu for a complete Portuguese culinary experience and to experience the best of their different arrivals. The revolving restaurant also offers a spectacular view of Montreal which is well worth the visit.
5. Escondite – Mexico
Escondite’s varied and tasty menu is exactly what you need to add color and warmth to cold days. Luxury nachos in the form of gyozas, punchy salads, divine guacamole, spicy margaritas and the best ribs in town are waiting for you! Their vibrant decor will take you on a journey to Mexico city, in the heart of Frida Kahlo’s world and the luchadors’s culture!
6. Mesón – Spain
Tasty tapas, a decadent brunch menu and an enchanting decor, that’s what awaits you when you visit this charming restaurant. Under Marie-Fleur St-Pierre’s direction, the famous owner of Tapeo, you’ll taste exquisite cod croquettes, as well as incredible churros and cokes. Nestled in Villeray’s neighborhood, it’s a unique place to try again often!
Crédit photo: Restaurant Mesón
7. Heirloom – Italy
In our opinion, it’s THE best pizza in Montreal! At Heirloom, we find the perfect balance between thin dough and an abundance of Italian flavors. We also suggest you to try a side of gnocchi or fried squid because they are simply delicious.
8. Venice – California
The relaxed Californian ambiance and fresh cuisine at Venice make it a place where it’s summer all year round. Fish tacos, avocado toast, summer salads and especially their succulent pokebowls are among the dishes you absolutely have to try there. To counter the gray days and feel like you’re on the West Coast for a moment, there’s no better place!
9. Red Tiger – Vietnam
Red Tiger is the perfect place if you’re looking for the ultimate Vietnamese comfort food and street food. Nothing better than one of their delicious banh mi dipped in pho broth on a cold day! Restaurateur Dan Pham and chef Phong Thach also offer updated versions of Vietnamese classics like beef carpaccio with shrimp chips.
Red Tiger’s creations will definitely take you on a journey to Southeast Asia whether you stop by their original restaurant or their location in Time Out Market Montreal.
Crédit photo: Le Red Tiger
10. La Khaima – Morocco
This charming restaurant on Fairmount Street offers you the warm of nomadic North African cuisine. Surrounded by colorful veils, you’ll sit under the “Moroccan tent” sharing different dishes with your loved ones. Their tagines are simply delicious and vegetarian options are also available. The comforting atmosphere will make you feel like you’re part of a big party on a completely different continent.
Crédit photo: La Khaima
11. Pamika – Thailand
Open since 2013, Pamika Brasserie Thaï draws its authenticity from its founder and owner, Pamika, originally from Bangkok. Bringing with her family recipes, Pamika offers us a selection of perfectly balanced dishes such as Panang beef combining the flavors of coconut, spices and kaffir lime leaves. Their pad thai is also a must with its perfect sweet and savory combination. Don’t miss the Kra Prao either, a sliced pork fillet served with a fried egg and their papaya salad which will certainly bring back your best memories of the Thai capital.
Crédit photo: Pamika
12. India Rosa – India
In the heart of Plateau Mont-Royal and Griffintown, the two branches of India Rosa are safe bets if you’re fond of Indian cuisine, all served in an idyllic setting. Chicken Korma, tandoori mushrooms, Vindaloo shrimp, paneer tikka, veggie samosas are only some of the numerous options that will definitely seduced your taste buds. It’s also an excellent spot for brunch and we highly recommend their Masala waffles with Tandoori fried chicken as well as the eggs Benedict on brioche bread with butter chicken.
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
13. Jacopo – Italy
Whether it’s for their salumi e formaggi platter, their fresh and balanced pasta or their grilled squid that melts on the tongue, Jacopo is one of the best restaurants in Old Montreal. Each time we visit, we develop a new favorite dish, but their squash, brown butter and sage ravioli was the first one that puts us under their spell. At Jacopo, everything is in harmony, from the decor to the flavors, and that’s why you have to add it to your list of restaurants to try next time you’re in the city!
14. La Catrina – Mexico
At La Catrina, you’ll travel across all of Mexico thanks to varied recipes such as esquites (a typical corn salad typical from Mexico City), grilled octopus with chili sauce or hot tortilla soup with queso fresco!
We also recommend their Al Pastor tacos for an authentic taste that will transport you right to the heart of the Yucatán! Marinated pork, roasted pineapple, coriander, onion and achiote, it’s a real delight!
15. Restaurant Henri – France
To celebrate an important event or for a glamorous evening, Restaurant Henri is a place that will amaze you. With its refined menu, bringing together elegance and technic, you’ll be won over for sure! Don’t leave without tasting their crème brûlée, one of the best we’ve ever had!
16. Station Berlin – Germany
For German comfort food in Montreal, there’s no better place than Station Berlin! Their delicious doners and crispy schnitzels will teleport you to the streets of the German capital in one bite.
17. Damas – Syria
To explore the flavors of the Middle East, Damascus will amaze you with its sharing dishes and its incredible tasting menu, also available in a pescatarian version! A unique gastronomic evening is to be expected in a 1001 nights atmosphere.
18. Kyo – Japan
With its Izakaya portion and its sushi section, the Kyo menu will guide you through the best of Japanese gastronomy. Whether you opt for their creative sashimis, their colorful makis or their spicy tatakis, all you have to do is order a glass of sake to complete it all!
19. Nikkei, Peru + Japan
Nikkei is a real gourmet gem for a romantic evening in Montreal! We L-O-V-E their Peruvian-Japanese fusion menu, where you’ll always find originality and harmonious flavors, from their numerous tapas to their exquisite cocktails! Their ramen soup is particularly amazing, but you also can’t go wrong with their tuna tartare, wow! In short, it’s a must in Plateau Mont-Royal’ neighborhood and we can’t wait to go back to try new dishes!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
20. Restaurant H3, to travel across Québec
We couldn’t finish this list without adding an address showcasing the best of Quebec’s flavors, Restaurant H3, one of our best foodie discoveries of the year. Their tasting menu, inspired by the best seasonal products and local artisans, is available in 5 or 7 courses and also offers 3 wine pairing experiences:
h1 – Discovery: for new products and trends
h2 – Prestige: for classics and renowned estates
h3 – Passionate: for rare & exceptional wines
During our visit, we fell for the scallop ceviche, the sea urchin from Rimouski and the lobster raviolo from Gaspésie. Although the dishes change along the seasons, you’ll certainly find a sensational menu as well as impeccable service thanks to the undeniable expertise of the Restaurant H3 team!
Crédit photo: The Storytellers MTL
To end on a spectacular note, we even had the chance to have dessert in the H3 wine cellar, definitely one of the most beautiful in Montreal, where there are more than 6,000 bottles. Accompanied by pink bubbles, we concluded this amazing dinner with a sweet 2-course finale! This experience couldn’t be more incredible and allowed us to discover great wines and through a refined menu, perfectly balanced and exquisite from start to finish!
We hope that our restaurants recommendations will help you choose your next Montreal foodie outing! We wish you an excellent foodie getaway among the best restaurants Montreal has to offer to make you travel around the world!
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