Montreal food

(updated Sept 2025)

We love Montreal. So much good food and drink. Here's a few of our favorites:

FIRST off, we love that LOTS of places are BYOB-only and they'll even give you an ice bucket.
The state-run liquor stores are called SAQ. (there's also SQDC for recreational cannabis).
Due to recent political events, no American wines or liquors are available. 

Fairmount Bagel. Montreal style bagels are a different animal than NY bagels.
Comparisons are tiresome. Just enjoy the difference. 

St. Viateur bagel is also fantastic, plus those bagel flippers in all the Tik-Toks work here.
Hit up Kettleman's if you're downtown or you need a bagel fix after hours (they're 24/7.)

Kem Coba ice cream

Wilensky's light lunch. C'mon half-sours and a pineapple soda. 

Smoked meat ("Viande Fumée") poutine and sandwich at Schwartz's

Summer fireworks festival viewed from Sky Bar

Pizza bouquet 

Foie Gras poached eggs at Le Passé Composé 

24/7 poutine at La Banquise

Local, seasonal perfection at O-Thym

Reuben pizza at the very homey Amelias! 

pastries from Mamie Clafoutis

Crepes (and beautiful produce and unpasteurized cheese) at Jean Talon market

if you couldn't score a table at Joe Beef, you can still eat their amazing food at Liverpool House

...or at Le Vin Papillon

Cafe Chez Teta has amazing Lebanese food

Atwater market is MTL's Nishiki market.
Amongst all the riches there are a million kinds of ready-to-grill skewers

Foie gras sushi with maple vinegar and peanut butter at Au Pied de Cochon

lolol Nico 

Fleurs et Cadeaux for delicious modern Japanese

Montreal men love their "cinq a sept" happy hours, so hit the Aigle Noir for an after work beer...

... then, after dinner, hit (gay bar) Le Stud for dancing and drinking and daddies

Bars don't have backrooms, but sauna culture is very open here.
Hit Colonial if you like daddies (before 10pm). GI Joe or Oasis for a 24/7 crowd.

Sunday piknic électronik dance party (mix gay/straight). Very strict bag inspection on entry.
 LONG lines for Metro tickets as the party ends, so top up your OPUS card before you go.

other stuff

• I’m briankusler on Instagram and I basically only post food pix with corresponding restaurant check-ins
• My Sydney food page is here.
• My Tokyo food guide is here.
• My Taipei page is here.
• My Mexico City page is here.
• My Seoul page is here.