Montreal Restaurant Tips by Gwenvar

Lele Da Cuca: My Favorite Restaurant

This tiny restaurant is a heaven of Brazilian and Mexican cooking, in the middle of the Plateau Mont-Royal. First of all, when you enter, it is like entering a carnaval, there are so many decorations, it's like a small trip to Brazil and it's festive air. The owner is very amiable one. And his food is simply great! What proves this is that his restaurant has been there since 1978.
It is better to make reservations in advance, since the restaurant is so small, and that I am not the only one who really loves it. They have a bring your own wine and beer policy.

Favorite Dish: My favorite dish would be the COCOA CHICKEN (Molle de pollo). It's chicken in bitter cocoa sauce with spices, served with rice and salad. Hmmm! It's so good! Delicieux! They also serve a very old Mexican drink , the Tepache, made of pineapple and honey and maybe some other thing. It's so good that I have to take it everytime.

Detailed directions map

Address: 70, Marie-Anne E, Montreal,near St-Lawrence Boul.

Comparison: about average

Directions: It's in the Plateau Mont-Royal. Between, Avenue Mont-Royal E and Rue Rachel E. 2 blocks East of Boul. Saint-Laurent. See detailed map.

Phone: (514)849-6649

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Olive + Goumando: A Bakery for The Fashionista

I love this place! And I'm far from being the only one, as you'll see that on lunch breaks there are plenty of people who work in the area who will come here to grab a bite. It has a fun bohemian chic atmosphere to it which can turn a gloomy day around in a jiffy. The aim is to serve healthy food in a fun package. they serve hot panini like 'The Cubain' containing ham, braised pork, homemade mayonnaise (chipotle peppers, pikles, lime and coriander) with gruyère cheese (CND $8.75) or 'The Goat Cheese' with caramalized onions, goat cheese and homemade ketchup (CND $8.00) or cold sandwiches like 'The Smoke Trout' consisting of hot smoked trout with capers, sundried tomatoes, spinach and herbed creem cheese (CND $9.00) and also serve soups, salads, daily plates like 'Duck Confit' (CND $12.00) and most importantly, pastries, oh yah! By the way, if it's summer, why not take your lunch and walk the couple of blocks to the park that follows the edge of the St-Lawrence River, there are plenty of benches to enjoy... ;-)

Favorite Dish: Personnally I've tried the Goat Cheese panini and The Cubain and they were both mouth watering!

Opening hours are from Tuesday to Saterday, 8am to 6pm.

Address: 351, rues Saint-Paul Ouest, Old Montreal

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: West part of Old montreal, just in front of 'Le Marché De La Villette', near Notre-Dame Cathedral, corner of St-Pierre street.

Phone: 514-350-1083

Rating: 5

Theme: Bakery

Website: http://www.oliveetgourmando.com

Santropol: Great sandwiches! Santropol Review

This place was in full throttle when my mom was at university...and still is, more than ever! Straight from 1970, it's "granola" style, in all it's glory!

And It's one of the most fun places to go and have lunch!
You can also go in the evening, but as a meal, they only serve sandwiches (thick ones), two types of salads and a vegetarian home style chili.
It serves both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

What I love about it, is that you feel a bit like you just entered the Weasley's house. But the best part is the fenced garden in the back. It is a small and fairy-like oasis in the middle of the city.
They even put lamp heaters so to prolonged the period during which it can be used.

Opening hours: 11h30 to midnight every day.

Favorite Dish: My favorite is the "Santropol" sandwich,
containing roast beef, blue cheese (I love blue cheese!) and cream cheese, with some mysterious spices, on thick and moist whole wheat bread. (I'm not sure if you can have white bread instead, but think that I've heard it offered.) As you see, I'm not a vegetarian, even though I do like to eat that way quite often.

They also have great house blends of tea.

Address: 3990 rue St-Urbain, corner Duluth

Comparison: about average

Directions: Mile End / Plateau Mont-Royal, right near the Mont-Royal Park. And next to the Hotel-Dieux Hospital.

