Arepera

Arepera is a casual Venezuelan restaurant in the Plateau specialising in arepas, the country’s corn-based staple. Made with 100% corn flour, the arepas are naturally gluten-free and come stuffed with a variety of fillings ranging from slow-cooked meats to vegetarian and vegan options. The menu also includes empanadas, fried plantains, and other Venezuelan comfort dishes.

• Web:

  www.arepera.ca

• Address:

  73 Prince-Arthur Street E, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 508 7267

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 11:30am–9pm, Sun 11am–3pm, Mon closed

• Subway:

  Metro Sherbrooke or Mont-Royal. Bus 55.

Damas

Damas is an upscale Syrian restaurant known as much for its food as for its richly decorated, Persian-influenced interior. Hanging lanterns, warm reds, and patterned fabrics set the tone, while the menu draws on the flavours of Damascus and Aleppo, with excellent hot and cold mezze alongside well-executed mains.

• Web:

  www.damas.ca

• E-mail:

  info@restaurant-damas.com

• Address:

  1201 Avenue Van Horne, Outremont

• Phone:

  +1 514 439 5435

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 5:30pm–10pm, Sat & Sun 11am–2:30pm / 5:30pm–10pm

Île Flottante

Île Flottante is a buzzy French-inspired restaurant where creative cooking meets a stylish space adorned with local artwork. The menu changes with the seasons, so you get a sense of what’s fresh and happening in Montreal’s culinary landscape. Portions tend to be on the smaller side, and the overall experience leans towards the higher end of Montreal’s dining scene.

• Web:

  www.restaurantileflottante.com

• E-mail:

  info@restaurantileflottante.com

• Address:

  176 Saint Viateur Street West, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 278 6854

• Opening hours:

  Tue 6pm–11pm, Wed–Sat 5:30pm–10pm, Sun & Mon closed

• More info:

  Reservations are recommended

• Subway:

  Metro Rosemont

La Banquise

La Banquise is, without a doubt, the most famous Poutine joint in Montreal, and most locals will tell you it simply is the best. Open 24/7, it’s a classic late-night (or early-morning) stop where plates arrive piled high with fries, squeaky curds, and gravies of every kind. The menu offers more than 30 variations, ranging from the fully loaded T-Rex to vegetarian options, allowing you to keep it simple or go all-out.

• Web:

  https://labanquise.com

• Address:

  994 Rue Rachel E, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 525 2415

• Opening hours:

  Open 24/7

Le Club Chasse et Pêche

Inside a charming, lodge-influenced dining room, with a mix of French gourmet cuisine and Canadian specials, Le Club Chasse et Pêche knows how to please its crowd. From Québécois fish and game dishes, all the way to red velvet cake and other desserts, you are in for a treat.

• Web:

  https://leclubchasseetpeche.com

• Address:

  423 Rue Saint-Claude, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 861 1112

Le Majestique

A long-time favourite on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Le Majestique is a lively seafood bar and oyster house known for its late hours, strong drinks, and unmistakable personality. The interior feels like a vintage diner playfully reimagined, with wood panelling, mismatched chairs, and just the right touch of kitsch. Seafood is at the heart of the menu, with excellent oysters shucked to order and served with classic accompaniments, alongside seasonal small plates. A rotating selection of natural wines, ciders, microbrews, and well-crafted cocktails rounds out the experience, drawing a loyal crowd of locals and late-night regulars.

• Web:

  https://restobarmajestique.com

• Address:

  4105 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 439 1850

• Opening hours:

  Daily 4pm–3am

Bistro à Jojo

Bistro à Jojo is small, loud, and unapologetically old-school. A fixture of Montreal’s rock and blues scene since the 1970s, this late-night bar packs in crowds for live music every single night of the week. If you’re after a raw, energetic night out in the Quartier des Spectacles, this legendary spot rarely disappoints.

• Web:

  www.bistroajojo.com

• Address:

  1627 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 843 5015

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–3am

• Subway:

  Métro Berri-UQAM

Brutopia

Brutopia is one of downtown Montreal’s long‑standing brewpubs, where beers brewed on the premises pour freely alongside a menu of sharable bites known locally as 'Brutapas.' The space fills up most nights with locals and visitors alike, especially when there’s a quiz, open mic or live band on stage. It’s the kind of place that feels like a rite of passage for anyone exploring Montreal’s bar scene.

• Web:

  www.brutopia.net

• Address:

  1219 Crescent Street, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 393 9277

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 2pm–midnight, Fri & Sat noon–1am

• Subway:

  Metro Lucien L'Allier or Guy/Concordia

Burgundy Lion

Burgundy Lion is a modern take on a British pub, mixing English pub traditions with a distinctly Montreal touch. The drinks list runs deep, with Montreal-brewed beers, a strong whisky selection, and cocktails crafted with Quebec spirits. The food menu goes well beyond British classics such as fish and chips and bangers and mash; it also features unexpected picks from around the world, like chicken tikka masala, gnocchi, and croque madame. Football often plays on the screens, DJs take over some evenings, and the crowd is an easy mix of locals and visitors.

