Montreal Restaurants

Au Pied de Cochon may only be 5 years old, but this French restaurant has made its mark as one of Montreal’s best French restaurants. The mouth-watering menu gets your appetite going with starters and appetizers like codfish critters and beef tartar. As you work your way through the entrée, be sure to try the guinea hen for two. You won’t find too many North American restaurants offering guinea hen, so take advantage of the unique dish while at Au Pied de Cochon.  If more common fair is more suiting to your culinary tastes, an order of ribs will be sure to satisfy your appetite. The restaurant’s atmosphere is warm and inviting, while playing on its contemporary vibe with chic, sophisticated décor. Visit Au Pied de Cochon online and book your reservation soon, this restaurant is quite popular and tables can fill up fast!

For the last 15 years, Restaurant Toque! has set the bar for Montreal’s French cuisine standards. Chef Normand Laprise’s culinary creations have been described as “post-nouvelle,” with beautifully presented dishes that are both filling and flavorful. Some of the more creative dishes include first courses like roasted half quail, cretons, ricotta and olive ravioli, emulsified sweet onion jus as well as main courses such as the suckling half pig cooked sous vide, Parmentier cream, morel mushrooms and bok choy. And if you won’t take my word for it, then take it from the New York Times.  Their rave reviews highlight the restaurant’s sleek atmosphere and recommend the foie grad appetizer and lamb entrée, both staples dishes in Toque’s! selective menu. Like its stylish patrons, Toque’s! décor is casual yet chic and boasts a 60s lounge-inspired atmosphere.

Restaurant Chez Queux is an Old Town favorite, offering a range of dishes from fine dining to business lunches. The ambiance is that of old Montreal opulence. Exposed stone walls, white table cloths and rustic chandeliers set the tone for this established restaurant. Chez Queux also features an outdoor terrace for more casual dining. The staff is inviting and known for their hospitable service. Once seated, be sure to study their traditional French-inspired menu. Some notable dishes include starters goat cheese salad, and entrees such as filet mignon served on a pool of Bearnalise sauce with a of square dauphinois potatoes, green beans, carrots and asparagus. Whatever you choose to satisfy your hunger, Chez Queux’s fabulous French cuisine and sophisticated atmosphere is the premiere restaurant for a traditional French culinary experience.

Schwartz’s Hebrew Delicatessen is just as much of a Montreal landmark as it is an eating establishment. Opening in 1928, Schwartz’s has been the spot for locals and tourists looking for a traditional Jewish deli and the hutzpah that goes with it. A great place to grab lunch before a long day of sight seeing, Shwartz’s offers sandwiches and steaks that are less about pomp and circumstance and more about quality. Schwartz’s also offers a take-out menu for those in a hurry or when it’s easier to eat on the run, as Schwartz’s can be packed during lunch hours. Be sure to stop by Shwartz’s and see what locals are raving about; it’s definitely one eatery that more than lives up to its 80-year-old reputation.