Phone: 514-842-3110

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.santropol.com

L'Avenue: The Plateau in all it's glory L'Avenue Review

It was the first trendy place to set up it's front on Mont-Royal avenue.
And was so trendy in fact, that since then, the street is now one of Montreal's jewells, with all the other restaurants and stores coming over to join it's success.

It has an artsy/modern/somewhat eclectic looking interior. You might have to wait in line on a Saturday, it's so popular with the locals, but it's well worth it. The portions are so that you won't be hungry anymore afterwards, there's food for everyone's taste.

They have great breakfasts, as well as wonderfull lunch and dinner services.

By the way, it's trendy but relaxed and fun, so don't fret over your clothes. I love to go there with my friends.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7h00-23h00; Sat 8h00-23h00; Sun 8h00-22h00.

Favorite Dish: Everything that I've tasted was very good.
Even the salads served as meals are appetizing. Huge and delicious hamburgers. Great french fries. Asian inspired dishes.They have an international cuisine, so you can have your pick.
I recommend the gigantic exotic fruit juices.

Address: 922 avenue du Mont Royal Est

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located in the "Plateau" of Montreal...A few blocks East of Mont-Royal Metro. (When coming out, on Mont-Royal Av. you'll want to turn on your right.) You'll pass by a "Second Cup" coffee shop, on your way.

Phone: (514) 523-8780

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Chao Praya: Thai cuisine at it's best Choa Praya Review

Named after Thailand's famous river, this is a restaurant that will make your palate journey through an array of flavours. Not only one of the best Thai restaurants in Montreal (which has many), but it is also a delight for the eye as well. Here, you can take your time to taste your food, as it is an evening out, of it's own. Set near one of Montreal's nicest neighbourhoods, Outremont.
It is a veggie friendly restaurant.
Perhaps you can make some reservations, since there are many Montrealers who appreciate this restaurant.

These same owners also have a Thai vegetarian restaurant called Chu Chai at 4088 St-Denis street. I have read from a very good source that it is as good and beautiful as Chao Praya.

Favorite Dish: If I can remember correctly, there is a soup made of fish, Basil leaves and coconut milk that I find is out of this World! But really everything is simply delicious and of high quality, here.

click map for directions

Address: 50 Laurier Avenue Ouest, Montreal, QC H2T2N4

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Adjacent to Outremont. On Laurier street and corner of Clark, (one corner to the East of St-Laurent Boulevard). At Laurier Metro, take the 51 bus about 5-10 min. drive. Ask the driver to drop you at the right stop.

Phone: (514) 272-5339

Rating: 5

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Manna: Visit Korea In The Middle Of Downtown Montreal...

You've never tasted Korean food or you already love it to death?
Well then, you should go to Manna restaurant, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Since Korean food is very popular with the Japanese, you will see many of them coming here, along with the Korean community, the downtown working population and students from Concordia University, situated right accross the street.
They always have a lunch special that runs under $10.00(CND). In the evening, you won't go very much higher where prices go.

Along with pop Korean music, you will be automatically served miso soup and delicious and spicy condiments. Such as a home-made kimchi (slightly fermented cabbage with hot red pepper), delicious cubes of potatoes that had been simmered in water, soy sauce and sugar, bean sprouts and a peppery julienned turnip.
As main dish, you can find tempuras made of different ingredients; beef bulgogi (something like a Korean barbecue), sweet and sour breaded chicken with soy sauce for dipping; Bi bim bap, a rice-and-vegetable dish often topped with a lightly fried egg. The ingredients are thoroughly stirred together at the table, and the heat of the dish continues cooking them, including the egg, as you eat. And a whole range of other delicious and out of the ordinary concoctions.
Directions Map

Address: 1421 Bishop Rue, Montreal, QC, H3G2E4

Comparison: about average

Directions: West part of downtown, near Metro Guy-Concordia two streets East. Next to Concordia University.

