Montréal restaurants in parks
Gastronomy Poutine Les Quartiers du Canal Mount Royal, Outremont and Westmount Olympic District and Hochelaga-Maisonneuve Parc Jean-Drapeau Pôle des Rapides - Verdun
Under leafy trees, on the banks of the river, beside a fountain or atop Mount Royal: here's a list of restaurants and counters that let you dine with Mother Nature. Feed your stomach and your soul!
Along the river banks at the Lachine Canal National Historic Site
Over a 14.5-km area that stretches from the Old Port to Lac Saint-Louis, cyclists, strollers and pleasure boaters can stop on the banks of the Lachine Canal for a bite to eat. We recommend a snack from the very pretty Marché des Éclusiers or Atwater Market, where you can also stock up on local products. For drinks, check out the floating Canal Lounge café/bar, the industrial/verdant setting of Riverside, the St-Ambroise Terrasse. Finally, discover the craft breweries Memento and Messorem, perfect places to refresh yourself with good local beers in incredible settings.
Recharge by the river at Park Monseigneur-J-A-Richard
Featuring extensive parks along the St. Lawrence River, Verdun is one of the few neighbourhoods in Montréal that offer unlimited access to the river shoreline. Watch the waves ripple by at Crescendo, a restaurant that appeals to the masses with classic fare. It's the ideal spot to fuel up before heading to Verdun Beach for some serious relaxation or go peddling down the 21-kilometre waterfront bike path.
Your choice of panoramic views at Mount Royal Park
A number of restaurants punctuate Mount Royal Park, the spectacular site designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (also the mastermind behind New York City's Central Park). Café des Amis has three locations within the park. You can also stop in at the Beaver Lake Pavilion, which looks out over the eponymous lake, relax on the terrace at Smith House or sip a drink at the historic Mount Royal Chalet offering breathtaking vistas of the city and beyond.
Kicking back at Le K in Square Saint-Louis
In the Plateau borough, in the middle of the charming Square Saint-Louis, which is bordered by brightly-painted Victorian houses, Le K can sate your cravings with a café au lait and a sorbet at tables around a kiosk that is truly sweet.
Greenery, culture, and poutine at Parc La Fontaine
By the beautiful pond in Parc La Fontaine, the non-profit chalet-restaurant Robin des Bois serves up delicious homemade dishes inspired by culinary traditions from around the world. Whether you're meeting friends for a 5 à 7 or joining in on cultural activities, such as yoga, drag brunches, bingo, or jazz concerts, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy good food and great company. On your way out through the park’s northwest exit, don’t miss La Banquise, a true Montréal institution known for its 30 varieties of poutine. Hot dogs, club sandwiches, and other quick bites round out a menu that’s both comforting and festive.
Just steps away
Right across from Parc Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier, the charming Café In Gamba is the perfect stop for a coffee and sweet treat. Delicious drinks and grab-and-go pastries elevate your visit to this beloved Montréal park, which fills with picnic blankets as soon as the warm weather hits. Complete the experience with a dip in the pool, and you’re all set. Also just across the street, on the north side of the park, the Biergarten Aux Quartiers Belle Gueule welcomes you to its friendly microbrewery, where craft beers and comforting dishes are served in a laid-back atmosphere.
Art Deco at the Botanical Garden restaurant
The restaurant of the Montreal Botanical Garden features art deco style and fresh dishes made with seasonal products, many of which are local and organic! The food is 100% vegetarian and served on an outdoor patio that abounds with flowers. For those who prefer to picnic in the park, there are lunch options to go.
It’s totally beachy at Parc Jean-Drapeau
Over at Parc Jean-Drapeau, each activity has its own little place to sit and snack. At the Gilles-Villeneuve Circuit and Espace 67, there are snack bars offering incredible panini sandwiches, fresh salads, snacks, beverages and frozen treats. Over at Jean-Doré Beach, la Roulotte serves mouth-watering summer classics that appeal to people of all ages. For beer or cocktails, stop by Bar-terrasse and grab a table under a parasol or in the sun—the choice is yours.
Laure Juilliard
Originally from Paris, Laure Juilliard made Montréal her home over 15 years ago and has never looked back. Won over by her new city's unique energy, cultural vibrancy and gastronomic effervescence, she loves exploring all the coolest spots. A writer and blogger specialising in lifestyle, culture, travel and gastronomy, she has lent her pen to Tourisme Montréal for more than 10 years, in addition to magazines such as ELLE Québec and Clin d'œil, as well as a variety of well-known companies and agencies. Always on the lookout for innovative concepts and the best addresses wherever she is in the world, she is also always planning her next trip.