Let’s do lunch: great laid-back spots

Gastronomy Downtown Les Quartiers du Canal Little Italy and Villeray North of the Island Old Montréal Plateau-Mont-Royal and Mile End
Modavie
Jason Lee

Jason Lee

Montréal’s bustling culinary scene is packed with world-class talent. From international acclaimed eateries, local institutions and neighbourhood favourites, there’s always something to eat in Montréal. Here are some great casual lunch spots to visit.

DOWNTOWN

Brasserie Milton

Brasserie Milton

475, Président-Kennedy Avenue | Website

Opened for lunchtime on weekdays, this restaurant offers a fresh and local menu inspired by Québec and its seasons. It's an ideal place for people working downtown.

 

3 Brasseurs – Crescent, McGill and Saint-Denis streets

1356 Sainte-Catherine Street West | Website

With three locations downtown, 3 Brasseurs is a great place to meet up for lunch to enjoy a pub style lunch with an ice-cold craft beer.

 

Benny&Co - Downtown

1175 Robert-Bourassa Blvd. | Website

With multiple locations, Benny&Co is a local favourite for mouth-watering rotisserie chicken and fall-off-the-bone ribs.

 

Café SAT

6 place du Marché | Website

The food and drink menu showcases local products plus organic and natural wines and craft beers. The Café SAT has a great patio for those warm, sunny days.

Café Vasco da Gama

Café Vasco da Gama

1472 Peel Street | Website

A great spot to stop if you’re craving a quick meal or takeaway. You’ll always find delicious sandwiches, salads and great coffee served with a smile. 

 

Campo Poulet Portugais

1108 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West | Website

Portuguese chicken anyway you like it: whole, in a salad, in a sandwich or even poutine! Campo’s gain fed chicken is raised locally, marinated for 24 hours and slowly roasted. It’s irresistible.

 

Chez Cora 

1240 Drummond Street | Website

Whether you’re into sweet or savoury brunch, Chez Cora has you covered with multiple locations. Classic dishes and reinvented favourites.

Complexe Sir Winston Churchill Pub

1455-59 Crescent Street | Website

Visit “Winnie’s”, a Montréal institution for drinks, quick bites and people-watching along the famous Crescent street.

La Classe

1175 Robert-Bourassa Blvd. | Website

Delight your palate with international cuisine from Tuesday to Friday at LaSalle College's International School of Hotel Management & Tourism’s restaurant run by up-and-coming hospitality students.
 

La Finca cafe & local market

La Finca café & marché local

1067 de Bleury Street | Website

This bright and airy daytime spot in downtown Montréal excels at serving casual breakfasts, viennoiseries and lunches throughout the day to go with their own house coffee blend sourced from Costa Rica. Love the coffee? Ask them about their coffee workshops where, among other topics, attendees can learn how to pull the perfect espresso. 

Le Central

30 Sainte-Catherine Street West | Website

Reminiscent of the longstanding open-air food markets of the United States, Le Central’s sizeable collection of as many as 20 to 25 concepts exudes informality: From Spanish tapas to bowls of ramen, diners can simply pick and choose as they like when they walk in and simply meet back up at a shared table.

Lola Rosa - Place des Arts

276 Sainte-Catherine Street West | Website

A Montréal favourite for vegetarian and vegan cuisine that entices even the meat-eater.

The Keg Steakhouse + Bar

5 Place Ville-Marie | Website

This spot offers delicious lunch options that include fish and chips, burgers and sandwiches and of course, their legendary steaks.

 

Time Out Market

705 Sainte-Catherine Street West | Website

This gourmet food hall is home to over 23 options for food and drink, all brought to you by some of the city’s best restaurants and bars.

OLD MONTRÉAL

Modavie

Bistro Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises

32 McGill Street | Website

Don’t let its neighbourhood of old masonry or brews that are carefully crafted in-house fool you, this brasserie-bistro hybrid likes to keep things convivial. Enjoy a towering glass of cold beer alongside tacos, poutine, a variety of burgers, and more.

