Your Quintessential Montréal Foodie Guide

Unique eats, iconic dishes, and standout restaurants for the hungry tourist in Montréal.

The largest French-speaking metropolis in North America, Montréal’s cultural melting pot is reflected upon its wide array of food options. This city is truly a foodie’s dream spot, with famous restaurants to more low-key neighborhood joints. This guide will direct you to some of the best eateries and dishes that Montréal has to offer.

Being Quebec’s national dish, poutine is available all over the city, so the hunt for perfect fry topped with gravy and melted cheese may consume you. Every local and visitor is going to have their own preferred spot, but here are just a few that are definitely worth the try.

Smoke Meat Pete

Located in the western part of Montréal, Smoke Meat Peat offers a variety of poutine dishes. You can have it the classic way, Italian-style or with smoked meat. There is no wrong choice here.

La Banquise

This all-night diner has an extensive poutine menu that even includes vegan options! Open for 24 hours, La Banquise is perfect for your late-night cravings.

Poutineville

With four locations in Montréal, Poutineville has some crazy dishes, including: Heart Attack Poutine, which is 15 pounds of fries, cheese, gravy and more. If you have a hard time deciding between all the options, you can even create your own dish!

Honorable mentions: Chez Claudette, Paul Patates, and Le Garde-Manger.

There are plenty of trendy coffee shops in Montréal as third-wave cafés have popped up all throughout the city.

Dispatch

With a cozy and warm aesthetic, Dispatch is a great place for trying new coffees and blends that come from all different origins but equally excellent in quality while still being responsibly-sourced.

Café Myriade

With a number of coffee shops scattered throughout Montréal, Café Myriade features homemade goods and freshly baked croissants. Café Myriade has become a landmark for serving some of the best handcrafted coffee beverages in the city, proving to be a memorable experience for coffee enthusiasts.

Café Ferlucci

Café Ferlucci is a cozy neighborhood coffee shop in Villeray with a beautiful terrace offering Italian-style pastries, sandwiches, snacks, and of course, coffee.

Honorable mentions: Arts Café, Humble Lion, and Pikolo.

Maison Christian Faure

This French-inspired pâtisserie has a beautiful storefront and décor that welcomes all costumers. With delicious chocolate and coffee, this is a must-visit.

Cheskie’s

Known to have one of the best babkas among other Jewish treats, Cheskie’s is an understated bakery that features Jewish kosher pastries and cakes.

Honorable mentions: Pâtisserie Rhubarbe and Fous Desserts.

Seriously, you would be remiss to visit the city and not have a signature, quintessential Montréal staple – bagels. Similarly to poutine, locals are very passionate about which spot is the best, but honestly, they all seem pretty delicious.

St-Viateur Bagel 

This bagel store, open 24-hours, is known for its wood-oven baked bagels and varied flavors and toppings.

La Fabrique de Bagel Montréal

With its unique and authentic homemade recipes, La Fabrique de Bagel Montréal serves old-fashioned Montréal-style bagels. These are kettle boiled with honey and baked to perfection.

Honorable mentions: Fairmont Bagel and Beaubien Bagel.