An insider’s guide to top food and wine experiences by sommeliers and industry pros from Canada’s second city
Montreal is widely known for its food and wine culture, but where do the pros go when they want great food, paired with an equally fantastic glass (or bottle) of wine? To answer that, I asked an opinionated group of 12 of the city’s top sommeliers for their favourite addresses whilst I was attending a wine tasting lunch in the city.
Not ones to make my job easy, the initial, whittled-down list (after much debate) still had 37 restaurants that showcase the best food and wine experiences Montreal has to offer – according to this group of insiders.
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Undaunted, I turned to a group of local food and wine writers, sommeliers, wine importers, wine shop owners, a restaurant reviewer and a passionate and dedicated local foodie, for their input and tasked them with narrowing down the choices to their top five go-to spots. The result after compiling their favourites? This curated list of 15 Montreal restaurants that truly stand out—not just for their food or their wine programs, but for how both come together to create an exceptional experience.
This insider’s guide highlights these top 15 establishments, listed alphabetically, offering something special for every wine lover, whether you’re after an adventurous natural wine or a perfectly paired classic vintage. Here’s where to go when you want your next meal to be an unforgettable one. You can thank me (and them) later:
Bouillon Bilk
22, rue Saint-Catherine E / Telephone (514) 845-1595
Website bouillonbilk.com
A pillar of Montreal’s fine dining scene (co-owners Mélanie Blanchette and François Nadon have been at the helm since the restaurant’s opening in 2011), Bouillon Bilk is celebrated for its refined, contemporary and creative cuisine using the freshest of ingredients. Recently moved to a new locale on Sainte-Catherine Street following a fire in its original location on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, the restaurant has gained acclaim for its minimalist yet striking approach, both in decor and culinary style. An ever-changing menu showcases creative dishes with deceptively simple descriptions like veal, sea urchins, green onion, and lemon or hiramasa with yuzu kosho, grapefruit, and fennel. The restaurant’s wine list highlights private imports and harder-to-find pours that complement the delicate and inventive dishes.
Though the address may have changed (they moved in order to expand), Bouillon Bilk’s chic new interior still echoes the meticulously plated dishes, and the attentive, friendly service makes it a favourite for both business lunches and intimate dinners. The restaurant’s commitment to quality, creativity, and seasonal ingredients solidifies its standing as a top dining experience in Montreal.
Elena
5090 Notre-Dame St W / Telephone (514) 379-4883
Website coffeepizzawine.com
Located in Montreal’s Saint-Henri neighborhood, Elena is a vibrant Italian-inspired restaurant that blends casual elegance with a focus on high-quality ingredients. Co-founded by Ryan Gray, Emma Cardarelli, and Marley Sniatowsky, this pizzeria and wine bar quickly gained popularity for its pizza. The wood-fired pizzas, such as the classic Margherita and the creatively named Dany (with mozza di bufala, spinach, spicy honey and sesame), are loved for their light and crispy textures, made from natural sourdough.
Elena’s menu extends beyond pizza to include a selection of antipasti, seasonal salads and fresh, handmade pasta. The restaurant’s modern, chic design, featuring a swirling marble bar and velvet seating, creates a welcoming ambiance that pairs well with its playful and refined dishes. The extensive wine list emphasizes natural wines, particularly, though by no means exclusively, from Italy. Much more than a neighborhood (and industry) favourite—it’s a destination for those seeking an excellent food and wine experience with a cool vibe.
L’Express
3927 Saint Denis St / Telephone (514) 845-5333
Website: restaurantlexpress.com
A beloved Montreal institution since 1980, this is a quintessential French bistro that has remained a consistent favourite among locals and visitors alike. Known for its classic decor designed by Luc Laporte, with iconic black-and-white tiled floors and a warm, bustling atmosphere, L’Express offers a timeless dining experience. The menu features French bistro staples like steak frites, veal kidneys (rognons de veau) with ‘sauce moutarde’ (mustard sauce), and bone marrow sprinkled with ‘fleur de sel’, alongside daily specials that always align with its ‘bistro’ roots. The kitchen continues the tradition of delivering flawless renditions of French classics, where dishes are prepared with impeccable consistency and care. The extensive wine cellar offers exceptional value and variety. Take a peek at their ‘parallel wine list’ and be prepared to go down a rabbit hole of indecision. The charm here lies in its ability to balance old-world tradition with modern dining delivery.
