The best restaurants Montreal

Timetable

There's no schedule more variable than the restaurant business. Not only do they vary according to the season, but they also change several times during the same season. That said, Montreal being a very large city, many restaurants are open every day, or generally from Monday/Tuesday to Saturday. And, as everywhere else, weekends and holidays are synonymous with big crowds, especially for the famous brunch served until 2 or 3 pm. It's also worth noting that Montrealers eat earlier than Europeans. Consequently, kitchen opening hours are not very late, except for pub-style restaurants or those in the trendiest neighborhoods.

Budget & Tips

You can easily eat on the go for less than CAN$10-15. You should expect to pay at least CAN$20 for lunch and at least CAN$30 for dinner. The menu du jour at lunchtime and the table d'hôte in the evening offer some savings, and include starter, main course, dessert and coffee. More upscale restaurants also often offer a multi-course tasting menu. The cost can vary from $60 to $150 CAN, or even more, and a wine pairing is offered as an extra.

All methods of payment are accepted, but smaller restaurants may limit themselves to cash and/or debit card.

In Quebec, you can also take home the rest of your meal, or bring your own bottle of wine to the restaurant. The "bring your own wine" concept is quite widespread, especially as there is no corkage fee to pay.

What costs extra

As a general rule, the prices displayed on the menus are always exclusive of tax. Not only must taxes (14.975%) be added, but also service charges of 15%. To find out what you have to pay, you have to increase the prices by almost 30%!

The local way

Eating poutine at 3 a.m., just outside a bar or after a night out with friends at home. There's almost always a snack bar open 24 hours a day to satisfy your craving, anywhere in the region.

The portions served are often gigantic, North American-style, especially in pubs and sports brasseries.

At the restaurant, the wait staff will make sure your glass of water is full at all times, and they'll clear your plate as soon as you've swallowed your last bite, even if not everyone at your table has finished, so as not to leave you with an empty plate.

To be avoided

Just because we're in America doesn't mean we have to be like the Americans! So please avoid the big fast food banners and opt for local tables to savour Quebec.

Kids

Your brats are welcome in most restaurants, except for those sections where a bar license applies. Extra chairs are often available and several restaurants offer a menu specially concocted for the little ones.

Smokers

Smoking is not permitted in the restaurants and on their terraces. Smoking is also prohibited 9 metres from the door of the establishment, although some do not respect this distance.

Tourist traps

In areas popular with visitors such as Old Montreal, take the time to compare restaurants and menus, as many tend to boost their prices to take advantage of the tourist boom.