Bistronomy Canada

One of the trendiest addresses on the Grande Allée, the ambiance and decor already set the tone: raw materials, industrial chic, Edison light bulb ceiling, suspended staircases... all on five levels. L'Atelier is renowned for its excellent cocktails, skilfully assembled by its team of mixologists, and its tasty selection of tapas, tartars and burgers. The trendy and relaxed atmosphere that reigns makes you want to establish your HQ there. We come back without hesitation, for a meal or an aperitif, without forgetting an exceptional terrace to enjoy the summer.

A must see on the map of Ottawa's trendy restaurants, with a beautiful room open to the kitchen where the cooks are busy. The decoration, rather refined, is adorned with mirrors of all sizes, beautiful leather benches and wooden furniture. Simple and effective! We recommend without hesitation the oyster platter, the beef tartar or the tasty homemade fresh pasta every day (classes are even given to learn how to make pasta). Definitely a place to be discovered outside the tourist areas.

If the building where Mélisse is located lacks a bit of charm because of its modernity, the interior is worth a visit. It's simple, but very charming! In the plate, seasonal and local products, all in a healthy way. For lunch and dinner, the menu offers a nice selection of dishes to share (or not!) including crispy falafels with herb mayonnaise, grilled arctic char or the raw of the day. For brunch, we recommend without hesitation the salmon gravlax. There is also a nice selection of organic wines and cocktails.

Founded in 1889, the Boating Club du Vieux-Sainte-Rose is coming back to life! Once an upscale boating club frequented by Montreal's wealthy English-speaking population, the beautiful old house has retained its period cachet with a vintage, nautical twist. Its slogan: "Alcohol & casserole", and needless to say, it is! The Boating Club's gourmet creations are a delight (wood-fired oysters, prosciutto shank, grilled veal chop...), and all backed by a superb wine list. Evening DJ from Thursday to Saturday.

An excellent regional restaurant with a menu that changes with the seasons and promises tasty discoveries. The décor is sleek and freshly renovated, and the terrace overlooks a magnificent garden. A fine bistronomic stopover with a local flavour, with the added bonus of a fine list of spirits, including cocktails that are well worth the detour. For those just passing through, or who'd like to take home some of these quality products, there's an on-site boutique selling some of the menu's specialties, as well as a very wide selection of ready-made dishes.

A must-visit restaurant in Baie-Saint-Paul, it had to relocate temporarily after being badly hit by flooding in 2023. Now located in the heart of the village, it retains its charming decor and superb terrace. Owner Thierry Ferré, a passionate cook, and chef Alexis Jegou offer creative bistro cuisine inspired by France, with a touch of terroir highlighting products from the Charlevoix region. Everything is simply delicious, from appetizer to dessert.

Housed in a former presbytery in the Little Burgundy district, Candide is the address of chef John Winter Russell. The concept is simple: a fixed-price menu every evening, including two starters, a choice between two main courses and a dessert or cheese, all varying according to the inspiration of the moment, the season and what's available. Fine food, a warm welcome, pretty, airy premises, a charming, tranquil terrace and an open kitchen where you can watch the cooks at work. A gourmet evening guaranteed.

If the little rue Sault-au-Matelot seduced you, l'Échaudé will amplify your affection. An establishment that plays in the big league, thanks to its elaborate, tasty cuisine and a wine list dictated by love. The menu features top-quality products, delicately chosen and pampered by the accompaniments: sweetbreads with foie gras, cherry and cocoa, duck leg confit with potato cake and cipollini onion, or blood sausage and scallops with chanterelles, plum and pancetta. All served with kindness and professionalism.

Small, friendly and unpretentious, in the image of the Tolkien character, this bistro is a gem. Large bay windows and stone walls, combined with contemporary decor, give the place a very cool look. The menu changes with the seasons: gourmet starters (fish rillettes, beef tataki, etc.), bistro dishes with local flavors (pork chop from Boucherie Turlo, boudin from grandma Thérèse, etc.), decadent desserts... Breakfasts are also well worth the detour.

The fine team at Les Affamés is constantly renewing its menu, offering dishes with local flavors based on seasonal ingredients. The cuisine is inspired by the traditions of the world, with dishes such as halibut steak with Israeli couscous with sweet peas and lemon confit, or mussel and chorizo gnocchi with broccoli, tomato confit sauce and shavings of Grana Padano cheese. And let's not forget the famous Ferme Fournier burger, a star dish at Les Affamés. A fine selection of desserts too.

Dyan Solomon and Eric Girard, co-owners of the famous Olive+Gourmando, opened Foxy in 2015. Unlike its big sister, which works morning and noon, Foxy is more of a night spot, offering charcoal and wood-fired cooking with a homemade philosophy. Meat and seafood products are very popular, not forgetting starters such as homemade feta cheese or the famous flatbread. The decor is muted and subdued, "halfway between a hunting lodge and a speakeasy " as Ariane Krol of La Presse aptly put it.

This magnificent 1901 house offers an unforgettable experience of relaxation, refinement and gastronomy. Chef Truchon's table is a hymn to flavors and local products. Specialties include tartares, foie gras from Ferme Basque, black pudding, Charlevoix lamb, fish and local cheeses. The wine list is the perfect complement to this culinary adventure. Also worth discovering: the cozy accommodations of his inn and his new lounge restaurant and tapas bar next door, L'Île Mystérieuse.

Bloomfield Public House is the kind of facility we'd all want in our neighbourhood. Installed in the former village bank (the door of the vault is still there), it is presented under two distinct entities: on one side a café with its large garage door opening onto the terrace, and on the other the restaurant with its industrial-chic look. The Prince Edward region is the featured culinary region, with local dishes that vary with the seasons and arrivals, not to mention the delicious products from the artisanal smokehouse.

The brainchild of Stephen Beckta, who is also at the helm of Beckta Dining & Wine and Gezellig, Play Food & Wine offers a slate of small dishes with a penchant for cheeses and charcuterie. The inspiration in the kitchen is undeniably European, but everything is concocted with very Canadian products, whenever possible. To accompany these little delights, a very extensive wine list completes the experience (a nice selection of wines by the glass), and for each dish, a wine is suggested for the pairing.

Jamie Hodges and Amber Thom are behind this gourmet address opening in 2019. Formerly owners of the Juniper Cafe, they sold it to create their own eatery, established in the historic center of the city. With its beautiful Mid-Century style decor, it offers small and large bistro dishes, all concocted with seasonal foods from about 20 local farmers and producers. The wine list and cocktail list are worth a visit. Bonus: a wine store to take away, open the same days from noon to 6 pm.

Clearly one of the best restaurants in town, Hunter & Co. is a gourmet experience based on sharing. The chef and his brigade concoct all sorts of succulent dishes inspired by local products and flavors of the world. Oysters, charcuterie, roasted marrow bones, grilled cheese (the best in the world, it seems), braised beef cheek, duck dumplings and other delights are on the slate (possibility of a blind menu, chosen by the chef). The list of alcoholic beverages is worth mentioning, especially for the house cocktails.

The famous diners are these small unpretentious restaurants that can be found all over North America. We love them for their comfort food. Mira Mira has understood this, while updating the formula with a slate that, for lunch and dinner, oscillates between great classics (roast chicken, steak and eggs, hot chicken, etc.) and bistro dishes (yellowfin tuna, tagliatelle with mushrooms, etc.). However, the way everything is prepared stands out, the creativity is there. Also check out the weekend brunch menu, one of the best in town.