Montréal’s best French restaurants
Montréal’s dining scene is rich in a variety of cuisines representing a wealth of cultures from every continent. We are far from the culinary landscapes of decades ago when French restaurants were the leading cuisine. However, classic French restaurants are still part of the city’s dining DNA and are much appreciated by locals and visitors alike. Below are some of Montréal’s best.
Île de France Restaurant
A Montréal icon, Île de France Restaurant sits on the 9th floor of downtown’s Eaton Centre. Originally open from 1931 to 1999, it has been beautifully restored in line with its heritage status. The refined Art Deco space now serves market-driven French cuisine with exceptional service, making it a top spot for weekday lunch, weekend brunch, or dinner any day of the week.
From July 9 to 13, the original grand Art Deco dining room will be transformed into a Parisian-style bouillon.
1500 Robert Bourassa, Suite 900
Brasserie Le Pois Penché
Spectacular seafood platters, French brasserie classics that bring comfort and a festive ambiance are all on the menu at Le Pois Penché, an authentic Parisian brasserie in the heart of downtown Montréal.
1230 De Maisonneuve Boulevard
Chez Delmo
Continuing the long tradition of gastronomy in Old Montréal, Delmo is an historic venue updated with contemporary flare. The owners revived this eatery, which originally opened in 1934, and murals by Carlito Dal Ceggio now adorn the interior. The menu showcases a variety of traditional fish and seafood specialties the likes of Dover sole, lobster Thermidor, lobster bisque and walleye amandine as well as novelties such as lobster rolls and salmon tartare.
275 Notre-Dame Street West
Le Boulevardier
Le Boulevardier is downtown’s French go-to. The chef draws his inspiration from Auguste Escoffier, the godfather of modern French cuisine, with a menu that shines the spotlight on a few French dining classics. Extra touches include the bistro-chic decor, which amps up the already inspiring experience.
2050 Mansfield Street
Restaurant Leméac
Leméac has become a much-loved spot since its opening in 2001. The Outremont restaurant is always buzzing with diners for lunch, dinner or their famous brunch. Their menu offers a lot of brasserie classics with a contemporary touch. Do not miss out on what is probably their most famous dish: the tall and delicious pain perdu with maple caramel and dulce de leche ice cream.
1045 Laurier Avenue West
Henri Brasserie Française
Located in the stunning, landmark Birks building downtown, Henri Brasserie Française charms at first glance by its gorgeous 19th century-inspired décor with brass accents, ornate ceiling, and stained-glass windows. The menu is steeped in French brasserie classics such as duck confit, lobster thermidor or tarte tatin.
1240 Square Phillips
Restaurant La Chronique
White tablecloths, a luminous dining room and a flawless fine cuisine are what distinguish La Chronique, an elegant restaurant that’s called chic Laurier Avenue its home since 1995. If you’re a fan of foie gras, you’ll be happy to know that theirs is unmissable.
104 Laurier Avenue West
L’Express
Open since 1980, L’Express is an absolute institution in Montréal. Whether you decide to sit at the long bar or in the dining room with the checkered floor, the French classics on the hand-written menu will absolutely transport you to a lively Parisian brasserie. The Île flottante for dessert is a must!
3927 Saint-Denis Street
Le Molière
Le Molière is a French brasserie that’s a part of the recently revamped Espace Saint-Denis complex. Designed like a backstage area, patrons can enjoy the French classics on the menu while feeling like they’re part of the show.
1594 Saint-Denis Street
Café Cherrier
Café Cherrier is another French institution operating on Saint-Denis Street since 1983. Open all day, it’s great spot for lingering, indoors in the elegant dining room in the winter or on the vine-wrapped terrasse in the summer. Their menu offers timeless French favourites such as black pudding with caramelized apples, duck confit, and a classic lemon tart.
3635 Saint-Denis Street
Maison Boulud
Star chef Daniel Boulud’s eponymous restaurant located inside Montréal’s Ritz-Carlton hotel is the epitome of class and elegance. It’s also a great place to enjoy contemporary French cuisine imbued with the chef’s personal touch and featuring local and seasonal ingredients.
1228 Sherbrooke Street West
Renoir
Montréal’s Golden Square Mile and the Sofitel Hotel are home to Le Renoir, which has recently undergone a revamping. The exquisitely chic restaurant is “inspired by French cuisine, infused with international flavors and elevated with local ingredients”. Don’t skip desserts, as they are among the best restaurant desserts in Montréal.