“The perfect spot morning, noon, and night! A place that never stops buzzing, where wine flows freely and where the classics are celebrated properly. My regular go-to spot”
– Vanya Filipovic, Co-owner, Mon Lapin & Founder of Les Vins Dame-Jeanne
Le Filet
219 Mont-Royal Ave W / Telephone (514) 360-6060
Website lefilet.ca
Located in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal neighborhood, Le Filet is a chic seafood-focused restaurant that blends impeccable quality fish and seafood, with sometimes subtle Asian influences, into innovative, delicately crafted dishes. Dishes include Sea Bream Ceviche, coriander mousse, honey & coconut vinaigrette as well as king salmon, saffron potato, seasonal greens, and grenobloise sauce. The restaurant’s focus on fish and shellfish (‘Le Filet’ is French for ‘The Net’) is balanced by options like Sweetbread & Lobster Ravioli with Cauliflower in Bisque, or Gemelli with Braised Veal Cheek, Mushrooms and Foie Gras.
The wine program features a vast selection of meticulously selected wines, including a large selection of wines from the Burgundy region in France. The ambiance at Le Filet is lively yet sophisticated, with a contemporary decor and open kitchen, making it a favourite for both a night out with friends or a more intimate dining experience.
Gia Vin & Grill
1025 Rue Lenoir / Telephone (438) 397-9000
Website giagiagia.com
A standout Italian address in Montreal’s Saint-Henri district, this place offers a rustic yet refined dining experience. Launched in 2021 by the team behind Nora Gray and Elena, Gia specializes in dishes inspired by Tuscany and Central Italy prepared on a wood-fired grill. The menu highlights seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from small Quebec farms, and features dishes such as arrosticini (charcoal-grilled skewers on the arrosticini grill), rigatoni alla Norma, lamb sausage with preserved lemon and kale, and grilled seafood and vegetables. The restaurant occupies a converted garage in a historic building and boasts a chic industrial ambiance with an open dining area and long bar. The wine list focuses on natural wines, predominantly though not exclusively from Italy, chosen to complement the rich, smoky flavours of the grilled meats and vegetables.
Graziella
116 McGill St / Telephone (514) 876-0116
Website restaurantgraziella.ca
Located in the heart of Old Montreal, Graziella is a refined Italian restaurant known for blending traditional recipes with a modern twist. Since opening in 2007, chef-owner Graziella Battista has offered a menu inspired by her southern Italian heritage, showcasing homemade pastas, fresh seafood, and local Quebec meats (Graziella has a strong focus on sustainability). Signature dishes like her famous and oft mentioned osso buco continue to draw regulars. The menu changes seasonally to highlight the freshest, locally sourced ingredients, with dishes like Manzo Crudo (marinated beef carpaccio, pickled egg, breadcrumbs, Taggiasche olives, arugula, and mayonnaise) and Agnello (rosemary and sundried tomato braised Kamouraska lamb shoulder, cauliflower, white turnip, fingerling potatoes, roasted french shallot, lamb “jus”).
The elegant atmosphere is complemented by a curated wine list featuring a selection of biodynamic and organic wines from small Italian and Quebec producers.
H3
340 Rue De la Gauchetière O 2e étage / Telephone (514) 312-7085
Website restauranth3.ca
Located in Montreal’s Humaniti complex, H3 offers a refined dining experience that focuses on celebrating Quebec’s local terroir. Led by executive chef Jean-Sébastien Giguère, the restaurant embraces seasonality and regional products, showcasing ingredients like Gaspésie tuna, PEI beef striploin, Quebec cheese and Matane shrimp. Dishes include aged Duck Magret with king mushroom, caramelized celeriac purée, heirloom carrots and coffee and homemade ricotta cavatelli with tartufata, golden enoki and lion’s mane. H3 is also renowned for its extensive wine program. The restaurant boasts a stunning 6,000-bottle cellar featuring prestigious grand crus alongside wines from Quebec’s artisanal vineyards (in total over 1,500 references, of which more than 100 come from Quebec).
Hoogan et Beaufort
4095 Rue Molson / Telephone (514) 903-1233
Website hooganetbeaufort.com
Located in Montreal’s Rosemont neighborhood within the Shop Angus complex, this is a standout for its modern cuisine focused on wood-fired cooking and locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Led by chef-owner Marc-André Jetté, the restaurant embraces a refined yet approachable culinary style, where the precision of flavours and textures is key. Dishes like Duck Magret from La Canardière with plum, kohlrabi and shiso or Bluefin Tuna from Gaspésie, shishito peppers, caper leaves and yuzu kosho reflect the chef’s dedication to highlighting Quebec’s ingredients. The extensive wine list features over 700 private imports and many old vintages. The wood-fire cooking, which infuses dishes with a unique, smoky flavour, remains at the heart of the kitchen’s philosophy.
