The best restaurants Quebec

In Montreal, plant-based cuisine is a source of boundless creativity. Here, we're discovering vegan Indian dishes with a particular focus on the nutritional quality of the ingredients chosen. Byrianis, dals, curries... everything is bursting with flavor. The "chicken" tikka is particularly good, and the mango lassi is just delicious. At lunchtime, the thali can be an interesting place to sample several small specialties. And it has to be said, you'll be very warmly welcomed, with attentive service. It's a pleasant address in every way.

After La Belle Tonki, Michel et Michel open a spot dedicated to smash burgers. Almost caramelized steaks (ground on the premises), an extra sauce, a soft bun, a few crudités; with just 2 recipes, it's simple and straight to the point: gourmandise. As for the fries, they're thinly sliced and cooked in suet for a crispy result, so there's nothing to complain about. However, there's not much room inside, so we recommend you take away.

Snack bars are all the rage, but what sets this one apart is its eco-responsible approach, which won it the "Tourisme responsable et durable" award at the Prix excellence tourisme in 2023. On the gourmet side, the homemade fries and poutines are a big draw, but the entire menu is worth a detour, with vegetarian and/or gluten-free options to boot. Nice terrace area (part of which is covered) and some indoor seating too. We recommend it!

Brasserie Bernard, an essential institution in the chic and vibrant Outremont district, is brilliantly run by the Holder brothers, a reference in the city. This elegant brasserie transports us into the atmosphere and flavours of Europe. The great classics are on the slate and the menu makes room for local Quebec products, notably the Quebec cheese plate. A wide selection of wines and spirits is offered. The summer terrace adds to the many pleasures of this choice establishment.

As the name suggests, so does the logo, and indeed on the menu (fried) chicken reigns supreme. Sourced from the Voltigeurs farm 100 km from Montreal, the meat is of the highest quality. Fried in a crispy cornflake breading, the chicken remains juicy and tender. You can also choose from a range of homemade sauces to accompany the generous pieces. On weekends, the brunch menu features chicken & waffles, an American specialty that's a must-try here! Other options, with and without chicken, are also interesting.

In a chic and immaculate atmosphere, La Chronique's colourful menu tends to explore the very limits of French cuisine. Chefs Marc De Canck and Olivier de Montigny break free from traditional shackles and create dishes with new flavours. Aromas and tastes are pushed to such a degree that the palate loses its bearings. Beautiful wine list. When cooking becomes such a highly artistic material, we can then speak, without question, of one of the best tables in Montreal. To be discovered!

The best bagels are the ones from Montreal. Period. And it's impossible to meet a Canadian who will tell you otherwise. One of the best known in the city is Fairmount Bagel, a Mile End institution for over a century. Their bagels are perfect: not too dense crumb and crispy crust. Plain, sesame seed, poppy seed, multigrain, onion, blueberry, cinnamon raisin, cranberry, etc., the options are numerous and all delicious! Our choice: sesame seed bagel with smoked salmon mousse.

The Saloon has been one of the high points of the Village for more than 25 years. A trendy and very popular restaurant, it is mainly known for its creative local and international cuisine with generous portions. The choice is vast, from classic nachos to tartars, mac and cheese, poutine or various burgers, after sipping one of their many cocktails. The service is always courteous and efficient. And just to satisfy all the senses, DJs take over the decks in the evening for those who wish to stay up late!

Part wine bar (specializing in Catalan wines), part refined tapas bar, this Outremont neighborhood restaurant has earned a fine reputation since opening in 2018, and it's easy to see why. The small space is both uncluttered and warm, the tableware is original and delicate, the service impeccable, and what can we say about the dishes on offer? Fish and seafood dishes, pan con tomate, Spanish ham, homemade pasta: everything is absolutely delicious and very fine, and fits in perfectly with the intimate, slightly chic atmosphere of the place.

Located just a few steps from the sea, flanked by its large sailboat and maritime decor, the Cantine des Navigateurs offers a tasty on-the-go menu: homemade fish & chips or cod croquettes, lobster club sandwiches, shrimp guédilles, bouillabaisse, not to mention typical snack dishes (burgers, hot dogs, poutine, smoked meat, fries...). All you have to do is accompany it with a good Gaspesian beer. Takeaway meals are also available, as is an outdoor terrace.