115 Sherbrooke Street West
Monarque
Whether you prefer the hustle and bustle of a brasserie or the more restrained ambiance of a fine dining restaurant, Monarque offers both. Duck confit, bouillabaisse and Paris-Brest are among the classics served brasserie side, while a more creative and seasonally-driven 4-course menu is offered in the dining room.
406 Saint-Jacques
Restaurant Holder
This bustling Old Montréal brasserie is always an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. The light-filled dining room is classically designed and the staff greatly efficient. True to French brasserie spirit, it’s delightfully loud. On the menu you’ll find classic dishes such as tartares, liver pâté and foie gras.
407 McGill Street
Chez Alexandre
This downtown French bistro has been serving Montrealers and visitors since 1977. Its distinctively red façade and bistro chairs on Peel Street attract customers who flock to taste its authentic cuisine, with items such as snails in garlic butter, Toulouse-style cassoulet and profiteroles adorning its menu.
1454 Peel Street
Mignon Steak
With a relatively short menu on offer, Mignon Steak concentrates on some delightful dishes that it makes well, mainly its famous steak frites served with its decadent signature Mignon Sauce.
2523 Notre-Dame Street West and 101 Rue Saint-Paul West
La Croissanterie Figaro
Open every day from 7am to midnight, La Croissanterie Figaro is a delightful French bistro located on a quiet street in Outremont. The Art Deco décor and the lovely garden-terrasse make this place quite special. The menu consists of simple fare such as flaky croissants, great sandwiches, salads, quiches, flammkuchens and more.
5200 Hutchison Street
Casavant
Casavant is a welcoming neighbourhood restaurant located on a sunny corner in the heart of Villeray. Recently recognized by the MICHELIN Guide, it serves a fresh, modern spin on classic French dishes such as beef tartare, Grenoble-style fish, sausage with mashed potatoes and more. Their low intervention wine list is thoughtfully curated and worth exploring.
350 De Castelnau Street East
La Prunelle
This BYOW restaurant located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal is a light-filled space that is both elegant and modern. In addition to a list of French classics–such as fish and meat tartares, steak and fries, and veal sweetbreads–a few seasonal specials make appearances on the menu every week.
327 Duluth Street East
Kabinet
Formerly a cocktail bar, Kabinet has morphed into an elegant and sumptuous French bistro with plush velvet seating and an entire menu of fish eggs. In addition to the caviar bumps, you can order some timeless French classics such as snails in garlic brown butter with an anchovy persillade, foie gras terrine, onion soup, baba au rhum, and so much more.
98 Laurier Street West
Bouillon Albert
Bouillon Albert is inspired by French “bouillons”, traditional restaurants that serve a simple, well-made and affordable cuisine. From escargots to duck confit and crème caramel, this unpretentious neighbourhood restaurant offers a classic French cuisine with a contemporary twist.
4177 Saint-Denis Street
Molenne
Stepping inside Mile-End’s Molenne feels like being transported to the heart of Paris. Warm wood tones, exposed brick, classic brasserie chairs, and exceptional service set the scene for a menu of French classics set to the seasons. Start with some fresh oysters from the elaborate seafood bar then dig into some of their elegant dishes.
5309 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Le Bouchon par Bleu et Persillé
Bleu et Persillé, the beloved Plateau Mont-Royal cheese shop, has expanded into Rosemont’s Shop Angus with a brand-new restaurant. Inspired by the traditional Lyonnais bouchons, the spot features a concise, classic menu starring dishes like salade lyonnaise, duck magret, and crème brûlée. And of course, a large cheese menu to build your own board.
2600 William-Tremblay Street, #130
Bar Mamie
Mamie is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. A fun addition to Beaubien Street, Mamie channels a Parisian neighbourhood restaurant and serves French brasserie-type staples. The wine list is sourced from their very own private import company and La Cave de Mamie next door and offers some very affordable choices. In the summer, the terrasse brings the street to life, making it a favourite hangout for many.
328 Beaubien Street East
For more French restaurants, try one of these:
Plein Sud, Le Pégase, Gaspar Brasserie Française, Le Valois, Bonaparte, Brasserie Bernard, Marché de la Villette, Au Petit Extra, Jérôme Ferrer, Joséphine, and Chez Lévêque.
Mayssam Samaha
Mayssam Samaha is a food and travel writer and blogger and the founder behind the blog Will Travel for Food. She travels the world in search of the next culinary discovery. From Iceland to South Africa, she’s already visited over 36 countries and there’s nothing she enjoys more than wandering around a farmers’ market in a foreign city. She is also the founder of the SAISONS intimate dinner series highlighting Québec products and chefs.