With a tasting menu that frequently changes to reflect seasonal availability, diners are guaranteed a fresh and inventive experience with every visit. The industrial-chic decor, designed by Appareil Architecture, adds to the restaurant’s charm, creating an elegant atmosphere that is also warm and relaxed.
Moccione
7495 Saint Denis St / Telephone (514) 495-9899
Website moccione.com
A beloved Italian restaurant located in Montreal’s Villeray neighborhood, offering a modern yet friendly dining experience. Opened in 2018 by chef Luca Cianciulli, an alum of Toqué! And his partner in work and in life, Maxime Landry, Moccione quickly established itself as a key player in Montreal’s Italian dining scene. The restaurant is chic while exuding a welcoming, familial atmosphere. The menu changes regularly, focusing on high-quality, locally sourced ingredients prepared with finesse. Dishes include casarecce pasta with a ragù sauce of sausage, olives, bird’s eye chili, and pecorino pepato, and their grilled octopus, currently paired with bell peppers, tomatoes, yogurt, and taggiasche olives. Desserts, like their tiramisu, are worth saving a spot for. The wine list is creative and showcases a variety of sometimes unexpected and harder to find wines and is a treat to peruse. It’s an unpretentious vibe, with a reputation for quality and charm.
Mon Lapin
150 R. Saint-Zotique E / Telephone (514) 379-4550
Website vinmonlapin.com
located in Montreal’s Little Italy, Mon Lapin has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of Canada’s top dining establishments, recognized for its inventive and seasonally driven cuisine. Co-owners Vanya Filipovic, Marc-Olivier Frappier, Jessica Noël, Alex Landry and Marc-Antoine Gélinas, have created a warm, inviting atmosphere where food and wine are celebrated with equal enthusiasm. Originally a small 36-seat wine bar, Mon Lapin has since taken over the neighboring space and doubled, offering a full-service experience that balances casual charm with refined culinary execution. The menu changes frequently, reflecting the availability of fresh Quebec-sourced ingredients and creative flavour pairings like a ‘Croque-Pétoncle’ with green onions or Cavatelli di Ricotta, polpetine & sungolds. The Gnocchi Fritti paired with tomatoes is never to be missed.
The wine program, curated by Filipovic and Landry, focuses on natural and low-intervention wines, and showcases selections from small, independent winemakers. It’s the place to find rarer pours and hyper-knowledgeable staff who know their list intimately and who will happily guide you. The space, designed with local art and a cozy ambiance, feels like a lively dinner party, making it a favourite, and much coveted spot.
“As someone who has worked in the restaurant industry for years, I am happiest when the food and the service are on par with each other. Mon Lapin never misses; the food is always delicious and creative, the wine list is impeccable, and the service is stellar.”
Montréal Plaza
6230 Rue St-Hubert / Telephone (514) 903-6230
Website montrealplaza.com
A dynamic and whimsical restaurant located on Plaza St-Hubert and co-owned by chefs Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson, both alumni of Montreal’s renowned Toqué! restaurant. Open since 2015, Montréal Plaza is known for its playful approach to French cuisine, blending classic techniques with bold, unexpected elements. The decor is equally eclectic, designed by Zébulon Perron, featuring quirky touches like stuffed Elmo dolls, plastic dinosaurs and an upside-down dollhouse, adding a fun, relaxed atmosphere to an otherwise elegant space.
The menu is constantly evolving and features nods to classic French bistro dishes with Japanese influences (among others) done in Montréal Plaza style. Current offerings include Beef Tartare with anchovies, fermented peppers, puffed rice and quail egg yolk and fried scallop skewers with fresh ginger, Japanese pickle, green onions, spicy mayonnaise and tuna caramel. Expect some dishes to be served on the back of a toy dinosaur or in the bed of a plastic Tonka truck. The tasting menu offers a wide variety of flavours and textures, pushing the boundaries of traditional fine dining. The extensive and worldly wine list includes well-priced Burgundy selections, rare finds and older vintages making it a hit among wine enthusiasts.
Nora Gray
1391 Rue Saint-Jacques / Telephone (514) 419-6672
Website noragray.com
A cozy upscale Italian restaurant located in Griffintown, Montreal, that has been a go-to destination for fine Italian dining since 2011. Founded by chef Emma Cardarelli, sommelier Ryan Gray, and Lisa McConnell, the restaurant has garnered attention for its elegant, rustic cuisine rooted in regional and southern Italian traditions. Nora Gray’s small, intimate dining space, characterized by wood-paneled walls, leather banquettes, and dim lighting, provides a romantic and welcoming atmosphere for diners.
