Montréal’s fancy food halls
Montréal’s fancy food halls are a cut above your average mall food offerings. They are proper gastronomic destinations, whether you’re looking for fine dining served fast or prefer international street food fare. They even come with a side of entertainment, fancy cocktails, natural wine or craft beer.
LE CENTRAL – MANGER MONTRÉAL
Where: On the corner of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and Sainte-Catherine Street, downtown Montréal.
Participating restaurants: Kaviar, Chom Chom, Trou de Beigne, Le West Shefford, La République démocratique du jambon, Chez Milo & Fine, Gaspésie Camion Gourmand, Ramen Misoya, Ho Lee Chix, Bab Kech, Pintxo, Ragù, Mignonette, Mignon Churros & Nougat, Morso, Le Super Qualité, Le Gras Dur, Kamé, Heirloom, Émilia cantine portugaise, Bonita's taco& deli, and Norte.
LE CENTRAL - MANGER MONTRÉAL is located in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles, on the corner of two of Montréal’s most iconic streets, Sainte-Catherine and Saint-Laurent. Le Central counts about twenty restaurants reflecting Montréal’s “creativity and diversity”. The concept here is to be a “gourmet festival all year long” with a diverse food offer accompanied by great craft beer, natural wine and cocktails. In fact, each restaurant has created a beer, wine or cocktail pairing with their food. All this comes in a festive ambiance inspired by street food and an ever-changing daily soundtrack.
Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten
Where: Place Ville Marie, downtown Montréal.
Participating restaurants: Otto, Arthurs Nosh Bar, Tulum Taqueria, Hà, Pizza Del Fornaio, Café Véloce, Karma Poké, Dirty Greens, Omnivore, Bella Sandwicheria, Burgers + Frites, and a bar and biergarten.
Sid Lee Architecture has transformed Place Ville Marie’s basement into a stunning food hall complete with an enormous glass ceiling open to its Esplanade above and the sky beyond. The glass atrium is adorned with plants and trees and has the ambiance of an open-air piazza rather than a basement food court. Street food stands, sit-down restaurants, a biergarten and a café call Le Cathcart Restaurants et Biergarten home. This food hall is a great green oasis escape no matter what the weather is like outside.
Time Out Market
Where: Eaton Centre, second floor, downtown Montréal.
Participating restaurants: Le Red Tiger, Moleskine, Il Miglio, Campo, America’s BBQ, Chanthy Yen, Paul Toussaint, Climats, Le Taj, Le Blossom, Tunnel Espresso, Bossa, Marusan and Ibéricos.
Time Out Market Montréal also counts a cocktail bar, a beer bar, a wine bar, a milk bar and a soda bar as well as the Ateliers et Saveurs cooking school.
Time Out Market Montréal follows in the footsteps of Time Out Markets in Lisbon, Miami, New York, Boston, Barcelona, Porto and Chicago. It combines fine dining cuisine with a fast-food hall delivery. Diners sit at long, communal tables and enjoy the cuisines of some of Montréal’s most renowned chefs. Time Out Magazine’s editors and writers handpicked the participating restaurants, which include some exclusive and unique to Montréal chef-led food stands. The market also features DJs, live music, and cultural happenings.
Le Fou Fou
Where: Royalmount shopping center, 5050 Chemin de la Côte de Liesse
Participating restaurants: Tori Ramen, Prime beef bar, Hogar Taqueria, Il Miglio, Eva’s, Tiramisu, Spirulina Health Bar, Le Taj, Le Lucky Belly, Kishu Sushi Bar, Bayswater raw bar, Exchange Marché du Café with Hof Kelsten treats, a wine and tapas bar with food by À la table by Hanna, as well as a dessert bar and a cocktail bar.
Le Fou Fou is a “European-style gourmet hall” redefining the food court concept. The elegant and beautifully designed space is a rich tapestry of warm woods, intricate tile design and plush seatings. It’s a true culinary destination for food lovers looking to indulge in some of Montréal’s best cuisines, from the best local cheeses to a grilled steak, fresh sushi or steaming bowls of ramen. Take a seat at one of the many bar counters, in one of the seating areas or on the heated, wrap-around terrasse overlooking an urban park and enjoy a meal from any of the restaurants thanks to the technological innovation of the Fou Fou app. The space is also designed to host a variety of events, from intimate dinners to large-scale gatherings, wine tastings or a speakeasy evening.
Original article in English by Mayssam Samaha, adapted into French by Alex Gauthier.
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.