In Montreal, we like to go out every night, and with the number of excellent, Michelin-starred restaurants we’re lucky enough to have on and around the island, we can try a new restaurant every weekend if we want.
And while Montreal is a city of gastronomy (oysters mignonette champagne, molecular cuisine, fusion, cuisines from all over the world), it’s also a hub of art and architecture.
You get out your instant cameras, your cell phone, your big digital camera that you always (without logical explanation) slung over your shoulder without the lens cap, and you change the ambiance and aesthetic every night…
1.Bloomfield
The flowers on the ceiling at Bloomfield are complemented by the flowers on the plates at this brunch eatery, and it feels a bit like a field in spring(florals, for spring), with the metallic accents of Montreal’s sharp-edged industrial architecture to boot.
Where? 1119 Avenue Van Horne
2 Le Blossom
We’re obsessed with the cherry tree in the middle of the restaurant, and love eating sushi underneath it in winter for the mix of delicacy and solid dark wood.
Where? 1101 Boul. de Maisonneuve E, Montreal
3.Vin Papillon
Vin Papillon’s gallery walls, butterflies and old-fashioned bar give this eatery an almost Scandinavian feel, and the old-fashioned booths give it a nostalgic air that reminds us of family dinners in 60s French movies.
Where? 2519 Notre-Dame Street West
4.Bazart
The resto, in the perpetually under-construction Griffintown neighborhood, is attached to legendary Montreal club New City Gas. And it’s a treasure trove of club culture aesthetics in the sunshine, with the sounds of big house festivals, hanging bars on Tulum beach and the vibe of Ibiza in summer.
Where? 950 Ottawa Street, Montreal
5.Eva’s
The concrete arches, neo-modern architect-designed bar and contemporary artworks on the walls create a half-modern, half-nostalgic atmosphere reminiscent of 90s movie brunches, and we love it! For those who love occasional dressing, visit dressed head-to-toe in black. ..
Where? 3981 Notre-Dame Street West, Saint-Henri, Montreal
6.Damas
Montreal’s iconic Syrian eatery is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants on the island. The decor is rich in Syrian colors and textures, the ambiance is hushed and festive, and the look is incredibly glamorous, making you happy and honoring Syria.
Where? 1201 Van Horne Avenue, Outremont
7.June Buvette
The small tiles covering the bar of this neighborhood eatery reflect the perfectly not-too-hot-not-too-cold light from the fixtures at night, and it’s the perfect mix of whimsy and sexy-cool that makes this one of Montreal’s prettiest spots for dining with friends or lovers.
Where? 1900 Centre Street, Pointe Saint-Charles
8.Nevski
It’s a bit of the reddish warmth of Eastern European samovars and the sharp coolness of vodka, in a subdued resto-bar decorated with a clutter that creates an atmosphere that encourages you to laugh out loud, celebrate life and get closer to each other.
Where? 75 Queen Street
9 Le Serpent
A resto that reflects the great metal buildings of Griffintown’s industrial district, blending the warmth of Italian cuisine with the frosted steel of its architecture. It’s in the iconic Darling Foundry, an artistic and architectural hub .
Where? 257 Prince Street, Montreal
10.Bar George
Classic, Ralph Lauren-esque, old money , and when you add the smell of the fireplace and the bitters of the cocktails you order leaning at the bar, you almost forget that the city outside is modern…
Where? 1440 rue Drummond
11.Elena
Elena combines the ambiance of a mid-century bistro with Italian coffee, pizza and wine . Velvet banquettes, brushed metal accents and slightly pastel acid colors.
Where? 5090 rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal
12.Henri
The Birks Hotel’s French bistro has the holy grail of design aesthetics: a wall covered in mirrors and the nostalgic, very Nouvelle Vague accents of the great Parisian bistros, and the fruits-de-mer-et-champagne ambiance that transforms the evening into an elegant interlude. We finish the meal with a small café, if you please!
Where? 1240 Phillips Square, Montreal
13.Jellyfish
This is the trifecta of midcentury modern: polished wood, black leather and hanging lamps above the bar. The ambiance is super-charming, and the sound of footsteps on wooden floors adds to the restaurant’s impeccable vibe. With the added touch of land and sea, it’s the classic aesthetic of North American East Coast restaurants.
Where? 626 Marguerite-d’Youville Street, Montreal
14.dandy
A café-resto in the style of the 2000s, with acid pastels, rounded soft-touch surfaces and leather banquettes: adorable, for brunch gossip and second dates…
Where? 244 rue St-Jacques, Montreal
15 La Petite Dinette
This is a very specific, very fun, very ’50s aesthetic: the Grease-style diner with linoleum-covered tables, white and blond booths and pink walls. Bonus for those who go with a period blow-dry and for those who bring their crush to drink a milkshake with two straws.
Where? 4186 St-Denis, Montreal
16.Ibérica
Ibérica’s décor is designed with a rare and delicious sophistication; a play of lights, mirrors and textures, and a dark, sexy space where you can still see your lover’s face during dinner, and watch him or her from underneath over steaming Spanish tapas.
Where? 1450 Peel Street, Montreal
17 Jiao Dim Sum Bar
The decor is part 60s modernist, part Asian, delicately textured with wooden latticework. There’s a bit of everything, and above all a patchwork aesthetic that creates a kind of cocoon and hushed atmosphere that turns into an after-dinner party .
Where? 399 Notre-Dame St. W, Montreal
18 Le Darling
This resto-bar on rue Saint-Laurent is a café-resto by day, and a party bar by night. The resto’s warm colors, coastal grandmother-style coffee mugs and caramel wood blend the nostalgic and familiar with a bit of novelty and circus motifs, and it’s the perfect place to dine with friends and take our hot date after dark.
Where? 4328 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal
19.Foiegwa
This French dinette with patchwork walls and the hysterically soft ambience of a classic bistro makes you happy, because it’s the aesthetic – and the menu – of happiness. Half savory, half sweet, with lots of little nooks and crannies for whispering stories between friends or lovers, or with your dad who spent some time in Europe.
Where? 3001 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal
20.Yoko Luna
Yoko Luna is the epitome of Montreal opulence, with its maximalist architecture, sexy artworks, impossibly high ceilings for the city and walls that play with light and shadow. Obviously, it’s the place to be for those who won’t be home before daybreak and want to be seen…
Where? 1234 rue De la Montagne, Montreal
Enjoy your visit and bon appétit!