Located a stone's throw from St. James' Church, this Japanese izakaya offers only Japanese specialties, as well as revisited versions such as Moshibèkon Yakitori ( moshi and bacon skewers). You can accompany your meal with a typical cocktail, a Japanese beer or, of course, a good sake. The place can be noisy at lunchtime, so be warned! Also worth discovering: its little gourmet sister, Hanzo Izakaya, located on Saint-Nicolas Street in the heart of Old Montreal. We recommend it!

Derek Dammann and his financial partner Jamie Oliver, world-renowned British chef and TV host (Naked Chef for Intimates), opened the establishment in autumn 2012. The premises look like an English pub (which means Maison Publique is the translation of Public House). So expect to find British specialties on the menu with the chef's very personal touch. To accompany all this, the house offers, for our greatest pleasure, beers from Quebec microbreweries and Canadian wines.

A gourmet address, both trendy and relaxed, perfect for a snack or an aperitif with friends. The starters are more than tempting (foie gras au torchon, duo of gravlax and house smoked salmon, cheese and charcuterie board...), the dishes are hearty and succulent (famous Saint-Sau poutine, filet mignon of beef AAA...), and the desserts are decadent. Bonus: a selection of tapas available every day from 2pm and a beautiful terrace in the heart of the action.

The secret of this restaurant is the making of the thin, crispy pizza dough. Here, all the ingredients - even the wines - are meticulously chosen, for the most part organic and sourced from local suppliers, such as the goat cheeses from Cassis et Mélisse. The owner, a Frenchman, experimented with this winning recipe in Lille before settling in Quebec City. The menu also includes tasty fresh pasta and homemade sauces. Gourmets beware: the tiramisu is one of the best in town!

We're in good hands at this attractive resto-bar set above an Asian grocery store. Poincaré's creators all come from well-known microbreweries, and the chef, who is passionate about lacto-fermentation, has come up with a number of small dishes and preserves (all made on the premises) to enjoy over a glass. Excellent wines and cocktails, in addition to a fine selection of beers. Try the fermented fries with shallot confit mayonnaise. The ideal place after a visit to Chinatown or before a show at the SAT.

A former Chinese art store is now home to THE trendy spot of the moment. The kitchen in the center of the room gives diners the pleasure of observing Japanese dishes in preparation. Sashimi, grilled duck aged in miso or tantan udon: these delicate dishes are ideal for sharing. Glasses of wine or sake take on a special flavor under the soft lighting. And for even greater intimacy, the small vinyl bar in the basement transforms into a unique club in the evening.

Located opposite the Beaubien cinema, this burger-specialized restaurant is the logical follow-up to a morale-boosting evening. Recipes range from classic cheeseburgers to Quebec duck confit with mushroom sauce, not to mention a few popular meatless options. You can replace your potato fries with sweet potato fries, and we highly recommend it. Other comforting dishes on the menu include tartar and poutine.

The Red Tiger is a kind of hybrid between a neighborhood pub and a typical Vietnamese street food restaurant. On the menu: green papaya salad, barbecue and sesame pork skewers, mini Vietnamese chicken and shrimp pancakes... We recommend that several people share a few dishes, so you can try everything. There's a great list of house cocktails and even a signature beer, a light blonde that goes down well. If the place doesn't have a terrace, there's a large garage door that opens wide on sunny days.

Chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard runs this high-flying address just a stone's throw from Marché Saint-Jacques. Of course, it's not the size of the portions that draws the crowds, but rather the perfect marriage of flavors and textures, the meticulously chosen ingredients, the more-than-successful visuals for each dish and the creativity that expresses itself from starter to dessert (count on a dozen courses). We also recommend the wine pairing experience. Other establishment: Le Molière by Mousso in the Latin Quarter.

This fishmonger-restaurant on the Jean-Talon market is one of a kind. Not all the fish is local, but it is carefully selected for its quality. Depending on what arrives, you'll find tuna, lobster, swordfish... The fishmonger's is the only one in town to mature its fish on the premises, and to offer seafood charcuterie, also available for tasting in the restaurant. You can also enjoy fish & chips from the day's catch, char with vegetables and sandwiches like the smoked shrimp hot dog.

Tasty, traditional pizzas are prepared here: three of the five partners behind this gourmet address are certified by the Associazione Pizzaioli Napoletani and have even imported a gas oven from Naples. Some twenty varieties are on the menu, with countless extras to suit all tastes, as well as appetizers to whet the appetite, salads for freshness and homemade desserts on the sweet side. A fine selection of natural wines.

