What to eat Montreal? culinary specialties and gastronomy

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.

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.

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%!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gourmet shops (pastry shops, chocolate shops, etc.), cafés and tea rooms are generally open every day from morning until mid- or late afternoon (some may be open until evening, especially cafés). There may, however, be days off in smaller shops or in the regions, usually at the beginning of the week. The schedule may also be reduced during the off-season. As for bars, many open their doors from 11 a.m. or noon. Otherwise, you can expect to open in the middle or late afternoon at the latest. Closing time is usually 3:00 a.m., but some close earlier (midnight or 1:00 a.m.) at the beginning of the week or during the off-season. Although they tend to be open 7 days a week, there are still days when they are closed (e.g. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday), especially in the regions.

Prices for gourmet breaks and alcoholic beverages are relatively similar to those in Europe. However, some items are more expensive, notably bakery products and wine. To save money, low-cost passports allow you to visit a pre-determined number of participating establishments in Quebec and get a free drink (plus tip). These include the Barista Passport (passeportbarista.com) and the Je bois local Passport (jeboislocal.ca).

It's important to remember that all prices quoted are exclusive of tax. Not only must you add taxes (14.975%), but also the 15% service charge. All methods of payment are accepted, but small shops sometimes limit themselves to cash and/or debit card.

In Quebec, the legal drinking age is 18. Wherever a bar license applies, only adults are allowed to drink. However, some places hold a different licence (restaurant, artisanal production, etc.) that allows minors to be admitted. Note that if you look under 25, you will probably be asked for an official photo ID card.

Bars and brasseries often host the weekday ritual of happy hour, known here as 5 à 7. It usually runs from 4 or 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., or even longer, and allows you to save money on alcohol and/or food. Needless to say, crowds go hand in hand during a 5 à 7...

You buy your beer at the Dépanneur (where you can find everything from classic brands to seasonal beers from a microbrewery you didn't even know existed...) and return your empty cans and bottles (they're returnable) after tasting.

Children are accepted wherever a bar license is not in effect. However, they can sometimes be accepted on the terrace of a bar until early evening.

Smoking is not permitted in the gourmet shops, cafés, tea rooms and bars, as well as on their terraces. Smoking is also prohibited 9 metres from the door of the establishment, although some do not respect this distance.