Modavie

1 Saint-Paul Street West | Website

Enjoy French gastronomy in the heart of Old Montréal. Come for lunch but stay for the live jazz.

Trattoria Gio

452 Place Jacques-Cartier | Website

A casual trattoria whose menu includes Italian traditional staples like arancini and pasta as well as modern signature dishes not to be missed.

 

Sésame - Old Montréal

380 Saint-Jacques Street | Website

Having trouble picking between Thai, Indian, Chinese, or Japanese? At this pan-Asian restaurant, there’s a little bit of something for everyone—there’s even a selection of poke bowls for those with more Hawaiian inclinations.

PLATEAU-MONT-ROYAL & MILE END

Café Mimosa

Café Mimosa

3509 Saint-Laurent Blvd. | Website

Café Mimosa is a perfect place for a boozy brunch. Creative cocktails and fun menu items on The Main.

 

Maynard

30 Prince Arthur Street West | Website

At this easy-going contemporary diner in the Plateau, vegan food is neither stuffy nor exceedingly green. Inspired by Southern comforts, the menu is made up of dishes like Nashville-style tofu, mac and cheese, and chicken wings made with mushrooms—consider them for breakfast, too.

 

Pizzédélic Mont-Royal

1250 du Mont-Royal Avenue East | Website

Over 27 years of fun and funky pizza! Pizzédélic is a Montréal favourite for innovative pies with good vibes only.
 

Resto Végo

1720 Saint-Denis Street | Website

With its vegan and vegetarian buffet of 200 dishes made up of hot eats, more salads than you can shake a stick at, and dessert after dessert, everyone stands to find something to satisfy. Simply pay by the weight of your plate.

 

Robin des Bois

Parc La Fontaine | Website

A non-profit restaurant giving back by supporting community-based organizations that help people in need. Vegetarian friendly.

 

Schwartz's

3895 Saint-Laurent Blvd. | Website

A favourite spot coveted by locals and visitors alike for world-famous smoked meat. Don’t forget to order the cherry cola!

LITTLE ITALY & VILLERAY

Brasserie Harricana

Brasserie Harricana

95 Jean-Talon Street West | Website

This local brewery serves an array of brews, cocktails and ciders with an extensive food menu to match.

 

Benny&Co. - Rosemont

450 Beaubien Street East | Website

With multiple locations, Benny&Co is a Montréal favourite for golden rotisserie chicken and their signature crinkle-cut fries.

THE VILLAGE & HOCHELAGA-MAISONNEUVE

Bagatelle Bistro Apportez votre vin

Bagatelle Bistro

4323 Ontario Street East | Website

This neighbourhood bistro features traditional French dishes with a touch of the Mediterranean – and it’s a bring-your-own-wine spot as well!

 

Dame Tartine

1653 Ontario Street East | Website

A colourful and fun lunch experience for everyone. With keto, vegan and gluten- or lactose-free options, there is something for everyone. 

SOUTH-WEST

Venice MTL Old Montréal

Venice MTL - Saint-Henri

4001 Notre-Dame Street West | Website

A taste of California in Montréal! Tacos, pizza, salads, power and poke bowls to be found.

 

McKiernan

5524 Rue Saint-Patrick #200 | Website

Opened by the teams behind the Montréal favourites Joe Beef and Maison Publique, this spot serves roasted chicken, sandwiches and weekly specials.

 

LaSalle

Kyomi Restaurant

Kyomi Restaurant

7660 Newman Blvd. | Website

Kyomi is characterized by fresh Asian fusion cuisine, impeccable service, and an upscale, exotic atmosphere. It’s not just a place to enjoy exceptional cuisine, it is a unique destination to celebrate the big and small moments in life. This restaurant seats 300 people and a mezzanine can host both small and large groups.

MONTRÉAL NORTH

L'estaminet

L'Estaminet

1340 Fleury Street East | Website

This café-bistro has been a neighbourhood favourite for over 35 years! Explore their table d’hôte daily specials and wine list. 

Jason Lee

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. 

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