The 38 Best Restaurants in Montreal

Spicy Thai curries at a casual favorite in Little Italy, Haitian pork poutine at a cozy family-run spot, table-side flambéed baked Alaska in a dive bar-turned-seasonal Egyptian stunner, and more of Montreal’s best meals

“Where should I eat?” The Eater 38 hopes to answer that age-old question. This curated list offers a glimpse into Montreal’s thrilling food scene, home to an offbeat blend of poutine and pikliz. You’ll find Italian, Jewish, Vietnamese, and Haitian spots, and, of course, meaty French-leaning restaurants too. Together this ragtag bunch helps make this city a standout place to eat. Spanning cuisines, neighborhoods, and price points, this guide is our shortlist of Montreal’s must-try spots, reflecting the new openings driving conversation, the trends playing out across dining tables, and the generational icons holding down their communities.

Updated, December 2024:

Aside from the holiday party blitz, the winter season can be a tricky time for Montreal restaurants having to contend with fewer tourists about town and fewer locals venturing out for a meal. But even as temperatures plunge below zero, the city’s dining scene keeps producing foods worth braving the snow and sleet.

This update highlights winter cure-alls: reliably filling dishes, ultra-warming dining rooms, and establishments that have stood the test of time. Among the latest additions are Gia for rustic yet modern Italian, Nouilles de Lan Zhou for steamy noodle soup, Chalet Bar-B-Q for the trifecta of wood paneling, roast chicken, and hot gravy, and Lebanese Café Chez Téta for a heartwarming ode to grandma’s cooking.

Eater updates this list quarterly to make sure it reflects the ever-changing Montreal dining scene.

Valerie Silva is a Montreal-based writer and editor. She ran Eater Montreal from September 2020 to September 2022.