Although there is certainly an abundance of dining out experiences waiting to be had in Montreal, there's a few gems that definitely stand out. These options are pricier and should be reserved for the special occasion outings when you truly want an experience.
Au Pied de Cochon 536 Duluth Est
One of the most famous restaurants in Montreal, getting reservations can be tricky so call ahead! It's not healthy and it's not your average every day dinner but it is certainly a Quebecois classic!
"Au Pied de Cochon's celebrity status hasn't changed Chef Picard's no-nonsense approach to food though. Unimpressed by delicate, high-end cuisine that is big on presentation and multiple courses, Picard's approach is more primal: "I want people to see the reality of food," he has said.
The menu is unabashedly tailored to carnivores and favors locally grown, seasonal and natural ingredients."
The menu is unabashedly tailored to carnivores and favors locally grown, seasonal and natural ingredients."
B.Y.O.W
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Joe Beef 2491 Rue Notre-Dame Ouest
Joe Beef is the definition of fine dining! With its cult following, reservations are essential. The menu is creative with only the highest quality ingredients used. This is a true culinary experience.
"Mains were just as delectable. Fork-tender braised goat shoulder and neck meat was given a light curry treatment (any more would have been de trop), surrounded by peas and topped with garden greens. Another main featured the creamy fleshed hake wrapped in prosciutto and served in a brothy tomato sauce with new potatoes, peas and a few mussels alongside. And then a pasta, the oval-shaped cavatelli, with Swiss chard and Parmesan curls, the whole bathed in a rich veal stock. And I can’t leave out one of the tastiest dishes of the night: a mound of lettuces picked from the surrounding vegetable beds, dressed with the lightest, most simple of vinaigrettes. Like locavore nirvana, that salad …"
- Lesley Chesterman, Gazette Fine-Dining Critic
Holder 407 McGill 100-A Old Montreal
Another amazing restaurant which not only offers brunch menus but also a vast dinner menu. Holder has an incredibly hip vibe that happens to hold a special place in my heart. It's simple, it's delicious, and it's chic.
"It's a stylish yet unselfconscious brasserie in Old Montreal." - Hour
"It's a stylish yet unselfconscious brasserie in Old Montreal." - Hour