10 great Montréal lunch spots

McKiernan

5524 Saint Patrick #200 | Website

Located in a gigantic industrial building, McKiernan’s loft-style dining room is eclectic, fun and flooded with light. Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday, the menu includes seasonal ingredients and some dishes that have become classics such as the roast chicken dinner and the schnitzel sandwich.

Sumac

3618 Notre Dame Ouest | Website

Located in the heart of Saint-Henri, Sumac is the ultimate Middle Eastern lunch spot in Montréal. The buzzing restaurant is always busy, but the wait is well worth it. Dig into the smooth and rich spreads, fresh salads and scrumptious grilled meats. The fresh pita baked on site is addictive and the perfect complement to any of the dishes on the menu.

iL Miglio

Several locations | Website

One of the best Italian restaurants in Montréal, iL Miglio has 3 locations around town so you’re never too far from a great plate of pasta. The casual establishments serve a short menu of antipasti and fresh pasta dishes that change every week. All the pasta at iL Miglio is made fresh on site and cooked à la minute when ordered. You can also treat yourself to one of their wines by the glass. Buon appetito!

J’ai Feng

43 Beaubien Street East | Website

J’ai Feng’s four, highly coveted seats are quickly snapped up at lunchtime but thankfully, the daily dishes are easily transportable to enjoy at the park next door or in the comfort of your home. Chef Anita Feng’s authentic Szechuan menu consists of only two daily noodle specials available at lunchtime, but what glorious dishes they indeed are, the kind you want to tuck into for an eternity.

Comptoir Sainte-Cécile

232 De Castelnau Street East | Website

Located in Villeray near the Jean-Talon Market, Comptoir Sainte-Cécile is a charming small grocery store that doubles as a restaurant with a long and a couple of tables. Popular for its decadent sandwiches (try the salmon tartare, lemon and chive sandwich with confit sour cream potato on ciabatta bread), everything on the menu is fresh and delicious. It also holds a large selection of Québec wines, cidres and beers as well as ready-to-eat meals to go.

Roch le Coq

Two locations | Website

Head to this excellent casual restaurant in Outremont when a fried chicken craving hits you (and even when it doesn’t). Hailed by critics and food lovers as the best fried chicken spot in Montréal, Roch le Coq has become an instant sensation from the day it opened. The fried chicken is fantastically crispy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside. All the side dishes from the poutine to the house waffles are also great. Grab a bucket to go or enjoy on site.

Olive et Gourmando

351 Saint-Paul Street West | Website

Now an institution on the Montréal food scene, Olive et Gourmando is still one of the best spots to grab lunch in Old Montréal. Everything on its menu is divine, from its delicious sandwiches (the Cuban is a classic) to its seasonal soba noodle salad, daily specials and, of course, homemade pastries.

NOREN

77 Rachel West | Website

This tiny Plateau Japanese restaurant only has a dozen seats, but if you can score one at lunch, you’re in for a treat! NOREN specializes in Japanese street food and snacks. The menu is short, but includes takoyaki and okonomiyaki as well as a miso soup, a salad, edamame and a weekly dish that’s always changing.

Titanic

445 Saint-Pierre Street Suite 104 | Website

Located in a historic building in Old Montréal, Titanic has been serving a loyal clientele since 1989. The extensive menu is filled with delicious options such as generous gourmet sandwiches, hearty salads, comforting daily specials and homemade desserts prepared on site daily.

Bar Mamie

328 Beaubien Street East | Website

This fun little neighbourhood bar is the perfect place for lunch. The menu offers cheese and charcuterie platters as well as classic French dishes inspired by Mamie (grandmother). Easy to drink wines in all the colours are served by the glass and the terrasse is lovely in the summer.

Bonuses

Wilensky

34 Fairmount West avenue | Website

It would be inconceivable to write about lunch spots in Montréal without mentioning Wilensky. The Mile End institution has been serving its lunch special since 1932. You can enjoy one of its grilled all-beef baloney and salami sandwiches with pickles, an old-fashioned soda and a side of nostalgia.

Moishes

1001 du Square-Victoria Street | Website

Moishes, a true Montréal institution, is one of the only restaurants in town to offer USDA Prime beef, the most prestigious distinction on the market. It also offers an "Exquisite Lunch" menu, allowing customers to sample two entrees from the menu Monday to Friday, offered from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. With its bar area, two unique dining rooms, enclosed dining room and pewter ceiling tiles, this is one place you won't want to miss in Montréal.