A cross between the Orient and Canada. Concrete gray, black and pastel pink adorn the ultra-modern restaurant housed in a handsome, less modern building. At every stage of the day, you can sample dishes flavored with zaatar, harissa, mint... And it's delicious! At lunchtime, pita bread sandwiches (fried chicken, falafel or tuna crudo) take center stage. In the evening, there's a choice of hot or cold dishes, and the brunch menu is even more varied, with a mix of savory and sweet dishes. Worth a try!

Definitely an address that will please the gourmet night owls. The place oscillates between restaurant, bar and nightclub. The decor honors the name of the establishment with its stylized wooden trees and its enchanted forest on the walls. On the plates, Chef Guillaume Daly and his team create dishes where raw and grilled meats take center stage (mention the AAA Tomahawk to share). To take the experience a step further, enter the hidden bar to enjoy a delicious cocktail in the atmosphere of a speakeasy.

This family-run rotisserie has been feeding the neighborhood for over 50 years, and the daily lunchtime line-up in front of the door is proof of its continued success. Sandwiches are the main attraction: chicken breast or leg, pork or sausage, all cooked to a delicious, crispy skin. When it comes to sauces and crudités, the choice is yours. And for even more deliciousness, the trick is to ask for chicken juice in your sandwich. An address that goes straight to the point and does it well.

Cathcart Restaurants and Biergarten opened in early 2020 as part of the Esplanade Place Ville Marie revitalisation project. The 12 food counters (a real culinary world tour) and the 2 restaurants (a brasserie and a Japanese canteen) are set up around an elegant green and luminous square, under an imposing glass roof, where everyone can settle down with their glass or their plate (both are even better!). This new food fair is already a new place not to be missed for Happy Hours.

It's almost like being in the American South, and everything contributes to this impression, from the restaurant's decor to the gourmet menu where barbecue cuisine reigns supreme. Briskets, pork ribs, pork bellies and other delicious meats are offered by the half-pound, not forgetting the traditional accompaniments (square bread, sweet pickles, pickled onions, etc.). The menu doesn't stop there, and every day there's a promotion to save on meals and/or alcohol. The perfect address for the cowboy in you!

Shortly after opening, Dandy is already a popular choice for brunch in Old Montreal. With its sleek, modern look, it appeals to a trendy clientele. The menu is convincing: ricotta pancakes, maple syrup and hazelnut butter with seasonal fruit; buttermilk fried chicken sandwich; breakfast plate with avocado toast... not forgetting the pretty pastries of the day. The dishes remain simple and gourmet, but with a touch of elegance, in the manner of a true dandy after all.

Let's face it: we don't go to Chez Chili for the setting, but for the plates, each one as good as the next (and believe us, a good part of the dishes have been tested and approved!). Special mention to the excellent eggplant with garlic, melt-in-the-mouth, to be served with white rice and sautéed tofu for example, all for the right price. The service is always very pleasant and the tea is served at the table, alongside the classic water carafe. A real good address in Chinatown!

Those familiar with the now-defunct Mezcla will recognize the touch of chef Marcel Larrea, who trained at Cordon Bleu and worked at Astrid & Gastón alongside legendary chef Gastón Acurio, both in Lima, Peru. The menu is as diverse as the bar's décor, offering ceviche, scallop and parmesan tiradito, dumplings, duck anticucho and other fusion delights. The cocktails include the Pisco Sour, reputed to be the best in town. A real treat!

The Frangié family's gourmet table, Mom's recipes are omnipresent, offering a true voyage to the heart of the flavours of Syria and Armenia, with a Montreal touch. Among the specialties, you must try the delicious mazzas, the stuffed pitas, the osmally kebab or the Aleppo poutine (fries, braised lamb, Aleppo cheese and nuts). As everything looks delicious and fragrant on the menu, you might as well have several dishes to share for your table. Special mention to the incredible wine list, most of which are natural.

Well-known café in this beautiful part of the country, occupying the premises of a beautiful period house, it is one of our best addresses in Val-David to break the fast food at a good price or to satisfy a sweet and greedy desire. In winter, it's a cozy place to come and enjoy a spicy chai, while in summer, its pretty terrace invites you to sit back and relax. The team cooks according to the seasons, with organic and local products, proposing a list of simple but very tasty dishes. Bonus: everything is home-made!

The atmosphere is exactly that of an American diner, but revisited in a rather original way: long wooden counter with stools, lamps of all kinds, mismatched chairs, bottles and preserves from another era, deer head, knick-knacks as varied as they are numerous... As for the à la carte menu, you can order several small dishes to satisfy your stomach: smoked mackerel spread, oysters according to arrival, beef tataki, marinated salmon, 12-inch hot dog (a big star on the menu) or whelks with herb butter and parmesan.

