Find the perfect table at some of our best restaurants
Our restaurant culture starts with the area’s abundance of local and seasonal products. It’s the reason why so many of our chefs work alongside farmers, bakers, butchers and cheesemakers, inspiring them to find new and exciting ways to work these products into their menus.
Also known for our creativity—from the arts and architecture to film and fashion—we have a deep-rooted tradition of passion and outside-the-box thinking. The food scene is right in the middle of it, leading to a huge concentration of restaurants offering their own unique and inventive menus often inspired by a fusion of overlapping cultures and cuisines found only here. Whether its innovative approaches to traditional dishes or the diverse food offerings that come from our Indigenous nations and multicultural communities, there’s absolutely something for everyone.
Every year, our restaurants are ranked on prestigious lists as not only some of the best in Canada but around the world. In fact, there are over 25 Montréal restaurants listed on Canada’s Best 100 Restaurants list, with Mon Lapin and Beba ranking #1 and #8, respectively.
Food festivals like Happening Gourmand, which spotlights the dining scene in historic Old Montréal, and Montréal en Lumière, the massive winter festival that partners internationally renowned chefs with local restaurants, are further testaments to our ever-expanding gastronomic culture.
No matter your preference, there’s something to please every palate. From high-end fine dining to casual eateries, find the perfect table for an unforgettable experience.
Taste our timeless traditions: Poutine, smoked meat and more
While it’s great to hear all the new hits, sometimes you’ve got to start with the classics. When it comes to food, we have the perfect playlist for you.
Let’s start with poutine. This treasured dish is deceptively simple: crispy fries topped with fresh cheese curds and smothered in a rich, savory gravy. It’s the ultimate comfort food and a perennial late-night treat. While the straightforward original is found in no-frills diners known as casse-croûtes (roughly translated as “snack” or “quick bite”), many restaurants also offer creative takes that include everything from pulled pork to foie gras for a truly decadent experience. True poutine fans can celebrate their favourite dish during Poutine Weeks held in Montréal and the city of Québec, where spots take it up a notch by competing to come up with their city’s best version.
Another legendary local specialty is Montréal smoked meat, a delicacy rooted in the city’s Jewish community. Similar to pastrami but dry-cured and with a subtler, less sweet taste, this tender, flavorful meat is usually piled high between two slices of rye bread, with a smear of mustard and maybe a pickle on the side. Though served most famously at several busy spots on the city’s bustling Saint-Laurent Boulevard, it can be enjoyed everywhere. For a truly iconic experience, be sure to drop by Schwartz’s Deli, where celebrities from around the world have been delighting in the food since 1928.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Montréal bagel which gets its distinct taste from being boiled in honey water and baked in wood-fired ovens. Perfect for midnight cravings at such places as St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel, it’s just as good by itself hot out of the oven as it is accompanied by a full spread of cream cheese, capers and smoked salmon.
Experience the riches of our artisanal producers’ expertise
Our vast and diverse terroir includes everything from fertile plains to rolling hills, rugged coastal areas and dense boreal forests. This means we offer a variety of food experiences that include vineyards, orchards, farms, fisheries, and more.
To make the most of your 72 hours, why not start by exploring some of those cheeses. Québec boasts over 1,000 varieties, with plenty of international award-winners and favorites like Oka (in the Laurentides region), Le Riopelle (Chaudière-Appalaches) and Bleu d’Élizabeth (Centre-du-Québec). And since you’ve already stopped for a snack, why not fill your board with some of our celebrated charcuteries, blending French culinary traditions with local ingredients to produce incredible pâtés, terrines, rillettes, sausages, and more.
Pair that delectable food with a glass from one of the hundreds of microbreweries and wineries, many of which can be found on the Wine Route in the Eastern Townships (the birthplace of Québec viticulture) or in the Montérégie. Whether you’re into crisp whites, bold reds or our distinctive ciders, or maybe you’re more of a hoppy IPA or smooth stout sort, our cups overflow with options. And if you’re looking for something stronger, the variety of dedicated craftspeople making unique spirits has blossomed here, concocting everything from maple whisky to gins infused with a dizzying array of local botanicals.
While this might seem like an overwhelming amount of options, you can find many of the products mentioned gathered conveniently together in our public markets. As popular with locals as with travelers, most of these bustling markets are open year-round, with outdoor stalls open from May to October.
Joie de vivre: relax and recharge in our coffee shops
With so much to savor, we invite you to take a little pause in one of our many cafés. Start your day off with a delicious breakfast surrounded by unique, Instagrammable decor or pop in for something warm as you stroll through the streets.
Perhaps influenced by our French roots, our thriving café culture is built around places designed to help you slow down and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Whether it’s a third-wave coffee spot in one of Montréal’s hip neighborhoods or perhaps a quaint and inviting café in the city of Québec, be sure to take the time to drink it all in.
And while we love our local roasters, let’s face it, this is just as much about the pastries as anything else. Be sure to pair your java with a buttery croissant, decadent pain au chocolat or, if you’re feeling a little hungrier, a great sandwich made with freshly baked bread.
Enjoy the sweet goodness of our maple products
Last but not least, one classic food experience here is a visit to a sugar shack, known here as a cabane à sucre. This authentic experience is a celebration of all things maple syrup, which starts to make a lot of sense when you realize that we’re the world’s largest producer of this delicious liquid gold.
Mostly located in maple groves, these often family-run sugar shacks are where sap is collected from sugar maple trees and then boiled down. During March–April harvest season, visitors are invited to gather around big, warm communal tables to indulge in hearty, traditional dishes. There’s omelettes, ham, sausages, and baked beans, as well as cherished rustic dishes like pea soup, oreilles de crisse (crispy pork rinds), tourtière (meat pie) and pouding chômeur, which is a densely rich maple syrup cake.
There’s also usually live folk music, dancing and all sorts of maple merriment. But before leaving, be sure to head outside to try the maple taffy (tire d’érable), a deliciously sticky experience where hot maple syrup is poured over snow, where it cools and is ready to be rolled onto a popsicle stick and into your mouth.
Finally, for those looking to celebrate sugaring off season in town, check out fun festivals, like Cabane Panache, as well as the many restaurants with seasonal menus featuring that maple goodness. And remember to keep that sweet feeling going by picking up some maple souvenirs at our local markets.
In just 72 hours, you’ll be immersed in a culinary adventure like no other
From innovative restaurants and unique cafés to timeless dishes like poutine and smoked meat, every bite reflects our rich heritage and creative spirit. Whether you’re exploring local markets, sampling award-winning cheeses, or enjoying a maple-infused feast, this unforgettable experience will leave you craving more—and we’re just a short drive away.
Want more ideas for your getaway? Click here.