The menu emphasizes seasonal ingredients, handmade pastas and an inventive approach to traditional Italian dishes such as Chickpea Crostini, Dandelion Greens, Trout Roe and Pickled Peppers. Their wine program features an impressive selection of natural and organic wines, with a solid seven-page curation from Italy (of course), France, Greece, Austria and more.
“This has always been a special occasion spot for my husband and I: Sit at the bar, order all of the pastas, indulge for the night, it’s always worth it.”
Pichai
5985 Rue St-Hubert / Telephone (514) 419-1606
Website pichai.biz
Located in Montreal’s Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie, is a unique and eclectic Thai restaurant that offers a modern take on the traditional cuisine of northern Thailand. Opened by the team behind Épicerie Pumpui, Pichai moves beyond the curries and familiar dishes that made its sister restaurant famous, with complex, spicy, and diverse flavours. The menu blends authentic street food traditions with high-quality Quebec ingredients.
Expect (bold and spicy) dishes like Laab Ped, a minced duck salad with chopped duck hearts, and Pla Rad Prik, whole fried Opercule Arctic char with tamarind sauce and fried garlic. Pichai’s emphasis on family-style dining evokes the authentic Thai experience of sharing plates, making it ideal for group gatherings. The restaurant’s creative, and unexpected, wine list features natural wines and harder to find bottles and even a section devoted to skin-contact maceration wines.
Tuck Shop
4662 Notre-Dame St. W / Telephone (514) 439-7432
Website tuckshop.ca
Located in Montreal’s Saint-Henri neighbourhood, Tuck Shop is a cozy and vibrant bistro known for its fresh, market-driven cuisine. Open since 2010, the seasonal menu changes regularly with features like Gaspésie bluefin tuna, tonnato, kohlrabi and leche de tigre; corn agnolotti, lobster mushrooms, ricotta, and smoked butter, or Beaurivage pork, chorizo, nectarine, goat cheese, and béarnaise sauce. The intimate setting and warm décor with local artwork offer a laid-back yet refined atmosphere. The wine list is carefully selected, with a selection of natural and organic wines (and some ‘off the menu’ options hidden away that are worth asking about).
“Extensive wine list with affordable options as well as some hard-to-find and tightly allocated bottles. Knowledgeable staff, with a laid-back approach that makes you feel welcome (and that doesn’t push a specific wine ideology or tell you what you should drink).”
– Jon Cercone, managing partner, Taverne sur le Square & Founder of Brommelier
Le Vin Papillon
2519 Notre-Dame St. W / Telephone (514) 439-6494
Website vinpapillon.com
Located in Montreal’s Little Burgundy, this is a lively wine bar and restaurant that stands out for its vegetable-forward small plates and natural wine selection. Opened by the Joe Beef team, it offers a lighter and more playful take on French cuisine, with dishes that showcase seasonal Quebec produce. The restaurant is known for its classics, such as its not-to-be-missed house-cured Jambon Blanc, served with shavings of P.E.I. cheddar and beurre noisette, as well as seasonal offerings like Brussel Sprouts with ‘chili crisp’ and Beef Tartare with artichokes and marrow.
Although vegetables take centre stage, Vin Papillon is not a vegetarian restaurant; its menu includes fresh seafood and local meats with dishes like their grilled razor clams (toppings change regularly) and rabbit merguez sausage. Their Smoked Eel Chouquette (that is intentionally reminiscent of the chia pets of yore) reflect the kitchen’s playful and inventive approach to French classics. The wine list emphasizes natural wines, many of which are from small, independent producers, and the staff is always keen to recommend a ‘hard-to-choose-from’ selection.
“Le Vin Papillon is much more than an institution: it’s one-of-a-kind, wonderfully welcoming, and with an atmosphere that feels a bit like spending the evening at a friend’s apartment. In this warm and unpretentious setting, you can enjoy simple yet incredibly delicious seasonal dishes, while following the advice of a ‘trusted friend’ more than a server, who introduces you to their current favorite private import wine discoveries, in a relaxed and unpretentious way. Tip: grab a seat at the bar for the full experience.”
– Marie-Ève Collin and Catherine Denault, co-owners, Saucette caviste • buvette de quartier
– Alana Lapierre is a regional editor for VineRoutes, and resides in Montreal, Quebec