A gourmet address in the Old Village of Bromont, the table of chef Anthony Mesko (former Bouillon Bilk and Groupe Europea) relies on a wild and local cuisine that draws on hunting, fishing and gathering. Thus, wild mushrooms, wild berries, artisan cheeses, fish from lakes and rivers, game and other local delicacies are found in slate. In the glass, only organic, living and natural products from Quebec, but also from the United States, Europe and South Africa (also selected by glass).

After the huge success of Sushi Momo, Christian Ventura is taking his vegan sushi concept one step further. With Bloom, the setting is a little more upscale, the style is refined in cream tones, between stone, wood and dried flowers. The menu, still in the same spirit, is very interesting. With konjac "salmon", tofu "crab" or sweet potato tempura, the vegetal creativity is limitless. The result is elegant and, above all, well-balanced. A good address for gourmets curious about new flavors.

Sébastien Houle, the artist at the helm of this restaurant, is well known in the field. Just take a look at the awards and mentions he has received over the past few years! On the menu, an inventive cuisine, a balance of flavors and a great regional authenticity. Here, seafood from the Atlantic coast is combined with local Quebec products for a most successful marriage. The wine list is a gem and the sommelier also does private imports. A gastronomic address full of flavors that deserves a visit!

Right in the heart of Old Montmagny, this beautiful stone inn, dating back to 1847, offers bistro dishes, tartars and poke bowls as varied as they are imaginative, gourmet burgers and poutines, classics on the grill, seafood, cheese and charcuterie plates, and more. The menu's composition is a veritable hymn to flavors and the pursuit of quality, with a touch of international inspiration. The accompanying wine list is highly elaborate and will appeal to all tastes. A great place to treat yourself.

A chic, friendly neighborhood wine bar and restaurant that's been tastefully imagined. The atmosphere is that of a place of friends, as evidenced by the terrace, which is always cheerful on summer evenings. The wines, natural or otherwise, are accompanied by small snacks such as the unmissable smoked meat roll with sauerkraut and Emmental cheese, or seasonal dishes such as duck and chanterelle ravioli. The quality of the products is a must for the chef, and it shows. On the other hand, portions are rather small and the meal can be a tad expensive.

We love the superb white decor, with a few islands of greenery here and there, but above all its partly glazed roof and greenhouse which, in addition to making the place extremely bright, give the impression of being on a terrace whatever the season. The old garage door also opens onto one of the restaurant's rooms, reinforcing this impression. The place offers several concepts: a weekend brunch spot, an evening restaurant with a menu rich in regional products, and a refreshment bar with cocktails and organic wines. A must-see!

Located in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, Le Central showcases Montreal's gastronomic scene. More than twenty gourmet counters feature cuisines as varied as the city's cultural melting pot: seafood from the Gaspé Peninsula, Spanish tapas, Portuguese chicken, Indian pav bhaji, Hawaiian poké, Breton galettes... and the list goes on! The West Shefford brasserie also runs a bar here, with a small terrace in summer. A gourmet stop well worth the detour!

Here is a brasserie with crazy charm, with its wood-covered walls, all in relief, where blackboards display the menus, and where modern meets rustic. Les Enfants Terribles is a famous name in the Montreal area. If all its addresses are not the same, the one in Outremont still has a certain charm. You can, for example, enjoy the spectacle of life in Outremont behind the large bay windows, while tasting a knife cut beef tartare with parmesan crumble and basil oil. A well-known address.

In the heart of Little Burgundy, a stone's throw from the Atwater Market, this classic Montreal restaurant owes its name to Charles "Joe-Beef" McKiernan, one of the working class heroes of the 19th century. A refined bistro, Joe Beef is not all working class! An inventive table that mixes flavours around steak and seafood, a bistro-style menu on a blackboard, and attentive and friendly service. The owners have several other establishments: The Liverpool House, McKiernan and Le Vin Papillon.

The Institut du Tourisme et de l'Hôtellerie du Québec uses this table to offer its students a concrete experience of high-flying cuisine. The menu, which focuses on local Quebec products, is constantly evolving and tends to a refinement difficult to imagine elsewhere, especially at this price! The service is impeccable and the dishes are small wonders. Good plan: the resto-school La Relève Gourmande, open during the school year, offers an equally pleasant experience but at a lower price. Interesting, isn't it?