• Web:

  www.burgundylion.com

• E-mail:

  info@burgundylion.com

• Address:

  2496 Rue Notre-Dame Street O, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 934 0888

• Subway:

  Metro Lionel-Groulx

Cloakroom Bar

Tucked behind a menswear store on de la Montagne, Cloakroom Bar is an award-winning speakeasy reputed for its intimate atmosphere and expertly crafted cocktails. There’s no menu here, bartenders will ask about your spirit or flavour preferences and serve a drink you didn’t even know you were craving. The bar also boasts an impressive collection of vintage amari and bourbons, letting visitors savour rare, aged spirits in a cozy, dimly lit setting.

• Web:

  www.cloakroombarmtl.com

• Address:

  2175 Rue de la Montagne #100, Montreal

Comedy Nest

The Comedy Nest has been a cornerstone of Montreal’s comedy scene for decades, earning its reputation as one of the city’s most reliable places for a genuinely good laugh. Tucked underground in the historic Montreal Forum, the club hosts a rotating lineup of seasoned comedians and rising talent, with shows running every weekend well beyond the Just for Laughs buzz.

• Web:

  https://comedynest.com

• Address:

  2313 Saint-Catherine Street O, 3rd Floor, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 932 6378

• More info:

  Montreal Forum

Dieu du Ciel

Dieu du Ciel is one of those places Montrealers talk about with a mix of pride and certainty. Part brewery, part neighbourhood bar, it’s known for bold, imaginative beers that helped shape the city’s craft scene long before it was fashionable. Whether you settle inside or on the patio, the real move is grabbing a seat at the bar — the staff know their taps and are happy to guide you through saisons, stouts, and hop-forward experiments you won’t find just anywhere.

• Web:

  https://dieuduciel.com

• E-mail:

  ddc@dieuduciel.com

• Address:

  29 Avenue Laurier O, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 490 9555

180g Café‑Disquaire

180g Café‑Disquaire is a vinyl shop and café rolled into one. Browse crates of records while enjoying a well-brewed coffee or a light snack; sandwiches, pastries, and local treats are on offer. The café is closely tied to Montreal’s arts scene, hosting exhibitions, events, and supporting local musicians and street artists.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/le180g

• E-mail:

  info@le180g.com

• Address:

  5866 Avenue de Lorimier, Montréal

• Phone:

  +1 438 290 5002

Cafe Aunja

Café Aunja is a Persian café and tea house, just a short walk from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. Set slightly below street level, it offers a cosy break from the city with herbal teas, tisanes, Persian sweets, and good coffee. Tea is the focus here, with a wide selection and the option to create custom blends, while artwork on the walls and occasional live music round out the experience.

• Web:

  www.aunja.com

• E-mail:

  info@aunja.com

• Address:

  1448 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 914 8337

• Subway:

  Metro Guy-Concordia. Bus 24.

Café Castel

Café Castel is a picturesque café tucked inside the Hôtel Ville-Marie, with a bright and cosy interior that stands out in downtown Montreal. The room is filled with natural light from large solarium-style windows, while the charming décor nods to old European streets. Coffee is the main draw, but the menu also includes pastries, sandwiches as well as cocktails and mocktails like black lemonade or the Bloody Spicy Orange.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/cafecastel_mtl

• Address:

  1015 Sherbrooke Street W, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 285 6514

• Opening hours:

  Daily 7am–8pm

Cafe Larue & Fils

Café Larue & Fils is a small, intimate café offering artisan lattes, soups, panini, and a selection of beers in a stylish interior, with touches of local art on the walls.

• Web:

  https://cafelarue.ca

• Address:

  244 Rue de Castelnau E, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 272 8087

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 7am–6pm, Sat & Sun 8am–6pm

• Subway:

  Metro De Castelnau or Jean-Talon

Café Melbourne

Café Melbourne brings a touch of Australia to the heart of Montréal, with a menu featuring avocado toast, bagels, toasties, and jaffles, plus creative brunch items and excellent coffee. Inside is cosy and unfussy, but when the weather allows, the leafy patio is perfect for enjoying a meal outdoors.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/lecafemelbourne

• Address:

  4615 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–4pm

Cafe Myriade

Café Myriade is a small coffee shop near the Museum of Fine Arts, with a bright, modern interior and a reputation for excellent coffee. Espresso and filter coffee are made from local roasts on high-end equipment, with a few treats such as croissants and baked goods also available.

• Web:

  https://cafemyriade.com

• Address:

  1432 Mackay Street, Montreal

• Phone:

  +1 514 939 1717

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 7:30am–7pm, Sat & Sun 8am–5pm

• Subway:

  Metro Guy-Concordia