Taste and experience the unique island flavours of Montréal
An island-getaway of a different kind, a visit to the island of Montréal is full of unique food experiences. An authentic taste of this island includes cuisine from around the world to local specialties. Exotic in multi-cultural and ethnic dining as it is in fine French and cuisine du terroir, come ashore and prepare for a culinary discovery.
Here is a culinary round-up that offers all gastronomic explorers an authentic taste of the island.
"X” marks the spot
These must-visit spots are found on any travel itinerary to the island of Montréal. Discover these local claims to fame and follow the arrows that all point to bagels, smoked meat and poutine on the iconic Montréal food treasure map.
Pick up a baker’s dozen any time of day at the legendary Fairmount Bagel or St-Viateur Bagel, the city’s favorites for generations.
It’s common to see a lineup at the famous Schwartz's on any day of the week for smoked meat. But gems like Smoked Meat Pete, Reuben’s and Dunn’s Famous, make it easy to get your smoked meat fix where ever you’re exploring around the city.
If you’re up for adventure, make sure you check out the different variations of poutine - the dish of French fries, squeaky fresh cheese curds and brown gravy at La Banquise, Patati Patata, Ma Poule Mouillée, and Paul Patates.
Taste the world one plate at a time
Prepare to set sail and taste worldly flavours when you visit Montréal - it’s easy to see why the city is proud of its rich cultural diversity when it comes to food.
Discover the amazing cuisine of the Caribbean (islands of another kind) at restaurants like, Kamúy and Mango Bay where they elevate classic Caribbean dishes with a unique Quebecois flair. Spots like Caribbean Curry House, Boom J’s Cuisine and Kwizinn keep their feet planted with no-frills comfort food.
Enjoy the flavours of Japan with a fine dining omakase experience. “Omakase” literally translates to “I leave it up to you”. Diners entrust the chef to choose and serve a curated menu of seasonal specialties. Get this at Restaurant Park, Jun i or Nama Omakase. For a more casual affair or pub grub visit, Yen, Shabu Shabu Kagayaki, Ichigo Ichie, Imadake Izakaya, Kazu, Bar Otto, Maiko and Sho-Dan.
Slurp copious amounts to southeast Asian soup noodles at Nguyen Phi, Pho Tay Ho, Pho Jean Talon Restaurant Ha, Tsukuyomi and Satay Brothers or visit the trifecta of Thai eateries of Mae Sri Comptoir Thai, Pamika Thai and Le Garden Room to get the an authenic Thai experience. Chow down on street tacos and ceviche from Escondite, Tiradito and Nikkei Chifa, and Barranco, food from the four corners are well represented in Montréal.
Local Legends
You need to eat at these places, otherwise you never really visited Montréal.
Make your reservations at Joe Beef, Au Pied du Cochon, L’Express and Toqué! early. World acclaimed and made popular by celebrity chefs, these institutions have been juggernauts in the Montréal food scene for years offering fine dining Québecois cuisine highlighting local and seasonal produce.
On the haut-cuisine flipside there is Wilensky’s Light Lunch, Beautys, Montreal Pool Room for famous casual fare.
Don’t forget about the celebrated and most recognizable giant orange beacon of sunlight; Gibeau Orange Julep. It might not be a piña colada along the beach, but this orange julep drink is the nectar of our island and it overlooks the steady waves of traffic on the Decarie express way.
Whether you’ve washed ashore, or plotted a map, the island of Montréal is a delicious destination.
Jason Lee
Jason is a seasoned food writer and blogger with over 18 years of culinary adventures in Montréal. He’s a master at uncovering the city's hidden gems and transforming meals into captivating stories. Join him as he continues to explore and share Montréal’s vibrant food scene.