We love to eat out in Montreal. Elsewhere too, but here it’s an art. We line up for the opening of a new bistro, we eat gnocchi out of a little cardboard box while sitting outside in the blizzard at the risk of losing our fingers, we catalog our favourite restaurants in notes on our phones, in little leather notebooks, on cork boards in the kitchen…
And at the helm of some of Montreal’s finest restaurants are women we don’t talk about enough. So, this month – and all year long – we’ll be honoring (and devouring) the exceptional work of the city’s women chefs.
We’ve got a (non-exhaustive) list of our favorite female chefs here!
1.Jessica Noël, Mon Lapin
Jessica Noël, chef at Mon Lapin, has won over even the most discerning palates with her playful, creative cuisine-Mon Lapin is ranked among the 50 best restaurants in the world.
After perfecting her art in prestigious kitchens such as La Maison Pic and Blue Hill at Stone Barn, she propelled Vin Mon Lapin to the pinnacle of Canadian gastronomy.
Her cuisine, based on Quebec products, is a veritable explosion of flavors, a testament to her expertise and passion for local ingredients.
Where? 150 rue Saint-Zotique East
2.Catherine Couvet-Desrosiers
Catherine Couvet-Desrosiers, chef at Foxy until January 2025, transports us to a world where flames and flavors blend harmoniously.
Trained in Montreal’s finest restaurants and inspired by her experience in Copenhagen, she makes it a point of honor to respect food and the work of producers.
Her warm, authentic cuisine celebrates Quebec terroir products with a modern, original touch.
She has announced the opening of her own restaurant this summer: Panacée. Panacée stands for “universal remedy”, and we’ll be checking when it opens (between May and August) with the same diligence with which we’d keep a doctor’s appointment…
3 Helena Lin, Sunday Cuisine Café
Taiwan-born Helena Lin takes us on a gustatory journey where Asian flavors mingle with Western influences.
At the Sunday Cuisine Café, she treats us to brunches, wraps, salads – and the famous bone broth…
Sunday Cuisine Café: 1905 rue Centre
4.Helena Loureiro, Helena, Portus 360
Portuguese-born Helena Loureiro transports us to a world where Portuguese flavors take center stage. At Portus 360, she delights us with traditional, tasty dishes that bear witness to her expertise and passion for gastronomy. Her authentic and generous cuisine is a true invitation to travel to the heart of Portugal.
Portus 360: 777 Boulevard Henri-Bourrassa
Helena: 438 McGill Street
5.Emma Cardarelli, Elena, Nora Gray and Gia
Emma Cardarelli, a benchmark of Italian gastronomy, enchants us with her authentic, tasty cuisine.
How does she do it? She’s the co-founder of pizza and vino restaurant Elena, Nora Gray, which pays homage to Southern Italy, and Gia, which also celebrates terroir and Italian cuisine with tradition, charm and a warm ambience. Emma Cardarelli and her cuisine are becoming not just a Montreal must-try, but an empire!
Cardarelli is no longer chef at Nora Gray, but she was its co-founder, so we’re including her on our list!
Nora Gray: 1395 rue Saint-Jacques
Gia: 1025 Lenoir Street
Elena : 5090 Notre-Dame Street West
6 Janice Tiefenbach, Elena, Gia
A passionate self-taught chef, Janice Tiefenback delights us with her friendly, authentic Italian cuisine.
At Elena and Gia, she delights us with simple, tasty dishes that highlight local ingredients. Her cuisine, inspired by traditional Italian recipes, is a real treat for the taste buds.
7.Graziella Battista, Graziella
Passionate self-taught chef Graziella Battista transports us into a world where Italian flavors take center stage. At Restaurant Graziella, she delights us with traditional and gourmet dishes that testify to her savoir-faire and creativity.
Her generous, authentic cuisine is a true invitation to travel to the heart of Italy.
Graziella: 116 McGill Street
8.Pamika Sukla, a multi-talented chef
Thailand-born Pamika Sukla enchants us with her traditional, authentic cuisine. At Pamika Thaï, she delights us with savory, richly flavored dishes that reflect her passion for Asian gastronomy. You can also sample her creations in her three other restaurants.
Her generous, gourmet cuisine is a true invitation to travel to the heart of Thailand.
Pamika Thai: 4902 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Mae Sri Comptoir Kuai Tiao Thai: 224 Milton Street
Issan Wine Room: 240 Avenue Laurier Ouest
Le Garden Room: 1445 Bishop Street
9 Karine Beauchamp, Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec restaurant
Karine Beauchamp, a reference in Quebec gastronomy, enchants us with her creative and refined cuisine. At the ITHQ restaurant, she delights us with inventive, tasty dishes that highlight local ingredients-her favorite being berries and berries from the region!
Her cuisine, both modern and traditional, is a true ode to Quebec gastronomy.
Restaurant de l’Institut de Tourisme et d’Hôtellerie du Québec: 3535 rue Saint-Denis
10.Elemy Ascencio, Resto Calaveras
Mexican-born Elemy Ascencio transports us to a world where Mexican flavors take center stage.
At Resto Calaveras, she delights us with traditional, tasty dishes that testify to her expertise and passion for Mexican gastronomy. Her generous, colorful cuisine is a true ode to Mexican culinary tradition.
You can also visit her restaurants Casa Azul and La Vecindad!
Casa Azul:4350 rue Saint-Denis
Calaveras: 2040 rue Beaubien Est
La Vecindad : 4427 rue Saint-Denis
11.Kimberly Lallouz, Miss Prêt à Manger
Kimberly Lallouz, passionate about cooking and events, delights us with her fresh, gourmet cuisine.
At Miss Prêt à Manger, she delights us with dishes inspired by Mediterranean cuisine, a testament to her savoir-faire and creativity. Her cuisine, both simple and refined, is a true ode to eating well.
See also her show More One Big Recipe on Gusto TV!
Miss Prêt à Manger: 1104 rue de Bleury
12.Maria José de Frias, Virunga
Congo-born Maria José de Frias transports us into a world where African flavors take center stage.
At Virunga, she delights us with traditional and innovative dishes that testify to her know-how and creativity. Her bold, generous cuisine is an invitation to travel to the heart of Africa.
Virunga: 851 rue Rachel Est
13 Marianne Lafleur, Les Fleurs Complices
Marianne Lafleur, who worked at Hélicoptère restaurant, now works with her sister at Les Fleurs Complices. We invite you to follow them, to taste their sweet and colorful creations as soon as possible!
14.Rita-Adèle Beaulieu, La Traversée at Bota Bota
Rita-Adèle Beaulieu, a passionate cook from an early age, delights us with her refined, flavorful Mediterranean cuisine.
At La Traversée du Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau, she delights us with dishes inspired by Provence, a testament to her savoir-faire and creativity. Her cuisine, both authentic and modern, is a true ode to Mediterranean gastronomy.
La Traversée: Old Port of Montreal, Spa Bota Bota, McGill Entrance
15.Magie Marier, Ratafia
Magie Marier, passionate about cooking from an early age, delights us with her inventive and flavorful cuisine.
At Ratafia, she delights us with creative, gourmet dishes that highlight local ingredients. Her cuisine, both audacious and refined, is a true ode to Montreal gastronomy.
Ratafia: 6778 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
Bon Appétit!