Phone: (514) 288-1703

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Euro-Deli: Very Good Italian Eatery

This is an excellent choice if you don't want to spend too much money and you are hungry and still want to eat well. They have good portions of Italian dishes such as Calzoni, manicotti, tortellini, eggplant and cheese lasagna, pizza, panini(sandwiches), antipasti, etc. They also have great coffee and biscotti, and all sorts of other Italian products.

They do take-out as well, and have a cash only policy.

Hours: 8:30am-2am Monday-Wednesday; 8:30am-4am Thursday & Friday; 10am-2am Sunday.

I've also heard that they have a New Downtown Location: 1206 Peel St, near Ste-Catherine street, 1-514-878-3354, they even have waiter service in addition to take-out, and take credit cards.

Favorite Dish: I've eaten here often around the years( it's been around for more or less 20 years), and never been disappointed. My favorite is the eggplant lasagna, antipasti, and I do enjoy their panini as well as anything else they make. Oh yes, and the little Italian bred roll that they give with your dish. Italian bred is so good!

See Map for directions.

Address: 3619 St-Laurent Boulevard (near Prince-Arthur)

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Plateau Mont-Royal near Sherbrooke Street. Right in the midst of the very trendy area of St-Laurent and Prince-Arthur streets. Near Metro St-Laurent. Also near Sherbrooke Metro.

Phone: 1-514-843-7853

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Chez Leveque: One of the Best French Restaurants Around!

This is a restaurant that I have passed in front of, thousands of times, since I grew up in Outremont. And I've always seen people inside, just enjoying a quick afternoon bite or a more formal evening out. This restaurant was formelly knowned as "La Lucarne", but the owners Patricia and Pierre Leveque, decided to renovate their prized possession and gave it their name in the process. It has a bistro/brewry like atmosphere with it's excellent wine list and French(Parisian) staff. And is considered to be one of Montreal's best traditional French cuisine, serving meats, fresh fish, mussels, fries, dishes in sauces, entrails and grills, terrines and pasta.
It is situated in one of Montreal's loveliest neighbourhoods, there are quantities of nice shops here. And just a nice stroll in it's residential streets before or after your meal, would be the completion of a very pleasant evening out indeed!

Favorite Dish: Everything is good, it only depends on your whim of the day.
Parking spaces on the street are hard to come by, but you can go behind in the alley way on either sides and find aloted parking spaces there. Or take a taxi or bus #51 from Laurier Metro or #80 or #129 from Place-Des-Arts Metro.
Click on Map

Address: 1030 Av Laurier W.,Montreal(Outremont), QC

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In Outremont. On the North slope of Mont-Royal Park. On Park Avenue going North, turn to your left at Laurier. (There are banks on three corners.) See map above.

Phone: (514) 279-7355

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: French

Marche De La Villette: Great French Bistro and General Grocer's

I have discovered this beautiful small corner of France about two years ago. And since then, when I come to the Old Montreal, generally, during the day, and feel a little hunger lurking it's way, (funny thing is, when I think of this place, I always seem to be hungry, somehow...), I have to come here and have a sample of their delicious food. The owner is very French, in a jovial kind of way. He is actually a French maistre artisan boucher (a master quality butcher) who prepares the most delicious charcuteries( cooked pork meats) and such. He also has many fine cheeses and all sorts of other things that make eating enjoyable. Did I mention that he has exquisite French pastries? Well, now I am.

Set in a fashion that you feel right in the middle of French village, it is as agreable to be in, as to eat at.

Favorite Dish: When I go there to sit for lunch, I often choose a sandwich made of "saucisson de Lyon". And when I went with my 12 and 14 year old cousins, they went crazy over the French pastries, not knowing what to choose since it all looked so good, and was. Along with the best hot chocolate, for when it's cold outside, as it was that day.

Click for map

Address: 324 St-Paul West (Corner St-Pierre), Montreal

Directions: Old Montreal, west part of it. Just follow your nose. Not far from Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Phone: (514) 807-8084

Rating: 4

Theme: French