My fourth Canadian city: I lived in Montreal for 3.5 years. I absolutely loved this incredible culinary city!!! My food passions grew tenfold while living here.
Montreal
Beautys
A breakfast institution since 1942. This diner will make you feel right at home and will serve you exactly the classics that you crave. I love their fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Must Try: Beautys Special ~ Cream cheese, smoked salmon, tomato & onion on a bagel.
Without a doubt, this is the #1 most important Québécois thing that you must do before you die. Do not allow yourself to miss out. I attended the PDC cabane feast four times while living in Montreal, and each time was a gastronomic dream come true. It's the best food on earth. There is no menu. They do two seasons; le temps des sucres in the spring and la saison des récoltes in the fall. Getting a reservation can be an adventure; you HAVE TO book it the day that reservations open for the season, months in advance.
Must Try: Every single incredible thing that gets served to you!
If you ever need anything fast, cheap and sandwichy; this is the place. They have many locations around Montreal. Forget about Subway. (After giving birth to our son, we drove directly to Dagwoods from the birthing centre instead of home.)
Must Try: The Dagwood ~ Ham, mortadella, pepperoni, genoa salami, cheese.
I'm not even into beer. But this microbrasserie is for sure the best that there is. You should do a beer tasting flight, of course. I always loved their ciders.
Must Try: Cidre Cerise or Cidre Rosé
The best thing about this place are the adorable picnic baskets that they'll make up for you so that you can eat in the park across the street.
Must Try: The Big Nasty ~ Fried chicken and melted cheddar on a biscuit with gravy. (This is honestly the only thing that you need - it combines all of their best items!)
Dirty Dogs
Hot dogs and poutine are so Montreal. This place does an amazing job of them! The milkshakes are crazy too!
Must Try: Le Maurice Richard Hot Dog ~ Seared foie gras, asiago, parmesan & romano cheese, caramelized onions and maple syrup.
Around since 1964, this place serves the most delicious Italian food. It's nothing super fancy, it's just good. All of their pastas are incredible.
Must Try: Insalata Cesare ~ Romaine lettuce with "Elio's" special dressing. (This is a legit caesar and sooo good.)
Looking for a ridiculously good breakfast? Look no further. It can get lined up so arrive early. (They have a mac & cheese eggs benedict, just sayin'.)
Must Try: PB & J French Toast ~ Stuffed with peanut butter, crusted with praline & graham. Topped with strawberry jam.
The best cheese shop ever, ever, ever. Their selection is what dreams are made of. They single-handedly opened my entire cheese world. I'm a snob now. Thanks guys.
Must Try: Their to-die-for cheese selection. (Featuring a wide array of Québécois cheese.)
Look for the giant orange! It's all about that sweet, sweet liquid gold. The food isn't that big of a deal (although I did get oddly addicted to their spaghetti). Just connect the julep to my veins!!!
Must Try: Orange Julep
This is very likely the best restaurant in Montreal. If there is one quintessential dining experience that you must not miss, it's this. Rustic yet elevated, distinctly regional Québécois cuisine. It's the best food that there is.
Must Try: Anything/everything on their crazy chalkboard menu! (But I really loved the Croquettes de Fleurs au Smoked Meat.)
#24 on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023
The best ice cream in the world.
Must Try: Softserve Twist Cone (the flavour combo changes every two weeks - try them all!) My personal favourite: La Romantique ~ Rosewater ice cream + raspberry-lychee sorbet. HOT TIP: Hard ice cream is over.
This ice cream is the most fun. They dip vanilla soft serve into your choice of dip (over 20 to choose from) and then coat it with your choice of toppings. The combinations are endless!
Must Try: Whatever concoction you can come up with!
A beautiful dining experience that focuses heavily on nose-to-tail cuisine. They do an incredible brunch and an even better dinner. If you see the Sea Urchin Linguine on the menu, get it!
Must Try: Pig's Trotter ~ Sauerkraut, dumplings and pickled chillies.
This. Brunch. Is. RIDICULOUS.
Must Try: Foie Gras Poached Egg ~ Brioche bread, pancetta chips, caramelized onions, foie gras and foie gras sauce.
This is a crazy thing to say, but here goes: Joe Beef's sister restaurant might be better than Joe Beef. *GASP!* The portions seem larger, the quality of the food is just as good, and the prices are cheaper!
Must Try: Lobster Spaghetti
Portuguese chicken is a HUGE thing in Montreal! This place does it the best. Grab a nata while you're at it. Prepare for endless cravings! HOT TIP: Their poutine is my husband's favourite poutine in all of Montreal!
Must Try: Le Victor Medina ~ Chicken leg served with fries & salad. Make sure that they use plenty of hot sauce!
The best farmers' market in Montreal, especially in the summer when it's huge! Open every day.
Fave Vendors: Les Cochons tout ronds (great chorizo & merguez!), Fromagerie La Moutonnière (unique raw-milk cheese!), Klein Geno (duck eggs!), Aqua Mare Poissonnerie (fish & seafood!), Les Jardins Sauvages (morels & fiddleheads!)
The best neighbourhood hole-in-the-wall that there ever was. Great vibe, fun cocktails. My favourite burger of all-time and the best fries in the world.
Must Try: Burger du Nouveau Palais + Frites
The best damn Singaporean street food that you'll find outside of Singapore. It's like taking a trip to Southeast Asia! Don't forget the Steamed Pork Buns.
Must Try: Laksa ~ Chili shrimp coconut milk soup. (I ate this in hopes of going into labour and it worked.)
Forget about Swiss Chalet, it's dead to you. Open since 1951, St-Hubert is the greatest comfort food that exists. Best delivery. Just the best.
Must Try: Rotisserie Chicken (Leg) ~ The meal includes: Unlimited creamy or traditional coleslaw (get traditional), their famous BBQ sauce and a bun, plus the side of your choice. (Your choice should be rotisserie potatoes.)
The most perfect and iconic food of Montreal since 1957. HOT TIP: For the ultimate experience: Butter, plain cream cheese, smoked salmon or smoked salmon spread.
Must Try: Sesame Bagel
This is the best high-end, luxurious restaurant in Montreal and one of the very best in Canada. It is sublime.
Must Try: 7-Course Tasting Menu with Foie Gras ~ It's the only way. Live your best life.
#45 on Canada's 100 Best Restaurants 2023
An iconic staple of Mile End since 1932. An experience not to be missed. Don't forget to try an egg cream! HOT TIP: Do not ask them to leave off the mustard or to cut your sandwich in half. Are you new or something?
Must Try: Wilensky Special ~ The Wilensky Special is a sandwich made with all-beef salami and all-beef bologna with mustard and grilled on a roll. I like to have mine with cheddar cheese.